damienandleah

India 02/20/09 – 20/12/09

Mumbai

Arrived at 2.30am and after we went through the many checks and scans we made it out of the airport to a sea of people with signs. We tried to find our names but to no avail so someone came over to try and help us by telling us to book another hotel. Another man was help though and found our driver so all was well. We made our way back to the hotel at full speed making sure not to stop at any red lights… Got to our room which had some nice air con and we settled down to sleep.

Up early and went down for our first Indian breakfast and some Chai which wasn’t too nice but had better get used to it!! Decided to venture outside for the first time and our hotel got us a taxi. It took of 45 mins to get to the Gateway of India alive. Mental over here, they make 5 lanes of traffic out of 2 and again no stopping at lights. They also have people walking onto the road and getting off moving buses. We arrived and took some photos and we got offered Hash, postcards, tours and more hash. We went to the Taj Mahal Palace hotel and then went to Leopold’s café for some food. That is where all the tourists are if you can’t find any on the streets. After lunch we went on a walk about and took loads of photos. We didn’t go in anywhere but we found out later on we passed loads of things to see and do. We headed back to the hotel after and decided to get dinner. We looked in the book and found 3 places of interest to eat but alas we couldn’t find a single one so we went a place that looked busy. We chilled out in the room that night.

Went over to Elephant Island today which was nothing like the book said. It was actually only 2 caves and I got attacked by a monkey trying to take my water. It was funny afterwards but I was terrified at the time and the poor locals who tried to help me got attacked too… we came back and decided to go for dinner in another place recommended by the “bible” but that was nothing like what the book said. The food was nice but we ordered too much. Went back to the hotel and watched TV.

Had a driver ordered for today and lucky as it was raining heavily so went off with him to see the Dhobi Ghats where they do all the washing, Hali Ali’s Mosque, Mahalaxmi Temple, Gandi’s museum, lunch in Mc D’s where there were no big Mac’s… Prince of Wales museum and then to Leopold’s for dinner. Back to the hotel to collect our bags and then got a taxi to the train station where our Rickshaw broke down just before we got to the station (only in India). Arrived there and our train was delayed so we had to wait around while everyone stared at us and tried to take our picture on their photos secretly but actually not so secretly… Got on to our 2A/C and found our beds for the night. It wasn’t too bad as they gave us pillows and sheets which we thought were clean but the next morning they picked up all the sheets folded them up and put them back on the beds…

Goa

Arrived in Thivim station at about 2pm and got a taxi to Vagator. Found the Jolly Jolly Lester hotel and booked in for the night. Went for lunch in the Mango Tree and had our first Indian beer there. Went down to the beach to go and see the fort where we got our first dose of the Goa beach women. They surround you and ask you our name, then they tell you theirs, then its will you look at my shop which is actually just their bag of stuff, then its “you promise to buy later” and finally if you don’t buy its “you are breaking my tiny little heart”. I did buy something and then we walked up to the fort at the top of the hill. It was a nice view at the top so we sat around for a while. We walked back down to our hotel and had a nice cold shower as no hot water. We decided to go for dinner after but as no one was in any other restaurant we went back to the Mango Tree where we met a guy who had cycled from Austria all the way to India. We had a beer with him and then headed back for an early night.

Anjuna

Got up and headed to Anjuna, we got a rickshaw there and stayed in Manali guest house/shack. It was only €4 a night so couldn’t complain. After we checked in we went off to the beach where we got harassed again by loads of girls. It got annoying and in the end we just walked the beach to get away from them. Also we saw that they weren’t allowed passed a certain point so we lay out there. We went to a nice restaurant for dinner and then headed back to the hotel.

Next morning we changed rooms cos we had been staying in a 3 bed and we only wanted a 2 bed. Very funny he kicked people out of their room to make room for us… we chilled out for a while and then headed down the beach to the sun lounges. Went for a few beers on the beach while watching the sun set and we met 2 old lads and chatted with them. Getting home was a nightmare as we couldn’t see and there were loads of rocks so we climbed up and hitched a ride of some guy on the back of his moped. We got back and met 4 people staying at our guest house/shack. They were Eoin from Ireland, Matt from England and Nikolina and Anika from Sweden. Damien fell asleep while I stayed up and played a Swedish game with them. Good fun.

