Woke at just before 7 after a good nights sleep. Pottered getting ready for the cycle ride today to see Elephants!
Breakfast @ 7.30 – we are the first there by about 10 mins followed by N&L.
Cycling was great fun and pretty flat! We cycles about 15km there through villages and small towns to a place called Puthenkulam meaning new well to the Anathavalam elephant farm.
B, C and T all rode. Much less touristy than Thailand!
We then decided to cycle back again while the kids got the bus for lunch on the cliff at Varkala. Hard work for the last 5-10km. Got money from an ATM in Paravur Federal Bank. B fell off after having to brake after Caroline stopped suddenly! Not hurt but a good bruise on her knee!
Excellent lunch of shark baked in banana leaf with Kerala spices with coconut rice and veg on the side at the Gypsy King Restaurant overlooking the sea.
We then wander back to the hotel and the kids rushed to swim in the sea. I followed a bit more leisurely some 45 mins later but B went to make sure everyone OK. I was the last to get there and paddled, got wet and so decided to go into the sea in my shorts! It was very warm and lovely.
At 5 we all met to got to the local Hindu temple just up the road. We stopped for coconuts on the way up opposite the hotel. The temple sanctuary is lit with candles at dusk. Very atmospheric with the
building all lit up with candles and bats flying in the trees.
We then wandered back and met at 7.30 for dinner at Marina restaurant on the beach. Caroline and Malcolm had gone ahead with their kids but we managed to all crown in around them and had a rather light dinner which was a bit disappointing!
We all left 10 ish for a good nights sleep.
