Palolem, Goa

03/02 In the end we arrived almost on time at 4.40am. We needn’t have worried . We managed to get a tuk tuk (a guy was just there), who helped me wake the guy up to let us into a family room, no problem, otherwise we would have been sleeping in the tuk tuk lol. Managed to get girls back to sleep before dawn broke. We woke late, 940am woohoo. It was just the best feeling waking up in Palolem. It felt like we had come home. Our ‘luxury’ beach hut was pretty basic, with a coconut palm growing out of it (novelty for girls). The shower was rubbish, everything was leaking in the bathroom, the tiles were smashed in the shower floor, the shower cubicle, if you could call it that, was a collection of pieces of wood propped up against each other and the front door wouldn’t close properly so you couldn’t’ lock it BUT none of that mattered. There was four beds and we had a roof over our heads, we were blissfully happy. Had breakfast and met Anya,

Bella and Emma in holiday from Richmond. Anya’s Godmother lives in Hampton Court Avenue – small world! Palolem is still stunning and magical. Shells so happy showing the girls one of her favourite places in the whole world. Beach action all day – just as in the past. Lots of time messing in the waves. The girls LOVED swimming in the sea, especially Chloe, she’s like a little fish. Fab dinner at Peter Bar. Sonia the owner is lovely and made a real fuss of the girls. Elodie said it’s the best Dal she’s ever had. Power cut on the way, no moon, very dark and eerie, thank goodness for torches. We were wondering if Palolem could be as magical as it was when we were DINKY’s (double income no kids yet) over 10 years ago. We decided it was even more magical ?

WEEK19

04/02 hired a scooter! Shells didn't like but I did. Don't need one here though. Bumped into the girls and had a drink with them at Havana Cuba. Went back to papillon and had drinks with the girls, and tatyana from Russia and Tess from Sweden. They are looking after dogs at a pet rescue. Heaven, the owner, yes that’s his real name, also had a drink with us. Found out why Heaven wasn’t’ taking our calls the previous evening – he was blind drunk with the girls and has no recollection of his phone ringing. Gorgeous group of people. They made our stay, so happy to have met them.

05/02 The four of us went for a run along the beach before breakfast. Shells went for yoga. The spot was idyllic, even the

walk to get there was idyllic, across a little rackety foot bridge, over a tiny sandy cove, Up some steps through coconut palms, down some steps to a little platform perched on the edge of some rocks looking out to sea, Palolem crescent to the right. Just stunning. Shells felt ‘at one’ with herself just from walking there BEFORE the yoga class. Walked to Patnem Beach for lunch at cool place owned by a gay English couple. Lovely food. “Leaving” dinner at papillon for ‘the girls’, with fireworks to finish the evening but then Shells persuaded them to stay another night. Very entertaining watching Heaven pretend to be a bus driver on way back from Hampi on behalf of girls to get them out of paying for their next accommodation. Chatted to Kim, a retired DJ now teacher from Hamburg.

06/02 E and C taken a big shine to Bella, poor girl, they wont leave her alone. Shells and Elodie did a cooking class at Peter Bar. Elodie determined to do it despite much discouragement from Shells as she was reluctant to do as she wanted to do yoga. Wow what a fantastic experience. The group consisted of us, 3 Aussies and a lady from Dublin. Our menu was Mushroom Dopiaza, Paneer Butter Massala and Veg Biryani with chapattis. Elodie didn't lose concentration, such a grown up little lady. The best part was sitting down together and eating what we'd cooked. Some of the best Indian food I've ever eaten, Elodie tried everything and loved the paneer. In short a culinary delight! Pete and Clo spent most of the time....can you guess? On the beach/ in the sea haha. Zak arrived 5pm. We all (Zak, Anya et al) went to Sundowner near monkey island, a very cool place for sunset. Luckily we went in our swimwear cos the tide had come in and we had to wade back. We went to Magic Italy on a whim, fab, Shells and Zak shared a bottle of red, what a novelty, superb food and probably the best pizza ever. Back to Papillon to meet the others, the plan was to go to a Silent Disco, which was literally a minute walk from where we were staying. E & C were determined to go but they were shattered. Us Maudes went early so E & C could at least experience it however when we got there we realised it doesn’t go ‘silent’ until 1130pm. Naturally it was empty at 930pm. E looked like she was in a trance and Clo fell asleep in Shells arms. There was no two ways about it, i was home time. As were walking back, just as Shells was missing the wonderful babysitting network of home, Anya bounded over (she was VERY drunk) and said that Bella fancied an early night and she could sleep in our hut with girls if we wanted to stay out. Hurrah!! What a totally fab night. I really couldn’t get my head around a ‘Silent Disco’ but it works. There are 3 different channels and light indicates wish channel you’re tuned into. It was packed! Such fun. Got in 3am – the pictures speak for themselves!!

07/02 Shells had a much needed lie in. She was woken up by Zak asking if she was doing yoga. Don’t know how she managed it but she did. We decided to stay at Papillion one more night (this was becoming a habit but at least a very clear indication we were having a good time). More sea action today. Amazing how grils don’t tire from it. Zak went to his yoga course in agonda on the afternoon. Farewell to the girls but will see them in Anjuna this week. So many good byes ? Went to a circus at the same spot as the Silent Disco on the rocks. It was super, good acts, mainly Westerners, including the winner of India’s got talent. Met John from Hull lives in London and runs a reggae record label and events. A great last night.

08/02 Ahhhh last day in Palolem. It been the best part of our holiday. Many goodbyes ensued, Tatyanna and Tess, Heaven and staff, Brenda who has been giving the girls grammar lessons (nearly 80 and likes her G&T lol) Steve Income - gave us lots of tips on Thailand. Got home early evening and had an unwelcome meal at MG. won't go back. Spoke to sasha who said he only takes £30 a day