Howdy Folks!

How's things?  The internet connections in Goa are typically Goan shall we say so I hope this reaches y'all!

Had a 11 hour train journey from Mumbai on Sunday morning to Margao. This 781km train journey cost me less than GBP4 for a sleeper carriage and we got there five minutes early! Maybe I should write to British Rail or whoever!!!

Behind the station are the biggest slums in Asia and they are so squalid and the stench of it hits you immediately you pull out of the station you can't believe what you are seeing it is incredible to see such an enormous amount of people barely scratching out a living by sifting through mountains of rubbish looking for items to bargain with. We left Mumbai just after dawn (how romantic) which was amazing and saw some beautiful scenery of dried rice fields and the sun scorched plains as we journeyed down. There were acres of terraced hillside scenery just waiting on the Monsoon to turn them once again into rice and other crops. The scene is almost similar to times past where you see traditional farming and ploughing but it was a fascinating way to pass the hours and see typical Indian farming activity. It is extremely obvious where the rivers are during monsoon as great dried up river beds were clear to see. We went through some amazingly long tunnels too!

Arrived in Margao at 5.55 and caught a cab to Colva along with 2 German guys Ackim and Martin who didn't know where to go so they came with me and helped me reduce taxi expenditure. They bought me dinner in the evening to say cheers...free food never to be shunned. They are only here 1 month so have now on to Palolem....on the other hand I, however, have firmly taken up residence at the Lucky Star on the beach , nestled among palm trees and it also has a fab bar and restaurant. It is costing me a massive GBP 3.0 a night for a double with own bathroom. There are 6 rooms in my section around a rooftop terrace 5 are occupied by Germans and then me ...so there have been lots of jokes about this time it is Germany 5 England 1...I just mention Michael Owen and that shuts them up!!! I haven't done an awful lot since I got here to be honest but that's what I planned...the beach is wonderful and the Arabian sea is like taking a warm bath so not particularly refreshing but a whole lot warmer than Guernsey! Naturally there are the usual touts on the beach and I am fast becoming a local as I am now tattooed in henna, have all the latest designs in ankle jewelry and sarongs!!! The girls on the beach are ok and once they realize that they haven't got a chance in hell of making me part with any more cash they are interesting to chat to for a while before they spot someone new on the beach and head off after them. The beach dogs that patrol their respective sections of the beach are interesting to watch but I wouldn't want to be in the middle of it if they start! Generally they laze around under your sun lounger to shelter and are no bother. Anthony who lets me use his bar's sun loungers for free keeps them in check with a cricket bat if they kick off....the daily game of cricket commences around 5 p.m. as it cools off. Sadly I have not been inaugurated into the game but I caught some guy out a couple of days ago....I think there was much piss taking in India for being caught out by a meager woman.....(it hurt my hand though which I didn't confess!!)

Yesterday I took the bus to Anjuna in Northern Goa to visit the weekly flea market which was a sight to see. Absolutely acres of stalls selling a variety of clothes, fabric, jewelry, shoes etc. in the most amazingly bright  colours and fabulous patterns. The stall holders have quirky comments to attract you and they tell you they will give you "Lovely jubbly price" or "I give you ASda price!" One girl said to me "Lady come and look at my rubbish stuff!" They all start off with outrageous prices and so I had great fun haggling with them and managed to leave with a sarong, 2 skirts, a pair of trousers, a top, 2 x ankle chains and a new toe ring for a total cost of about GBP4.0!!! I also saw my first Cobra at a snake charmers ...have to say it was rather small however I did not go and introduce myself or point my camera at it! This market is complete with a chill out tent playing Goan trance music for the weary shopper.!!! Once I was exhausted from the market I strolled back along the beach at Anjuna which is a large bay nestled in between volcanic outcrops...got the bus back at 4 and my legs had just about had it and I couldn't be bothered to walk along the beach so started off slowly on the 1 mile trek back to my accommodation...I had walked about 200 yards when Cos one of the staff pulled up on his motorbike and said "Lillie get on!" so I managed to get a ride back to the hotel (after a quick thrash up the road at the end of the village for showing off purposes) Women sit Indian style on the back of bikes (with both their legs on one side of the bike!) This is quite interesting when cornering and flying up a road with only shorts and t-shirt no crash helmet at about 70 miles per hour!!! Once I got off the bike he showed me where he'd cut his leg open a couple of days ago after falling off !!!! The chaps at the hotel treat you like a queen are really good fun. But you still have to ensure you are not over friendly. One of them Anthony is about 5 foot tall but is a real hard nut and loves fighting and there's been a bit of that since I've been there. One huge American guy was ejected on Monday (by Anthony) sadly I missed the OK Coral style brawl on Tues night which ended up with the police being called as I had gone to bed early and then last night a couple of the dogs had a fight too! There's a few long timers here and we congregate round the bar in the evening. They have all traveled extensively around India and have been coming for years so I have managed to plan my trip around the bar in the evenings and talking to them about various places!

Anyway no other plans as yet other than I think I'll hang here another week and ensure maximum beach time before going northwards. I am going sailing on Sunday to see dolphins and visit Palolem beach and other than that I'll be on the beach til the sun goes down...or I roast. The temp is average 35/36 degrees C even with a breeze and at lunch it is a stifling 40 ish so not to be ventured out in. I am slapping on the factor 30 and tanning quick!!!

Will say cheerie oh for now dudes...keep smiling

Loadsa lurve

Lisa/Lillie

xxx