Dreams Beach Resort Varkala

So, we spent a week at Amma's Ashram - a towering pink temple surrounded by high rise blocks of flats to house devotees and vistors. With a atmosphere of calm and pervading silence; which at first sight gave a feeling of unfriendliness and lack of connection; but soon an understanding comes of how those who are deep in their spiritual practice s...

The tharavad was built by Bhaghwaldas's (who runs it now) great great grandfather in 1794 and is very traditional in style with courtyards which keep the whole building naturally cool. The rooms are quite small and dark but the main covered area at the front had some cushions and was cool enough for playing cards and chilling out. Their daschund...

Phoebe’s 9 today - how amazing. She is really pleased with her presents particularly her pashmina and its great that Karen and Kirsten come and join us for breakfast and pancakes which the cook has really kindly made by special request from Phoebe. Phoebe had received lots of special birthday cards from the children at Beula Matric when we...

We leave Red Hills later than expected and I realize that Phoebe’s birthday is the day after tomorrow so Ooty is a good stop for presents. VJ recommends the Kashmiri gift shop and I get Phoebe a pashmina, a bracelet and a heart shaped pot - she has been saying to me that she doesn’t think she will get any presents so hopefully she wi...

Jai Jai Friend!
A dear friend of mine back in PDX asked me to run an important errand for her here in Varkala. She was here 10 years agao and her sweet, big heart wanted me to follow up with a beloved hotel staffer to send him a tip (with interest!) Well, the hotel Evergreen doesn't exist anymore...but that didn't stop me. And with God's gr...

I thought this time 'round it would be fun to let Scott join in the fun of blogging since he's been adventuring with me for the past several weeks. I spent a little time with the Tibetans in Dharamsala/Mcleod Ganj and then the Sikhs at the Golden Palace in Amritsar before taking a marathon train down to Mumbai where we met to start an exploratio...

The cyclone hits the western coast of India, north of where I am staying. Rains come in hard and fast, suddenly shielding everything in a silver curtain. I sit from a balcony over looking the angry sea, dark green waters splashing at the rocks drinking a chai tea. As I look out I get distracted by an unwelcomed visitor; a silhouette creeping fro...

I was abruptly woken at 8am today by knocking on my door, I had no idea I had a checkout time especially when the place seemed empty. It was a mad rush to pack up and get out so no shower for me this morning. Whilst walking down to the beach I was stopped and asked if I needed a room which of course i did so I followed him to a place just set ba...

Namaste, I've finally got the chance to make a new entry. I was having a gosh awful time with the computers here. Last night I wrote a two hour entry and lost it! India, what can one do? Amma's birthday celebration was intense, there were over One-hundred thousand people from all over India. It was quite chaotic and stressful at times. Westerne...

I have just returned from India, and I must say that it has changed my life. When people ask me "How was India?", I don't even know how to answer them because it is hard to find words that really describe my feelings about the experience. I just smile and start off by saying "Amazing", or "Wonderful", and adding something about it being a "real ...