January 22

Yesterday our breakfast was nuts and figs. Then out for a beach stroll. It was emptier than I thought it would be for a Sunday, mid-morning. It was lower tide so we went to the end of Palolem Beach and crossed a small river, Backwaters Palolem. It is only wading deep and easy access. We went as far as Shark Rock Point, which just a rock that is shaped like a shark head coming out of the water, but it is painted with “jaws” mouth. Then back and to the other end, and coming back stopped at Goan Greek Tapas Restaurant. We were ready for lunch, ordering: Greek Feta Cheese Salad (which ended up taking back and had for supper); Lamb Fricasse with Augolemono (which was braised lamb with fine chopped greens and finished with egg lemon sauce) with side of rice; Greek Kingfish Steaks sauteed in lemon butter  with heaping topper of chopped herbs, olives and tomatoes, and with sides of french fries and a salad. Jeff had a beer, I had a long island iced tea. It was great! The fish was totally different from the day before. The egg lemon sauce with the lamb was spot on. We had another food day. 

Finished we went back and had a siesta. Then back out for sunset – same, same, and not so different. We bought a pineapple, green grapes, Big Banyan cab sav, and more chili cashews. Had some of this for supper. I was able to talk with my mother, and zoomed with our local church. Then bed by eleven pm!

Today, we awoke early. I was able to talk with my sister, briefly. Then we went out at 730- we had booked a diving refresher with the local dive shop here. The owner/instructor apologized up front that visibility was bad here due to the sand. But we just needed to get back underwater and brush up on the whole procedure and simple steps with mask, regulator and buddy breathing. The instructor was very good and thorough, and yes, it is some like riding a bike… ' once you learn, you don't forget.' We did fine, until it went to doing an actual shallow dive, because, the visibility is atrocious! You have to stay so close to one another, as in less than 3 feet, or you lose sight of them! Anyway, did see some very small fish, a few shells that still had the critters inside. We called it early, as the visibility seemed to get worse. But definitely stoked and feel ready to dive in the Maldives when we get there!!

After the refresher and dive, we helped clean the equipment. The Instructor is Hungarian, who lives here with his wife most of the year. They return Hungary (or Europe) during the monsoon season of India, but they have been living here full time since their son was four (he is now in college in Dublin studying Physics). Anyway, he signed our dive and complimented us on our diving. We paid and thanked him. We went back to our place, showered, and back out for lunch- starving!! We did not have breakfast! Knowing we were going back to Tapas, we did not put on our sandals. 

There were a few more people here today, plus the same older man who was here yesterday. We had starter of Tzatziki and pita; one main of Lemon Grilled Chicken- breasts baked in the oven with lemon and thick sliced potatoes, and sides of tzatziki and salad; second main was Moussaka, which is layers of potato, eggplant, and beef meat sauce, topped with bechamel. First was good – it needed more lemon. The second… Moussaka, outstanding, one of the best we have had! I had a real mojito-yum, Jeff his beer. Completely satiated we went back to our place. Jeff had a siesta (he did not sleep well last night). I blogged.  Plus we found out about those ….  C H I E F S!!!

Anyway, we have light supper, and go out for sunset. Tomorrow we are going a wee bit further north on the coast.