28/11/2013

Had a big day travelling today, woke up at 5:15 to catch a possible 5:40 bus to hospet, the main transport hub next to Hampi. Turns out the bus wasn't on. Wasn't that too bothered because apparently it sometimes leaves late, and doesn't arrive at hospet until 6:20, then I would have to take a rickshaw from the bus station to the train station. My train was at 6:30 so this was cutting it fine! Got a tuk tuk instead for 200rs. There was so many cows about, all pulling various carts, all with massive horns.

The train was delayed half an hour, found my carriage, found for seat number, and the correct birth. There was already somebody in it so I woke him up and sent him packing. And we were off! There were some sound Indian guys below me and I got talking to them. Turns out they too were going to Goa for a small holiday, from Hyderabad. One of them spoke very good English and I picked up an Americanised accent in his voice, but I didn't ask him on it. They didn't know which beach to go to, so they were asking me all the questions as to where to go, looking at my lonely planet etc. There were millions of vendors on the train as per, selling everything you would ever need. When one came by the American dude asked me what I eat when I'm in India, I told him street food and he laughed, he asked if I would eat this, point at some food the vendor was selling. Next thing there was a plate of the stuff coming my way. I passed it to the next guy, but he insisted it was for me. Later they started eating some packaged lunch things which they bought, and the guys gave me a couple of chipattis and a pot of curry sauce. So nice and such a nice gesture.

The train kept stopping randomly, and often spent ages in certain stations. One of the stops we got off and bought some somosas. As per with any waste, all of it goes on the track. When we were travelling too, any waste…. Out the window. That is the bin. Felt very uncomfortable with it and kept my rubbish in my bag at all times.

We would arrive in Madagaon, and would have to take several busses to get to Anjuna, so the lads were asking some other Indiman guys how and what to do (they were going to Arambol). We all decided to get off at adagoan and see if there was a local bus which would take us direct to there (I knew this was unlikely and it would involve numerous busses). Turns out the bus station was not near the train station. They decided to get a taxi, but I chose to walk. Said my goodbyes and got the American dudes number, turns out he was called PK. I walked up the road and jumped on a local bus which would take me to the main bus station. Once here I got another bus to Panjim, at Panjim I got another bus to Mapusa, then another one to Anjuna. In India there is no such thing as A to B. You recite the whole alphabet, recite it backwards, then arrive at B.The local bus from Madagoan train station to the bus station was crazy, it was all systems go. A tiny tiny bus which was rammed, full of local teenagers on holiday too I guessed. One of them didn't have change for his fair, quick pit stop at a shop, get change, hop back on, go! go go GO! The good thing about local bus stations is the frequency, there are MILLIONS of buses, leaving every couple of mins, so the second you hop off one, you can literally the next second jump straight on the next one, and you're off! Nothing in India is ever boring haha. That's definitely all part of the adventure. Lawrence who had been travelling for 2 years said this was his kick, and this was the exciting part, and I can understand what he means. The whole journey across 4 busses cost a whopping 60p. Such such such a bargain, and if you got this by tuk tuk, or taxi, it would easily into the thousands.

During one of the bus journeys I'm sure I seen a lad spit out his chewy and pass it to his mate! Nice.

Arrived in Anjuna and set off for Ocean Pearl, a cheap recommendation from Lawrence. I knew it was next to a place called UV bar, so I knew it wouldn't be too hard to find. Found it, and got a room for £2.50 a night, clean, shared toilet and shower, directly on the beach front. Perfect.

29/11/2013

Awoke and got some food. Got two somosas style sandwhiches, for 20rs a pop. So nice. Decided to go for a recky to find some good accommodation for me and pops, and explore the area. The beach is so nice here, and there are so many tourists. Wish my Mam could be here as I know she'd love it. Nice golden beaches, loads of cafes by the beach, palm trees behind. Bought some biscuits from a local shop, and I asked the guy who had his laptop open if I could check my facebook, had a quick scan of everything and read all my birthday wishes. Came back and had a good craic on with a Finish guy, an Italian woman and a Isreali guy who were stopping here. Later went back out to hunt down any possible cheap transport to Mumbai. The cheapest I could find was 450rs by bus. Also booked the bus from Mumbai to Udaipur as well. 600rs. A mammoth 17hours bus ride. (Obviously this is India so this means around 20hrs given the infrastructure). Came back and chilled.

