Wednesday, 26 September 2007
The Next Bit
Hiya, been away for a while, doing all sorts of life stuff. Now We"re ready for a new trip. This time we are off to Morocco on our Moto Guzzi 950 California --- yee ha! Not quite sure when we leave yet but itll be for around 3 months. Staying with mates in France, Spain and Portugal wherever possible. Havnt been to Morocco for around 28 years or so, I expect itll have changed a bit.
Friday, 23 February 2007
Hanging up the helmets
Well, back in Goa again, we stopped off in Murdeshwar for a few days, which is dominated by a 30 metre high Shiva statue on the cliff top. Unfortunately his right arm [ or one of them ] blew off in the monsoon and is now being supported by scaffolding. Upon searching for a shore temple we could see in the distance we came across a way onto the beach which didnt involve riding across too much dry sand - so we did what everyone dreams of doing-rode along a deserted beach , on the surfline wearing the biggest smile ever. A fantastic experience, which we recorded on video and stills [this computer is not recognising its own U.S.B. port so I cant post any photos yet.] We didnt get to the shore temple as a lagoon got in the way , but it didnt really matter.
Found the way to the temple the next day and , guess what, there was a whale skeleton laid out in front of it! The temple itself was small with carved wooden deities, all brightly painted - they get changed annually and we left with 2 of the previos years gods for good luck.
The ride up the coast was un eventfull, but enjoyable - the Goa border not being a problem as we snuk in behind a big 4x4 which was being pulled over - we emerged at the last minute, they blew whistles and shouted at us to stop but we laughed and carried on.
So this is it, the end of a good trip. We fly up to Rajasthan on the 28th Feb for a few days, then Delhi then home.
There are a few of us in Goa[ 5 ] looking to store bikes so we are collectively trying to rent a room where our babies can stay, nice and secure, dry - ready for next time.
joes bike got repaired and cheaper than he expected - but still 120 quid which is a hell of a lot over here, so he is storing his too. Perhaps we"ll do it all again next year!
Found the way to the temple the next day and , guess what, there was a whale skeleton laid out in front of it! The temple itself was small with carved wooden deities, all brightly painted - they get changed annually and we left with 2 of the previos years gods for good luck.
The ride up the coast was un eventfull, but enjoyable - the Goa border not being a problem as we snuk in behind a big 4x4 which was being pulled over - we emerged at the last minute, they blew whistles and shouted at us to stop but we laughed and carried on.
So this is it, the end of a good trip. We fly up to Rajasthan on the 28th Feb for a few days, then Delhi then home.
There are a few of us in Goa[ 5 ] looking to store bikes so we are collectively trying to rent a room where our babies can stay, nice and secure, dry - ready for next time.
joes bike got repaired and cheaper than he expected - but still 120 quid which is a hell of a lot over here, so he is storing his too. Perhaps we"ll do it all again next year!
Sunday, 18 February 2007
The last of the mountains
Mysore to Hassan was a breeze, we just went there to extend the luxury. Having said that, the hotel has really gone downhill-and has put its prices up, oh well.
Hassan down the mountains tho- well thats a different story. Its a long road from the plains, over the western ghats to sea level.The road itself isnt that good anymore [ it used to be but its been badly repaired ] but it is very exciting as it has lots of hairpins and spectacular curves.Its also full of traffic, so sometimes you are stuck behind a truck for a long time. The air is full of the smell of burning brake linings and burning out clutches. Inevitably some vehicles dont make it[down or up ] and drop off the edge or get suspended in trees overhanging rivers and cliffs etc.
We managed to grind another 6mm off our centre stand tho, and I chamfered the sides of my shoes- so we did get a good ride out of it.
The last time we did this route was with Joe and it was a right old ding -dong all the way down, as Joe and I ride the same-always pushing a bit harder.
So , now we are in Udipi again- this time at our favorite hotel, overeating and exploring new beaches. The bone in the photo is five and a half feet across, its definitely a vertibrae and must be a whales-I really wouldnt want to meet a shark that big! It makes you wonder how big the creature was tho.
Only 300km to go before we get to Goa and put the bike into storage. Its getting its final service today. There will be no more mountains, we cross some hills at Gokarna and then again as we enter Goa, but these are real pussy compared to the ones weve just done recently.Still dont know whats happening with the Bullwtwallas bike-- I might be able to sell it -but we are only in goa for a few days, so I shall probably store it--- Anyone interested in a bullet for next season at a good price??
