Arrival and then to Goa.

Flight was simple, thankfully the plane was half empty granting me three seats to myself. So plenty of room to sleep. The arrival at Bombay international airport was interesting. Since the last time I was there they now seem to have built a proper airport terminal. So no standing in long lines whilst watching crows fly around above my head this time. Just straight through and into a taxi for a quick blast across Mumbai to Vasai Road rail station.

Whilst sitting in the back of the cab lots of memories (mostly nasal) came flooding back. The train ride was fine, cool at night, hot during the morning and many a chai and biryani seller walking up and down the carriage.

First impressions of Anjuna are varied. Its a nice beach, lots of bars etc. But everything shuts rather early now. The famous Anjuna Flee Market is rather tacky. It seems to consist of just five stalls replicated a thousand times. One selling tacky hippy clothing. One selling awful Goa/Psy trance cds. One selling brass ornaments. one selling spices fake and real. And one selling wood carvings. I preferred wallowing in the water. Of the make up of tourists I now hear many more East European voices, especially Russian. Seven years ago I can not remember hearing so many. I guess the demographic has changed.

One thing that is very noticeable is the police presence. The first two nights here I was stopped and searched, and last night they were out again. But this time ignoring me. The bars are full of people smoking weed, and drugs are easy to find. So I guess the police know that they are on to a nice little earner hauling naieve tourists off for a night in the local gaol before recieving the "fine" that allows release.