9.2.26

On the move

It’s crazy that a whole week has gone by already. Taxi booked for 10.30am. I was awake at 6 and eating biscuits by 7 while catching up with Love Island. I don’t think I like any of them. They merged with a group of Americans, there’s so many now that I can’t keep up with their names.

Packing complete, I realised that Liz had paid me her half of the accommodation weeks ago and I needed to pay the place in cash. I dashed off to the exchange office and also bought 2 coffee cups as no mention of a kettle. I have my trusty Indian element from years ago.

So.. We’re off to Agonda, just a one hour drive away. A bit of trepidation as have friends who love it and stay for months, and friends who say there’s nothing to do.

All booked into our wooden chalets at Abbas I selected a book from the big selection they have in reception.

‘Birds Without Wings’, set in the beautiful area where we live in Turkiye. This will be my 4th attempt at reading it. I also have it on my kindle. I have a signed copy at home. I got it signed in about 2011,when the author visited Kayakoy and showed us the points in the village where chapters were set. I didn’t tell him I’ve never read it. At the tea afterwards I met a lady called Theresa, we’re still friends all these years later.

We have a kettle but Kevin & Sharon don’t so they have the trusty element.

Off we went to explore as it was close to lunchtime by now. I had my backpack plus a huge book and all my beach gear.

We cut through another chalet area and got our first glimpse of the beach. Not sure who it was but one of us said ‘where is everybody’ next.. Almost in unison.. ‘Where are the sunbeds’

So, there’s no sunbeds but a few shacks put a small number by their restaurants. Lovely Assis where we stopped to eat said we can use theirs. Unfortunately they’ve all got towels on them, apart from 2 that were being used.

Breakfast was fab.

We walked past Manveer restaurant, they have sunbeds, Sharon enquired and they’re booked to us for tomorrow.

We strolled down the main village road. It’s so pretty, lots of clothes shops and a big selection of interesting souvenirs.

After a while we stopped for a drink by the river.

Liz and I shopped on the way back. I’m the proud owner of 2 new dresses and a top. Liz bought a beautiful silky housecoat and a stunning skirt.

Kevin and Sharon came over and we all scrunched on to our terrace. There’s no fridges in the rooms but we put drinks in the communal fridge

We went off to eat around 8pm to a place called Greenland. It was really busy, so it must be good.

We instantly disliked our arrogant waiter. Orders placed, we say chatting. And chatting. And chatting.

At 9.30 we enquired about our food. On its way apparently. No apology.

It finally arrived at 10pm. Meanwhile we chatted to a couple who come every year. They’ve given us a list of places and foods to try. They’d also been to Olu Deniz, close to where we live. Yesterday they met a couple from Liverpool, they live in a place called Calis Beach.. Our home. Small world, we probably know them.

The next curfuffle was the bill. We had specified our seperate bills.. Took ages to unravel who had what.

Also a 3% card fee.. Should have been a complimentary coffee rather than any additional charges for us.

Anyway, whilst grumbling 2 guys on motorbikes, very close to each other roared past and one pushed the other to the wall. A fight ensued. We walked by, scared to get involved. There was another 2 local guys observing should it escalate let them sort it.

But rough around here! So glad this is our 2nd week in Goa and not a first impression!