Last few bits that have drifted into my head and mini trip to Mumbai :
Decided to do something different to break the holiday up as we were there for 3 weeks, so end of the 1st week we flew up to Mumbai on Spice jet, worked out at £65 each return booked online before we got to Goa. 3 of us were on the trip so we made sure we had an early night beforehand(yeah right) the plan was for my mate Brian to pick us up en route from Renton Manor, but trying to ring his phone, switched off, so went to the Renton Manor and he had just woke up. Flight was 2.30 pm so we needed to be at the airport by 1 at the latest so still plenty of time for a bite to eat at Renton. Brian had arranged the cab for 12 and he duly arrived on time and we agreed to give him 800 rps as it was a nice a/c car. Mrs FTV checks my rucksack and shock horror had left her ghd straighteners in Baga
not bad as we had to go back that way anyway as the driver needed to change into his uniform. While we waited the suggestion that the driver could pick us back up on the Sunday was agreed and we gave him the flight details and times. Arrived at the airport and gave him his 800 rps to which he replied 900rps, "what for " i asked "because we go to Baga first" "yes but we also went to your house at our inconvenience" still insiting 900rps I thrust the money into his sweaty palm and told him he can forget the return trip for being a very greedy man.
Flight was fantastic, brand new plane, very smooth booking in at the airport as we only took hand luggage. After 50 minutes we were touching down in Mumbai, and through the terminal in no time at all. The terminal had changed beyond all recognition since the last 7 years since I was there, loads of taxis waiting but in all the confusion we were approached by a tout 500 rps to Colaba which didn`t seem too bad, we followed him through a gap behind a shop and there was the taxi waiting, all a bit cloak and dagger this I thought we jumped in only for the tout to jump in the front with the driver, who then proceeded to exit through the entrance, much fuss ensued and he was determined to go through the one way, got out and moved the barrier before it was moved back by a security guy who was sreaming like a banshee. "Right stop" I shouted and we were about to get out and he drove right at the security man clinging to the bonnet, we jumped out very quickly and headed towards the taxi park, this was not one of my best ideas
Arrived safe and sound in Colaba after snaking our way through the slow noisy traffic for 90 minutes, I knew roughly were the hotel Causeway was and asked the taxi driver to stop, 400 rps for a journey roughly the same length as dabolim to Baga. Checked in, rooms were fine, a/c, telly and fridge very cheap for mumbai at about £30 per night for the 2 of us. That evening we had a walk to the Gateway which was just round the corner from the hotel then caught a taxi to Chowpatty beach to watch the Indians enjoying themselves. Got out of the taxi and saked how much, taxis are on a meter here so this would be interesting, he looked at the fare on the clock then pulled out a chart and anounced that the fare was 41 rupees, this is for a similar journey as say Vagator to Calangute, here take 50 mate.
Had a few beers and something to eat in Colaba before retiring for the evening, on the way back Mrs FTV was horrified to see young children sleeping in doorways and the abject poverty that exists here, she began to hate the place and vowed never to visit again, it was getting a bit too much for her. Next day we decided to take a taxi for half a day sight seeing, visited the Hanging gardens, Dhobi Ghats, Mahalaxmi racecourse, Wankhede cricket stadium and finished off at Crawford market which made Mapsa look deserted, if that`s possible.
Having restored a bit of faith back into Mrs FTV about Mumbai we did a bit of shopping and had a meal upstairs at Leopolds in Colaba and downed a few beers to reflect on our couple of days here. She still hated it lol, she found the people in Mumbai to be very rude and as bad mannered as I did. The driver on the way back to the airport took a strange route through the slums and all 3 of us sat very humbled as we saw how the other half lived.
The flight was on time and Mrs FTV was virtually running at break neck speed to get to the plane so we could leave lol. Arrived back to a very overcast Goa but at least we felt we could relax once more.
Ok so that`s my report, hope you have enjoyed reading it and thanks for doing so, one last thing that deserves a mention is the time it had just stopped raining one evening we decided to get a rickshaw round the corner to The chippy , 30 rps sir , great and off we went, while we were eating the heavens opened up again and we spotted a rickshaw just in time, told him were we were going, "how much" "60rps sir" "pffft , it cant be night rate at 9pm surely" he replied "not night rate sir but raining now" the bloody cheek
Some people might not like me saying this but -- I really do not think it is a good idea to give expensive gifts to " Friends " ie Waiters etc . IMO it will only make them greedy for more, and expect all the British Tourists to be as generous . Whats wrong with a 10% tip for good service if you are lucky enough to get it. From what you say FTV it's hard to find in Candolim .
I gave her some chocolate limes this time as well and they went down a treat as well. Was going to say shes got a sweet tooth but she doesnt have any teeth 
