Old Goa, 26.03.09

Got up early this morning and spent the day ambling around old Goa. Quite why you need so many Cathedral and Churches in such a small area remains a mystery to me. Got to Old Goa on a local bus (first one I've caught since I've been here) which was very exciting and cheap. Spent the day walking roumd one church after another and I have to admit that they all tended to blur into one after a while, all very similar.

Walked around the Indian Archelogical Museum, this seemed to consist of a couple of statues of Hindu and Christian origin and then the portraits. The portrait gallery is where they have hung all the official portraits of the Portuguese Viceroys of Goa. This is all very good and well but when they have ruled the area from the 16th century to the late 20th century and on average each one only lasting about 2 years, its alot of bloody portraits. It was only in the late 19th century that the style of these paintings even changed. So I am now sick to death of portraits. They up side was they had plenty of fans and chairs before the next slog.

After the trauma of the museum a break for lunch was required. Went to see a ruined church (was quite liking the novelty of the ruinedness), then looked around yet another church, this one had a dead dude in a glass coffin to look at, so at least something different. Said dead dude was Francis Xavier whose remains didn't decompose when he died, so they sainted him.

Off to Hampi tomorrow night (after another day in Panjim) so it'll be goodbye Goa, hello Karnatarka.

Panjim, Goa 25.03.09

I have to say, my start in Panjim wasn't the best. Extremely hungover after my last night in Vagator (some lovely regulars from the Mango Tree took me to Chapora for a night out, one of them even gave me a ride home on his motorbike) and completely sleep deprived I was finding that the heat was getting to me, more than usual. Anyway, pushed caution to the wind and set off out to see the city. Walked around a lot seeing the highlights of this very pretty city. Taking photos and just looking really. Went to a cool pub were everyone writes on the walls, had a refreshing Kingfisher (it made me feel alot better) and then more to walking round.
Felt a bit home sick all day but it seems to have past now.

Lazy Days in Vagator.

I'm still in Vagator. I have spent the last few days much as the few days before. Wandering aimlessly between the beach, pub and my hotel. I have become quite a regular at the bar. I find that I seem to fit in quite well there. I have been clubbing twice. The second time of which, I was told I was not allowed to sit in a chair as the Miss India contestants were about to arrive (prettier than last year but not really standing a chance internationally, I was informed by a young man with a keen interest in the competition). I went to a party last night in a field. So sat surrounded by Russians watching people dance in a bizarre assortment of clothes.
Anyhow I'm going to laze here for one more day and then travel to Panjim and do more touristy things.

Being Lazy in Goa.

I haven't got much to say today. This is because I haven't been up to much really. My days have generally involved getting up having something to eat. Go for a bit of an explore, then wander down to the beach. Its been a hard couple of days. Don't worry I haven't yet managed to get a tan.

My hotel is very handily near to the pub so I've spent my evenings propping up the bar.

Tonight I'm been taken clubbing!! to a famous Goan nightclub! I'm guessing it will be fairly light on the rock front. Oh well.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Mumbai.

After my last post I discover that check out for my hotel was at 8am the next morning. With my train not leaving till 11pm, it meant I had another whole day in Mumbai, 'Next stop Goa' would have to wait a bit.
Its been an eventfull day and half. After finding out check out times I went back to my room with every intention of reading my book on the balcony and having an early night. Well I've never been good at sticking to a plan. My evening involved going on a beer hunt (failed) with a male Aussie escort (not that kind of escort, silly) and finding a Scotsman talking to an air conditioning unit, it was fun if not a little strange.

I managed to get up in time for checkout and went for breakfast. Walked along the seafront to Chowpatti beach and back. Remembered to get my camera out for the first time, so I actually have some pictorial evidence that I'm in India, they'll be online as soon as I find an internet cafe that'll let me do that. Was bored and decided to go and watch them play cricket at Oval Madian. Amazingly there was no one playing, apparently it was too early in the morning and here was me thinking they played 24hours a day. So completely bored and with nothing better to do I went to the pub.

After a couple of hours wasted decided to splash out and go and explore Elephanta Island (disappointingly inaccurate name). Unfortunatley whilst there the inevital finally happed and I was mugged. Okay, so a monkey stole a bottle of coke out my rucksack. In my head that still counts. The island has 5 Hindu cave temples to walk round. The sculptures are pretty impressive but I expected the cave complex to be bigger. I have high hopes of visiting Ellora later which is better apparently. I whiled away a good half hour trying to get a picture of the huge Birds of prey all around Mumbai, they fly really close but seem to know when you are trying to take a picture. Ended up taking pictures of cows instead. There was a really cute baby/small one that then decided to follow me down the jetty.

Spent the next four hours in CST train station waiting for my train. I had confirmed my booking and got on the train. It came as a bit of a shock when I discovered that I had to share my sleeper berth with someone else. The poor man looked petrified, even at my offer of him having the pillow. Eventually he was allocated a berth somewhere else and I got some sleep. The trains are awesome. It was so much fun trying to sleep on a train. I love the trains here. I was feeling brave when I got to Goa and got an Auto Rickshaw for the half hour journey to my hotel. I pretty much spent the whole time convinced I was going to die and trying to work out the best way to position my bag as to pad me in a crash. Anyhow now I'm here in one piece, I'm wearing the smallest clothes I own, have just got back from the beach and am gonna go to the pub for some lunch.

Mumbai

So I've finally got on my way. I landed in Mumbai yesterday lunchtime somewhat tired and bewildered. My adventure began with a taxi driver who drove round for an hour before admitting that he had no idea where he was going. So in wisdom derived from my lack of sleep fuddled brain, I tried to give him directions. With the help of some very nice passers by we eventually reached my hotel (we had driven past it twice). Anyhow it was like having a personnal tour of the city, which I would never have done otherwise.
I have to admit it was all a bit daunting and had all but decided to spend the day lounging about in the hotel. However after an hours kip, I decided to stop being silly and venture outside. I spent the past two days, dodging traffic, sightseeing, ignoring beggars and eating. I don't know how I've managed to go so long without being run over. The drivers here seem to use there horns instead of brakes and what was a two lane road of traffic suddenly becomes four because people can't be bothered to wait. The only time they seem to drive a bit more carefully is around the many street cricket matches that are everywhere.
It's very boisterous and lively and I can't imagine spending much more time here and am looking forward to going to Goa tomorrow evening.
Also I get the exciting prospect of a sleeper train.
Amazingly the telly in my hotel room had a channel which was showing the rugby. So at a bizarrly late hour last night I got to watch the match.

Right then, tomorrow is the day.
I'm nearly all packed, just my hand luggage to go. This cannot be too heavy, as at the moment I am able to just about carry my bag.

I've booked my seat on the plane, next to the window, obviously. I know it will be dark, but I'm going to be slightly excitable so night vision will come into effect.

Next stop Mumbai.....

Nervous? me? never!!!