Around a month into my travels, I realised that I'd seen a lot of southern India on my to-do list. With a free month ahead, I telephoned my adopted Indian Masi (Auntie) in Delhi, Sonya. Without any hesitation I booked a flight. I was going to be celebrating Diwali in Delhi. I was buzzing as I touched down in Delhi. The last time I met with Sonya was in summer 2009 in New York. It was fantastic to meet up again. I first met Sonya whilst at university and we've ke...

3rd - 11th November 2012 After travelling on four buses over four hours, I eventually arrived at a hostel in Vagator, north Goa. Instantly, I thought the hostel was great. Called Asterix Hostel, it was clean, had wi-fi, fun staff and a melting pot of different nationalities. But one of the things I liked the most was the communal beer fridge managed by an honour system of paying, whereby you write down in a small book the number of beers you've taken. It's somet...

30 October-3 November My stay in Goa was divided into two parts. After hearing endless recommendations from other travellers I first visited Palolem, one of Goa's southern beaches. It was the most beautiful beach I'd ever seen. Beautiful white sands lined by swathes of coconut trees, a warm emerald sea, with laid back beach bars and restaurants. All encased in a cove with a lush, green formation off the coast called 'Monkey Island.' I checked into a guest hous...

The football last night could have gone better. All I'll say is that I needed the finest fish biryani in Calicut. After a quick lunch I went to the train station to head for Goa. Like most of the trip so far, I had no reservations as I walked into the station. It was around eleven hours by train to Goa. Having no means of reserving a berth or any kind of seat, I had no choice but to purchase the feared unreserved or second class ticket. I'd only heard whispers ...

After my Chembra Peak trek, I left Wayanad and began my journey to Goa. In order to get a train, I had to take a four hour bus to a small coastal city called Calicut. The bus was packed and everyone was scrapping for a seat. Thankfully I managed to sit down and enjoy the superb views as the bus meandered down the almost perilous mountain roads. I eventually arrived in Calicut at around eight in the evening and checked-in to a hotel about eleven. I was shattere...