Agonda...South Goa 11th to 16th Feb 2010

My mum & I arrived in Agonda a beautiful little indian style fishing village. Straight away it felt warm & friendly without hundreds of scooters zooming dangerously around (like in Aswem) & a pig, cow or two to get in your way! There is a beautiful beach which reminded me a little of beaches in Thailand which have loads of trees & rocks at the side. I loved the fact that at the end of the beach there were mobile homes, campers & mini trucks parked up & camping, I would love to travel around India in a camper, well as long as i didn't have to drive!

The place that we stayed was called Sweezel cottages, recommended by my friend Charlotte & the family were lovely. They had a daughter called Sweeze. Me & mum had a wonderful time, being creatures of habit we found a lovely place for breakfast & had our fresh fruit, museali, curd (yoghurt) every day, then went for a walk, did some yoga & maybe a bit of shopping. Once i even got my Mum to brave it into the sea, although she said it was too rough for her! We both noticed how quiet Agonda was yet it did not feel cut off. It was a 15min rickshaw ride to the nearest local town & the same to some other busier beach towns (Palalam & Patnam). There were very few scooters zooming up & down & there was no club music waking you up at 4am! It really is a lovely authentic place & i hope it can remain so!

On a walk down the beach we came across a bit of artwork, it was like a sand maze but made out of old bottles & shoes, flipflops & anything washed up, with a little offering in the middle! It was v.cool!

I had my haircut on the beach by a British guy, it was a wonderful experience. He sat me outside his hut on the beach & then said that as he finds it a distraction if he talks & he cannot concentrate, he would like me to meditate. He can then be aware & so can i, perfect! It suited me down to the ground, it was lovely having your hair cut & a head, shoulder massage to the sound of the waves & the feeling of the wind in your face! Blissful!

On 16th feb me & Mum headed to the airport where I left her at 5am ish, it was sad to see her go as we had had a lovely time together & i know she had really loved India once she had settled in! I then headed to the train station to catch a train to Hampi!