Pair o' dice

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  Benaulim, Goa, India
Monday, December 11, 2006

So much time sitting on buses and trains has meant lots of time to battle each other over the backgammon board we picked up in Agra.  You actually need two pairs of dice to play the game properly but I couldn't think of a better play on words in time for this entry. 
 
The journey from Mumbai to Goa was surprisingly easy despite being over 12 hours long (about the same time it takes to fly from London to Bangkok!).  Somehow you just get used to doing nothing in style and the time passes.  We're staying in Anthy's guesthouse on Benaulim beach in Goa.  We did try to save money by staying somewhere cheap and cheerful on the first night but it turned out to be cheap and dirty instead.  Having spent so much time getting here we've decided not to scrimp too much now that we've finally made it. 
 
It's amazing how easy it is to slip into a life of complete relaxation

01 Archway

.  Within a day we were both pretty much horizontal.  Each morning we do chores.  These consist of such taxing enterprises as buying soap and shampoo; getting money out of the ATM; and in Rachel's case, getting waxed in preparation for bikini-wearing.  This means we have the rest of the day free to read, swim in the sea, and eat the most incredibly fresh and delicious seafood a few Rupees can buy. 
 
The most exciting thing that has happened to us was narrowly avoiding a scam for which Royal Resorts was ultimately responsible.  On the way to breakfast one morning (like some of the long-stayers here we habitually breakfast at Palmira's, where everyone seems to know everyone else) we were stopped by a man on a moped.  We won't give his name in case he decides to change his ways.  He gave us two scratch cards and then explained that we would need to go to the luxurious five-star Royal Resorts hotel a few kilometers south to collect Rachel's prize, which was either......wait for it.....a diamond necklace, a free night at one of their resorts, an I-Pod, or 200 Euros.  In exchange we just needed to help the resort 'publicise' itself.  The man suggested I wear a shirt because the resort was interested in people who looked like they could afford to stay there (I should add that my beard was at this stage at the height of its luxuriant growth) although we both made it clear we were backpacking.  We agreed to meet him for the free taxi to the hotel this morning.  Once on the way the man then told us we would need to tell the hotel that we were just in Goa for a couple of weeks as tourists and that we were flying home soon.  It seemed he only got his 'student points' (aka commission) if he turned up to the hotel with the 'right' sort of people.  We made it clear we weren't going to lie just for his (and our own) gain and so he promptly told the taxi driver to turn around and take us back

02 Home

.  Ultimately we think Royal Resorts should take a look at its marketing strategy as it rather backfired in this instance.  The funniest thing about it was that the guy thought the fact we were traveling for a whole year was somehow suggestive of paupers (rather than people who just come for a couple of weeks).  Anyway, we both felt pleased with ourselves for not having taken part in his dodgy deal and it meant we had more of the day free for the above-mentioned activities. 
 
Last night we really pushed the boat out by having a couple of lobsters for dinner, washed down with a bottle of Indian Chenin Blanc (it's fair to say India won't be joining the ranks of the New World wine producers any time soon).  Although this was hardly the behaviour of your average backpacker, it is our honeymoon and we're finding that to be a jolly good excuse for blowing the budget from time to time.
 
We're heading inland to the ruined city of Hampi in a couple of days.  Most people would probably be quite excited about that.  After the bliss of the last few days though, it feels more like the first day back at school...
 
We'll be in touch soon.  (T) (but quickly typed by R)
 

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04 Over-dressed locals

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