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November 16, 2003

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Other travelers tell us to stop in Varkala, a temple town on a cliff overlooking the Arabian sea. Along the cliff top decent restaurants and hotels cater to the increasing tourist trade (there's no reason to visit Varkala except to relax).
Meditate on the cliff. Varkala offers a laid back atmosphere so it's possible to catch up on solitary thinking.
Long steps lead down to the beach and it's a good one: clean sand, clear water, umbrellas for hire, and no local hawkers or gawkers.
Varkala's beach scene is like an Indian Baywatch. Lifeguards run up and down the sands rescuing foreign tourists. The riptides are more dangerous here than anywhere else in Kerala. If you're swept away look for dolphins that swim beyond the breakers.