Exploring Southern Goa

We got up this morning and thought that today should be about Big Red. He has taken us almost 2500km across Southern India already and today...it was going to be all about him.

We started with a thorough service which included an oil change, cleaning the air filter, changing the brake fluid and a whole lot of oiling and lubricating. In addition, Big Red had his spark plugs and spark plug cap changed in the hope that it would help him become more of a morning person.

As a reward for what a brave bike he was we took Big Red on a cruisy outing up the coast. We made it to Benaulim for lunch. The prices of restaurants on the beach matched the bulky wallets of their ageing European clients so we settled for rice and curry off the beach. Delicious. We took the waiter's recommendation and enjoyed a Goan Caldin (green curry), a veg fried rice and a couple of tasty lassis before getting back on the road.

Mobor area, Goa

We explored the peninsula down to its end at Mobor. It's a surreal place where you ride through a whole lot of nothing and then, out of nowhere, a kilometre or so of the road is lined with resorts, souvenir shops and tourists before it goes back to nothing again. Or exploration of the peninsula was limited by the giant resorts which took up the beach with sunbeds and umbrellas for the Europeans to laze on. If they felt really adventurous there was a strip of carpet laid in the sand which led them to a restaurant on the beach outside the resort walls. Craziness!

Leela Resort

As we headed South again Chris tried his very hardest to throw me off the back if Big Red by hitting an unmarked speed bump at speed. Although maintaining that it was absolutely an accident, he did a pretty good job at almost losing me as I bounced up and almost off Big Red, coming down on the metal on either side of the seat. Nice try Chris. But you're stuck with me for now, leg bruises and all.

Cola Beach Lagoon

On our way down the coast Chris spotted a dirty road he had wanted to explore when we passed it earlier. It was a rumbling, tumbling ride along the rocky, red, dusty road until we could ride no further. We took off on foot, down the hill, and were rewarded for our efforts ten fold. We had stumbled upon Cola Beach.

Cola Beach, Goa

While the ocean itself wasn't ideal for swimming, a fresh water river turned into a lagoon as it approached the ocean and made a wonderfully refreshing spot for a dip. We gazed jealously at the delux 'tents' (which were really more like houses) and the Europeans who could afford to stay in them. After a quick swim we grabbed Big Red and headed down yet another dirt track. We found somebody to ask about staying at this delightful Cola Beach only to be told they were here on a retreat (with yoga mat in hand) and were therefore unsure of the exact cost. Of course!

Cola Beach River Inlet

Palolem Beach

By the time we got back to Palolem to retrieve our clean laundry (yay) we had time only for showers before heading out to take photos of the sunset. Our intentions of heading to the beach North of Palolem by foot were halted by a high tide and instead we stuck to the main drag. Chris snapped some photos before we settled in for some dinner with the sand between our toes. Until we realised we had no money that is. And that the only ATM was 4km away. Off we went, forever known as those tourists who didn't even have enough cash for dinner.

Dinner: Attempt One

Dinner: Attempt Two

We grabbed Big Red, grabbed some cash, and found ourselves Crunch...the perfect place for dinner. Crunch is located at the end of our street, on the opposite corner to Cafe Fiesta where we enjoyed our Mexican last night, and looks to be one of the more reputable restaurants in that its foundations are permanent rather than ready to be blown down in the next monsoon. We enjoyed calamari and kingfish and were pleased to see that, for the money paid, our meals were a great size and great quality. And, even better, we got to listen to some good reggae tunes while we dined. Washed down with a Mr Majestic (vodka/watermelon cocktail) and a Mothers' Ruin (gin/lime/soda cocktail) we were ready for bed.