This post should read a little bit like Koh Samui - Relaxing, Sunbathing, Drinking, Eating - Repeat X 6.


To finish our time in India we headed back to Goa for a week. We had to go back to Goa due to our pre-booked train ticket leaving from there to Mumbai. Determined to spend more time on beautiful beaches we based ourselves in Anjuna, known to be a bit of a backpacker hangout and easy access to the busier Baga beach where the fun happens. The plan would be to sunbathe in Anjuna during the days and possibly head to Baga in the evenings for cocktails/drinks etc in the evening. Well, all we can say is 'Do not go to Goa during the monsoon season'

The weather wasn't too bad. Sunny mornings with some showers in the afternoon. Definitely ok beach weather at times. But this made no difference. Anjuna beach had no sand on it. That was the first problem. A beach with no sand? Not too worry, we hired a motor bike to get around the other beaches.

The rest of the beaches we saw, about five or six were all a waste of time. The first one we tried was the busier Baga Beach. The beach itself was a little bit busy. But no sunbathing or beach activities just a load of Indian men in their boxers splashing around in the sea and women following them fully clothed. Definitley not a bikini scene. This visit also confirmed we wouldn't be in a hurry to visit Baga town at night either - imagine Blackpool but then add a load more litter.

The next day we went North and found another backpacker place - Arambol, but again no one on the beach, the place was dead and it started to rain :-( We settled on a tiny beach that we stumbled across by accident. It was secluded enough to sunbathe on but by no means was it paradise. The water was filthy and the usual Indian litter surrounded the place. It did have lots of tiny crabs running round that supplied some entertainment.

We gave up to most of the beaches and settled on spending most of our time either sheltering from rain or exploring by motorbike, but finding nothing of real interest. It perhaps needs to be visited in the right season to be fully appreciated.

Two great things did happen whilst we were there though.

One, Claire got shat on by another bird, so that's twice in a week! That must be a record!
Two, David bought a bracelet which he was assured by the Indian boy who sold it would bring us luck for the rest of our travels.

Oh well onto Mumbai for our flight..

Things we have learned
1 Do not come to Goa in the monsoon season
2 Next, have excellent carrier bags - we still have one that has lasted the entire trip
3 We have travelled round the world to discover Claire now likes Bounty Chocolate.

Planes used - 4
Buses used - 24
Trains used - 23 (+3)
Metros/subways used - 28
Cars used - 5
Minivans - 8
Russian Campervans used -1
Horses used - 1
Camels used - 1
Taxis used - 8
Cable cars used - 1
Bicycles used- 2
Tuk tuks/autorickshaw used - 31 (+2)
Scooters used - 6 (+1)
Elephants used - 0
Ferrys used - 4
CycleRickshaw - 1
Bamboo HouseBoat - 1