Jan. 7 : Palolem, India

Saturday, January 7 :: Palolem, India :: 0km today / 1864km total

A complete beach/pool day. We (Maggie from Saskatoon and I) walked a few km's to a nearby 5-star resort and hung out at their immaculate pool all day (they had a hedge maze too!). As long as you act cocky, oblivious to the local culture, and don't say "thank you" to the staff you fit right in with the other guests at these places, and they have no idea that you're trespassing and actually staying at a $7 beach hut down the road, rather than their $300/night rooms. I had to catch myself a few times from saying things in Hindi or Arabic - a dead give-away that I'm a backpacker! For the cost of a few overpriced Kingfishers it was well worth the time.

The food is spectacular here, but already I'm itching to move on, back to Real India. Palolem is kind of a cross between Thailand, Hawaii, and Centre Island (Toronto)... nice... but the dark outline of the Ghats in the background get the legs all jumpy with excitement and anticipation...