Blogs from Palolem, Goa, India, Asia - page 18

Palolem is famous for backpackers and although its low season most of the hostels are already full up. I'm staying in a little cottage by the beach its in it's own private area and has private access to the beach and a fab reastaurant that does alot of european foods. The beach is gorgeous and the weather is fab thanks to the monsoon leaving early. Therere lots of Indians who travel from all over India to Palolem, to sell their hand made items and other goods. They are a far cry from the pushy ones in the main cities, they do all ask the same questions in the same order which can be funny but it's good to chat with them as one of the girls, I chatted with today was from Jaipur a place I ... read more

One of Goas most idyllic beaches, home to friendly dogs and cows chilling by the lifeguard tower at sunset, kind of like floozy girls on the beaches in Cornwall. Low season. Not much happening. Taxi drivers thinking up all they can for means of conversation on the, at least 6 ties a day, walk to and from the beach, consisting of ‘Taxi?’ ‘No thank you’ ‘Maybe tomorrow..’ If they hoped I’d get the message and bugger off by the 6th day, I’d hoped they’d get the message and bugger off asking by the 7th. Neither of us did. In any case, I got the bus. Whilst I was there, however, as well as walking the 20m to and from the beach each day- thorough exercise I think- I also eat great food, drank some yellow water ... read more

Hi all I've spent a few days here now, and it's all very relaxing. It's by far the most picturesque beach I've been to so far, with palm trees all along, and all the restraunts, bars and beach shacks don't ruin it by any stretch of the imagination, in fact I find it gives it a travellers atmosphere. As in Varkala we've met some new travellers, and 2 of them, Luke and John (easy to remember for me) happen to be booked on the same train to Mumbai as us. We've also met up with Ed from the TEFL week and a couple of his friends, so it's a healthy sized group. As yet I haven't taken any photos here, partly because of my memory, but also because any photos will look similar to my photos ... read more

After getting in rather late from Kanyakumari, and having to get up early the next morning, I was not really in the mood for the 20hr train journey up to Goa. Last time I was in India, I'd done some trains, but splashed out on the more deluxe 2-tier AC class. This time, in search of a more authentic experience, I opted for regular sleeper class at a quarter of the price. The comfort, though not as high, was still sufficient and the locals that ride in this class make for a much more interesting journey. Watching an Indian mother clump balls of rice and curry together out of a banana leaf and feed her three hungry chick-like kids by hand is something you'd only see on a train ride in India. And, as with ... read more

As well as hooking up with James again I’ve also met these 3 really cool Israeli girls...there's Maya from Tel Aviv, Dana from Haifa and Tsipora (Tsipi) from Jerusalem and I have been learning all about how it is to live in the Middle East conflicts, especially as national service is compulsory so at the age of 18 they are given their own gun, taught combat and trained to "defend" Israel. None of the girls believe in National Service and it sound extremely difficult to be thrown into it especially when coming from a religious background... Anyway today was Passover and the girls had very kindly invited myself and James to join them that evening at their Passover dinner but before this we had the hair ceremony! Tsipi had had her long dreadlocks for some time ... read more