Anjuna-Bombay: 6 June 07

Goa Beaches

The famous Anjuna flea market was small due to the off season. There was nothing much to shop around and for the rest of the day, we just hang around the beach area and chit chatting. The weather was very hot and humid that we got really sticky and dirty well before the bus ride to Bombay.

The private bus (which looks like the Malaysian "bus kilang" - factory bus) was definitely better than the previous bus that we took from Hospect to Goa. But it was also as hot (no air con) and whenever the bus stopped to pick up other passengers, i just felt that i am going to die from suffocation. Due to the smelly and sticky conditions of mine, i wasn't able to catch a sleep. But keeping awake in a bus like this was even more disasterious, so somehow i managed to put myself to slumber.

Cost: 466 Rs



The famous Baga beach of Goa. Loaded with many sun beds but due to off season, strong tide, there are not many tourist.



Palolem beach, hemmed in at either end by rocky crags. At least this is a quieter beach with nobody trying to sell us drug.



The sunset of Anjuna beach.



This was really funny but yet dangerous. The people was standing on the rock to take picture and they knew that, when the tide comes in, the water is going to splash on them. A big wave came indeed... :P

Anjuna,Goa: 5June07

They took care of me!

Probably because of the season was not right, the beaches have very very strong wave. We went to a few beaches by scooter (3 of us on a scooter!), but all beaches were just equally dissapointing. The water is murky, strong tide, some not even with any sand or coconut trees. This place is really nothing if compare with the nice beaches in Thailand or Malaysia.

The beach itself wasn't great to me at all. But with good companions, i kind of started to enjoy the trip now. The whole trip was now relaxing to me, with both Matt and Vivien taking care of almost all logistics. They took care of me in every way to make sure that i am comfortable. i think i started to have some luck now.

Cost: 340 Rs



The yellow structure is part of a restaurant by Anjuna beach. The wave was too strong that the water kept splashing into the restaurant. So they put on the yellow canvas.



The tribe women selling their handmade handicraft by Anjuna beach, near to the bus station.

Panaji, Goa, India: 4June07

Welcome to Little Lisbon!

We arrived with the disasterious bus trip from Hospect to Margao (not Panaji) that we wanted to go, at the ungodly hour of 4.30am. The bus ride was extremely unpleasant. Bumpy and very hot and again, i was molested by some Indian guy when Matt went to the seat behind to lie down.

When we got settled down at the guest house in Panaji, it was already 1pm. When we got the ticket to Bombay done, it was already late afternoon. We then took the 4.5km walking tour. It was just one hour and the walk was a pleasant one.

Goa has a very different feel from other India cities. At least, they serve beef here. People also tend to not bother you and there was hardly anyone asked us "which country?", "What is your name?" - For some reasons, these questions are 'important' to some very curious Indian. This place reminded me of Macau, the almost same Portuguese influence, with the Portuguese style of buildings and churches. Even the Hindu temples don't look like an Hindu temple at all.

Cost: 692 Rs



Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, standing above the square in the town centre of Panaji, Goa. Built by the Portuguese.



The sunset by Mandovi River, Panaji.



This interesting looking building is not a house owned by some rich people and it is not a wonderland for kids too. :) (It looks like some kind of castle to me.) This is Maruti Temple dedicated to the monkey god, Hanuman. The temple's veranda provides fine views towards the Mandovi River.



One of the city view from Maruti Temple.