I finally left Mumbai and it was about time.

Tuesday was spent on Elephanta Island which was very nice. A guide met us as we got off the boat and started explaining about the island and it's history. Initially we thought "what scam is he going to try and pull on us?" but told us it would only be 300 rupees plus we would have to pay to get into the caves further up the island. Turned out to be a very nice man and a very good guide. Apparently the island's people have 90% in the tourist trade and the remaining 10% who fish, I assume it hasn't always been like that. Anyway we went up the steps with our guide to the caves. Quite incredible, artists had chiseled through the rock about 1500 years ago and made small sized temples and panels depicting the history of the Hindu god Shiva. We were explained about Hinduism and it was very interesting. The main god (which is Shiva I think) is made up of three gods (sound familiar 'eh?) and it is Generator, Operator and Destroyer. The god of life, the god of living and the god of death. After walking through the caves we had a nice meal of vegetable thali, which is a dish with smaller dishes of sauces and other nice things which you put onto a chapatti (fajita bread type thing) and it was really good. Our guide told us that his marriage had been arranged and these days it's 65% arranged and 45% non-arranged. He said he prefers non-arranged. Then we just sat around and watched some monkeys.

Anyway that was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai.

Later that evening we bought some beers. Big mistake. They were out of date but still in glass bottles. Surely it would be okay? Unfortunately they were pretty disgusting. You can't drink anything in Mumbai.

Yesterday was spent lazing about Mumbai and we had an 11pm night train to Goa to catch. We decided to watch some cricket and met a cool guy who gave us good advice about India in general, don't give money to beggars, don't buy anything from them and that water bottles should have a stamp on them with the price so we don't get scammed out of too much money. If only we had met him before! Not having much else to do we sat at the station and watched the city go past. Was pretty crazy in the local trains. Our train finally got on the platform and we had no idea what to do. I give my ticket to the station porter who leads us down the platform (which was huge!) and we walked past the 3 tier air condition carriages which I had previously booked. Maybe there is another carriage further down? He put us in a sleeper class carriage which doesn't give you blankets and has no AC. "you give me 100 rupees now" he says with a smile. So my friend gave him some because he carried his bag but I wish he hadn't and then I said "this is sleeper class, we are 3 tier with AC" thinking there had been a misunderstanding. "no, you in here, give me 100 rupees." erm... wut? He was still holding my ticket so I was concerned he would steal it or something. But why should we give him 100 rupees for carrying our friends bag? It went back and forth "I booked in 3 tier AC!" "yes, is here, you give me 100 rupees." I got pretty angry and then pretty much grabbed my ticket which he was trying to keep to myself and I tried explaining we were in a different class and I had already paid. After a few minutes and an increased blood pressure he took us to the right carriage. "now you give me 100 rupees." Fine, just as long as he buggers off. So me and my other friend each give him 100 rupees which brings the sub total to 350 rupees (the friend who's bag he carried gave 150 RS for some reason). "you give me 200 rupees." he then says. erm... wtf? So we just sat there ignoring him until he finally left. Finally we were leaving Mumbai.

The train ride was interesting, slept quite well and finally arrived in our stop. Goa is so different to Mumbai, it's lovely and peaceful, very relaxed. Pissed about on the beach and walked around a bit. Also cheaper.