So after struggling to get to grips with the one way system here and the narrow lanes of the bazaar that look excactly the same, we decided to get a rickshaw to meet our friends we met in Goa. We were already running late by one hour due to getting lost coming back to the hotel, so we could get cleaned up before going out. First of all we met up with Namita and Ritu. Since we were a bit stressed out by our lack of sense of direction they decided to take us to a reasonably quiet place to have some nice food. Reasonable quiet by there standards was still pretty loud as their music of choice was metal, the heavier the better! After having a really nice steak, Priya came and joined us, who ... read more

we got to Mangalore around 5pm after a bit of a mad drive and a few close calls again with coaches and buses, we now both think we will never get on a bus in India again after seeing how wreckless they are and after seeing a bus on the side of the road completely crushed after a crash, its a reality check and a half. Mangalore is pretty cool with wide streets, pretty clean..in Indian terms and full of lots of nice people. There' shopping malls here and supermarkets, which is weird and not a beggar or stray animal in sight. On our first day we went to get a snack and started talking to a guy named Sidher. He was a nice man, rich looking and plump and told us how to get to ... read more

Our first night on paradise beach was spent in a small room, one of three in a hut made out of woven palm tree leaves. It had no bed, just a roll mat, which we wrapped our mossy net around and the door was just a door shaped woven palm tree leaf propped infront of the entrance and attached with string and that was it! The beach consists of several huts like this and about 5 cafes and the only light at night is from the 3 cafes which have solar panels to give them power, the rest is candel light and torches and a bonfire that is lit at the central cafe everynight. This fire is the gathering point where everyone comes at night to play drums, digeredooos, guitars and other strange eastern instruments, its ... read more

Got some brilliant news a few days ago that my brother Jamey had got some work making inflatables for a festival in Goa, about 5 beachs down from where we are! The festival was called sunburn, the biggest dance festival in Asai and both me and russ had seen big advertising boards with it on everywhere, so when jamey said we could both get 2 v.i.p tickets we were super excited! So we packed up and said goodbye to our beloved Arambol and headed off on the bike. Had one last day in the animal hospital ( waaaaaaaiiill!!!) and said goodbye to my little friends dribbles and ears! It was pretty wobbely with all our bags bungy tied to the sides!but it was and nice easy journey down. Found jamey half asleep in Candolim ( middle ... read more

Well, first i must tell you all about this beauty of a motorbike that we have hired. Its a Royal Enfield Bullet 350. They were originally built in england during the 1950s but they still make them out here to the original spec. So they are big, heavy and very loud!! The one we have got is only a couple of months old and she has been named Emily! We have hired her for 6 weeks for a little over 100 quid and the plan is basically to drive down and around the south west coast of India. The bike has got some big paniers on the sides so we can just about fit all of our luggage onto it. We will be leaving just after christmas! Just around the headland from the main beach where ... read more