Enjoy the view

Sunset at Palolem beach, South Goa. 12/16/2005


View from Cabo del Rama fort, South Goa


Lunch view at Patem Beach


the Church in Cabo del Rama fort.


Treehouse in wildlife sanctuary.


Tim climbs up to the treehouse. No wildlife seen, except two other tourists. There was a small snake enclosure which had four Cobras and two Pythons. The guide used a long stick to poke the cobras, which reared up and hissed.


IN PALOLEM

We've been having a fine time here in Palolem. Met up with Ian, from Canada (America Jr.), who Matt and I originally met on our rafting trip in Nepal. We've all had some fun nights, as the happy hour cocktails are silly cheap. We rented the scooters again, the oh so hot Honda Activa, but this time for two days (with proper registration, and helmets). Yesterday we went up north checking out some sights, the del Rama fort, more beaches, etc. Had some lunch and headed back, had to dodge tons of cows, a few monkeys, dogs, and warthogs. The usual traffic in India. Today we went south to a wildlife sanctuary, and got to take the Activa's offroading. They performed quite well, I decided not to try anymore burnouts, as my wounds from last time are still healing. We then headed to the beach just south of Palolem, called Patnem. Swam a bit and had some lunch on the beach, another fine day in Goa. Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes and donations, both are greatly appreciated.
Planning a relaxing 25th birthday on the beach tomorrow, and a big seafood dinner with the crew. Sounds like it's pretty chilly back home, hope these photos make you a little warmer.

Lovin' Goa

Photos, as promised:


'Sun Worshiper' in Goa



Library and Clock tower, University of Bombay


Me on the beach, South Colva, Goa.


This guy got a big fine for parking his super tanker in a non-super tanker zone. Story is that it dragged it's anchor in a storm six years ago and got beached here, near Baga, in Goa. Now the hull is cracked and it's full of sand, so it's not going anywhere. How pissed would you be if you just built a hotel on the beach and you woke up to this thing one morning? shame.



Our Honda Activa's parked in front of a Church in Old Goa.


Old church on top of a hill overlooking Old Goa.



Our CocoHut. Great spot.

Me and the beach girls who tried to sell us everything from fresh fruit to jewlery. They were very nice, I had a 'fruit tab' with one of them, she kept me well stocked in banannas and pineapple while we relaxed on the beach.



Market day, Anjuna beach, Goa.


Anjuna Beach


And a favorite shot from the archives... taken on our last night in Kathmandu (11/22/05)


Goa is everything we hoped it would be and so much more. So far we've spent 4 days in South Colva, in a place called "CocoHuts." Literally right on the beach, we had a cool little hut with bathroom attached and beds covered by mosquito nets. Very authentic and just what we were after. A glorious long, white sandy beach with enough waves to have a great time body surfing. Plenty of excellent people around including two cool British girls that were there on a two week holiday. A whole crew of other travelers made for an awesome crowd and vibe.

We then (on 12/12), took a taxi up the coast to Anjuna, another beach town. Had an awesome seafood buffet, and went for a dip that evening. The next day, we rented Honda scooters and tore around Goa for the day. I had the only real mishap, when I tried to do a burnout in some dirt, dumb move. I caught some pavement and completely lost control. Luckily I wasn't going too fast and bruised my pride more than my body. But I totally dumped the bike on the road. Oops. Got a few minor scraps, but nothing a bandaid couldn't cover. The other two found it quite hilarious, as usual. But it was a good wake up call, and we were more careful the rest of the day. We then had a run-in with the Goa Police, who tried to extort 2000 rupees off of Tim. At one point threatening to take him to the 'police station' without us. They pulled us over, and asked to see our drivers licenses, luckily Matt and I had ours with us, not that they are valid in India... So the cops were just looking for some dumb tourists to get a bribe from, and they figured we would fit the bill. Well, we hemmed and hawed for a while, clearly knowing what was going on, the classic, "oh, big fine for no license, blah blah blah..." Then they tried the old "oh, you don't have registration for these bikes.." yeah, no s**t, they're rentals! Anyway, we were polite and eventually they let us go without paying a thing. We had asked for a clear definition of the law and a written ticket for any "fine" (bribe) that they wanted Tim to pay. So, cleared that hurdle and were off to explore Panjim and Old Goa.

Checked out some of the old Portuguese churches and stuff in Old Goa and then rocked back up to Anjuna on our super hot Honda Activa's. It was really fun on those bikes! So, today, we hit the Anjuna markets which were huge. I got some stuff for my folks for Christmas, and looked around endlessly for a barber, no luck. I really need a haircut. Took a taxi into Margao, the main town in the middle of Goa, and then hopped a local bus to the furthest beach in the south: Palolem. It's sick. Wide bay, hills all around, palm trees right up to the beach. As the guide book said: Idyllic. Staying in another hut 50 yards off the water, with 50 cent beers. We'll check out the beach and town tomorrow and then relax here for the next few days. It will also be the place I turn 25! nice one.

Matt and I have booked a train (12 hour sleeper) on the 19th back to Mumbai/Bombay, then I depart good ol' India on Dec. 22nd at 5:40 in the AM. Back to winter time and 'the west,' looking forward to it, but will also miss these places and the unbelievably cheap traveling. Tim flies out of Goa, stops in Mumbai, then onto London, then Switzerland. We'll all be meeting back up in Wengen, Switzerland on or around 23 December. Sweet.