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  Goa, Goa, India
Tuesday, June 1, 2010

On Sat 29th at 06:30 we landed in Mumbai, as we got out of the airport we were all pretty much gobsmacked at the heat, the amount of people and the smell of India. We originally wanted to get a taxi to take us to a train station about an hours drive from the airport, so we could get to Goa by the evening. The first taxi guy that approached us seemed very nice and generous at first but we quickly learnt that he was trying to rip us off, something I had been warned about in India. He told us that there was no point driving all that way , when it was actually more like a 2 hour  drive with the traffic, and we could stay here and get a bus tonight. We thought this was fair enough so he took us to his 'friends' hotel where as soon as we agreed a price to stay there, the price kept escalating and escalating! We weren't having any of this, and luckily Adam was very good at being the spokesperson for the day, told him what was what and in the end he took us to the train station for a good price, although he wasnt as friendly after!

Once we were at the train station in Mumbai, I couldnt believe the amount and level of poverty that was there. We had seen a bit of the slums as we landed on the plane but here there were people lying all over the streets, children begging and not taking no for an answer. As we stood on the train platform we were surrounded by kids and everytime we moved we were literally chased by different groups of kids begging for food or money. It was heartbreaking and annoying at the same time.

The 12 hour train journey from Mumbai to Goa was amazing! Yes it was hot and humid, there were kids playing with out feet while we tried to sleep, and it got smelly at times but it was such a great experience! There are beds on the train so you can sleep or lie down, which makes it a bit more comfy, and food is served throughout. When we got off we thought we had to buy another ticket to our destination but was told by the ticket man that we can just get back on the train. we walked through the sleeper carriages, it was pitch black and there were feet and hands dangling from every direction. I scared myself into thinking somebody was going to grab me lol there wasnt any space so we ended up crouching down with our baggage right outside the toilets.
This felt like true indian travelling from what I had previously heard, and even in a not so nice situation I couldnt help but smile because I was finally in India doing it the way I had always imagined.

On our first night at our beach place we experienced the start of the monsoon here in Goa. It was amazing. A proper full on thunderstorm, with part of the beach shacks falling apart, and us getting soaked even under cover in one of the bars. You could tell the locals were used to it, they simpley turned up the music and ordered more drinks. It was fascinating to watch the lightening light up the sea every few seconds. It hasn't rained that much since then, but the ironic thing was that we moved places to somewhere with air conditioning that day, and then because of the monsoon there were power cuts all night, which meant no fans and no aircon! It was a very hot night!

Tomorrow we leave south Goa and head North to Old Goa, to check out all the temples and the tropical spice plantation, where we plan to hire some scooters and perhaps have an elephant ride if possible.

p.s. Anna - the banana lassies are amazing! xxx

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