Day 16 - We started the day off with banana and coconut pancakes washed down with chocolate milkshakes. After breakfast we enjoyed our first Indian bus journey through the countryside to Margao. We walked through the heat to the brightly coloured Damodar Temple (we think!) continuing past crumbling Portugese homes in Largo de Igraja up to the Church of the Holy Spirit which was very sparkly and made the church in Mumbai look rather boring. Back at Margao's Muicipal Garden its lovely flowers made up for the disappointment of not being allowed into the children's garden. We had veg samosas and noodles for lunch and to work this off we did our first Indian shopping at the covered market. Olivia spent a whole Rs. 10 on Maddy, what a great big sister! Due to the invisibility of the internet cafe we caught the bus back to Colva Beach to use the internet there. Afterwards we walked up to the beach with its white sands, palm trees complete with fishing boat. At Cafe Coffee Day Catherine had a chocolate brownie sundae while Olivia had Devil's Own (iced coffee drink) along with chocolate cookies. Although a disagreement over the price of whipped cream followed with the staff. Later that evening we had dinner over the road from our hotel of veg pizza and cheese dosa, not as good as the one in Mumbai :-( and Catherine's 1/2 pint banana lassi, topped off with a desert of shared butterscotch ice cream.

Day 17 - After numerous powercuts throughout the night coupled with monsoon rains we had our breakfast of chocolate porridge from our rooftop restaurant. After a walk up to the closed Our Lady of Mercy Chirch we perfected our haggling with the local ten year old store worker / owner. We were sad to say goodbye to our nicest and cheapest room so far at La Ben Resort. We enjoyed lunch at Cafe Coffee Day of veg burgers, strawberry and melon shakes followed by Black Forest Gateau and Rich Chocolate Cake. With another disagreement resulting in our change being given as chewing gum instead of money we left Colva, catching the bus back to Margao. We worked up a sweat getting to the station. When the train pulled up we decided to burn a few more calories by briskly walking the length of the train (about 20 carriages!) to find our seats in the ladies carriage. We were sung the Sound of Music by a little girl and were on our way to Bangalore. Goa was very relaxing and peaceful and we both enjoyed the break here - but in parts it had a few too many dogs for Olivia's tastes!