Cities, Beeches and Elephants

Well, this is more like it ... We're currenty chilling out in a small costal resort called Varkala. It's in the south of Kerela and unlike the rather busy and ultra-touristy areas of Goa it's actually quite laid-back. We've been here for the last few days as the urge to continue travelling onwards, day-after-day has temporaily left us.





Yesterday was good fun, we got word that there was a festival at one of the local temples so we hiked it up the beeches for around 30 minutes and happened across a local gathering ...






These guys know what pleases the crowds ... we want elephants!

For the past few days we've done nothing except gentle walking, reading, eating and drinking. Being back near the sea has brought back a sense of calm after the madness of Mangalore and Bangalore.

So long Goa

Paradise??? Lost

Well, today I'm sitting in an air conditioned internet cafe in Mangalore. To cut a long story short the Goa experience was not quite what I had in mind. Now don't get me wrong I'm sure that if you had local knowledge and patience you could find some nice chilled out places but what we found was a bit too close to Costa Del Sol for our liking. Now if I were a surf dude or beech bum it would have been great but somehow something didn't push the right buttons. That said it was a nice place to hang out and relax for a while. Perhaps being in my early twenties and thin would have helped as well ...





So yesterday we jumped on a "local train" from Canacona (Goa) and headed 400 km due south to where we are now. The train journey was quite an experience given that it was a local service and had none of this 2nd class, 2-tier A/C, 1st class reservation stuff that gets you a reserved seat. So we went cattle class and spent 6 hours getting numb backsides on a wooden bench. Fortunately I didn't need to use the toilet which would have been an adventure too far ...

Interestingly although Mangalore is a busy city we haven't experienced any of the hassle we received in Goa. Rather than view you as source of easy cash they just leave you to yourself to get on with it.

Neither of us appear to have suffered the dreaded Delhi-belly yet but given the interesting places we're eating in I'm sure it's only a matter of time. It might just be me but I'm kind of surprise that nothing i've eaten so far has been particularly spicy. Perhaps the waiters just ask the chef to tone down the flavour for pale Europeans but there's definitely an element of vitamin Chilly missing from the diet.

South Goa

Well, it's been an interesting week so far ...

Shortly after arriving at Mumbai airport the overwhelming desire to get as far away from Mumbai as possible overcame the two of us. A quick flight later we were in Goa. We've drifted around this week and have started to get into the spirit of things.

One things for certain, you have to adopt a good sense of humor to get on as as a tourist you are somewhat of a magnet for everyone trying to make a few rupees. That said everyones been friendly so far and as long as you don't forget that they're trying to make a bit of cash then everything seems fine.

Of the more extreme sports we have engaged in is taking taxis. These taxi drivers have a very liberal view to the application of traffic laws. One cannot fault their bravery however as they constantly amaze us at their ability to overtake on blind corners and make it back onto the correct side of the road before oncoming traffic causes any nastiness.

Sorry, but no photos today ... next time I promise to upload some pretty Goan sunsets ... arrrhh

Launch Day has arrived

Well it's seems like ages since we booked our tickets for the mini-adventure. Next time I blog I'll be somewhere in Southern India. Looking forward to chilling out in Goa for a week or so before heading further down south in search of culture and new experiences.

Only 1 tube journey and an 8.5 hour flight to get through and India here we come!

90 days holiday ... fantastic!

T - 1

Well, the wait is almost over. I finished work on Friday and have spent the time since reflecting on the events to come (i.e. have been frequenting the pub regularly). I can't believe I've got 3 months off work ...

Schedule:

• 30th January arrive in Mumbai
  
• 26th Feb arrive in Singapore
  
• 1st March arrive in Perth
• 6th Match arrive in Adelaide
• 30th March arrive in Bangkok
• 28th April arrive back in London

Hopefully we'll meet up with Rob, Dames and Jules, Geoff and Stu during our travels.

It's going to be an interesting learning experience!

Picture of Cowes

Just testing ...

T-20, all systems within operating guidelines

Only 13.5 more working days until the adventure starts.

Spent last weekend on a short sailing course. This was the first time I've been out in rough weather and I am proud to announce that I definitely do not get sea sick. The wind was force 6 to 7 and the rain came down in sheets but that only added to the experience. Learned a lot of valuable things over the course of the two days which will definitely be helpful on future excursions. Didn't do too many nautical miles (probably only around 20) but it got the message through that you have to be respectful of mother nature when you're floating around at sea in a little boat.

The plane tickets arrived in the post today ... another thing less to worry about.