18 February

We had an enjoyable car journey of just under an hour along the winding road over the coastal foothills of the Western Ghats.  As we climbed the hills the vegetation changed from palm trees into forests of eucalyptus before descending back down again to palms and rice paddies arriving at our next Goan destination of Benaulim on the Konkan Coast, this is where we will be based for the next few days.

19 February

The beach at Benaulim is part of a 25 km strip of featureless sand that is lacking in both atmosphere and character, the plus side is that the hard sand below the high water mark is ideal for cycling for miles and miles.

We are however  fortunate to be staying at Palm Grove Cottages where the owner employs 2 gardeners to tend an organically grown tropical garden on a par with Kew without the glass.  It is a local attraction for tourists and film makers.  For us it is a top place to hang out in the heat of the day listening to the chorus of mad bird calls that are also attracted to hanging around this little oasis, an unusual feature of the garden are the pencil pine shaped 30 meter high Ashoka trees.

Palm Grove tropical garden

Ashoka trees

Catch of the day

Road to the beach

Para-sailing