29/11/2013

Met Aluk, Ex-royal navy guy on holiday. Had good talk to him about seafaring. He absolute LOVES football. Knew all the players and all the stats of the premier league. He supported Chelsea. He also loves fantasy football, an online points based game. later on the night when getting street food I met Tony, a guy from Stuttgart. Long hair, 40s. works only 6 months a year filtering sand, mainly playgrounds across Germany, France and the Nederland's. The rest he travels, normally Germany to Portugal or Morocco in his camper van. Turns out he lives in his van and doesn't even have a house back home, but sometimes stays at his girlfriends. (God knows where she was then). Loves the hot weather and hates the cold (despite wearing a skiing tshirt), and big cities. Turns out he collects the scrap in Germany from old skips, and then sells or swaps it in Morocco. He then buys the Moroccan stuff and sell its for a good price to the English tourists in Portugal. Very clever.

Checked out ice cream stall, the locals were looking at the board, I wasn't sure so walked away. 'ok ok', and he straight away switched the boards for the local price. Hahaha it was such a funny moment.

30/11/2013

Had a recky to Tamarind to scope out the place me and Dad would stop. Tried to book a taxi for Dad but the guy wasn't very helpful and said I needed to email him the details. Took about an hour to walk so instead I hitched hiked back to the beach. Theres so many peds that whiz past so the first one I stopped I was away. Back in seconds. Chilled with Toni, Joseph and Gabi. Went to café with them. Read and finished 1984, such a good book. Tried ped for the first time on a little patch of grass where they park the bikes. Done a few laps but wasn't very good. Got street food again, Joseph joked it was big news as I was about to break a 50rs note. There again was Michael. Talked more about sand company, explain he resents the owner as he is rich.

1/12/2013

Chilled in the morn with the crew and the Indian guys on holiday. Later on hitch hiked to the Tamarind. Felt like I'd arrived in heaven. Nice big room, AC, wifi. Makes a change from cold showers, street food and £2.50 a night. Got a nice cold kingfisher on arrival. Chilled out and started new book, the girl with the dragon tattoo. Got some food ont the night, a curry and a garlic nan, wasn't nice. Had diarrehea on the night. Waited for my dad to arrive. His flight was delayed, so didn't get in till around past 4am, much later than I expected. Next thing the phone rings, and there was an 'Ian Laws' at waiting to be let in. I think I know the name I thought! Opened the door and there was popa smurf, gave him a massive hug and it was great to see him. Felt like Christmas day, he opened his bag to lots of things from home I wanted, birthday cards, chocolate!!!!! I gobbled them all up. I talked about my travels for a long while, but had to stop as I knew he would have been tired.

2/12/2013

We had a big lie in, and then hit the beach later to soak up the Goan sun. Was funny passing the cows the on the beach with my dad. Got some food at the bottom of the beach then walked back. Dad looked a true brit with his milk bottle white legs. Dad got his first experience of the Indian tuk tuk. Wasn't quite the same as it had doors. Got some food on the night from the hotel, in true Indian fashion the main came before the starter and my pizza didn't come with the right toppings. Was good to craic on with dad about all things travelling.

3/12/2013

We woke up and I was sick. Got breakfast which was again lousy, with real bad service. Was such a shame. On the night I got real real sick, with sickness and diorreaha throughout the night. Theres nothing worse than being ill, nothing.

4/12/2013

The next day I think we skipped breakfast. (Being with dad so much I didn't any notes in my ipod as I normally do of each day, so writing them up has been hard). Went to the beach on the night and went to a beach side restaurant. Bumped into Toni and Gabi also. We both got the same thing, chicken noodles with a seafood soup for starter. The soup was the worst smelling thing of all time and evening thinking about the smell and taste now makes me feel physically ill. After the food they stuck on Madagascar 3 on the projector, bit odd but was good to just chill. Started to feel real ill at the end and when we left I threw up again in the toilet. Queue one of the worst nights of my life. Throwing up all night and non stop diarrea. Then after a while dad got it as well. Felt real sorry for Dad as this was meant to be a great meet up for us both but we were both so ill, in a hotel which was nice, but had a lousy service and kitchen.

5/12/20/13

Dad was still real ill in the morn but I had gotten over it a bit. Looked like he was 24 hours behind my illness. We got some pineapple juices and didn't eat anything but toast on the night. Dad gave me all him remaining rupees and I was so grateful. I know fine well if it came to it he'd honestly give up every penny he had for us four lads if he had to, he loves us that much. He would give us the world if he could. Said goodbye to pops, and said we'd meet up more than likely ion Singapore. As the car drove off I waved him away, knowing it'll be a few month till I seen his face again, and even longer till I see my mams bless her.

(DATE: ???)

Think I've got my dates muddled up. The next day I got up, paid for the rest of the room and got a bus to Mapusa. Had a massive 6 hour wait in the bus stop. Had a look around the market just next door and bumped into Gabi, small world. There was a really bad crippled man lying on his belly just looking up at the world begging in the middle of the market. Was so cruel. Found my bus and passed the time by talking to some Germans and Dutch, defo my two fave nationalities of the trip. Boarded my bus! Next stop Mumbai.