I had only ever visited the northern part of India to stay with my relatives or learn about historical sites. I believe I was 8 years old when my family finally decided to travel down to Kochi. This is a city located on the coast of the Indian Ocean in Southern India. As my family and I explored the very tip of the country, I never realized how close we were to the water.

It was about noon on March 17th, 2016. The giant metal gates that surrounded the hotel revealed the red and blue beach when they opened. Under my feet was a floor of faintly red sand, freckled with tiny white seashells. Though I was not allowed to touch the water, I still watched the calm rippling waves glide onto the beach and slowly steal the sand we stood on. The water wasn’t very clear and was more teal rather than blue. Still, the water seemed so graceful and gentle. I never thought India was known for its natural beauty and I don’t think it is for most people. This must not motivate them to visit beaches such as the one in Kochi. What a shame for them though, since the thirty minutes I spent there are still so significant for me.