Wish I had kept mine in my head as well, its turning into war and peace Ive only done one week so far!!!

You're doing a great job Gemma

Top reporting Gemma.....I've got the kettle on ready and awaiting the next bit!!

GFF xx

Gemma, I had seen at Christmas that her little stall was no longer that, it had doubled in size - amazing amount for the rent of it when you think she was just by herself there. She made me laugh at Christmas by telling me that I go browner now that I've been to Goa a few times, the first time I went she said I was red!! I look forward to seeing her in 3 weeks, I'll tell her I been speaking about her!

Monday 19 Feb - Oh well you all know the routine by now. Most days we go to the Oceanic Shack and today was no different.
Some mornings we have breakfast at the hotel and other mornings we wait til we get to the Shack. Normally we got the 11am bus from the hotel to Baga Bridge. This is the first year we have ever used the free shuttle bus as every other year we jumped in taxis absolutely everywhere, including the beach in the morning and and coming back about 5/6pm. Its only a 5 minute walk across the bridge to the beach from where the bus drops you off. Last bus back from the beach is 6pm.
Popped into Vell Wash to pick up the laundry, 11 items washed and ironed for 103 rupees, this is fantastic!!! And to think Marinha Dourada wanted 250 rupees for one dress So picked up the washing and left some more dirty laundry with him. Got back to the hotel and checked, all the correct pieces of clothing returned and all their proper colours, nothing with a tinge of blue, pink or grey
Bought another bottle of Honeybee for a small refreshment in the room. Cost 105 rupees at the wine store in Calangute (Goa's answer to Victoria Wine!) Pleased with my bargain cos I paid 120 rupees in Baga the time before
Phoned home spoke to my sister, must have been on the phone for about 20 minutes and the call cost 91 rupees. We always use the phone in Sea Pearl at Baga Beach, very friendly staff and owner, and cheap for calls. Also phoned Shermina at CWT. Arranged a visit to the Mango House for this Wednesday.
Tonight we went to a BBQ night at the Shining Star (next door to the Oceanic). All the usual fire eaters and tricks etc, but we thought we should go along. Every week we promise to pop in but never do it. Back to the hotel for a night cap, then off to bed.

Tuesday 13 Feb - Wont dwell on this particular part of the report but woke up with a bit of an upset tummy today First upset stomach. Been taking the Acidopilius Bifidus tablets, recommended by other HTers. Upset tummy did not last long and all ok again Didnt really suffer Delhi Belly on this holiday thanks to those wonderful tablets, so thanks holiday forum people for great advice
Got my nails done at Baga Beach by Misha our friend who offers manicure/pedicure on the beach. I had taken her over loads of nail polishes, hand cream, nail polish remover, nail files etc. Also some little outfits for her little boy who is a year and a half. 250 rupees to have your nails done at the beach ... but ive heard its only about 150 rupees in the nail bars. Dont know what I think of this .... is it worthwhile lazing about on the beach and being pampered for the extra 100 rupees or should I move my lazy and go to the nail bar? (Answers on a postcard please .... )
We have been looking in the jewellers for a Valentines present maybe a dress ring or diamond earings, all will be revealed tomorrow!
Sendra's tonight. They are having a oriental theme night with sword fighting and fire show. We had promised Rovin we would go along and he is trying so hard to make a success of his new business venture. When we arrived I thought the whole of the Oceanic Beach Shack were there But it was great to see the restaurant so busy (even turning folk away). We both had various starters, I had chicken tikka masala with rice and naan bread and Mr G had Bamboo rice, cooked in a sort of bamboo casing and served for you, he ordered a nice sauce to go with this. Quite a few honeybee brandies and soft drinks all for 1055 rupees. Really good night, and great talking to other holiday makers who go to the oceanic during the day
Had one last drink in the bar at the hotel. A large honeybee brandy .... it was never a large honeybee brandy, although guy behind the bar insisted it was. Looked more like the normal small 30 ml to me. Time for some shut eye again ....

fab, Gemma I can't wait for the next bit, love shirleyv

I have just sat for ages typing in the next bit of my report and hit the wrong key and cleared the whole lot in error
I need to do it later. I cant type it all in again Ive been sitting typing for about half an hour as well

Gemma
I've been there before! Now I type it on Word first and then copy and paste to here.Have you tried pressing the back button?

Yes Fiona ive tried everything but its lost
I might need a honey bee to calm down

If poss you can click in the white, click right button and undo.

thats not good gemma..thats the worse thing that can happen,feel gutted for you

Gemma33, look at it like this you probably missed out a great deal anyway so now you can put more in for us to read.

You should retype straight away whilst it's still fresh in your mind (I do feel for you, honest )

I will type again later this afternoon. Watching some TV things I had recorded whilst we were in Goa Tme so long to type it all as well cos a lot happened on the Wednesday. I could scream

hi Gemma,

Your report is fab, don't lose heart just think of the advice and entertainment you've given us. keep your chin up!!!!!!!!

