Goa's on!

So even though we are home I still need to post about the very end of our trip. I got a little lazy and comfortable there and didn't feel like posting but as these posts are some I will reflect on years later I want to complete it. Also I have two more posts to add after this. One will be all the silly quirks we witnessed and one will hopefully be embedded short videos so that you too can really get a sense of things like driving in a rickshaw during rush hour in India and feel better about your choice of New Jersey next time you get stuck on the turnpike in grid lock.

But for now a quick recap of our last few days there.
Goa
Well we took our final two trains and finally made it to Goa. We would be staying for one final night with our group in Northern Goa at hotel Santiago between Calangute and Baga . This area is kind of like the Spring Break vacation zone with more bars and liquor stores then I have seen in all 35days of travel in India. It is also known for having a significant Russian population who have set up clubs and shops. Now being that is is off season we didn't get the full effect of all of that and I am kind of thankful as even though I like to drink and have a good time my trance rave party like a rock star all night days are kind of behind me, especially when it is with a bunch of all Indian male teenagers grasping to the one chance they get to be crazy and free on their own visit to Goa.

Hotel Santiago was a pretty decent place with a fridge and nice swimming pool.

After breakfast it was straight to the beach

Later it was shopping for all the last minute gifts and things I wanted and tried to put off as to not carry too much along the way.

Then pool time and finally a goodbye dinner

I did go out briefly with Paige and the guys to a place right on the beach the boys had been drinking and hanging out during the day

The next day Chetan had help to book us two nights in a really nice 5 star place in South Goa so with tears in our eyes we said finall goodbyes especially to those who had been there since the beginning.

When we got to Taj Exotica we were taken back by how fancy smancy it was. AWESOME!
Welcome drinks and a rose

Helicopter launch pad in case you were curious about taking yours out this weekend

Our room and view facing the ocean in the distance

The only room facing the ocean left was one with two beds which they then pushed together to make a monster size bed!

All of our food was included and there were three different restaurants to choose from

They let you use bikes to ride around the property

Then it was mostly just pool and spa time. We did get massage/ facials here too.

Walks on the beach

In the end it was just what we needed before taking a full 24 hr day on 3 different planes to get home.

We both loved India. It wasn't easy travel all the time. You have to be willing to let go and take chances in India even with a group or a guide. If you want to see India outside of just the nice resorts like this you have to be willing to check your ego, grip onto your patiences, leap off a few cliffs and laugh the crazies away. But if you do the country and it's vast diversity is one of the most rewarding and amazing places to experience. I am so glad that we ended up here and thankful for the changes this trip has made in me and my views of the world and traveling.