Finally we got there....

What a journey it has been! So our 'epic' trip didnt start off too well... with a 36hour delay in getting to india, when we finally arrived we were beyond fed up. Bombay is MANIC and very, very expensive! we spent three days there, being stalked, stared at, chatted up and ripped off... but we have had an amazing time- did lots of touristy/sightseeingy things including several museums, Elephanta island (the place of the stalker) and an interesting city tour (ripped off) of colaba district, ranging from the Hanging Gardens and the Gateway of India to the biggest outdoor washing/ effectively drycleaning 'slum' in Asia, it was pretty gruesome but pretty incredible considering that they deal with the whole of mumbai's washing... and dont misplace any of it... if only our local dry cleaners was so effective.

After a few days of spending an atrocious amount of money on accomodation, which was prettttttty basic, with very cold and rather temermental showers, we decided to head down to the beaches of Goa... on a '10 hr, luxury 'delux' sleeper bus'. oh. god. luxury? reaaaally? After 14 hrs we arrived and were immediately hounded by hundreds of eager taxi men who didnt understand the concept of BOG OFF. We finally got to Anjuna, a northern beach (literally all there is), and had a lovely relaxing day. Where else but in India do you find cows on a beach in a resort... or in the middle of a motorway... or in a restraunt (not on your plate)? Actually... where else but in india, do you wake up on a beautifully relaxing beach, to find your friend has been turned (by a very very pushy jewllery seller) into a shop shelf? Indi was literally covered in shitty (but obviously real, and 'one of a kind', silver) anklets. They were surrounding us from every angle... when we finally put our foot down after 20minutes of being decorated, and said no, the poor (ish) girls looked like they were going to cry. our sympathies soon wore off, 'special price'? if we hear those 2 words once more...! When they finally left, the little girl called out, 'ok, bye my darlings'. I wonder where she learnt that little gem?
Anjuna is a rather Hippy resort as we found out over dinner. A band was playing in the retraunt which opened out onto the beach, and an eastern european (obviously) high on something... probably everything, started going mental. soon to be joined by an elderly indian beggar and a belly dancer who was 'dannncing to the waves' she was pretty chilled. however we did meet some other 'gappers' who were all rather cool and chilled and feeling the anjuna vibe, but who were all very friendly.
Next day we headed down to candolim- the costa del sol of india. every few meters you coould hear the twang of a northern accent... or a russian one for that matter. The waiters were all very.. accomodating- 'hello beautifuls'. We hiked the 3km 'mountain' up to Aguada fort in the midday scorching heat. It was an amazing view... and very cultural... but worth it..... hmmmm? well, we're better friends for it, after a 30 minute sulk, on the way back down... and a nap.
Next day, Hit the bright lights of Panaji, the capital. it was a sunday. everything was closed. BUt we had a lovely stroll along the beach front at 'Miramar' and were stalked relentlessly (including sitting, watching, in a restarant for an hour while we had lunch) by 2 boys on a moped who were willing to spend 500 rupees to have a picture with us... we legged it. That night, we took a 'paradise cruise' to see the sun set. it was an experience and a half! Two indian chaps who were setting out the seating (oh yes, there was a stage, a dj and a whole lot of goan dancers... not quite what we had in mind!) paid us special attention- we got a whole row to ourselves and were allovwed beyond the 'ropes' to the bow(?) (the front anyway) of the boat... to watch the sunset, where noone else was allowed. we walked past the captains cabin. wooohooo. they asked us out, we got Jasson's number. SCORE. unfortunately (reallly?) we declined.

And so ends our trip to goa, we are now in Jaipur. Unfortunately there is a massive que for the computer so we must love you and leave you, will try and write asap,

much love A & I