North Goa and Images http://img26.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=cimg2108.jpg
The flight from Manchester was on time and we left promptly on the Thomas Cook light direct to Dambolim airport. The flight was more comfortable than the usual Monarch one. Unfortunately they didn't pack enough head sets for everyone to use the seat back entertainment. The 8 or so hours seemed to take forever as I was so excited.
I hadn't pre-booked a hotel. This was a big mistake. We arrived in Goa at 3.30am. Immigration was horrible and unfriendly as usual. Hopped in a taxi and paid 650rs Calangute. We arrive at the Church at around 4am. The driver told me we where there. Help me out with the bags and drove off!! Luckily I know my way around but Rachel was not a happy bunny to be traipsing down a dark unlit road with bags on her back and front like a pack horse! (Don't worry I was carrying the same amount). As you know the phrase "Hello taxi??" is very common in the BCC area. Could we find a taxi when we needed one?? Could be balls! The first group of people we saw asked me if I wanted drugs.. I was not really taken aback as I'd seen it all before but I could tell Rachel was very unsettled. I decided to get into the first place we came too. It was called Linder's. There were acting pretty shady and said we could stay from 4am to 11am and we then had to check out. They wanted 1500rs. Unfortunately as Rach was so upset I decided to pay up so we could get a little sleep and try again in the morning.
At 11am sharp we were up and out. To help Rach slip into Goan life a little easier I decided to try and get in at the Marina Dourada in Arpora. Due to the area being so quiet I managed to get the rate down from 4500rs to 2500rs a night. The rooms were nice and clean and I slept well with proper beading and the air con on cool. The grounds and Hotel were very clean and all the staff and guests were very friendly. We stayed here for a total of 6 or so night between travelling round Goa. They were quite happy to watch our bags when we went to hampi too. I rented a moped of a man called Sham (Taxi driver out front) for a rate or 250rs a day. He gave me a nice new bike as he saw I would be carrying my girlfriend on the back.
It took Rach the usual 3 days to fall in love with Goa.
Baga beach
I stayed mostly at Bistro's shack where the food is good and i'v know the shack lads for years. They were all suffering from the rather drastic drop in business. Nevertheless they were still friendly and would often sit and just chat and catch up. I met up with the usual group of long term stayers who have been coming to Goa for years. We went on a day trip to Maharashtra to the Reddy fort on the bikes. The trip up was amazing. I love the cool breeze and the jaw dropping views from the costal and bridge roads. It was a great day and we called in at Arambol on the way back.
Arambol
Seemed busyer and still had the layed back hippy vibe. Its a cool place and I enjoyed the short time I spent there. We went to the fresh water lake. I could not belive how busy it was!! I used to like it there as we usually have it too ourselves.
More to follow:
Palolem, Kola, Hampi & Wildernest
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