22.2.26

I’ve been so busy trying to catch up with blogging about Mumbai and still a couple of days behind!

Kevin and Sharon recommended The Mill, very close to where we’re all staying, for breakfast.

It was superb, in a quirky old mill building with a few small rooms. It was definitely the nicest fruit, granola and curd so far, and I’m something of a connoisseur by now.

4 of us scrunched into a tuk tuk, Kevin even rode up front.Off to nearby Patnem Beach for a chill out day.

A few days ago we were outside Nirvana restaurant, they were very attentive and moved the brollies all day. But the food Kevin & Sharon had wasn’t great.

Today we chose Om Shanti, which they said was good yesterday. On arrival we chose 4 beds. The brollies were small and tricky to angle to stop Liz & I from burning.

‘Why do you keep moving umbrella? the staff boss man asked. I explained, blah blah and asked if we could use one of the spares laying about too. No. 1 umbrella only he snapped. I told him quietly there was no need to be rude.

I thought about having a snack, but didn’t want to spend money there and just had a drink.

When we left he said tomorrow you pay for sunbeds. We hadn’t spent enough in his opinion between 4 of us. We explained that they were rude and that’s why we didn’t order food or give a tip for using the sunbeds as we’ve done elsewhere.

We leave tomorrow in any case.

We really haven’t fallen in love with this area, Liz and I wondered if it was because we’d been away for 2 days, but we all feel the same. We have enjoyed our meals though.

Liz and I had a last shop browse and walked back to our chalets.

After a shower and brush up we went to Art Resort restaurant on Palolem beach. Kevin and Sharon enjoyed it there while we were away. Marion from Fethiye is over here now and had also recommended it and I hoped we might bump into her.

I chose paneer and pineapple skewers in sweet chilli sauce and a cheese and garlic naan. I’m a connoisseur of those too.

On the train the guy in the carriage with us said never use booking. com in India. That made sense as it’s been so hit and miss with misleading descriptions. He said to use Airbnb.

Yesterday morning I double checked our next place. I asked them to confirm it’s as described. No reply. Today I asked for a response, no reply.

Kevin and Sharon found the most perfect place, we could all fit in it together. It’s the area we fancy and has a pool and 3 bedrooms.

Yep.. Book it!!

I cancelled Saudades Retreat and requested free cancellation. In the grand scheme of things this place will still work out cheaper if we get charged.

The original plan was to be in the same resort for week 1 and then go our seperate ways. Not only are we still good friends but we’re going to be housemates too.

After a lovely evening at Art Resort it was time to get a little bit sorted and packed for our last adventure.