Regards Arl

poor you gemma ..sure we all love your report we dont mind waiting a few more hours .....go and have a wee cup of tea and chocolate that will cheer you up ......colleen

Oh well here goes again
Wednesday 14 February - Decided to go to the shack a bit earlier today cos we were leaving at 1pm to come back to the hotel, have a shower and get our taxi to the Mango House. We were at the beach shack for 10am, early for us. Had a bite to eat then lay out to catch some of the :sun. for a couple of hours.
Normally each day we buy some fruit from Mama at the beach. Sometimes I dont want any fruit, but I somehow feel 'obliged' to buy something. Must be her persuasive charms! Usually I get some fresh pineapple, grapes or tangerines. I always thoroughly wash the pineapple and grapes with bottled water before eating them. Saying that we only eat a wee bit of the fruit and give the rest to the shack boys or children on the beach. We told Mama we didnt need any fruit today because we were on lying on the beach until lunchtime then we were going to Mapusa. But she wont take no for an answer! Eventually she says just buy 2 apples, they are very special 'chinese' apples and it will cost you 60 rupees 60 rupees for two 'chinese' apples - no way!!! What a rip off. She eventually says ok 40 rupees, but she was told in no uncertain terms no thanks. This made me a wee bit angry. Every day I go to the beach I take Mama sweets, chocolate eclairs and mintos etc cos she loves sweets, even although she has no teeth Sometimes at the end of our holiday she asks for beach towels and soap etc. I hate folk ripping you off, and I know on the beach they charge a little bit more than is due, but 60 rupees was way over to top. To me its like biting the hand that feeds you. I think Mama knew I wasnt happy. I was polite but firm with her regarding the apples
We made our way back to the hotel at 1pm, had a shower. We had our taxi driver, Rupesh, picking us up at 2pm to go to the Mango House. Earlier that morning I had laid all the stuff out on the bed and sorted it out into boys and girls clothing. The clothes we had taken were from birth to about age 7. The clothes mostly consisted of shorts, t-shirts, girls leggings, dresses, sandals and some small training shoes. We also took some toiletries - 16 new toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste, 6 shower gels and a dozen brand new face clothes (I took photos of everything before we packed it away, will uplaod once report completed). Rupesh found the Mango House no problem. It is very easy to spot tho and its a beautiful house. Inside it is even nicer. We met Rob outside and he took us in. We had a chat with Shermina and then we got shown round the house. Its magnificent. It looks so homely and comforting and warm with nice bright colours and a welcoming feel about it. The children must be so happy when they go there. Rob offered to take us to one of the slums, he had fruit to deliver anyway, plus we would get to see the kids at their afternoon schooling. I had a big bag of sweets with me so we stopped by a slum area and handed them out to the kids there (will post photos of this also). Rob had them all lining up. Their beautiful smiling faces were a joy. They all wanted to know your name, say hello, and hold your hand.
After this we made our way to the volunteers and the kids from CWT who were having their school lessons. There were probably about 25/30 kids there. When we arrived they had their books out writing sentences in English, then they were doing their numbers. After this it was time for more play activities so they were making paper chains and paper aeroplanes. One of the little boys (I wont post his name incase thats not allowed) came over to Mr G and asked him to help make the paper aeroplane, and before he knew it he had a queue of children wanting his help Next the kids were all lining up to see whose aeroplane would fly the furthest. The most simplest things in life and these children are so happy. Its a joy to watch them. Then it was dancing lessons. The children were told to take a partner and copy the volunteer on the makeshift stage, but before you knew it all the kids wanted to be on the stage with the volunteer, it was so funny, and the kids were having a ball. It was almost 4pm and school was nearly over for the day so the fruit was handed out along with the vitamins. We said our goodbyes, with some of the children asking if we were coming back to see them the next day. Then our new little friends walked us over to the taxi, chatting away and still holding onto our hands. Their faces will live with me forever. There was some fruit leftover so we stopped by were other kids and parents were living and the volunteers handed out more fruit and supplements. All these children wanted their photos taken, then insisted on seeing the image you had taken. They loved seeing their picture! We dropped Rob off at the Mango House and made our way back to Baga. What a fantastic, memorable day. Thanks to Rob and Shermina for making it possible.
We arrived back at the Marinha Dourada and went to see the hotel jeweller to pick up my valentine pressie a beautiful pair of diamond earings. Rather than the more traditional stud with one diamond I opted for earings in the shape of a small straight line with 15 small diamonds in each earing. Spectacular!!!
We decided to eat a bit later tonight so we could go along to the meet at Lazy Days and see who was there. Arrived at Lazy Days and the blackboard was out (at the back entrance) and there was only two names on it Goan Crazy and Goan Shopping. They had kindly put little arrows pointing towards the back of the restaurant to let people know where they were sitting. I followed the arrows and introduced myself. As they were just about the have their meal we arranged to meet in the main part of the restaurant after they finished their dinner. The only other people there that night were Rob and a new volunteer at CWT called Ian. We were shortly joined by Mr Goan Crazy and Mrs Goan Shopping. We had a pleasant chat and a couple of drinks and they we were all ready to head off. We made our way back to the Oceanic for their weekly BBQ. There is something nice about having a drink and a meal sitting beneath the stars and the sound of the sea ..... so nice
Will post more later tonight

Hi Gemma. Can I ask how much you paid for the diamond earrings and where you had them made? The Mrs is after some but is worried about losing one so doesn't want to pay too much..... phew!!!!

thanks Gemma- it was worth the time spent on it