Abu picked us up and we went to the Alcove for breakfast. Today was our big trip down to Agonda for a few days of relaxed bliss on the beach. We hit the road and it seems clear that although I cannot fault his driving, the near misses become more frequent with a lengthy trip. Through Panjim onto Margao, Margao seems much busier than their capital and much more crowded. Understandably so it would seem as we were later informed that it used to be the capital before Panjim so a lot of commerce remains there.

From Margao onto mountainside curvy roads with sheer drops on the side of the road and far too much overtaking on blind corners & crests of hills!

We finally arrive in Agonda in one piece, glad to have to have stopped moving. We were shown to our bungalow & we couldn't have been happier. Views of the beach from the private balcony were stunning. After having a little snack and a drink we decided to walk down the beach and soak it all in. WOW - what a beach! White sand, looming green mountains, palm trees and clear waters.

We walked along as Sy took photos and we laughed at the crabs as they scurried into their holes anytime we got near. Paddling revealed a lovely warm sea that I couldn't wait to get in the next day. We watched a beautiful sunset together as people did yoga on the sand, relaxed and generally tried to catch the last few minutes of the orange glow before it disappeared.

The sky had some great cloud formations which made for some stunning photos of the sunset. Sy had a garlic beef steak and I had a crazy big red snapper from the tandoori oven. Food here is great; both of us were quite tired from the journey so we stayed up for a drink then went to bed. Dawn woke Sy as always and we both got up to walk the beach in the other direction to get some sunrise shots. It was so unbelievably peaceful as we walked hand in hand up the beach with the sun rising and the waves lapping at our feet. People were enjoying their early morning run or yoga. Such a great way to start the morning, I couldn't have been happier. We blagged two good loungers back at White Sands and set about doing a busy day of nothing. We read, chatted, ate, drank, played scrabble and dipped in and out of the beautiful sea.

We headed out onto the beach again for sunset to catch some more shots. As Sy was getting some shots I did some yoga and could have quite happily enjoyed that routine every day for the rest of my life. Afterwards we took some silly pictures in the sun trying to "capture" it before it once again fell below the horizon.

Had another lovely dinner then Sy met his match. We started to play Connect 4 and then Shaan, one of the staff, set a challenge for Sy. After a few rounds it was clear to see that Shaan was thinking about 10 moves ahead and we had no chance!

We had a giggle as they tried to out-wit each other. Then one of the younger staff wanted a go, at a draw they ended but it had been fun. The place itself was beautiful, Agonda was amazing. As there were only 10 huts everyone was really friendly. The others staying there ranged from some guys from Europe, another English couple, a crazy inventor, a family from new Zealand, some Russians and a family from somewhere we couldn't figure out.

We left begrudgingly but smiling knowing we had just enjoyed paradise within paradise. The drive home was scary and after the bus crash on the hill we just concentrated on getting home in one piece.