Magic Gokarna

From Calangute - Goa, I took few local buses and one train to arrive in Gokarna. Leaving the rail station already met Lorenzo, Italian guy who had been in town once before and, therefore knew a little bit about the area. Thus we headed straight to the guesthouse he had stayed before, in Kudle beach.

It was a magical arrival; just my first moments in “Ganga guesthouse” and I had met such an amazing people; first Angela, then Astrid, Dinah, Maya and their whole awesome crew. Good vibe that made me feel so happy and surprised! Not enough?! Alright, there more to come! The guesthouse itself was located on the beginning of the beach, just on the rocks. What means that I would go to bed hearing the sound of the sea!

Dinner time! We all ended up eating in the restaurant attached to the guesthouse and I had an amazing cashew curry. That was also a good opportunity for me to know a bit more about my new friends, their stories and next destinations in India. And as usual, there was India connecting people! I mentioned my intention of going to Hampi on the next days and the need of a partner (s) for this mission. Immediately the smiling Dinah joined it and made me so happy!

The day after I got to know a bit more about the town and its attraction, such as the huge holy bull, holy spring water, the 150 rupees hammocks and the Prema Restaurant – they prepare amazing food, shakes, juices, everything there is perfect! Specially the Papaya Pulp with ginger, lemon and mint.

Third day in Gokarna and we decided to make a fish barbecue in the beach. We bought 5 small fresh tunas in the morning and prepared them - on a Indian style, with masala, species lime, salt – at night on the beach. Great moment with good food and beautiful company!

Ah, almost forgot to mention that I was finally introduced to the Bhagsu cake, which here is called Kudle Cake. It’s exactly the thing with different name according to witnesses. I do have to agree that the cake is amazing. Crunch base, condensed milk in the middle and chocolate on the top, then taken into the freezer for a while and ready to be eaten!

Well, only good things to remember about this magic beach. It was definitely one of the places where I could get stuck for weeks or months maybe. Once again it wasn’t easy to leave, but I felt that Hampi was already waiting for me…

Go GOA!

Finally reached the west coast of India and could and give myself the chance of tasting the sea food I love so much, spend days and days on the beach, and have some coconut water, basically perfect life!

Such a small state compared to other areas of India, Goa is full of energy and people, local tourists mixed with a lot of foreigners makes of this place a comfortable house for everyone. Along its coast of a bit more than 100km there are a large variety of beaches and one of them will enchant you!

Ah, before continue with my Goan journey wanna make a pause and mention that during the last three weeks had the perfect company of the German couple, Raffa and Mona. We’ve been sharing a lot of time together, stories, food, rooms… Amazing time, great people!

Now, will go back to Goa! Our first step into Goa was in Calangute, very busy beach, with a lot of shops, restaurants, bikes to rent, fruit and fish market and so on! Here we had a massive support of Ali, who opened the doors of his house for us to surf his couch. Great person who loves life and know how to enjoy the best of it! My sincere thanks brother Ali!

Calangute was our base during our stay in Goa and from here we rented motorbikes to go around the coast and have a little taste of different places. First we headed north and spent two nights in Arambol, calm, beautiful and musical beach. I, particularly, would like to spend at least few weeks there. We had beers on the beach, massive and colorful breakfasts with fresh local fruits, warmed up the nights with fire, had a lot of time to enjoy some good books, Raffa writing his lyrics.

After that we went south and visited few places, and out of all of them I liked most Agonda, which was very special to me. As the season is just starting, there are not many tourists, nice and cheap bungalows facing the beach, good local good and, as usual, a lot of ice cream! Once again wished I could stay there for maybe a month or more! Unfortunately, or fortunately, I have this feeling for many places while traveling around India, thus, not even a whole year would be enough here!

I wish I could bring with me all the nice and special people I meet on the way, but it’s not possible; so finally had to say bye to Raffa and Mona, what made me feel a bit sad to be honest. Nevertheless we all are in a big and beautiful mission, discovering new places and cultures. So while I’ll keep heading south towards Kerala, this amazing couple will soon fly to Iran and some other countries before going back home. Would love to talk about their amazing trip, all the stories I heard about countries and experiences they had, but would need to write a book then! Hehe Have a great journey my friends!

Peace! 

One month of India!

Well, yesterday, Nov 12th, was my anniversary of one month of India! Couldn’t be better, it’s Diwali time!!!

After visiting many different places of this little “world” known as INDIA I feel more confident to talk about this explosive mix of colors, tastes, cultures. Nevertheless, all I know about these places is nothing when I talk to local people and hear what they have to tell me.

