India 2013... Goa time - Candolim

It was yet another early start after the excitement of our visit to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort as we were being picked up at 7am to head back to Delhi airport. We had flights booked to head down to Goa on the brilliantly named Spice Jet, and were please to find an as yet un-sampled Indian beer in the departures lounge before we took off. The flight took 2 and a half hours, and although obviously more expensive than the train would have been, it was the right call for our trip as we were on a tight schedule and unfortunately didn't have 36 hours to spare to experience the train journey!

Landing in Goa we were greeted by Anil, the uncle of a friend of Gemma's, who had generously helped to arrange a car for us, as well as accommodation in Candolim - our first Goan stop. The drive there took just under 2 hours, and we were greeted by the friendly housekeeper who showed us around our villa at Alcon Holiday Village and helped us to settle in. As soon as we'd showered we headed out for a wander along the main road in Candolim, and settled on a restaurant which had a lovely patio area and a band playing. We ate delicious fish curries and enjoyed a few beers before heading back past the local cows and beeping rickshaws, to our villa - where we bravely battled a giant cockroach before calling it a night!

The next morning was our first lie in of the trip, and we enjoyed it! After a delicious traditional Indian breakfast at the hotel attached to or villa we decided on a relaxed day, and made the 2 minute walk from our villa to the beach. The "season" hadn't really kicked in yet (things get going in Goa around late October) but a few early birds had set up shop already and we were able to hire sun loungers (and a parasol for me and my pale skin!) as well as treating ourselves to massages, beers, and a few goodies from ladies selling jewellery. We spent a few chilled out hours there, chatting to the guys running the sun lounger hut, and watching the sun set. It was a perfect first day in Goa, and after another delicious meal out, we retired to bed ready for the next morning's adventures.... Polly, Gemma and I were off to visit some volunteer projects...

Easter Escape... Isle of Wight

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone's had a lovely Bank Holiday weekend and made the most of those lovely 4 days off work! To make sure we did, Dan and I decided (very last minute!) to head to the Isle of Wight. I hadn't been since I was 2 years old, so in reality it was my first visit, and I was excited.

We drove to Chichester on Thursday night so that we were nice and close to the ferry terminal, and stayed in the trusty Travelodge before an early start for the 8:30am ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne. The ferry crossing only took 45 minutes and I enjoyed standing on the deck watching the Isle get closer and closer, and lots of sailing boats passing by in the wind.

Bright and windy on the Solent

As we arrived so early, we had the whole day to explore, and made sure we did! First stop was The Needles Park where we enjoyed the views of the iconic Needles rocks, and decided to get the chair lift down to the beach at Alum Bay. Alum Bay is known for it's colourful cliffs and sand, and it was lovely to see up close the purple and yellow tinged rock and look out to sea and the Needles. The chairlift itself was a little nerve-wracking as I don't like heights, but offered great views and was good fun!

Yikes! It's steep...

Coloured cliffs

The Needles

After filling a souvenir bottle with coloured sand in the Needles Park and trying our hand at hook-a-duck and the hoopla, we were back in the car and singing along to IoW Radio back on track with our drive around the coast. We stopped off in Freshwater Bay, before lunch in Shanklin, which was a lovely town and somewhere I'd like to see more of in the future.

Our final stop of the day was The Garlic Farm where we were unfortunately too late for a farm tour, but still enjoyed tasting the different foodstuffs on offer, and a browse in the farm shop, where Dan picked up a garlic beer to try later!

We stayed in the Chad Hill Hotel in Sandown, which was a lovely little B&B. Sandown itself was forgettable unfortunately - the pier was tired and there didn't seem much going on in the town itself. We headed to Newport for dinner and although it was nice to see another town on the island, Newport was much like any other English town - Pizza Express, Yate's, and so on. Next time we'll stick to Shanklin!

The next morning we were up early and after a delicious breakfast at the B&B we were headed back to the ferry, and home. It was only a whistle-stop trip, but a lovely one, and I'll definitely be making a return visit to see the things we missed out on, and revisit those we enjoyed.

Not exactly typical beach wear but still loving it... me on Alum Bay beach

India 2013 - Agra day... Taj Mahal!

After the excitement of arriving in India for our first day we had a very early start on day 2 - alarms going off in order to meet driver Ajay at 5:45am... eek! No one minded though, as we were off to see the Taj Mahal!

Ajay brought with him a colleague, Rajesh, who spoke fluent English and was to be our guide for the day. He helped us buy our tickets and waited for us while we queued in the non-Indian womens queue for entry to the Taj (tourists are also charged more to get in, although at only around eight pounds we had no complaints!) We'd decided to get to the Taj so early as I'd heard it was best to go first thing to avoid the bigger crowds, and the hottest weather. I was pleased we did! Obviously it was still very busy (this is a wonder of the world after all!) but we were able to stroll around without too many crowds, and take time with photos. The early morning mist added to the occasion too - that first glimpse of the Taj, through the mist, was very atmospheric and a great climax to the story Rajesh had told us about Shah Jahan, the man who built the Taj Mahal as a tribute to his wife, Mumtaz.

I don't need to tell you that the Taj Mahal was an awesome sight, and that seeing it was the highlight of my visit. That goes without saying! I don't need to show you my photos either, because my amateur attempts can easily be bettered with a quick google search! I am going to though, so here goes...

Team shot!

View of one of the mosques from inside the Taj

As this was our only full day in Agra we were determined to make the most of it, and after a quick pit stop we were back in the car and on our way to see a traditional workshop where the beautiful marble mosaics like the ones that adorn the Taj are still make. We watched as the workmen painstakingly crafted items, and were able to see (and buy!) the finished products in the gift shop.

From there, we headed to Agra Fort, Shah Jahan's palace and the place he was imprisoned for the final years of his life, overthrown by his son who stole his crown. He lived out his days under house arrest in his bedroom, sitting on his balcony and staring across the river for views of his beloved Taj Mahal. The Fort is less well preserved than the Taj, but still well worth a visit, and we enjoyed having Rajesh with us (as we had at the Taj) as he was able to share interesting facts and stories with us to enhance the trip, and having a guide with us also meant we weren't hassled by people wanting to sell us things, or guide us themselves. I'd certainly recommend investing in a guide to anyone heading to Agra.

Final stop of the day was the site over the river from the Taj Mahal where Shah Jahan had planned - and started - to build a second Taj, identical to the first but in black marble, not white. He'd never completed it as his son overthrew him and kept him under house arrest at the fort before he had chance, but the site is a great place to go to view the Taj at sunset, and take some photos. We could see how busy the Taj still was, people swarming around in huge groups, and this made us even more pleased we'd got up early to beat the rush! It was a lovely end to our day in Agra, and we headed back to the hotel happy and enjoyed a delicious final meal before bed, and another early start to get back to Delhi, and a flight on to the next stage of our adventure, in Goa...

Had to do it. Selfie at the site of the Black Taj!