After a brief pootle around Donna Paula where I'm staying, I decided to head south to the home turf of the legend that is Alex Pirie, the owner of Nomadic Knights, the company with which I started my overseas biking adventures many moons ago in India.
Unfortunately Alex is away on a tour up in the Himalayas, but I visit his manor, Colva, as I meandre my way south and imprint BD on the neighbourhood.
Lovely beaches - I can see the attraction of life in Goa!
I'm used to manic driving from my many trips in developing countries, but apparently Goa has the highest accident rate. Doesn't seem anything out of the ordinary from what I can see, your still need to use the horn judiciously.
I keep heading south to Benaulim where an ex-work colleague from my GEC Hirst Research Centre days now lives with her husband. While they finish watching the Wales Japan rugby I visit their local beach. Very nice.
But the weather is closing in, looks like a storm is on the way.
The half fuel tank I had at the start now indicates into the red, so I fill up. I ask for 500Rs worth, but only 350Rs goes in. That's only a few litres. The attendant tries to short change me, but a lady on a scooter behind intervenes and I'm issued the right amount - thank you!
I head further south and come across a sandy track that emerges into a much quieter area with the best beach I've seen and very few people around.
But in the distance I can see the waves are white topped and a few rollers land on the beach. There's a power boat that jumps the waves heading out!
They moved here years ago and are well settled, even starting up a local rugby club for the kids. They've handed that down to others now, but still follow the local tournaments as guest VIPs.
Time to get back, as I have to return the scooter by 8pm, so I set off on the small roads leading to the NH66 trunk road. But before I get there the heavens open and it's now really pouring. On top of that it's now dark and rush hour! With car headlights on full beam and the rain inside and outside of my visor it's hard work. I stop under a bridge to shelter for a bit.
Restarting, the rain has eased a little but it's still challenging. It's probably also good practice for the rainy season in Indonesia whose adventure follows in a week's time - stay tuned.
I join the NH66 but traffic becomes clogged in places - Google says a 14 minute delay, but I make good progress in gaps, and on the dirt at the roadside, leaving the traffic behind me.
Traffic and weather cleared, and this little locally produced 125cc Yamaha is not a bad little mount. I've not ridden scooters much, but this one is agile and can do an indicated 90kmph.
I eventually get back to Dona Paula and return the bike, somehow, with 30mins to spare. 110km today and the petrol gauge still indicates almost full despite the crazy ride back. These really bikes barely use fuel.
