Like always, the bus journey was a total joy.

so much infact that we thought that this most recent journey was so much fun that we will leave bus journeys for a while and look into other ways of travelling....

The trains would have been great, but they are all currently booked up for the next 6 weeks as it is Indian school holidays, so thats that idea out of the window!

Arriving in Goa was a relief, but the hot and humid weather made it quite uncomfortable to say the least! With no sleep and empty bellies, the 35c heat and 100% humidity was a total b****.

The old Portuguese influence is clear to see, especially in the architecture in the bigger cities. A really european feel which mixed with more recent traditional developments, makes it a really aesthetically pleasing place to visit.

Where we stayed in Goa, reminded us both very much of El Nido, Palawan in the Phillippines, a lovely little stretch of beach, nice restaurants and modest beach hut style accommodation and awesome local shops, selling everything from spices, tea to local Indian style clothing.

We ate indian, Italian, seafood and Tapas. I think this represents how multi-cultural Southern Goa has become.

The colours on display and the lights shining off of beads and jewellery hanging in the sun as you walk on by past the shops is mesmorising!

The local ladies dressed in their traditional dress along with jewellery hanging from all parts of their faces look amazing.

I am begining to really appreciate the beauty of the Indian fabrics and patterns. Again, just something else i am learning to love about India!

We did our best to fit in, and bought some funky Alibaba style long trousers and hippy accessories and took long walks along the beach.

Goa is a really interesting place, where Hindu, Muslim and Western culture peacefully mix to create a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere.

Being in Oz where the heat was unbearable, really made us lose our interst for sunbathing. we havnt spent two days in a row in the sun for literally months now. So Katie made the most of the sand and Arabian sea and got her tan on!

I got a tattoo which meant i was unable to be in the sun which was ashame.

Katie got a beautiful henna design on both her feet which should last a few weeks.

One evening we experienced an unbelievable storm, the night after the tsunami and earthquakes in India and Indonesia.

The Lightning and Thunder were so bright and so loud we honestly thought there were bombs being dropped. It was, even for a total hard b****** like me, very scary. We will never forget that storm.

So Palolem for us, was a mini beach break holiday, which was soon to be interupted as our next stop was Mumbai. Probably couldnt find two more oposite places in India!

And guess what, its going to take 14 hours..... On a bus!!!!

Peace and bus passes

Nic and Katheline xx