Mandrem Beach, North Goa

Waiter: “Would you like a tasty beverage while you’re hanging by the beach?”
​
Me: “Why yes, yes, I believe I would!”

You would not believe the amount of spewing that took place between Hampi and Mandrem Beach brought about by a combination of travel sickness and sweet drinks. Me, Balders and Flashie were fine but those three boys that keep following us about were under the weather something fierce. 

We opted for the overnight sleeper bus from Hospet to Panaji, for the experience. Don't ever do this - it was bloody awful! The bus looked about 100 years old, had no toilet and had bunks on either side of the central aisle that slept two people each on the top and bottom. 

The relic hurtles along at warp speed, dodging left and right (probably avoiding cows), leaving the passengers to hang on to anything they can in order not to roll off the bunks. The end result is effectively sea sickness without the fun of being in the sea. There's one toilet stop next to a rustic shamble of shops that are all closed, and no actual toilet. The men of course just find a bit of wall and chatter like they're at a urinal at the Sheridan, whilst women scatter looking for somewhere semi private to squat.

So, when we finally got to Panaji some 10 hours later, there was a mad rush to find a toilet that wasn't like the one from that vomit-inducing scene in Trainspotting (you know the one), and then to eat breakfast and rehydrate. And here is where the sickly sweet orange soda comes in. The boys loaded up....

And Mandrem is where the sickly sweet orange soda comes out. Body count: 3.