Still at Palolem, still staying in the bamboo hut. At the moment we're feeling no real urgency to move on, but yet the days are slipping by. I think we'll be here a couple more days perhaps, and then move back to Mid Goa as from here we can get the train 6 hours to the ruined 15th century temple palaces of Hampi. A visit to Hampi has been recommended by so many people that it would seem a big mistake to miss it out. As well, I'm quite interested to get an Indian train, I think we'll go first class if possible as it'd be a long way in discomfortable seats.

Anyway, the last few days here we haven't really done all that much. We had a Scooter for a day and took a little ride to a beach South of here - Patnem. It's a lot like Palolem but on a smaller scale and not quite as scenic. We were supposed to go fishing and to see dolphins yesterday but it was cancelled due to rough seas. Hopefully we'll be able to go today, although the sea does still look a bit choppy. This morning was really overcast and there were a few spots of rain as we had breakfast. It's cleared up now though! So today and yesterday we lived a bit of a café life, trying out various places along the beach and spending some time reading and playing cards.

We're nearly at the end of two "Dry Days" during which all alcohol has been completely banned. The restaurants are quieter, and it's odd to see everyone drinking soft drinks. Police are patrolling the beach in quite intimidating uniform, carrying bamboo switches. We had a drink the night before last outside our hut with a group of other people also staying there, but we all had to be on the look out for police and ready to fling all evidence of booze into the field. Last night we had a bottle of wine inside the hut, much less stressful. We're at the end of the Kingfisher beer we stockpiled in the fridge. Oddly enough the internet café owner just fetched Matt a beer from somewhere. It's probably going to be the most expensive beer in India (black market) and I'd imagine it's the only one being drunk on this beach at the moment.

I'm off now to get some photos uploaded (hopefully) and then we'll have to get ourselves organized for the second attempt at going to see the dolphins.