we've all been there Dunk, and I bet you'll want to go back.Look forward to the rest.

the first part of the trip report is always the most difficult to do( I know that as its taken me a few days to start my Bangkok one )
I'm looking forward to reading more

A few days Fiona im back from dec and still have to do my report ...Dunk ...this is brill please do somemore i will be in looking for more tonight ...colleen

Good read. Took me back to my first time. Nice and descriptive too. Lord I sound like an English teacher. Have a gold star

Part 2
After Michael Schumacher`s asian cousin whizzed us to the Highland Beach in Candolim in record time it was off to our room,1504 round the back but a nice family room.i lay down with a cold beer (kingfisher)to get out the wife`s way whilst i supervised her unpacking, she made a few mistakes but i soon corrected her.I offered to make her a cup o tea but unfortunately there was no kettle mugs tea coffee or anything so i sent her down to reception to see if we could get some whilst i done some more relaxing.when she came back reception had said that they dont have kettles etc all you get is a fridge !!! oh right beer for breakkie then.
Then came our first adventure--trying to get to the beach
On leaving the hotel one of 15 or so taxi drivers said he`d whizz us down as it wasn`t far and only 50 rs which i thought was cheap even though i hadn`t a clue, he gave us the usual tourist speel, have you been here before to which i replied from the back seat ( you can`t see as much thankfully) yes this is our second time here but first time in Candolim,he seemed impresed!!mmmm
31 seconds later we were at the beach where we were greeted by an elephant so we proceeded th tourist thing and take it`s photo then from nowhere we were surround by men in orange saying we had to pay for taking nellie`s photo with our own camera, right then, how much i asked he said 400rs i said is that per photo he said nobut i could make a larger DONATION if i wanted too.
After escaping them we head for the sand only for more lads to jump out a Monkey Hut to let us have sunbeds drinks food anything we wanted but i was strong and said no,and proceeded to the first Shack we came to which was Claudinas.

Walking in i heard someone shouting hi Grant,thats me by the way, i travelled thousands of miles only to be greeted by one of my customers, happy happy joy joy he then started to tell me about the problems he`s having with his car and can i look at it when i return.oh yes no problem.
After getting rid of him we got a table and met Antony the owner of the shack and his staff alex ,martin ,romeo and others i treated the family to a slap up lunch of toasties and chips, meanwhile ant had told martin to get us sunbeds and of martin trotted with our towels beach bags and other junk down the sand what a great lad he was and it saved the wife a lot of carrying to, anyway off we trotted down about an hour later and everything was laid out infront of us just as promised,antony said he`d run us a tab if we need drinks etc just ask Martin he would get us anything we want so it saved the wife another walk. then down to the water for some wave jumping and i must say it`s the warmest water ive been in, after an hour or so its was back up to the sun loungers for another 40 winks in the heat, i must have slept a couple of hours until i was woken with a big slobbery wet kiss on the head i opened my eyes to expect to seen the wife instead there was a herd of bison standing over me and lots of folk standing round killing themselves laughing we i must have looked like a white Linford Christie the way i took off back to the shack for lots more beer to settle the nerves of course...

more tomorrow

Great reading Dunk just had a good laugh[your poor wife]

Enjoying reading your trip reports Dunk. We stay at the Highland Beach every year and go to Claudina's shack too. Will be there in 5 weeks. Waiting in anticipation for more! Tracy

I had the same experiance with a cow. But it was my big toe she took a fancy too!

Good read, getting me in the holiday mood!

I like the consideration that you have for your good lady, we really do treat them well, take them on holiday etc.......

Good read

Oh Dunk your report has made me chuckle - agree with aarond - your poor wife!!

Mardon.... your big toe

Finally (thank god)after a hectic christmas we decided to head into calangute but i must say i wasn`t impressed from folk having a number 2 at the roadside to the amount of rubbish strewn around we only spent around 3hours there then headed back to candolim which is by no means perfect but there`s a lot less hustle and bustle around, we found the the best place by far to eat was Floyds hut but you must be there early or there`s no chance of eating another one is the sports bar on beach road the food there was really good, one place i would personally avoid would be the Fisherman`s cove as i was very ill after eating there. I also ought the ot a white gold diamond ring (oooh!) from Guru`s jeweller he was really helpful and i thought it was a good price and the wife liked it too.
New year on the beach is just crazy there are litteraly thousands of people and fireworks but what an atmosphere we left at around 3am and there were still hundereds of folk on the beach but the taxi`s try to rip you off they wanted 500 rs to ake us back to highland so we got out and walked.

so the million dollar question would we go back ??

well ive just booked for the same time next year but with one difference, i wont be flying Monarch the were terrible we missed our connection back to edinburgh and had to pay another £292 to get home but thats all part and parcel of holiday time, ive got only 340 days left to try and train the wife better for this holiday or i might have to trade her in for a younger more obedient model.

to everyone thats off soon , lucky you and enjoy.
see you all in December

Dunk

Brilliant Dunk. Really enjoyed reading your report. We also missed our flight, Manchester to Glasgow about 2 years ago, but we were flying with Thomsons and not Monarch. We had a slight delay in November as well, but this time it was First Choice. I guess most of them encounter delays at some time or other. But saying that Monarch cramped aeroplanes are rubbish anyway.
Hope to meet up with you and your other OH in December. When are you going? We will be there 27 November for 2 weeks.

had a good laugh, also thought food at floyd's hut was very good.

Great report Dunk. I hope that was a big diamond you bought ur wife!
Jackie

It was'nt for the wife - it was for Dunk.???

Great report Dunk, no doubt you'll buy the wife a huge diamond this year!!

That depends on how good she does her job this year !! she needs a little bit more training as like all women should have.