We decided that as we were settled and happy in Calangute, and as everywhere was quiet and out of season we would just do day trips to various other places in Goa!!

The first place we wanted to visit was Anjuna.

ANJUNA

We studied the map and saw it was only about 1.5km around the headland, so we decided to walk.

We walked along calangute - Baga road (half a mile) across the bridge and onto the main road that the signs said would take us to Anjuna. We were enjoying the walk and taking in the sights which consisted mainly of luxury hotels (we can dream). Although the roads seemed never ending we appreciated the fresh air and exercise and kept telling ourselves it would be just around the next corner.

As we joined another main road this time surrounded only by greenery and open paddy fields the sky went black and the heavens opened. We were caught out in the open in the heaviest monsoon rains imaginable. Even our trusty waterproofs didn't help and we were soaked through almost instantly. We marched on quickly heading up and up a steep winding hill covered by overhanging trees and shrubs. We passed many local homes but no shelter was available. Everyone on the various local buses were looking at us as if we had gone mad and the taxi and rickshaw drivers couldn't believe it when we kept refusing a lift from them. We are both so stubborn it was like "Wev'e made it this far we are not giving up now!" So we carried on regardless as the bank got steeper and the rain became heavier and and we just laughed at eachother with a "Only us" shrug. To top things off we started to get followed by local youths on mopeds we were like the pied piper with a trail behind us. They were sizing us up and we were getting agitatated. Finally we made it into civilisation and came to the start of a village that led us to Anjuna beach!

We had high hopes for Anjuna. It is where the first 60's Hippies came in search of sunshine and Freedom (some are still here). It is therefore renowned for it's hippy culture, laid back vibe, beach trance parties and a huge flea market that attracts crowds from all over Goa.

In reality what we found after walking 6 miles (the 1.5km was by boat around the headland) was a ghost town. Anjuna was officially closed for the season. If Calangute is Blackpool, Anjuna is Rhyl in the winter minus the sun center. We headed through the small village which was the same set up as calangute - baga road. A few locals shops and veg restaurants were open but most places were boarded up and not in use. We decided to check out some of the accommodation available as a comparison. We were elated with our decision to stay put after viewing these guesthouses. They consisted of dark, sparce dirty rooms for the same price as our luxury. To be fair they were in the process of doing them up, but we would of been more inclined to knock them down and start again. We are budget travellers but this wasn't rustic charm!!! We did see the 'Little Yellow School House' which is a straightlaced, british operated private school and the most expensive in Goa catering for the expat children.

Anjuna is spread out over a wide area so we started at the northern tip the place where the buses drop the tourists and locals. There were a couple of stalls there with the familiar trinkets but not much else, we were relieved to find this wasn't the flea market that was in fact on the Southern tip ... bring on the browsing and bartering!!

The view from the edge of the cliff overlooking the North point was Awesome. Large rock formations built up to stem the flow of the wave rising high and causing it to crash down in dramatic fashion. The heavy rain and dark clouds only added to the drama. Things were looking up.

We made our way through what we imagined was normally a lively village commune with many beach huts and guesthouse style accomodation but was in reality completely closed down. Nothing at all was open and there was no one to be seen.

We finally came across a solitary lady with a makeshift stall. I had to buy a dress from her in total admiration that she was actually stood there and out of a little pity that she had to be, (although not so much pity as we still bartered her down to 1.00) but she was made up with sale.

With this we perked up a little and headed to the southern tip in search of 'Curlies beach shack' and the famous Flea market. After walking the length of the beach (it was like a scene from castaway) and navigating through huts and pathways we found Curlies and the flea market were closed and wouldn't be open for another month! AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!

So we made our way back completely deflated across the deserted sands well deserted except for a group of children who had seen us go by and spotted an opportunity. They shouted at us

"Come and see our shop"

Their shop was infact an abandoned building with a large blue carrier bag full of Tat Jewellery. This was the icing on the cake but at least it made us laugh.

We decided to cut our losses, push the boat out and paid the 2.80 taxi fare back home.