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 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...

Apr 7, 2012 - Goa, India

Beach Day ~ Peter, the negotiator, worked his magic in finding us the taxi driver with the most knowledge of English by tricking them all with questions and eliminating the ones who gave the I correct answers. He asked "what day is tomorrow?" he got funny answers like "10 o'clock". We ended up with Ayub a pleasant young man. We asked to be driven along the beach coast making stops at various places. Our first stop was a typical beach that locals would go to,this is where we say sacred cows laying around - I thought that was so funny! Next...

Apr 3, 2012 - Five nights in Goa for some RnR

After 16 days touring around India, Goa was always going to be our rest and recuperation stop before heading home. We'd booked into one of the beach villas at La Calypso for five nights and were so looking forward to the sound of the ocean to help lull us to sleep. Unfortunately as is sometimes the case the accommodation didn't quite live up to the brochure and our expectations. We asked for a room change and were given an upstairs room for three nights but advised we'd have to go back to our not so beach front villa for the remaining two...

Mar 27, 2012 - Marmagoa, India

We leave the pier and travel to the city of Panjim. This city is on the Mandovi River and is a colonial town with charm and warmth. It is a tiny slice of regal Portugal mixed with a colorful dash of Indian spice making it uniquely Goan. We head to the busy market. The smell of fish greets us as we step off the bus. We wander through the market viewing the different fish, shellfish, spices and vegetables. Next we head to a Panjim villa to watch a cooking demonstration. Two local chefs demonstrate how to prepare Chapati (flat bread similar to...

Oct 10, 2011 - palolem and agonda

Hi so we arrived in palolem, its really busy for a beach area, most we have been to so far have been really quiet. We saw a big group sitting on the beach watching the sun set and went over and joined them most of them were english 2 from hull and 2 from essex, we chatted to them a lot over the nights we stayed in palolem. They had met each other along the way and traveled the north of india together. They also told us that it is really different and much harder work which we've heard before from other people. We stayed in palolem for 4...

Oct 5, 2011 - First Week

Hi everyone! Well its been a week so I thought it would be a good idea to let you guys know what we have been up to! Our first night was great we met an array of people staying in our hostel from German to American to Australian - was fun, we all set out on mopeds to a secluded bar on the called Curleys - so chilled. The next day we all had breakfast together and headed to the local waterpark, which was a bit of a joke - still building work going on and the slides were a pathetic and wobbled as you went down them! Woah! - will upload...

Mar 10, 2011 - Leaving India

This will be my last posting. We leave early in the morning (Friday). I fly from Goa to Mumbai, then to Bangkok, Los Angeles and finally to Albuquerque arriving on Sunday afternoon. Two and half days of traveling without rest - not for the faint-hearted! I hope to sleep as much as possible on the various flights. Thanks to all of you for your kind comments on My Trip Journal. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos and traveling with me! Namaste, Jan

Mar 8, 2011 - Finally - more photos

Thanks to all of you who have sent me a message requesting more photos. I got my courage up to impose on the Front Desk to use their computer again to download photos. The staff here are so amazing and always gracious and accommodating! I don't want to be a pest, but they don't seem to mind - and they like to look at the photos I've taken of their country and people. I will go back and add some photos to the appropriate journal entries. Today we visited a local school and gave a donation of 300 rupees (about $6 USA) to help buy school...

Mar 7, 2011 - Haircut and town visit

After four days of the yoga workshop (3 l/2 hours daily of yoga), we had a day off which our bodies sorely needed. Lynne's classes are always informative and intensive. I love her teaching style and always learn so much. On my day off from yoga, a fellow yogi "shaped" my haircut. She is an amazing hair stylist and did a wonderful job with scissors borrowed from the front desk. I'm really happy with my new style! Too bad she lives in Anchorage - a long way to go for a great cut! In the afternoon, three large wooden boats with motors took us...