From Delhi went to the mountains and tried a bit of the cold and fresh air; then through Rajasthan I’ve tasted the amazing food they prepare and got attacked by a gang of monkeys; at the moment, in Mumbai, got to know a bit of the financial capital of this huge country.

Mumbai was a very intense experience. Very cosmopolitan and crowded city, where the contrasts are more visible and where one notice how powerful this giant can be. At first I felt like taking the next train and going away from here straight after arriving. Seriously, for few times I asked myself what a hell I was doing here! This lasted till my second day in the city, when I finally moved to my first couchsurfing’s place and met the first local. After this, things just went better and better; I joined a CouchSurfing meeting in town and met an amazing group of people. It was crazy; so many doors suddenly opened to me, people taking care of my situation in town, offering their places for me to stay, to take some other couchsurfer and me around to show the city… Long story short, during the same night we had drinks in different places and finished the night at around 3am having some awesome street food with the Mumbai CS group.

Finally could surf two different couches and stayed 5 nights in the city which I thought I would hate. Nothing like relaxing and giving time to time!

Now it’s time to pack again and keep heading south. Tomorrow morning at 7am have train booked to the ex Portuguese colony, Goa. It’s time to try the Indian beaches and taste the seafood and coconut I miss so much!

Here I want to leave my special THANK to the Mumbai CouchSurfing group, there are amazing!

I love India!

Some shots taken during the CS meeting:

SAB KUCH MILEGA

SAB KUCH MILEGA

Today it’s been precisely 22 days I’m tasting, smelling, enjoying India! So far everything’s been  perfect and place after place surprise me more in different aspects; faces change from one area to another, the color of the eyes, color of skin, the food, everything so special and original that makes it really hard to choose what’s best.

Big cities are chaotic and might stress one very quickly, although it’s there where you can feel the power of the real India. It’s where everything happens and at first it’s hard to understand how this whole “mess” doesn't collapse. After observing it for a while though you notice that there’s a organization behind it all, it’s the Indian way! Each of them has a duty and there’s a strong connection keeping all together.

When it comes down to religion and spirituality, it’s amazing to see how strong their principles and values are and how so many different religions and beliefs can share the same space on such a peaceful way. Respect is the secret!

Currently I’m Pushkar and this is the fourth and last night here. The town is one of the five sacred dhams (pilgrimage site) for devout Hindus; is one of the five sacred dhams (pilgrimage site) for devout Hindus. Pushkar is one of the oldest existing cities of India. The date of its actual origin is not known, but legend associates Lord Brahma with its creation. The Pushkar Lake has 52 ghats where pilgrims descend to the lake to bathe in the sacred waters.

SAB KUCH MILEGA? In India it’s not easy to hear “no, it’s not possible!”. Every business is business and their speech is very sharp!  Sab kuch milega = everything is possible, and it’s useful here!

Thanks India!!!

Ravi (from Lake View guest house) and I

Ashu and I - visit to Aloo Baba

If anyone needs a place to stay in Pushkar, go to LAKE VIEW guest house. Good place for fair prices! It's located on the main street, just ask anyone on the streets. And whatever you need in town, just ask Ravi, he knows everything!

Namaste!

My India, my way

India, incredible India!

Well, after a bit more than two weeks on the road already learned some tricks and India becomes easier and more enjoyable. Better and better!! Thus will tell about what I’ve been doing, my paths, experiences, costs, transportation and maybe it can be useful for someone in the future.

I arrived in Delhi and stayed there for two nights, what was enough for me once it was my first step in the country and it’s a very intense city. From there took a train to Amritsar (250Rs/ 11hrs) to visit the Golden Temple, what’s more than worth! Spent only one night there – what was enough, but two nights would also be ok.

From Amritsar took a train to Pathankot (60 Rs/ around 3 hrs) and connect it with a bus to Dharamsala (100 Rs/ 3 hrs) – worth to comment that meet some people who made the same itinerary by bus and it seems to be better. From Dharamsala you have to take a public transport or taxi to go to upper Dharamsala, which is called Mcleod Ganj – where the headquarters of the exiled Tibetan government are based. This is where Dalai Lama lives and teaches.

Mcleod Ganj is amazing and peaceful and it’s like a little part of Tibet in India. The faces, culture, everything will make you think you are in Tibet. I felt so comfortable there, meet so many good people that ended up staying for 10 nights when expected it to be only for few days. Do not regret at all! The town is at 2000 meters and surrounded by mountains; on the background you can see the picks with snow, there’s a waterfall and the water is amazingly freezing; it’s also possible to access some other villages from Mcleod and many tracking paths to spend one or few days. Really recharged the batteries there and it was really hard to decide moving away.

