Loads has happened since my last post! I'll remember as much as I can...

The morning after I last wrote I woke up at about 9 for my taxi to the airport. He dropped me atthe wrong terminal and eventually an airport worker took me to the right one which was about a 15 minute walk... as we got near the building he asked me for money and as it looked like he was about to steal my bag if I didnt pay up I gave him a little. Flight was fine, stopped in Mumbai (Bombay) so got 2 meals! Very pretty air hostesses!

When I arrived at the airport I bought an Indian sim card then went out to check my emails. Got an email from my friends saying "go to Baga beach and we'll see you in squeeze bar between 6 and 7" so I needed a taxi. Havoc then erupted as I realised I was the only person needing a taxi and there were about 10 taxi men/companies who all wanted to take me and a massive arguement kicked off between them all! Got to Baga to find that the main stretch is 3km long so it proved a mission to find my friends but eventually I did - very strange to see a familiar face out here! We had some food, watched an amazing sunset then fell asleep pretty easily - we were all nackered.

The beach is also at least 3km long, it just goes on and on and on. And there is beach shack afte beach shack the whole way on the seafront, bar/restaurants. I would guess around 150 of them so difficult to choose where to eat! But theres a nice guy in one whos is just round the corner from where Im staying now so been there a few times.

Both friends already had mopeds, so the next morning I got one too (calm down mum and dad!) It was 7 pounds for 2 days rental and a full tank of petrol which was pretty good. Equipped and ready for action the 3 amigos headed off to the famous Anguna flea market. I have never been harassed so much in my entire life. People just follow you trying to sell their things and will not give in. Although neither did we unfortunately for them! Bought a couple of little gifts and a very bling rolex watch for myself at 3 pounds. Most of the stalls sold similar stuff so bargaining is very important. You get people down a LOT, i got one guy down from 250 rupees to 20 rupees for example, you just have to seem really uninterested and not give in.

That night we went to the local club called Tito's which is meant to be the best club in India but there were about 10 guys to every girl and it was pretty rubbish. And girls get in free whereas guys pay. So we didnt stay there long and left with 2 English guys to another club. But on the way we found out about a free party/rave nearby in the jungle and were taken there by a local. It was quite an experience! There were fairy light up jungle paths, then you passed a bar, then there was a seating area and a dancing area. Cool lights all round and lots of bright colours then there was a DJ box built up on these ruins of an old house of something. Hundreds of people dancing away, all types of people and of all ages from 18 to 80!. We got there at around 2 in the morning and stayed until about 7.30 although apparently it went on all day and the next night! We werent sure of the way back as we had been shown the way there so we stopped to ask for directions. The man we asked couldnt tell us but put him children on the back of our mopeds and said if we took them to school they would show/tel us the way! Veeeery odd, strange to think that people can be so trusting like that.

Slept until 12 then went and got some lunch. The next day was spent relaxing, and sleeping on the beach. Have got a bit of a sun burn as I forgot to use sun cream on the first day - oops! Only really on my shoulders now but it hurts, especially when carrying my heavy bag! My friends left early this morning which is a bit annoying cos I enjoyed being with others. Got another 2/3 days here, but its more a holiday resort unlike the rest of India. Very relaxed, everyone does everything for you and very cheap. I thought Delhi was cheap but not compared to here. Our most expensive bill for dinner for the 3 of us here was 410 rupees which is around 5 or 5 and a half pounds so not even 2 pounds each! And my room is 150 rupees a night, not even 2 pounds.

Things happen all the time that you just find hard to comprehend... for example, I am using a computer in the front entrance to a family home and the little boy who must be around 5 is just weeing on the floor in his house! Drugs are very easily available too, despite the harsh consequences. Walking along the street you get offered them and at shops too sometimes. But most suprising was when I asked a guy in a tourist car the way somewhere and after explaining to me he said "you want hash? i have hash. you want coke? i have coke." Crazy stuff. ps - I obviously refuse!

Dan.