Varkala and Odayam

After Kumily I went to the beaches at Varkala and Odayam in the Kollam district of Kerala.  OMD has been here a few times before back in 2009, and both places are now more developed.  Here's Anjengo Fort and its lighthouse which is a few kilometres from Varkala beach.  It's hard to believe that hundreds of British and Indian soldiers were massacred here over the years it was in operation, as now it's a palatial retreat from the activity of daily life in coastal Kerala.

 

This is around the Papansam temple at Varkala Beach.  It's a busy temple all year round, and people like bathing in the tank.

 

 

 

This is Odayam beach, which has a lot more choices of accommodation and larger sea defences since 2009.

Kodaikanal and Kumily

After yet another great week in Marayoor I moved onto Kodaikanal via Palani.  I wanted to visit the Murugan temple on top of the hill in the middle of Palani, but as it was 40 degrees celsius when I reached the bus station, I decided against climbing the 800 steps up to the temple.

One of the two bars in Kodaikanal.

I stayed a night at the Woodlands Youth Hostel in Kodaikanal, only to enjoy the huge views over the plains of Tamil Nadu.

The photo at night might show the lights of the towns of Theni and Bodi down below if you expand it.

This is halfway down the 2000 metres descent from Kodaikanal to the plains, with a colourful Shiva temple and a very photogenic tea stall.

On the bus from Theni in Tamil Nadu along the Cambam valley to Kumily in the Kerala hills.

In Kumily, having some toddy with Bobby while it rains.

Inside my room at Blue Mangoes homestay in Kumily.

Having a face-off with some Buffalo in Kumily.

While I was in Kumily my hosts Jobby and Bincy at Blue Mangoes invited me to help prepare and eat dinner with their children, so I got very involved with some delicious results.

After a few days in Kumily I left the hills and moved onto Varkala and Odayam for their beaches.  Travelling on the buses from Kumily to Varkala gave some good photos to illustrate what happens in South Indian towns away from the tourist locations.