Gokarna, Dec 21 2008

The trip from Mysore to Gokarna was quite and adventure. I had booked a seat on the train and was in the waiting list. So I was not sure I could get a seat. My train was at 11:45 PM. At 9:30 PM I check and see that I'm still in the waiting list and the chart has been closed. I did not know that this means I have got my money back and that there is no point in going to the train station.
So at about 11:00 PM I go to the train station, check-out from my room (paid for the full day).
So I did not get in the train and had to go back to the hotel. The hotel guys were kind enough to let me go back to my room as long as I leave before 6:30 AM. At 4:00 AM I wake up, free the room and go to the bus station for a bus which was supposed to leave at 5:15. The bus I took, is what is called the government busses. They are very cheap and that is where most Indians travel. The journey to Mangalore was supposed to be 8 hours. The bus is like a normal city bus. No special seats for this long journey. Also the roads are terrible and bumpy most of the time. The bus goes through many different villages and people go up and down. It was very tiring, but I cannot say I suffered. I put my back-pack on the seat and slept on it. After this 8 hours I get to Mangalore, and luckily the bus to Gokarna was leaving in a few minutes. Another 7 hour journey of the same kind. In the bus I met Bruno a very cute french guy which is a drummer and is learning to play the table in India. After a long and tiring trip I get at night 8:30 PM to Gokarna. I was planning to stay the night in the village and wait for the morning to check a beach place. But Bruno convince me to go with the Rickshaw directly to the beaches. He is travelling with a big suitcase where he has his electronic drums. We were so fortunate to find two Huts availabe in OM beach. As everything is full. This is the most hectic time of the year.
This is probably the simplest place I've slept so far. A straw hut, right at the beach with sand floor, shared shower (bucket shower, no running water) and shared Indian style bathroom.
But inside the hut is very nice. A clean and confortable bed with a big moskito net.
The place serves very good food, and you just seat on the guest house for a long time enjoying.
The beach is breath-taking. Amazing small bay, with very few people, and very calm water.
The water is not clear like most of Indian beaches. There are cliffs that you can go up and see magnificent views. People tell me that there are dolphins very nearby. So this is really a paradise. It is full with back-packers from all places and has quite a few restaurant shacks where you can drink beers, etc. People tell me that they have here Bangee-Lassi (for the ones that know what it is) and I'll try. To my understand this is a narcotic lassi (yougurt drink) and should make you feel really happy.
So I'm dazzled with this place. I already went for an early morning walk (6:30 is still dark) and it has lots of cows and dogs on the beaches.
I'm planning to stay here for quite a few days, hopefully including new-year. Now I'm shopping for a bit more confortable guest house. I'm paying $3 a day.
My friend Tania, for which I decided to come is here somewhere, but I haven't met her yet.
We were communicating through SMS, but reception here is not always available. In any case I'm already thanking her for having come to such a wonderful place.