The train trip, Mumbai & Goa

Kia Ora, Namaste, Hello everyone
This has been the first real chance to come do a blog- short of swimming, shopping and enjoying the sights of this fantastic part of the globe.
Firstly, it has been great to read all the posts from various people. The most recent, Calebs grandpa & nana, Noni, Sandie & Beth.
Yes you are right, I'm sure we have left an indelible mark on those we have left behind in Calcutta. It was sad to leave as I mentioned, but strangely enough it seems ages now since that part of our India experience. Almost like a life-time away. with each new stop there is something else that consumes the senses and there is always something happening.
The train-ride was a 31 hour journey and we were in cubicles of 8 bunks. ie a 6 bunk cubicle with 3 bunks opposite each other and 2 at the other end facing the 6 bunks. Fortunately we were able to pretty much sleep straight away as we had night, day, night in comparison to previous trips which have been day, night, day. We only had one person sick, a bit of vomiting, nothing like spare plastic bags to have on hand. Fortunately she was able to sleep the rest of the illness off. We are getting good at utilising Marty's magic pills, which are 750g doses of antibiotics. These really do the job quickly and effectively. Bucasttem (anti-nausea)has also been very useful.
Mostly the train trip was uneventful, despite the fact it was new year. In fact most of us were carked out and didn't know any better, just that when they awoke there was this chorus of voices from around the carriages calling out "Happy New Year". Our arrival at Mumbai was around 5.45 am and then of course there was the usual jostle for taxi's and it's quite funny really; where-ever we go we are very conspicuous, one because we are a large group, a bit like sheep really we all follow Marty, often weaving our way through the hordes of people. We must look a sight to the locals, with our massive big back-packs and obvious good humour, and 2 because we are westerners. We are always getting stared at no matter where we go. for some of us the novelty has worn off.
Our accommodation at the YWCA in Mumbai was lovely and clean and it was good to rest up awhile before hitting the streets of Mumbai.
Our first visit was to the Gateway of India, wow what a magnificent sight, this is where the British symbolically entered India. In the square all around the gates we were met again, not surprisingly with the usual hawkers with their array of trinkets and toys including massvie balloons to tempt the rupees out of our pockets. Of course the students (and some adults too) are always mesmerised by these marvellous new things and are spellbound for awhile until Marty says don't be fooled; often to late for some. In fact, some of the boys could see potential in displaying the large balloons in house colours back at school competitions this year. The Taj Mahal was another magnificent building, just opposite the Gateway of India. The students were given a few hours to sightsee on their own and enjoy Mumbai.
We could not go to Mumbai and not visit the famous 'Leopolds cafe' where many of the world's travellers congregate and where networking, various transactions and exchanges take place. Bullet holes are still visible reminders of the Nov.08 terrorist attack. People were having beer in these amazing long dispensers which looked pretty fascinating really. We just had coffees and lassi's and a Kingfisher of course.
Market shopping is more up-market in Mumbai and the students are getting quite deft at bartering, in fact out-right cheeky sometimes; more often than not negotiating for the price they want. I'm thinking about going out with them sometime. I'm sure I'm a soft touch here.
The Taj Mahal Hotel did not escape our walking path (as we found out there is only one entrance into this luxurious building, climbing the chain and walking along the outside path does not get you into it) and we were scanned before entering this absolute opulent and grand building with the most amazing ambience. I have to say we felt a little under-dressed in our crocs, jandles and our cheap Indian batik tops. Incidentally the hotel still has scaffolding on the east side of where repairs are still taking place from the damage done by the terrorist attack as mentioned in Nov 08. A final coffee at the Mondegar cafe before heading back to the YWCA for tea and preparation for our final journey for the day 12 hours to Goa. It really is handy having the night train, this way we can bed down pretty much straight away and you don't notice too much of the time as you would if you were awake.
Goa is fantastic. Our accommodation at the Hotel La flor is great and the students are enjoying spacious rooms and hot water. Marty's friend, who owns it is proudly looking after us and so far we are enjoying this part of the journey. We arrived to a plate-ful of fruit cake. We have been very well looked after.
A quick unpack and change into our togs and then into our taxi groups and the beeping of horns and the zig-zagging of the taxi ride to the famous Colva Beach which is 6 kms form our hotel. A ride of 150 -200 rupees. The beach is beautiful, it is nice to be able to squelsh sand between our toes and scrunch our heels and get the Calcutta grime off. The beach is inhabited with cows, dogs that are lazily, loitering and don't seem to belong to (or bother) anybody. They just roam around.
Marty walked us 5 minutes along the beach to a place called Sucorina otherwise known to us as 'The Shack'. The water was encouragingly warm and clear. We floated and frolicked like kids gone wrong. It was sensational. All the students seemed to just chill and enjoy the whole beach experience; many not wanting to leave the water when it was time for us to leave. The Shack food was tasty and there were some delicious, appetising meals to be had; one in particular was a whole fish, grilled and served with fresh limes, rice and a cute wee candle glowing through a red pepper- such a simple but cool idea.
As the night drew on, the boys got out their toys they bought in Calcutta - illuminous helicopter type tpys that are flicked by a rubber-band into the air and twill and spin to the ground. Again, simple but pleasurable.
Back then into our taxi & tuktuk groups back to our hotel. Another truly unforgetable day in India.
Namastaar, Ka kite, good-bye until the next blog. Next time a student's perspective.