Varkala was a pleasant if lazy interlude, a few days of waking late, breakfasting on bread, jam and coffee and sauntering along the cliff top with no particular destination in mind.
We made it to a few cliff top bars, wandered along the beach, bought some more sunglasses to replace the busted Maui Jims and generally did a whole lot of nothing apart from figure out where we were going for the next few weeks.
Oh, and we got our introduction to Indian trains and buying tickets. The first few times of buying tickets for trains in India are amusing.
USING TRAINS IN INDIA
The Best Way to Book Indian Trains
The easiest and best way to book trains in India as a foreign visitor is to use 12goAsia. You’ll always get confirmed tickets and foreign cards are accepted.
So it was interesting to have to fill in a form to buy a ticket. (more on this later). It was amusing to understand that domestic travelers don’t understand the concept of space or queuing and those well honed elbows that were so effective at last order at the pub will come into good effect when buying train tickets in India.
It was disappointing to realize that after all that effort we only had wait listed tickets.
That’s right, we didn’t yet have a seat, but, you’ll be fine, said the woman selling them to us. The waitlist will clear, you will get a seat.
How green we were.
So it was back to the room, an internet connection and the kindle to read up a little more on Indian trains. We could track our wait listed tickets on line and see if they cleared and what seats we’d be assigned, if any.
USING TRAINS IN INDIA
The Best Way to Book Indian Trains
The easiest and best way to book trains in India as a foreign visitor is to use 12goAsia. You’ll always get confirmed tickets and foreign cards are accepted.
Monisha Rajesh’s Around India in 80 Trains proved invaluable, if a little scary as to what was to come.
We bought two sets of tickets. One will take us in 3AC (air conditioned third class) from Varkala to Kanyakumari. The next will take us from Kanyakumari several days later.
Still, it was time to move on, this was the end of our time in Kerala. Our next stop is in Tamil Nadu.
Resources
- Deauvil Resort
- Great Views, Good Food – the Sunrise Restaurant
- Good Consistent Seafood – the Abba Cafe
- Tasty Food, great location – the Tibetan Kitchen
- Great Coffee, Great View, Great Breeze – Caffee Italiano
- Super for sunsets and cold beer – Sunset Restaurant
Travel Tips for Exploring India
- Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
- Protect your data – use a VPN in India – use this coupon to get 3 months free.
- Book the best tours and guides in India on GetYourGuide or Klook
- Find the right accommodation for you via Booking.com
- Book Trains and Buses in India with 12goAsia
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