Hassan down the mountains tho- well thats a different story. Its a long road from the plains, over the western ghats to sea level.The road itself isnt that good anymore [ it used to be but its been badly repaired ] but it is very exciting as it has lots of hairpins and spectacular curves.Its also full of traffic, so sometimes you are stuck behind a truck for a long time. The air is full of the smell of burning brake linings and burning out clutches. Inevitably some vehicles dont make it[down or up ] and drop off the edge or get suspended in trees overhanging rivers and cliffs etc.
We managed to grind another 6mm off our centre stand tho, and I chamfered the sides of my shoes- so we did get a good ride out of it.
The last time we did this route was with Joe and it was a right old ding -dong all the way down, as Joe and I ride the same-always pushing a bit harder.
So , now we are in Udipi again- this time at our favorite hotel, overeating and exploring new beaches. The bone in the photo is five and a half feet across, its definitely a vertibrae and must be a whales-I really wouldnt want to meet a shark that big! It makes you wonder how big the creature was tho.
Only 300km to go before we get to Goa and put the bike into storage. Its getting its final service today. There will be no more mountains, we cross some hills at Gokarna and then again as we enter Goa, but these are real pussy compared to the ones weve just done recently.Still dont know whats happening with the Bullwtwallas bike-- I might be able to sell it -but we are only in goa for a few days, so I shall probably store it--- Anyone interested in a bullet for next season at a good price??
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
Down the mountains
We had to leave , in order to make our way back to Goa in a leisurely manner. We left at 8am and it was a bit cold, the sun had not yet broken thru- the first time ever since we stayed there. About half way down it started to warm up, the ride was great- you could have freewheeled down the 80 km but using the engine spiced things up a little. When we reached the level ground at the bottom, a digger was taking up the whole road surface, there was no road at all- just sheets of upturned tarmac. Hels had to get off and I had to stand on the footpegs to get over the disaster that was in front of us. Luckily this didnt last for too long, only about 400yds, then we had to ride on recently rollered rocks for about 1km which was terrifying as the bike felt like the front wheel wasnt attatched.
We were heading for Coimbatore, as it looked like a big enough town to have a decent hotel, when we arrived we decided against staying as it was a noisy dump. We carried on, got lost, got found and ended up in Satyamangalam for the night. A nice name for a town but unfortunately it was a dump also-still it was only for one night.
Next morning, up and away at 8 - the ride up over the mountains is really exciting-- 27 hairpin bends on the climb up onto the Deccan plain! It started off warm but it got colder the more we climbed, we ended up right in the clouds-- losing the view, not that I had time to look much as I was having to dodge spilt diesel, potholes and monkeys. A coach had broken down just out of a hairpin , blocking the road to all but motorbikes - a great ride up!
When we hit level ground again, it was onward to Mysore, riding thru forest and jungle for 40km untill we reached civilisation-which meant people, vehicles, towns and sleeping policemen the size of small hills which catapult you skywards if you dont see them [ not signposted of course! ]There were great signs in the jungle, beware of crossing elephant--unfortunately we didnt see any.
So here we are again in Mysore, just having it large in the luxury that we would like to become accustomed to. Next stop Hassan - - again more luxury Im afraid--- you just dont believe how much we suffer out here!!
We were heading for Coimbatore, as it looked like a big enough town to have a decent hotel, when we arrived we decided against staying as it was a noisy dump. We carried on, got lost, got found and ended up in Satyamangalam for the night. A nice name for a town but unfortunately it was a dump also-still it was only for one night.
Next morning, up and away at 8 - the ride up over the mountains is really exciting-- 27 hairpin bends on the climb up onto the Deccan plain! It started off warm but it got colder the more we climbed, we ended up right in the clouds-- losing the view, not that I had time to look much as I was having to dodge spilt diesel, potholes and monkeys. A coach had broken down just out of a hairpin , blocking the road to all but motorbikes - a great ride up!
When we hit level ground again, it was onward to Mysore, riding thru forest and jungle for 40km untill we reached civilisation-which meant people, vehicles, towns and sleeping policemen the size of small hills which catapult you skywards if you dont see them [ not signposted of course! ]There were great signs in the jungle, beware of crossing elephant--unfortunately we didnt see any.
So here we are again in Mysore, just having it large in the luxury that we would like to become accustomed to. Next stop Hassan - - again more luxury Im afraid--- you just dont believe how much we suffer out here!!
