Alarms with 5 in them are never pleasant ???? nevertheless, we are up and get ready to meet our bus at 6:15am

So many party-looking buses around on the roads at this hour

The one for us comes and we get on with all of our things (our hotel had no one around to check out and leave them with for the day ????)

We’re collect remaining other tourists for an hour and then it’s an hour and a half drive to Colem

Here, we get off and have some breakfast – of buttered toast and two coffees – and are somewhat organised into groups (as there’s about 5 other bus-loads of tourists here)

We wonder round and are put into “jeeps” and taken towards the Dudhsagar Falls

Dhursagar forest entry point

It’s one hell of a bumpy ride but we make it there in about 40 mins

A gentle 10 min walk and we make it so it’s on sight

The area is incredibly chaotic and it’s not even peak season

Either way, the water is pretty clear and there’s so many big fish about!

We hop in for a dip – Dave more confidently than Daisy – it’s freezing ????

Trying to be cautious about our belongings as there are monkeys everywhere pickpocketing bits all over the shop

Dave spots some tadpoles too by the edges of the water

Got to get out so we don’t miss our ride back

More bumpy road from the back of the car

Out where we started, there’s a group of cows lying in the road and we’re guided to a nearby restaurant for our buffet lunch

Nice variety of veg and non-veg options and even get a metal tray as a plate

This hotel/restaurant also houses a spice garden and we’re taken on a little tour of how each has their own purposes

There’s a cinnamon tree: this is one of two types and this one produces bark that is made into oil

It matures in 10 years and works as a remedy for diabetes as well as typical aches and pains

Black pepper is known as the king of spice and comes in four varieties

Green is the original/unmatured type; red is mature; white is made by boiling red; black is made by letting white bake in the sun

We learn that curry leaves can be gendered: male grows towards the sky and female grows towards the ground

Unfortunately, the tour is cut short as we have to head off

Back on the bus back towards the coast

We decide to get dropped off at Old Goa to be able to walk around and explore

Get dropped off on the side of a large road and walk

Basilica of Bom Jesus is an old, red sandstone-looking building

We go through the grounds and have a pit stop at Ratnasagar Family Restaurant & Bar

There’s some terrapins here, randomly

After, we wonder round opposite of the basilica to the Church of St. Francis, Archaeological Survey of India and Se Cathedral – looks like all one building

This side has green gardens around it with little birds

Through these gardens, we find the road and head towards the water

Here, there is Viceroy’s Arch

Quite road until there’s a queue for the ferry

Catch the sun setting on the water before we try and find a cab

Time to go to the airport

Airport is pretty small and we’re pretty early so just chill

Flight delayed ???? but there’s at least restaurants available

Finally we can board and the flights always seem to be full!

Not too long before we land in Kochi/Cochin

We get through to the outside quickly and Uber has surge pricing so we get a prepaid taxi from one of the airport vendors

50 minute drive and we make it to our stay: Travancore Hotel

Upgraded room as they’re renovating the place so we get an executive suite (with two bathrooms!) ????

Passed 1am so definitely time for bed