Pink moped?

Nick:

Kieran didn't bring a phone with him sadly, we're hunting for an alarm clock for time keeping... I'll try and do daily e-mails for you, we'll be fine. As for drying the phone out it's not got much better, I think the salt really crippled it. It vibrates a bit and the screen goes a streaky white colour, but that's all it does!

Anyways, we're in Vagator right now, we took Sasha our moped out here, it's the next beach north. We climbed up to an old ruined fort and got a big old view. Black Kites are like seagulls here, everywhere! It's nice, but I think Anjuna is better and cleaner. We have a good bar next to our hotel on the beach, where kingfisher beer is 35rupees. There's also lots of opportunity for more western style food here, pasta and pizza! It sounds very inauthentic, but we really need it. Our stomachs just don't want any more rice dishes or Indian food!There's another more party party bar further down Anjuna beach which is pretty busy, but the Goa crowd doesn't seem to be our crowd so far. Lots of hippy families, and ex nineties ravers! It's not bothering us though, it's very relaxing and inspiring here.

We're staying at our hotel now until Thursday, when we'll likely head south to Palolem or Patnem. Sunset Guesthouse is run by a nice Christian grandmotherly lady, it feels like the Caribbean or something here, it's very cool and very different. Crabs all over the rocks on Anjuna beach, they crawl in to holes as you walk by. Think I've seen three kinds so far. The water's a bit murky and sandy, not really a snorkeling destination... maybe we'll find a beach that is! The fish are sort of plain black and white. Like Seychelles in some ways, but then not as glorious in others, really brings back memories of rocket waves and whatnot though.

We're loving having the moped, might take it further afield tomorrow. More tourists than expected all over on mopeds too! Hope you guys are well, would love a home update.Speak soon!

As for pizza in wood oven, we had one last night! Really yum, couldn't resist, could smell it from down the road. Haven't tried seafood, but lots of places are doing it. The food is cheaper and really good down here, it's really fun finding new places to eat each day on Sasha! We have a favourite place called Blue Tao, they have a chess set and book shelf, and awesome breakfasts. Last night we sat there playing chess over a pot of Chai. Today we drove the scooter to Baga and Calungute, usually I drive out and Kieran drives back. It was pretty crazy busy once we got into Baga, reminded me a bit of Victoria, but possibly more traffic and hectic.

We didn't stay long except to run some errands, as it was no fun on the bike... Disappointed not to see a fish market! I found a little local electrical stall by the side of the road, and managed to negotiate an alarm clock for only 160 rupees, it's big and clunky, but all the more cool for it! So we're back on time keeping which is helpful. The drive to Baga however, is really cool, we went through local streets and back lanes. It's so Seychellesque the way people live here, washing hanging everywhere, little old bungalows! Must take my camera out on a bike trip one of these days and do some journalism. Getting plenty of photos though already, fear not.

Wish I could remember better what Choppies (on La Digue) was like, but it's all reminiscent of places I've been before, and the lady who owns the guest house reminds me of someone too, just not sure who! Her son is really nice, and helped us get started with the scooter. Very homely and friendly.

Looking at the phone, the battery or sim card aren't the problem, but it seems like there's salt clogging up the general electronics of it, you can see it in the charge sockets, they're full of gunk. I've sort of given up, it's quite depressing! Dad did show me how to use the wallet, and it all folded down and buckled up as tight as possible. From looking at it, I'd guess it seeped in little by little through a seam... Oh well, we have a kitsch alarm clock, and e-mail!

Oh and rocket waves were when the wave sort of formed a window over my head yeah, like I was driving a spaceship. I think it only happened the once on Cousin (Island), and never again! Indeed we were warned about rip tides and back-pull, but the far corner sheltered by rocks is where we've swam and it seems fine.