A bit about Munnar
Munnar is a hill station in Kerala, its at an altitude of between 6500ft and 8800ft and is part of the High range of Travancore. It hosts the highest tea estates in the world and its absolutely wonder full. The scenery is stunning- the butterflys are huge- about 6 inch wingspan, and the birdlife is magnificent. Its the most stimulating place we have discovered this trip-hence we stayed there for 8 days.
Thursday, 8 February 2007
Oh, them mountains
Again, record riding- -we made Munnar in one day from Malapurram! The ride up here is absolutely stunning, 80km of climbing-starting thru scrub and onto Teak, Mahogany -tons and tons of tea, Flame trees, Jakarranda-all flowering their heads off. Stopped to watch a truck being loaded by elephant. Weve never seen this before and the great beast was more positive and carefull than any machine could have been. We watched for ages and took lots of film [we have to work out how to take stills off the video].All told we were 9 hours in the saddle that day - and by the time we reached Munnar we were shattered. Our first hotel was abit mickey -mouse so we moved. Our present hotel isnt much better, but the views are amazing, we dont have to go out we can just sit on the balcony with the binoculars and bliss out.
The first day we tried this hotel - we couldnt find anyone in, the next day we tried and we must have woken them up. Hotel is empty, so we bargained the price down from 20 quid to 4 ! The staff spend all their time watching t.v. and keeping out of our way, we can , if we are patient and cunning get them to make tea but thats it! We have to go out to eat- this is great as we are eating with the local tea pickers. The diet consists of egg curry and parrotas for breakfast and beef curry and parrotas for dinner. Tonight we are going to try tapioca instead of parrota.
The diet is a minor inconvenience-- the scenery, atmosphere climate are great- so I guess you cant have everything.
Last night we sat on the balcony smoking, and watching fires raging all over the surrounding mountain tops we dont know if these are accidental fires or what, but they sure are pretty!
The first day we tried this hotel - we couldnt find anyone in, the next day we tried and we must have woken them up. Hotel is empty, so we bargained the price down from 20 quid to 4 ! The staff spend all their time watching t.v. and keeping out of our way, we can , if we are patient and cunning get them to make tea but thats it! We have to go out to eat- this is great as we are eating with the local tea pickers. The diet consists of egg curry and parrotas for breakfast and beef curry and parrotas for dinner. Tonight we are going to try tapioca instead of parrota.
The diet is a minor inconvenience-- the scenery, atmosphere climate are great- so I guess you cant have everything.
Last night we sat on the balcony smoking, and watching fires raging all over the surrounding mountain tops we dont know if these are accidental fires or what, but they sure are pretty!
Wednesday, 7 February 2007
Saturday, 3 February 2007
Knocking on heavens door
The ride up the mountains from Udipi was great, all the way to Madikere, twisting and turning, cool climate - coffee bushes, rubber trees, cocoa trees and pepper vines everywhere ---- and --- Joes bike didnt shed any bits or breakdown, hooray! Instead it was mine, the trusty silver machine that let us down. It wasnt bad tho, just the chain guard snapping off. This was on a bad section of road that had us leaping around all over the place.We reached Madikere early [no major problems today] so we carried on to Sera, at Kushalnagar which is a huge Tibetan refugee colony. This has been going for a lot of years now and they are farming successfully, and have small carpet factories, incence factories etc. They also have really good guest houses and lots of temples, we have been going there for 15 years, for a chill out and re-charge of the mental batteries. When we arrived we were told that it would be impossible to stay wihout a special permit [this doesnt cost anything but you have to get it in advance and it takes 3 months]Everyone was very sorry but the local cheif of police is giving all the Tibetans loads of grief. You arent even aallowed to visit the area, let alone stay.Obviosly we didnt want to get anyone into trouble so we left, down hearted and angry. Its only jealousy which has broughtbthis about, the Tibetans are very good at whatever they do, and being very genuine and kindhearted people, love to share their life and culture with anyone who is interested. We have encontered lots of institutional racism in India but this is without doubt the worst.Native Indians , dont have to have a permit of course.
So we have to stay in a shitty overpriced lodge in town-- these guys really know how to shoot themselves in the foot, - if you could stay with the Tibetans, you would be staying longer and contributing more to the local economy. Now everyone will only stay one night and get pissed off and leave-- a great case of short-termism.
Up and off the next morning [early - no one slept very well!] and onto Mysore. The road was good and bad. The whole road was terrible last year and theyve made great improvements. Unfortunately the new bits are falling apart before the rest is done! We did get some great video of the 3 bikes abreast with no other traffic- great stuff.
