A bit of Paradise in Chaotic India

Arambol, Goa is one of the few beaches on the Arabian coast that does not have a direct tourist bus service. Goa is a tiny state lined with beautiful white sandy beaches. Outside the tourist season Arambol is a tiny fishing village. During peak season the beach front is full of huts and guesthouses and bamboo restaurants. It had everything we needed so we found a flat, negotiated a month’s fee and stayed for six weeks.

We liked it instantly and decided to spend the rest of our time in India there. Our breezy flat is on the third floor. It was shaded by coconut trees and we can see the sea. We are a minute and a half away to our favourite beachside restaurant where we eat 2-3 times a day. From the restaurant it is a 30 seconds stroll to our lounge chairs in front of the sea.

The name of our favourite restaurant is Olive Garden (which makes me giggle because I think that’s where I went to eat for Prom). No matter what time we finally make it to the Olive Garden we are welcomed with a friendly good morning greetings. It could be 9am or 2pm. We are in Goa, no one ever knows the time or care to know. Our lives are contained within a five minute radius.

Parker and I loved our time in the sun in Goa. Goa attracts a lot of long term travellers and hippies. We do not make very good hippies but we blended in just fine. We spent a lot of time learning the guitar and reading. We made some really great friends.

India is a frustrating country to travel but extremely rewarding at the end of the day. It's over populated and there is no sense of personal space. People are constantly trying to sell you stuff or/and scam you. But the Indian people are friendly and have a great since of humor. In India, you've got to go with the flow.

We were lucky enough to be in Mumbai when India won the Cricket World Cup. Cricket is everything to India and they had waited 28 years to reclaim the title. Congratulations India!