Got up after a while and headed to the supermarket for a cheap breakfast and lunch and then headed to the beach again where we met the others. We stayed and had dinner on the beach but this time we had lights and weren’t drunk so we made it back to the hotel in one peace. On the way back we found Eoin and Ryan (New Zealand who was also staying in our place) in a restaurant drinking. We went back and got showers and then headed back to meet them for a few beers. The girls went home after a bit and then 4 of us got take out and brought it back to our place.

Baga

Got a rickshaw to Baga beach and checked into Angelina Guest House. We got a price reduction as we were staying 3 nights and they also had hot showers so we were sold. After we dropped our bags off, we walked to Calangute to the ATM and got subway on the way. We also checked how much a few or the pools were to go to. Came back and showered and walked for a good 20mins to dinner but it was so worth it. It was a sea food restaurant and I got the most amazing Prawns. It was also right on the beach so very romantic!! Got some Baskin Robbins on the way back and got an early night.

Eoin, Ryan, Nikolina, Anika and Matt arrived about 11am to our place and Eoin and Ryan checked in for the night. It was Eoin’s birthday so we were on a big night. We all headed off to have some food except Eoin as he had to Skype home. We walked down to the beach which as all the rest in Goa wasn’t that nicest so we opted to go to the pool. We chilled out there for a few hrs and then went off and got some dinner where we played connect 4 & Jenga. Got back showered and changed for the evening. We headed to the bar next to our place as they were doing 2 for 1 and smoked the Cerise. Nikolina, Anika and Matt headed back to Anjuna after a few beers and we decided no more beer so we went to the supermarket and bought a bottle of Morgan Spice Rum. We went back to the bar and ordered 4 cokes and proceeded to drink the whole bottle. We sang on stage. I rapped and we generally got plastered drunk. After we finished the bottle we thought it would be a good idea to go to the supermarket and buy another so off we went. Damien fell asleep outside while we went in. One of the shop assistants slide over to the fridge and as we were really pissed we thought it would be brilliant to do the same so we did for about 20 mins… all in all a good night.

Woke up and said our goodbyes to the lads as they were going off to Hampi and we were going the next day. Also Eoin was heading north the next day so we wouldn’t see him. We chilled out for the rest of the day.

Got up and checked out about the train the next day, booked our taxi for the next morning at 5am which took a lot of haggling and went for a nice dinner down by the beach.

Hampi (Rock City)

Got our taxi at 5am and we were told it would take an hr and half to get there but it took only 45mins so after we bought our tickets we played the waiting game again. Loads of stares as usual and then we hit the madness. People jumping on the train before it stopped etc. we were told we could get on sleeper carriage and then pay the conductor as they only sold us standing. We did as we were told but then we got kicked out of our seat as someone else had booked those seats. We found one seat to share which wasn’t comfortable so I got on the top bunk and slept while Damien had an Indian guy wear the ears off him… the girls got on at another stop but we couldn’t keep them seats so we met them when we got off the train. Ryan had organised for a driver to come collect us which we were delighted about and at the station we booked our seats for Bangalore. This place is the equivalent to Angkor in Cambodia and the temples are hundreds of yrs old. Kings and Queens lived there but a lot have been destroyed. Arrived at the hotel and checked in where we also met Erika. We needed to eat so we went to the Mango Tree which was right on the river and was very nice. After dinner we walked around the town and organised what we were going to do tomorrow. We met with Erika for dinner.

