Blogs from Baga, Goa, India, Asia - page 7

Today we went on a tour organised by the hotel with a company called fernandes of South Goa including Old Goa. We were quite excited at the prospect of seeing more of Goa.... We should have learnt by now not have too high expectations... The tour was conducted purely in Hindu with a few scattering of english words here and there, like '106 kilometres', and '1696', but thats about all we managed to interpret! We were the only foreigners on the bus but I stil lthink it was unfair that we were left compltely out of the loop. We got on an off the bus soo many times we lost count, each time we had to ask the tour guide where we were and what exaclty we were meant to be looking at... each time we ... read more

I've had a really good two days, though both very different! Yesterday we went to Anjuna market. After being told we couldn't walk there, we decided, ah well, we'll give it a go anyway (after all it only looked about 4k on the map and seeing as we did 10k the day before we didn't really see a problem!) So we started to stroll in the direction of the market asking directions on the way, when this British couple told us we had to walk over the rocks. We thought, well if they can do it I'm sure we'll be fine! We got to the rocks and realised why we were told we couldn't really walk! There were just loads of rocks and we couldn't even see a path! We asked two local guys the way ... read more

Had a really good day today after feeling a bit home sick last night! Spent the day on the beach, swimming and sunbathing (I'm already slightly brown!) Then decided to take a stroll down the beach and before we knew it we'd walked past about 3 beaches! We stopped off for a late lunch and I had a lovely meal of squid in a garlic sauce and potato's and then had my eyebrows threaded for 25p!! We asked the guy where we were and told him where we had walked from and he said we'd walked 5k!! We walked back and stopped off to sit down and watch the sun set which was beautiful then walked back to the hotel by which point it was dark and our legs we're start to feel the pain! Tomorrow ... read more

As part of my visit to India, Priya insisted that I visit Goa, the former Portugese colony on the Arabian sea that is now a beach resort with an international reputation. I've read the story somewhere on the web, but basically, after Portugal returned Goa to India in the early 1960's, a vibrant bohemian culture developed out of the remaining Portugese, various other westerners drawn to the tropical paradise, and the native Goan Indian population (most of whom converted/were converted to Catholicism under the Portugese). This cultural mix, the beautiful scenery and the tropical climate gave birth to an easygoing way of life and an interesting musical tradition blending eastern and western music. Goa gradually became a destination for people, westerners and Indians, looking for a relaxed beach holiday (much as we view the Caribbean in ... read more

The best place for new years party is Baga beach. Club scene in Goa is good. We went to Club Cubana on 30th night. Very strict stag policy. So better hang out to get some kind ladies to take you inside. It cost us a fortune to get in (INR 2000 per head but inside was lots of fun and the party went on till 6:00AM in the morning with no signs of people slowing down. On 31st night, Thomas got pulled in by one of the many Kashmiri Handicraft dealers and we spent haggling for a good price on a beautiful walnut chess table. While we were having a quick bite at Hariyali restauarant. to be continued... ... read more