Reached Mysore by 11am, booked into our hotel, showered and went to the Ritz for lunch. Joe arrived with silver Bob, and Edd, Julie Moll turned up as well - ahh a good day.
Spent a few days overeating oh yes I got busted for no crash helmet and got fined 100 rupees. The cops were real friendly and Joe photographed the cops and me, holding up my fine papers!
Joe decided to leave us at this point, we are going south into the bigger mountains and he doesnt have any confidence at all in the bike - and we cant blame him. So we arrange to get the bike on a train most of the way back. This goes all wrong at the last minute, and we decide to accompany Joe back to the coast, where , if he breaks down again he can stick it on a truck heading north. The ride back was wonderfull, covering distance in record time and enjoying a great twisty moutain section as well. We said our farewells at Moodabidri, Joe heading for Gokarn, and us for Calicut. We didnt make it , but the road we took was stunning- - no traffic and twisting up and down the mountains for 60km- over the border into Kerala wihout noticing except for the roads got even better!
We then reached the coast road and it all jammed up. Loads of mad Keralan bus drivers forcing us off the road. Hence we only made it as far as Kannur. Struck lucky and found a beautifull old Raj house turned into an hotel--real pukka stuff this! We went down to check out the beach at sunset and found a full - on trance party starting up! It must have been for the full moon. Didnt stay long but we did meet the present incumbent of Beaver castle in Leicestershire--never know who youre going to bump into out here !
Now having an overnight stop inMamalpuram before heading up them mountains again, yeah-- bring it on!!
Will try to upload some photos when we settle.
So we have to stay in a shitty overpriced lodge in town-- these guys really know how to shoot themselves in the foot, - if you could stay with the Tibetans, you would be staying longer and contributing more to the local economy. Now everyone will only stay one night and get pissed off and leave-- a great case of short-termism.
Up and off the next morning [early - no one slept very well!] and onto Mysore. The road was good and bad. The whole road was terrible last year and theyve made great improvements. Unfortunately the new bits are falling apart before the rest is done! We did get some great video of the 3 bikes abreast with no other traffic- great stuff.
Reached Mysore by 11am, booked into our hotel, showered and went to the Ritz for lunch. Joe arrived with silver Bob, and Edd, Julie Moll turned up as well - ahh a good day.
Spent a few days overeating oh yes I got busted for no crash helmet and got fined 100 rupees. The cops were real friendly and Joe photographed the cops and me, holding up my fine papers!
Joe decided to leave us at this point, we are going south into the bigger mountains and he doesnt have any confidence at all in the bike - and we cant blame him. So we arrange to get the bike on a train most of the way back. This goes all wrong at the last minute, and we decide to accompany Joe back to the coast, where , if he breaks down again he can stick it on a truck heading north. The ride back was wonderfull, covering distance in record time and enjoying a great twisty moutain section as well. We said our farewells at Moodabidri, Joe heading for Gokarn, and us for Calicut. We didnt make it , but the road we took was stunning- - no traffic and twisting up and down the mountains for 60km- over the border into Kerala wihout noticing except for the roads got even better!
We then reached the coast road and it all jammed up. Loads of mad Keralan bus drivers forcing us off the road. Hence we only made it as far as Kannur. Struck lucky and found a beautifull old Raj house turned into an hotel--real pukka stuff this! We went down to check out the beach at sunset and found a full - on trance party starting up! It must have been for the full moon. Didnt stay long but we did meet the present incumbent of Beaver castle in Leicestershire--never know who youre going to bump into out here !
Now having an overnight stop inMamalpuram before heading up them mountains again, yeah-- bring it on!!
Will try to upload some photos when we settle.
A comedy of errors
Well, all got it together really early , to beat the heat --- and got 400yards when the twistgrip [accellerator] on Joes bike [my black bike] fell apart. I rode round to the Enfield dealer with said part to find it wasnt standard - a cheap copy part had been fitted yet again!! He had one anyway as he keeps any old parts that are still ok. I returned to fit it and one of the screws which hold it on had lost its head- so I went to get another one this one was about 5mm too long so we then had to hacksaw it down to size. All this done we got aboard the bikes and set off --alot hotter than expected. We got another 200 yards when the head gasket went! We couldnt believe it! The air was blue. Joe and I pushed the bloody wreck to the enfield garage where the mechanic [who is great by the way] told us it would be done by 4 in the afternoon.
