Saturday 10th December 41.79miles Arambol – Majorda beach, Salcete.

​Left early – and feel sad to be leaving Darren behind.  Riding in Goa is certainly a very different experience as the roads are very busy and rubbish strewn – worse than Maharashtra, if that’s possible!  Two samosas, Lassi and Chai for breakfast.  Keep going south and I’ll be at Trev’s tomorrow I’m sure.   I am definitely no longer the foreigner who stands out, the novelty to be stared at. 
 
While I was at breakfast, a ‘lady-boy’ transvestite came in to the café.  Definitely a man and very camp, dressed in Shalwar Kameez with a tight scarf over her head, bindi and bangles, and nose stud.  I find it fascinating that the majority of transvestites I’ve ever seen are more feminine than me.  S/he touched me on the head as I was leaving and said “Good luck – money, no money, no luck!”   Well, I thought, fortunately I don’t need yours because I have a stash of my own luck, thanks very much. 
 
The main NH17 (route 66) was horrible – this I can say with authority – rubbish lined, busy, busy, loud with honking, dirty, dusty.  Took me ages to find a way off it, heading towards Colva.  Then it took me several attempts to find a cheap room.  I finally got one with no wifi for 500INR (but I’m not allowed to tell anyone I got the room so cheap, so shh!  Don’t tell anyone ELSE!).  I think the going rate is about 1,200- 1500 now the season has got going.  I have a balcony overlooking the palm trees and beach – but it’s dark now anyway!  I’m hoping for a quick getaway tomorrow morning to make the final push to Agonda and tomorrow I get paid too. 
 
I indulged in too many sweet things yesterday – choc. shake in a shopping mall, chai, apple cooler (apple flavour syrup with not much apple, I believe).  I’ve got an upset tummy now, as a result, unless it was the ‘tandoori chicken sandwich’ takeaway supper and a beer?