Paradise on earth

From one paradise to another. After considering the input we got from people we met in Goa, we changed out entire plan of crossing central India by train, and jumped on a plane (read: 3 flights, 23 hours traveling, 1 night at the airport, 40 mosquito bites) to Andaman Islands. We had been told that if we were looking for paradise, we would find it here. Believe it or not, the rumors were true!

Even the accommodation was heavenly! We found these little bamboo huts, and were honestly wondering of we were gonna stay there forever.

Unfortunately we hadn't taken the rain into consideration this time either, and this limited our choices of activities drastically.

So, with the big lack of choices we found ourself in, we ran for the closest restaurant. As always we had to try something new, and went for the pepper crusted tuna fillet. And OH MY GOD! Imagine the juiciest steak you ever had, and multiply it by a million. Thats how good it was! Honestly there is no way of describing it.. Priceless!!

The following day was also one of the highlights so far in our trip. Snorkeling day!

We rented a boat that took us around the island to some amazing diving sites and spent the day swimming in-between corals, Nemo´s and amazing beaches!

The moment you have all been waiting for! Under-water-video!

Ehm, not "Planet Earth" material yet

Once again we experienced indians showing a strange, almost creepy interest in us. This time it was the manager of the resort we lived at. It might have been because we tipped his staff 90% the day before or because Lina wrote "actress" on the registration form, but this guy was determent to spend the evening with us. He picked us up and took us back to the "tuna restaurant", that he apparently owned as well. We obviously never say no to free food and drinks, so Ranveig took advantage of the situation and started on the whisky

Ever since we first started off in Delhi, we have wanted to drive scooters. The only problem has been that Indians drive like shit, and we haven't even dared to cross the road by foot. These peaceful islands seemed to be the perfect place to give it a shot though.

When we finally got to the end of the road, we could not believe our own eyes!

Neither of us have ever seen anything that beautiful!

With a burning sun on a blue sky, and temperatures hitting 40 degrees, it was undoubtfully time for a swim. It looked like the norm on this beach was the typical "swim with every piece of clothing you own", but Ranveig was at breaking point and decided that the indian families around us could need some entertainment.

That might also have been the reason this guy showed up

This guy came over and started chatting with us. Constantly staring at Ranveig in her bikini of course. Now and then he broke out in hysterical giggling. We asked him if everything was okay, and he replied (in-between the laughter) "Im just here to have a look. I have never seen anything like this before! Only in magazines! Just 5 minutes to watch and I will leave!"

The funny thing is that this guy was so innocent that we couldn't get offended. At least he was honest, and he really just wanted to have a look at a white girl in a bikini. You got to love the random situations you run in to ever here.

During this day we made a valuable discovery! Scooters is the absolute best way to experience new places. No more TukTuks, taxis, rickshaws og busses. From now on we are driving ourselves. You will see things you never would have found without the freedom to get around wherever you please!

Photos of the day

Ranveig&Lina

Awesomeness

Timeout

We both thought going to Goa was an amazing idea. Or that was before we remembered the awful truth: we never went to Hard Rock in Mumbai!! Well, well, not the end of the world. Actually this impulsive twist on our trip turned out to be more than worth it.

We dont have too much to write about this place, but it was 5 perfect days of relaxing, making friends and swopping stories. Neither of us have ever laughed this much in a long time!

For Ranveig this actually wasn't voluntary. She was flat out sick from day 2.

Lina was mostly playing with her new friends (yes, she did have a look on Ranveig now and then), and discovered, to her big despair, that she is allergic to mosquito bites

gross!!

Unfortunately we lost our paparazzi skills as soon as we saw the sandy beach (and the beer), but here is a small selection of our snaps!

For the record: Lina had lobster dinner and absolutely loved it! Does that mean shes growing up?

Awesomeness

Lina&Ranveig

The Bollywood dream

It was with mixed feelings we arrived in Mumbai early next day. Lina hadn't slept at all, we couldn't get hold of our Couch Surfing host and we really had no idea of what angle we were gonna start this city from. We did what is most common amongst backpackers (and actually quite racist when we come to thing of it) and ran after the only 2 white girls we saw. Bingo! At least they had a place to stay and we invited ourself to share a taxi with them.

The hostel of choice was the Salvation Army Hostel just by the seaside and next to the very famous (and terror exposed) Taj Mahal Hotel.

Then the coolest thing so far happened: We were about to check in, when some gangster Indian guy with gold rings and black sunglasses came up to us " Yo wonna play in Bollywood movy?" ehm, hell yeah! We agreed on the symbolic pay of 500 rupees ( 66kr) a day, including lunch(!), but had to go and sort out our room registration first. Unfortunately everything took too long, and when we came back, he was gone, and our big shot of fame went with him..

Very disappointed we went for a quick walk around the neighborhood. And as always, we didn't have to look far for something to cheer us up

After that little show, the man standing behind Ranveig introduced himself as a tourguide, and offered to take us around the city. Tired as we were, we ended up giving in.

il

Again, not a bad move, we got taken all around Mumbai. They even unlocked a couple of buildings for us that were not normally open for public

One of the most fascinating sites were the "washing place" as it was called. True to the name, that was exactly what it was. All of Mumbai´s laundry gets brought here every day and the more than 5000 workers wash, dries and irons it all by hand. Truly an amazing sight, considering it is also used by the 5 star hotels around the city.

Yet another reminder of the unexpected beauty of a city we were recommended never to visit. We were amazed with how organized and clean everything was! Many people had told us that Mumbai was merely a bad copy of Delhi and that we would be fools to go there. What we discovered was quite the contrary. We doubt you would find a city in India more developed and "western" than there.

When we got back to the hostel we decided it was time for some proper touristing. Lonley Planet, where are you?

But our guidebook led us straight to a bar..

and two scotsmen..

and suddenly we were on the next train to Goa!

Ahh. the joys of a life with no plans and nothing to loose!

Photos of the day:

Awesomeness

Ranveig&Lina