Dalhousie

Travelling to Varkala was a dream come true and a more special memory because it was my first trip without any elders accompanying me. It was just me, my sister and my kid - a true girls' trip. Even though there was a sense of excitement and independence as we set off on this adventure, there was also an unknown fear, the fear of being entirely responsible for our journey. But Varkala didn't fail to prove me wrong with its safest travel experience.

With Varkala being the main destination of this trip, we also had our itenaries planned from Allepey, Jatayu and Vaikkom (covered in other blogs). On the third day of our girls' tour, we started from Vaikkom to Varkala via a three-hour road trip. One of the most unexpected yet heart warming experiences happened on our way to Varakala. There was no much conversations with our young college-going driver, until he had to visit his house (for few minutes) which was on the way to Varkala. What touched us the most was when his family welcomed us on arriving at his house, the first Keralite house that we got to see. We sat in their cozy home, sipping water, having snacks offered by his mother and grand mother and started sharing stories, feeling like a part of their family (even though the language was a barrier). The kid at their home got easily bonded with my 3-year old daughter. They took us on a mini garden tour where they were raising rabbits and roosters. It was a humbling moment, realizing how travel connects strangers in the most unexpected ways. Waving a good bye to this beautiful family, we continued our road travel to Varkala.

As someone hailing from the coastal city of Chennai, Varkala was not on my thoughts to surprise me with its scenic beaches. But as soon as we landed, the sheer beauty of the Varkala beach and the first sight of the North cliff soaked me in the vibes to spend next two glorious day in Varkala.

The beach was unlike any other I had visited before. The towering cliffs and the paragliding adventures from it made it feel magical. But the scorching sun and the beach adventures made us dehydrated. Walking up the North Cliff, my stomach rumbled in hunger and I found a promising-looking restaurant named "Novella cafe" around the corner.  Thankfully, the AC dining and their culinary delights was like finding water in the desert. Novella concept Hotel & Cafe is Varkala's first and only sea facing library concept hotel.

Soon after the good lunch, we checked in Elixir beach resort and spa at the South cliff. Unlike the busiest North cliff, the south cliff provided a relaxing environment studded with peaceful resorts that had private beaches. Rest of the day was spent exploring the resort and swimming became the highlight, filled with laughter, splashing and the joy of creating memories together in the pool. Our high-tea was spent with a breath taking view of pinkish sunset and seeing the return of boats to the shore.  As the sun set, the sky transformed into a canvas of orange and pink hues, creating the perfect backdrop for our evening walks. Not to forget, we happened to see the preparations for a destination wedding that was planned at the resort for the next day. Their party scenes and the crackers by the beach made us also the part of their wedding. A swing with fairy lights and the beach side dinner with my sister and my kid is a memorable lifetime experience.

Day 2 at Varkala went on a loop with beach, food and sleep. We started exploring the private beach of the resort in the early morning. The route to the beach was a mini hike experience that took us through cave like structure. The stunning cliff overlooking the Arabian sea created a mesmerizing landscape. The beach was clean, clear and private. I was soon dived into the scenes of the disney movie Moana with the gentle warmth of the Sun, the cool sea breeze, the sound of the waves and the sight of endless blue water. It only added more fantasy when seeing my kid ran excitedly along the shoreline collecting seashells and laughing as the waves touched her feet. 

Soon after the breakfast we checked out of the beautiful resort and spent our time visiting the Varakala cliff, a lively area lined with cafes, boutiques and hotels. Our memorable experience includes shopping for beach outfits,  handbags, souvenirs, indulging in ice-creams and delicious dishes at the Darjleeng cafe while admiring the spectacular ocean views. The people at this cafe were kind enough to identify and return our phone that we misplaced at their cafe. We sat by the shore, talking about everything and nothing, simply enjoying the moment. With the hardest goodbye, we headed to the other famous beaches at the outers of Varkala enroute Kochin airport.

Not all the beaches were worth visiting except the Kapil beach and the nearby backwaters. It was a serene destination where the backwaters joined the Arabian sea. The lush green land amidst the coconut trees added more beauty to its scenic view. Grabbing cool soft drinks from a local vendor, we spent some relaxing time at the shore embracing the tranquil energy of the place. As the trip came to an end, I felt a mix of emotions on the way to the Kochin airport. Leaving Varkala was bittersweet; I know I was taking back not just souvenirs but also a heart full of beautiful memories.

This trip was more than just a vacation- it was a celebration of sisterhood, independence and adventure. It was empowering with the freedom to plan, explore and experience everything on our terms. This trip to Kerala (visiting Allepey, vaikkom, Jatayu an Varkala) will always hold a special place in my heart as the destination of my first girls' trip, a trip filled with laughter, bonding unforgettable memories.