Pallolem Beach, Goa

Tues 25th November 2008 (Al)
The train trip to Goa was very scenic and the time seemed to fly. I spent a lot of the time standing at the open doorway of the train watching the sun come down slowly over the lush greenery. Was a good decision to do this journey during daylight hours after all. Arrived at Madgaon station and then took a taxi to Pallolem Beach in South Goa. We were told North Goa is a little too touristy and seedy and that Pallolem was the pick of the bunch down the south so we thought we’d head there.
We checked in Om Sai Guesthouse, about 150m from the beachfront. Pallolem had obviously been well and truly discovered by the time we arrived but was still small enough and was not that crowded with tourists with a really nice laid back feel. We instantly felt relaxed after the craziness of northern India and looked forward to a slower pace for the next few weeks. Headed out for dinner cruising past a number of eateries before choosing one who had their seafood on display. The beach has a feeling of Thailand/Bali about it. We picked out a red snapper and 5 Tiger prawns which they cooked in a tan- door oven. Our table was literally in the sand metres from the water. The food was amazing and it cost a mere 600 rupees (A$18/ 7.5 quid). My cocktail cost less than 5 aus dollars. I could get used to this place. Seafood every day.

Wed 26th November 2008 (Al)
Breakfast at Café Inn was brilliant. Really good coffee and great poached eggs, not to mention they had wifi which was proving non-existent outside of Delhi/ Jaisalmer. Headed to the beach, found a lounge each and stayed there all day. It was ultimate laziness and one worth doing again and again. Sunset was impressive with a Fosters in hand. Had dinner at a restaurant called Little Italy - a whole mud crab for only AUS$18. They even dug out all the crab meat and then placed it back in the shell so the hard/messy part was taken away. Yummo. Wend had a pizza. Why you would have a pizza when you can have seafood I don’t know. However she has been a little unwell since Mumbai.