So its back to the hotels that we"d just checked out of. We told them that it was so good here we didnt want to leave. A few beers later and we went to pick up the bike, and as we went for a test drive we noticed petrol leaking from the tank, straight onto the hot exhaust pipe.Removed the tank, which we had just filled up in the morning, drained it and found that it had been bodged with putty. Off it goes to the engineering works to be soldered. An hour later and we are ready to go again ---jeez this bike will be the ruin of us all! The repair bill for the head work and the soldering etc was only a fiver!
Leaving next morning, none of us had any confidence in the black bike at all, but we had to press on. I told Joe if it was going to give us any more problems we would push it over a cliff and he could continue on the back of Martin.
So its back to the hotels that we"d just checked out of. We told them that it was so good here we didnt want to leave. A few beers later and we went to pick up the bike, and as we went for a test drive we noticed petrol leaking from the tank, straight onto the hot exhaust pipe.Removed the tank, which we had just filled up in the morning, drained it and found that it had been bodged with putty. Off it goes to the engineering works to be soldered. An hour later and we are ready to go again ---jeez this bike will be the ruin of us all! The repair bill for the head work and the soldering etc was only a fiver!
Leaving next morning, none of us had any confidence in the black bike at all, but we had to press on. I told Joe if it was going to give us any more problems we would push it over a cliff and he could continue on the back of Martin.
Thursday, 25 January 2007
Escape from Goa
Well after one month on a beach we are finally on the road again! We had a great time for Helens birthday and new year was a stonker-- in every way.The bike went in for repair in the new year, it took a week and then I tried to sell it -I put up fliers and parked the bike in prominent position with a big sign on it but no joy.Joes bike is now in for repair[ the bikes we bought were utter crap and we have had to spend a lot of money getting them sorted -- a common complaint amongst bulletwalla bike owners --5out of 5 owners have the same story !!!!!!!] Anyway, Joe is now riding my black bike and we are on our silver one. Joe will get his bike back in a month - with a huge bill.
We are also joined by our old mate Martin.Presently we are in Udipi, on the coast of Karnataka, tomorrow we head inland to Moodabidri, where we might get to see some buffalo racing - they really shift when they want to !
We spent today bolting things back onto the black bike -it sheds parts like an oak tree sheds leaves in autumn.Its now running o.k. again and looks complete.We head for Kerala in the long term, for some good mountain roads, bringing fun and games to the adventure, we only have a month to do this in [and return] so the bikes had better behave themselves. The border crossing out of Goa was a breeze - we were expecting trouble as the pigs are becoming even more greedy than usual but we rode straight thru - but they did realise that 3 victims got thru when they werent paying attention.I apologise for the underscoring, but the keyboard has a mind of its own.
We are also joined by our old mate Martin.Presently we are in Udipi, on the coast of Karnataka, tomorrow we head inland to Moodabidri, where we might get to see some buffalo racing - they really shift when they want to !
We spent today bolting things back onto the black bike -it sheds parts like an oak tree sheds leaves in autumn.Its now running o.k. again and looks complete.We head for Kerala in the long term, for some good mountain roads, bringing fun and games to the adventure, we only have a month to do this in [and return] so the bikes had better behave themselves. The border crossing out of Goa was a breeze - we were expecting trouble as the pigs are becoming even more greedy than usual but we rode straight thru - but they did realise that 3 victims got thru when they werent paying attention.I apologise for the underscoring, but the keyboard has a mind of its own.
Monday, 8 January 2007
Hampi to Goa
Im sitting at a very sticky keyboad at the moment - so I dont know if I shall have the patience to continue. We left Hampi on the 26th Dec after an excellent christmas day. We got up and went down to the bazzar for a lassi, then wandered off to climb Matunga hill. Weve tried to get up 3 times before but woosed out when we reached the summit. You have to walk across a curved rock with a really steep drop to the side. Well I made it this time, Helen decided it was still too much and stoppped nearly at the top.
We left early in the cool and headed west. The road was good then bad - the usual thing but we made good progress, with nothing untoward happening with the bikes. Stopping at Dharwad for the night as we werent really sure which road to take next, The road west - the most direct and shortest was reported to be in really really bad condition, whereas the road south was reported to be in better condition, but much longer - and with a horrible border crossing - the notoriosly corrupt Goa police taking money off every foriegner who dares to enter their state and spend money! We went for the bad road - after all we had been on bad roads before. THIS ONE WAS THE WORST OF ALL. First gear a lot of the way, getting covered in red powdered rock dust, spitting grit and cussing a alot. The road is made bad by Tata steel trucks carting iron ore. Considering the money they make out of the steel youd think they would put in a road!
