Apr 20, 2013 - One Week in GOA

A chill-out week in Goa at a TimeShare Resort – one bedroom, living area, kitchen, dining, and outdoor sitting. Settled in quickly and checked out the closeby street market, and met our jolly pool barman, Joyvan. Live music and good food at the Resorts Trattoria restaurant; walks to Benaulim beach and along to other beaches; dips in the Arabian sea; dips in the pool; dinner at other local restaurants; local red and white wine – Madeira; local ‘brew’ alias Rocket Fuel ‘Fenni’ and ‘Urek’; some dancing (by ourselves... up and around the...

Mar 14, 2013 - Goa - Thursday

14th March - Thursday We had organised for a driver today to venture further afield. Goa was ruled by the Portuguese for 400 years, so today we are going to look at a typical house, well not typical as it was owned by a lawyer and had a number of staff or servants work for them, paid with food and lodgings only, the house was 300 yrs old it was all very interesting, we then went to big foot which is a temple, no offence when u have seen balinese and Thai temples, these are interesting but not as beautiful. India is an amazing place their...

Mar 12, 2013 - elephant trek & washing

It has been a relaxing few days, spending time at Banyan beach, very much like anywhere in Asia, restaurants on the beach, the ability to buy whatever u want drinks, jewellery, clothing etc all from the glory of lying on the beach. Learning some of the language. Enjoying lots of Indian food, befriended Rocky, our local taxi driver, who took us to the elephant santatury, helped wash them, got drowned in the meantime, was lots of fun.

Mar 10, 2013 - oh what a start to our holiday

Oh what a day Friday was, it all started with our driver arriving early and us running around like blue ares flies, throwing things in our day packs, finally able to relax arrive at the airport in great time, only to wait 4 the airline's 2 open. To 2 b told we don't have a. Visa, what were we thinking, we weren't. The amazing race starts off we are asking the driver 2 go as fast as he can to Clarence st Sydney, only 2 b told it takes 3 or 4 days 4 a visa, can apply 4 an emergency.visa not often granted and a good excuse needed, how does...

Sep 7, 2012 - Goodbye India!

Following morning it was time for the goodbyes was so sad leaving everyone who we had been with for the last 2 weeks but I was excited for the next part of the adventure. Saying that only half went home or moved on and the rest of us checked into a hostel just north of Baga, Asterix Hostel. It was our first experience of real hostel life. We went in the pink dorm; a 4 bed female only dorm, so easing ourselves in gently. I got the top bunk – I felt like a massive child, grinning as I climbed the ladder (every time I climb up a grin to myself...

Sep 3, 2012 - Goa - Indian Magaluf

We flew to Goa with spice jet airways which is the coolest name ever I pretended to myself it was the spice girls airline although it was like Ryanair. It was fun with the tour group as it was like we were all going on holiday – it took 50 minutes and no sooner had the seatbelt sign turned off I got my laptop out and wrote 5 lines of my blog and then seatbelt sign back on to land. The taxis seem to be a bit better here although I do find it very scary when there is nothing coming from the opposite direction they just drive on the other side...

Aug 8, 2012 - Palolem

Drove south today to Palolem which is almost the southernmost tip of Goa. The weather was fine so we thought we would make the most of it and visit some beaches. The only problem with Goa, is that there is no coastal road as such so you drive and then turn right hoping to hit the beach!! We ended up at Mobor Point which was ineteresting - along the River Sal to the coast. Then we headed for Palolem which is a bit like Goa's Blackpool it seems although it was obviously quiet because it is Monsoon. The locals call it Palaga!! Lots of stag and...

Aug 7, 2012 - Sakhakari Spice Plantation

We had a relaxing day yesterday and today we went out to visit a spice plantation. The guide we had was very good and it was a great trip. Upon arrival we had the obligatory red spot put on our forehead and a garland of flowers - Steve didn't want to wear his so I wore two! We then had a glass of lemongrass tea which was wonderful...very refreshing. The place was difficult to find but we asked a few times and found it eventually. I got out to ask one man who ushered me into a small room full of men and directed me to the back where I asked...

Aug 5, 2012 - Old Goa and South to Majorda

Had a great day yesterday and visited Old Goa. Very Portugese and interesting buildings. Saw the remains of St Francis Xavier in the Bom Jesus Church and looked at the other places of worship in the town. The Museum was interesting and I was fascinated with the Hero Stones which I am now going to study and learn about because they were wonderful - they are like headstones carved to show how the person died (usually in battle) on the bottom third, their journey into heaven in the middle third and them seated in heaven on the top third...

Aug 4, 2012 - Exploring North Goa

So we had a great day yesterday exploring North Goa. Rains treated us well and never happened while we were walking around! First drovw north and then across to Arambol which was a lovely route along the Terekhol River where we saw fishermen in their dug out boats. The scenery really is wonderful. Once there, we drove south along the coast through Mandrem, Morjim and then we thought we would have to get the small car ferry across the river to Siolim but there is now a bridge so we crossed that way and then headed for the beaches at Vagator,...

Jun 14, 2012 - On Train to Dehli...

All in all our stay in Anjuna was very productive. We got 90% of our medical stuff taken care of (for fraction of US cost) and the monsoon rains have held off just long enough to get around without much trouble. Of course, there were some inconveniences but then it isn't tourist season, the rain actually cooled things down considerably, and like I said we ended up in a very nice place, nice people, and got a lot done. Today we catch the 3:40pm train to Dehli which doesn't arrive there until 6am on the 16th, a much slower one than the...

Jun 7, 2012 - Anjuna (near Panaji)

Wiki Info Anjuna Wiki Info Panaji 6-7 Out of the agricultural plains into the agricultural 'mountains' this a.m. which brings lots of tunnels and green trees. Stop at 10a.m is Ratnagiri which is last one before we get off at Madgaon stop from where we rode a tuk tuk to bus station and then being a bit confused by directions buses were going, we hired another tuk tuk to Anjuna, 1 1/2 hours. Movie place is closed and Yash Restaurant is closed - both reasons for being here so..... We may be moving on and even forget medical since it is off...