The Beach Benaulim

... bought. We even got towels so were happy and had a swim in the warmish water that sadly was not that clear when in it. We whiled away some hours reading and fending off women sellers. However I buckled and bought an anklet and bracelet from an older woman for way too much money and was then left in peace. Wandering back up to the village we found many shops closed and hotels not in full swing as the high season begins in December. On the beaches were many temporary huts being ...

well the torture of mumbai came to an end and we caught the overnight sleeper train down to goa
20 quid each for a bunk in 2nd class air conditioned carriage sharing with around 20 other indians on a 13 hour overnight trip down to goa
people continually were coming through the carriage selling their food and drink which got a bit tiresome after around ooooh 2 mins!!!!
their chai ...

... musch more peaceful and less developed and we found an excelent untouched beach on the empty roads up to fort Aguada. After many breakes on the way and stops for swims and drinks we arrived at Palolem the most southerly of Goas beaches, slightly developed but still relaxed and beautiful, and regreted having to go back north to our room and the further up to Rajasthan in the coming days. With one last early morning swim we headed north to Jaipur (via plane) early on the morning of the 29th.

... to see what we had to do - it seemed that we had to pour oil over the icon but we only had flowers no oil. Well I made an attempt to douse my garland and hang it over an ear. Gill did much the same when I realised we were being filmed. We were then promptly interviewed by a Goan TV news channel with the interviewer asking the classic question 'how do you feel?' Tricky this - I wasn't sure it was a Hindu temple, I had no idea what special day it ...

... and took a 30 min tour of the farms ending with a ladle of spiced water down our backs! We also bought some great organic cashews! The next day we headed further south. We had lunch on Fatrade beach and then took the car ferry. From there we rode down to some old Portuguese fort called Cabo de Rama. It was in a great setting overlooking the Arabian Sea. The Third day we had intentions of driving to Old Goa except on the way ...

... aller au marche faire nos courses et acheter des vetement. Contrairement a ce que l,on nous a dit avant de partir, on peut porter des tee shirts plus ou moins ouverts, ils sont tres tolerants. Les bus : Quelle bonne blague, je suis trop fan, c'est des vieux engins bringuebalants ou on s'entasse, mais pour 4 roupees le trajet (6-7 centimes d'euros) c'est un bon moyen de transport!Y en a meme qui nous cede leur place pour que l'on s'assoit. La cantine: Meme principe qu ...

... I was tired of browsing the market I decided to go for a hike. I walked to the end of the beach and then climbed into the hills. There was a nice view of the coast from the top. I hiked for a couple hours until the trail started to descend. The trail then crossed a bridge and came out at the next beach south called Baga beach. I walked the beach for a short distance and couldn't believe the ...

... told me) about steriotypical isrealis....haven't yet got close enough to ask them their views on 'you know what' but maybe before I leave them I will. Anyway, its all very shanti here... which is cool but I can see it becoming boring too if I stay too long... Its a hindu festival now, which is interesting...there was a big procession down the street last night onto the beach. still haven't met up with danielle or gorgie so maybe it will be time for that soon.

... and I was introduced to the Mother Superior and welcomed. We toured the convent and I met and chatted with the elderly who were enjoying their mid-day meal. So Sweet. Sister Brasilia asked me upstairs for a cold drink and I gratefully accepted - Goa, unlike Delhi, is H-O-T hot. The orange drink was the best thing I had tasted since leaving Canada - the first ice cubes I'd had in months. I sat and listened to her talk of her ...

... is the home Bollywood and all, I was quite quite excited to be asked to appear in a movie with a speaking role. Unfortunately, we were leaving that evening for Goa, so couldn't actually do it. One more thing, if you go to Mumbai watch out for the birds; I got pooed on within about a few hours of getting there. I then had to walk around for another hour tryiong top get back to the hotel, while I had a nice brown stain on my shoulder!