Down the mountains and into Goa - no problems at this border - they dont expect anyone to come this way. I noticed a huge buddha statue in the jungle on the way in, this is new and we are going to return to investigate soon. When we were here 17 years ago there was an article in the local news about a major archaelogical discovery in the mountains with evidence of a buddhist settlement with caves water tanks, irrigation etc. We havnt heard a thing since- so it needs further study.
We arrived at our usual guest house and relaxed we"d made it !! 2478 km. We were filthy, my bike was not running very well - a broken valve spring.
Helens birthday - on the 30th was celebrated in style, with lots of friends joining us. We all went out to dinner -14 of us in total, it was a great surprise to Hels [ and to me!!] Joe put on an amazing firework display, dinner was excellent, followed by a lovely chocolate cake and cocktails, to the accompanyment of the Arabian sea. We were really surprised by the singing firework birthday candle, and the table firework which nearly blew or heads off.
Lots of terrorist scares here at the moment - dont know whether to take them seriously or not, but they are making life a nuisance, the police stopping motorcyclists to check identity papers[yeah right] email monitoring, registering at internt cafes etc.
We now have to sell our Delhi bike so we have the money to continue travelling on our old bike, which is still running beautifully. Amazingly the Goan authorities have discovered a new way to wring money out of travellers - you have to have a new yellow nunber plate a nd pay yearly taxes to keep your bike here. Well yesterday, I went to see the assistant director of road traffic, South Goa to find out what to do, In my case I dont require this new plate, but the police dont know this and all I have to do is convince the pigs of this everytime they stop me -- yeah right!!!
Im going to see how this goes- but as you can probably tell, its pissing me off already!
I shall try and get some new photos up presently -- the beach is great, sea warm etc!
We left early in the cool and headed west. The road was good then bad - the usual thing but we made good progress, with nothing untoward happening with the bikes. Stopping at Dharwad for the night as we werent really sure which road to take next, The road west - the most direct and shortest was reported to be in really really bad condition, whereas the road south was reported to be in better condition, but much longer - and with a horrible border crossing - the notoriosly corrupt Goa police taking money off every foriegner who dares to enter their state and spend money! We went for the bad road - after all we had been on bad roads before. THIS ONE WAS THE WORST OF ALL. First gear a lot of the way, getting covered in red powdered rock dust, spitting grit and cussing a alot. The road is made bad by Tata steel trucks carting iron ore. Considering the money they make out of the steel youd think they would put in a road!
Down the mountains and into Goa - no problems at this border - they dont expect anyone to come this way. I noticed a huge buddha statue in the jungle on the way in, this is new and we are going to return to investigate soon. When we were here 17 years ago there was an article in the local news about a major archaelogical discovery in the mountains with evidence of a buddhist settlement with caves water tanks, irrigation etc. We havnt heard a thing since- so it needs further study.
We arrived at our usual guest house and relaxed we"d made it !! 2478 km. We were filthy, my bike was not running very well - a broken valve spring.
Helens birthday - on the 30th was celebrated in style, with lots of friends joining us. We all went out to dinner -14 of us in total, it was a great surprise to Hels [ and to me!!] Joe put on an amazing firework display, dinner was excellent, followed by a lovely chocolate cake and cocktails, to the accompanyment of the Arabian sea. We were really surprised by the singing firework birthday candle, and the table firework which nearly blew or heads off.
Lots of terrorist scares here at the moment - dont know whether to take them seriously or not, but they are making life a nuisance, the police stopping motorcyclists to check identity papers[yeah right] email monitoring, registering at internt cafes etc.
We now have to sell our Delhi bike so we have the money to continue travelling on our old bike, which is still running beautifully. Amazingly the Goan authorities have discovered a new way to wring money out of travellers - you have to have a new yellow nunber plate a nd pay yearly taxes to keep your bike here. Well yesterday, I went to see the assistant director of road traffic, South Goa to find out what to do, In my case I dont require this new plate, but the police dont know this and all I have to do is convince the pigs of this everytime they stop me -- yeah right!!!
Im going to see how this goes- but as you can probably tell, its pissing me off already!
I shall try and get some new photos up presently -- the beach is great, sea warm etc!
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