Up and met for breakfast and then rented bicycles for the day. We went to find 1 group of temples and cycled for a good hr to find them. We eventually though we had cycled too far so on our way back we stopped at our temples to have a look. I, Ryan and Anika cycled on ahead and waited for ages for Damien & Nikolina. After a while Anika decided to go back and see what was taking them so long. She came back and told us that Nikolina had a flat tyre and Damien was giving her a backer. We had to go back then and get another bike. We stopped at more temples and then a person told us that we had actually cycled pasted the ones we were looking for. Pain in the ass. Got back to town and had some lunch. Nikolina got a new bike and off we were again. Got to our destination and saw the elephant stables, Zenana enclosure, Lotus Mahal, Virupaksa Temple and walked to Vittala Temple. They were amazing but after seeing Angkor it wasn’t as amazing. Dropped off our bikes had a nap and then went for dinner. After dinner I, Damien and Ryan went to the pub. Well the one bar as drinking was banned in Hampi and had a few beers.

Up for check out and left our bags at our hotel. Had breakfast and then walked around while the girls shopped. Went to a children’s home and played with the kids. Got lunch, used the internet, food and then rickshaw to the train station.

Played cards on the train and then tried to sleep but loads of people wanted to talk to us. Eventually got asleep!!

Bangalore (IT capital of India)

Arrived there at about 6am and haggled for a taxi/mini van to bring us to a hotel. It was very expensive so our taxi driver said he knew a cheaper place which he brought us too and it ended up being twice the price. His excuse was that it must have gone up as the price he had was 3 seasons ago. We weren’t fouled by him and walked 20 mins back to our original hotel stopping at others to see there price. We dropped off our bags and then headed out to have breakfast and meet Nikolina’s friend Rag. He brought us to a great place for nice and cheap food. He brought us shopping and then to see a temple. We went for a lovely lunch and then headed to see Iskcon Temple. It was a Harry Krishna temple and was a fairly new temple. Learned some history about Krishna and saw loads of people praying. Headed back into town after and we went for a few beers. Also as it was Diwali there were loads of fireworks going off. It’s a 3 day festival and fireworks are set off all day and night. There are also a lot of customs to go with it. Kind of like Christmas.

Went for breakfast and went to do some shopping while Damien got something fixed, used the net, found the book “The Shock Doctrine” which we had been looking for since we left and then headed back to our usual restaurant for some lunch. We walked then to the cricket stadium to see about buying tickets for later but there didn’t seem to be too many people going so we decided not to and went off to find somewhere to watch Man Utd instead. Headed back to the hotel and watched some TV.

Mysore

Up and checked out and to the bus station to get the bus to Mysore. There were 3 different classes of buses to choose fro so I, Damien and Ryan chose 2^nd and the girls chose 1^st. got there and had some lunch then headed off to where the girls were staying. Got to our hotel where they had 24hr check out so we arrived at 5pm which meant we didn’t have to leave till 5pm the day we were checking out!! The 3 of us walked around and saw the palace, Gandhi square, the Devaraja Market and some of the not so nice back streets. Went for dinner in the Paris café which was really nice and got a few beers to watch another match.

Up for breakfast with the girls and Erika had joined us again. The girls were going to the Palace first and then silk shops so we said we’d meet them later. We got the bus to the top of Chamundi Hill and went to see the Sri Chamundeswari Temple. We also went to the God Museum where the lads were told that god had come back to earth in 1936 but no one had told us. We then descended the first 300 steps to see the black bull and then the next 700. Just before we got to the bottom we met 2 older Indian fellas who were really nice. We sat and chatted with them for a good 30 mins and then got a rickshaw back into town. We went for lunch in the usual café and met the girls when we were leaving. They said the palace was 200 in so we decided to just go up to it and see it but not go in. came back and we all met for dinner in surprise surprise the café!! After dinner we went for a few drinks in a roof top bar. The girls went home and the 3 of us went to another bar that we think didn’t allow women cos they ushered us upstairs when we came through the door. We had a few beers and whiskeys there and the lads ate some food.

Struggled to get up and went for breakfast/lunch in the roof top restaurant and on the way back to the hotel I was pick pocketed and they got Damien’s phone. We didn’t realise until we got back to the hotel so we went roaming the streets to try and find it. They hadn’t turned it off so we went around calling it but to no avail and we had to go cos the last bus to Otty was at 2pm. Left Mysore unhappy and on a peace of c**p bus. The bus journey was just over 4 hrs and was so painful.