Checked out of the hotel at eleven and caught the bus to Vasco da Gama. The journey was 30km, but cost only four rupees.
On arriving in town we tried to find the Vasco Tourist Hostel. After receiving completely incorrect directions from our bus conductor, we found ourselves near the Maharaja Hotel. It looked slightly out of our price range, but we thought we'd ask reception where the hostel was. Luckily for us, the manager was around and he offered us the same rate as the Tourist Hostel, which was Rs.110 for a double room.
The hotel was very plush-looking in the foyer, but our room was not quite as good as the Tourist Hostel in Panaji. However, it had a fan and an en-suite bathroom so it was perfectly adequate for our needs.
After an average meal at a local restaurant, Olly relaxed in the hotel room while I got some information about travelling to Agra by train.
Later in the afternoon we both had a walk to the harbour that drifted off course and had to be abandoned. After our U-turn, we popped into a minuscule taverna, where we bought Arlem for 14 rupees a bottle. The beer was stored in a kitchen fridge.
Back in town we caught the tail end of a Holi carnival—very colourful and noisy. After pushing our way through the crowds, we found a pleasant, air-conditioned restaurant, where I had a not-so-pleasant Rogan Josh made with mutton. It tasted like goat.
Holi Festival in Vasco da Gama.
At 10.30 in the evening I rang home to find out if any damage had been done to our films. It turned out to be a very frustrating and expensive 'phone call. Despite the fact that I had asked Dad to get the film developed quickly so I could 'phone in a week's time, they had sent two films off by post and hadn't had them back yet.
Also, Olly's dad had been in touch with them about the money that they were to send to them to put into Olly's account. Mum told Olly's dad that the situation had already been taken care of because they had already paid some money directly into his account. The two transactions had been confused, resulting in a £25 bank charge against Olly's account.
On arriving in town we tried to find the Vasco Tourist Hostel. After receiving completely incorrect directions from our bus conductor, we found ourselves near the Maharaja Hotel. It looked slightly out of our price range, but we thought we'd ask reception where the hostel was. Luckily for us, the manager was around and he offered us the same rate as the Tourist Hostel, which was Rs.110 for a double room.
The hotel was very plush-looking in the foyer, but our room was not quite as good as the Tourist Hostel in Panaji. However, it had a fan and an en-suite bathroom so it was perfectly adequate for our needs.
After an average meal at a local restaurant, Olly relaxed in the hotel room while I got some information about travelling to Agra by train.
Later in the afternoon we both had a walk to the harbour that drifted off course and had to be abandoned. After our U-turn, we popped into a minuscule taverna, where we bought Arlem for 14 rupees a bottle. The beer was stored in a kitchen fridge.
Back in town we caught the tail end of a Holi carnival—very colourful and noisy. After pushing our way through the crowds, we found a pleasant, air-conditioned restaurant, where I had a not-so-pleasant Rogan Josh made with mutton. It tasted like goat.
Holi Festival in Vasco da Gama.At 10.30 in the evening I rang home to find out if any damage had been done to our films. It turned out to be a very frustrating and expensive 'phone call. Despite the fact that I had asked Dad to get the film developed quickly so I could 'phone in a week's time, they had sent two films off by post and hadn't had them back yet.
Also, Olly's dad had been in touch with them about the money that they were to send to them to put into Olly's account. Mum told Olly's dad that the situation had already been taken care of because they had already paid some money directly into his account. The two transactions had been confused, resulting in a £25 bank charge against Olly's account.
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