Decision made I headed south, to Jaipur – for that I needed to combine two buses, one to Delhi (600 Rs/ 11 hrs) and another one to Jaipur (211 Rs/ around 7 hrs). In Jaipur spent another two nights and once again could taste the real, crazy and busy India J. Again it was worth and two days were enough for me.

After that the next destination was Pushkar – for that took a train to Ajmer (50 Rs/ around 2 hrs) and a bus to finally arrive in Pushkar (12 Rs/ 30 min).

As I have just arrived cannot tell much about the place, nevertheless the first impression was very good and I’m pretty sure I’ll love this town!

Few tips about places to stay and costs:

Delhi:

ASHOKA OCEAN GUEST HOUSE (4589, main bazar – phone 23588575): 250Rs/ night for double room.

Amritsar:

Golden temple guest house: they offer free accommodation and even free food and chai tea!!

Mcleod Ganj (Dharamsala):

Freedom Palace (everyone knows this place): 150Rs/ night for single room.

Pushkar:

Lake View guest house (located on the main road, easy to find): 100Rs/ night for single room.

Cannot forget to thank all the people I meet on the way so far. All of you were amazing and helped me somehow :) specially the three “chicas” from Chile, las dos morras (Bea and Anita), Juan (known as Dieguito or peron) and the german couple Rafa and Mona (hope I spelled it correctly!).

Ciao!

Different faces of India

 Buddhist Temple - Mcleod Ganj

 Buddhist Temple - Mcleod Ganj

 Buddhist Temple - Mcleod Ganj

 Little pretty girl - Mcleod Ganj

 Tibetan kids - Mcleod Ganj

Tibetan kids - Mcleod Ganj

 Golden Temple - Amritsar

Kids playing at a mosque - Delhi

Little taste of Croatia – Korcula island

Around one and a half hours away from the popular Hvar island, Korcula lies just off the Dalmatian coast and is the second most populous Adriatic island after Krk.

Old Town surrounded by the walls 

The island is very quiet - at least during Sep - and sympathetic. For the ones like me, who appreciate sea food it’s a little paradise, offering a large range of restaurants which will prepare some amazing dishes for a reasonable price.

juuust before the sun said bye bye!

If it’s true or not I don’t know, but the legend says that Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant, was born here and the town still preserves the place where his mum supposedly gave birth. 

Afternoon chat!

It's worth to hop on a boat and go for a short cruise around so you can see some other islands which surround the main one or even get off the boat and spend part of your day in another town. Lumbarda is quite nice and it takes only 25 minutes by boat (also possible to get there by bus).

Crete

Excited to publish my first post!!!

Crete, Greece couldn't be a better option for this kick off, so here it goes!

The island is an amazing combination of stunning beaches, mountains, good food, friendly people, happy music, thousands of olive trees,... It offers options for pretty much all tastes, very touristy beaches, desert ones, countryside lifestyle, gorges, rivers and even some remote places where not even electricity will be available!

Visiting some small villages is a good way to know the real Crete. There you will meet the locals eating typical Cretan food, dancing typical music, drinking raki, retsina, home made wine, … and finally you will also feel the power of this mix!!! but no hangovers!

Being such an amazing place it's really difficult to pick the few places you liked most, but here we go:

1. Chrissi Island – approximately 15 km south of Crete (Libyan Sea) this small island hosts the largest naturally formed Lebanon cedar forest in Europe and the amazing Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti in greek). The water is so clear that you can easily spend few hours snorkeling around the rocks without noticing the time passing.

Chrissi - sunset (09/2012)

There are few boats going to Chrissi and the departure is from Ierapetra port. The first one leaves at around 10:30am and the last one around 12:30. Camping is not allowed on the island, nevertheless many people do it and it’s definitely worth! Just make sure you take supplies enough for the time you intend to stay over because there is not much available to buy there.
Cost: 15EUR return
For more info visit http://chrissiisland.net/

2. Preveli – small beach on the south of the island which holds one of the few palm tree forests in Europe.

Preveli - river meets the sea on the right of the picture

In my opinion, even worthier than just checking the beach is tacking a short walk into the forest, following a small river which will, at the end of its course, meet the sea. The fresh water is revitalizing and the view unique!
This place is not accessible during the wet season, when the rains increase the volume of water and the river closes the road.

Preveli - river flowing into the sea

3. Seitan Limania - very small beach close to the capital Chania, without any infrastructure and difficult access this beach is definitely one of the most paradisiac I've seen! The color of the water combined with the sand is something unique!

Seitan Limania - from the parking area

Certainly this trip wouldn't be as amazing as it was without the massive crew on board on this mission!!! Big thanks to organizer and co-pilot Christos, captain Helge and THE WOMAN, Aline - she learned a lot from us!

crew