Hi all
We made it to Goa in one piece yesterday and this is how we did it...So, after Belur and Halebidu we set off towards Bhadravati - home of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. As the one and only local resort was fully booked we blagged our way into the Forest Ranger's office and convinced him to find us accommodation. He succumbed to our dusty scruffy unwashed charm (or thought god these guys need a wash!) and pulled some strings and found us a room nearby.
He was so obliging he even laid on a Dept. of Forests jeep to take us on safari the next morning which is usually only for VIPs and departmental staff. Top man!

So once we had checked in and showered we took a ride to the nearby Bhadra dam and once again our charm got us through locked gates. We watched the sun go down and wandered back to the room.

Next morning we were up at 5.30 and went on safari but sadly didn't see any of the biggies. We saw some bison, sambar, spotted deer, peacocks, wild boar but that was it.

After the safari the Ranger invited us to his house (privileged indeed!) and offered us coffee and a chat. It being a Sunday morning too we felt really honoured.

We rode approx 150 kms to Jog Falls which was spectacular if a little thin on the water.

A beautiful twisty ride down to Honnavara from Jog Falls took us another couple of hours but the ride was a biker's dream. Not a straight bit of road anywhere and no villages or speed breakers.

We had about an hour's daylight left so we went looking for a beach as we were now on the western coast. Asking a couple of locals sent us in the direction of Dhareshwara - a ten-hut fishing village with nothing else around. The sand was soft and white but we felt a little exposed there. Ron P spotted a dirt track running alongside the beach so we thought we'd check it out and see where we end up. At the end of the track the surface suddenly turned to one of soft sand and we got well and truly bogged down!

Look mum! No hands!

So we decided to camp right there and sort out getting out tomorrow. We had already eaten so that was no issue. We had water and the entire beach to ourselves.

Locals were curious but left us alone after checking what we were doing.

Next morning after porridge (oh yeah!) and coffee on the beach we set off and arrived at Palolem Beach in southern Goa by about 2 p.m. Being Republic Day of India it was a national holiday so the whole place was so busy and buzzing. But every one has gone home now and the place is quite pleasantly touristy (if such a thing exists). We have a beach front room and will be staying here again tonight and move towards Panaji (capital of Goa) tomorrow.

Until the next update, thanks for following us...