Greetings from Goa!

Paul, Carolyn and I left Pune on the 11 hour overnight bus to the Capital of Goa; Panjim.We had no idea what to expect, so when we found a bus full of bunk beds with little compartments, it was a novelty. That novelty soon wore off when we discovered the air conditioning was set to full blast and was broken so we would be 'sleeping' in a fridge! Carolyn settled down to sleep once she had used Paul's socks to block the vents, whereas Paul spent most of the night awake and freezing!

Arriving in Panjim in a sticky mess, they navigated their way to the guest house. The temperature here was noticeably warmer and more humid. They dumped their backpacks and hit the street.After melting in a local Indian market, Paul and Carolyn stumbled upon a procession of cars and vans blaring out Shakira from dodgy speaker stacks and partying. Thinking it was the Lent carnival celebrations, Paul and Carolyn got in to the party spirit dancing from the roadside. They thought it was a bit of a lame carnival and most of the bystanders were watching the celebrations totally nonplus. The procession went on for hours, kids throwing massive piles of firecrackers on the path (one of which nearly exploded all over Carolyn if Paul hadn't pulled her away in the nick of time!). It was all a bit weird but totally expected in India as you're advised to expect the unexpected. On returning to their guest house, they found out that the Lent carnival was actually last week and this was a celebration of local elections! Makes sense now!

We also enjoyed a day trip out to Old Goa, via local bus, which was the old capital of Goa. Most of the inhabitants in the 1800's died of Malaria and Cholera so there was little habitation there. It was now what Paul named a 'Catholic Theme Park'! Every building was a church or cathedral! Carolyn was most disappointed to discover that the new attraction, Wax World, had been closed for refurbishment.She was really looking forward to comparing it to her workplace at Madame Tussauds.... we can only imagine that this enterprising Indian had attempted to open a wax museum, the highlight was to be Michaelangelo's Last Supper in wax' but forgotten the vital air conditioning and the figures had melted!

Next day the beach was calling so we moved a few miles down the road to Candolim and in to a gorgeous guest house right on the sandy (red) beach! Obviously I didn't sunbathe or I would have melted, but Carolyn really enjoyed taking in some rays and Paul lounged reading in the shade of his sun lounger for a couple of days... what bliss!

Moving on again, we up sticks and went to Anjuna. This was one of the original hippie retreats in the 60's and there were some die hard tourists that had 'Gone Goan' by dressing in tie die, growing a beard and slouching around in Ali Baba baggy trousers. They are probably accountants and lawyers back home and would shave off their beards the second they got of the plane. Quite funny!

Paul and Carolyn hired a scooter for a day (for 200 rupees - less than £3!) and went up and down the coast taking in the sights of real India (away from the built up beach resorts aimed at British, German and Russian tourists). They found an idyllic beach with a sprinkle of backpackers who were staying in nearby beach huts. On the return journey to Anjuna they were ambushed by a group of local boys who were smearing powder paint all over every person who passed. Before they knew it they were covered in neon yellow, blue and green paint! This is the start of Holi - a festival of which basically involves throwing as much paint over each other as possible!

The last night in Anjuna was spent watching 'Slumdog Millionaire' on a big outside screen in a restaurant courtyard. It was great fun watching the film under the stars and full moon, the occasional cow strolling past and drinking the nations favourite; Kingfisher!

For the next week Paul and Carolyn have friends (Patsy, Gilly, Lisa and Shell) coming out for a week by the seaside in Baga, so they're off now to find the hotel and settle in to a place for a WHOLE WEEK!

Speak soon.

Love
Judith xx

(Paul and Carolyn)

PS check out some photos in the folder 'Greetings from Goa'!