After our day trip to Ahmedebad was cancelled last minute the weekend before, Dimple wanted to make it up to us with a whole weekend away in Diu. I'd heard a lot about the city from Bry and Ber because they spent some time there in December when Paul and Ren's wedding was taking over India :P - twas bliss!
It was our first time away since arriving in India. The drive was a bit of a challenge in itself - but the bumps that literally threw us in the air were hillarious!!! Seriously, Air Con is like a life saver here... it was so hot in that Jeep! Finally we arrived at the border, and after passing underneath it, took the very next left into our hotel! Hotel doesnt do it justice really, we'd call it a resort. Think palm trees, pool, bar (non alcoholic, of course-what you on about? lol Diu isnt a dry state, there was alcohol...that we didn't drink...what fools are we!) and a short walk to the beach.
So Friday night it was hiring out the scooters (which were, what... 1 pound 20 for 24 hours?), Haka noodles at the hotel - mmmmmmm - and then off out exploring for the evening. Diu is classed as an island even though it's not totally separated by Sea, so we ended up at the beach - that was bound to happen! We got to see the tiny fishing villages and go for the novelty of tipping our toes in the Arabian Sea. But someone got a little bit carried away, right Dimps? Yes. Wet skirt for her for the rest of the evening!
While Dimps tried to dry off (with no success as it was dusk already) Bry and I tried our hands at driving the scooters. It's harder than it looks. In my case anyway. And baring in mind I didn't make it look easy in the first place. Avi eventually gave up being my stabalisers and I'd say I managed a good minute before handing back over the keys.
From here we drove to Bon Appetite, a one of a kind restaurant with treehouses, hammocks and beanbags taking up most of the space. We decided to eat here on the Saturday and had to come the night before so he knew how many fish to catch!
The drive back to the hotel was really pretty. Its a different side to India. Palm trees instead of the ones painted red and white to keep termites at bay! And the harbours, and little boats made it more of a postcard scene.
Dimps and Avi showed us the Indian way to deal with food; order a lot of it; eat with your fingers and clear that plate - whatever it takes! I take full credit for introducing the Indian chip butty here - French fries and ketchup wrapped up in a hot roti - mmm!
We spent some much needed time by the pool. We spent some time in it until we realised it obviously wasn't excluded from the Indian spitting habit... gross. Bry tanned up a treat - i just got a plaster outline over my TB jab - better luck next time i guess!
The day time coudnt have been better. We hopped on the Scooty and set off by ourselves to see the island. Luckily, my driver, though a bit of a novice(!), had a good idea of where to go cause of the last visit to Diu. We did end up in the odd dodgy corner and dead end, and then it was a case of "just keeeep moving...." and get outta there! But it was so much fun, seeing the city this way, really enjoyed myself, just following our noses. We ended up back at the beach, by Sea Shell Museums, statues and monuments, a huge ship building port where they were making wooden ships I guess the old fashionned way! We weaved through little villages and just passed the time out in the sun.
Sat Night it was fish all around at Bon Appetit. Proper job, eyes and tails still attatched... good chop though, and all four of us ate for about what... a tenner? This was only topped by Chocolate Pancakes the next morning before leaving off for home!
Ahh...Diu... just what we needed after spending our first few weeks in hot hot Bhavnagar teaching! A proper little hidden holiday resort kind of place where alot of Indians go to holiday and very little tourists.
It was FAR cooler :) and apart from the knotty hair due to sea breeze and riding on the scooty as fast as i could...it was just reallllly great to chill out by the pool that we had 9/10 to ourselves! CHICKEN hakka noodles!! and alcohol... although i never drank a drop...
Especially enjoyed wearing whatever i wanted hahaha and revisiting the places i had been before. Plus exploring new places...ship building place at the other end of the island was new! haha so glad we wandered into that little village. So picturesque. And driving the scooty all day ensured tan lines :)
Something a little unexpected but very intriguing was Diu fort. Only stopped for 5 minutes but it looked very fun to explore.
Ahhh.... Diu hahahaha....will go back again next year for sure, just to chill out :) its so peaceful which is of course a huge contrast to Bhavnagar. My favorite most peaceful place that is perfect to visit and experience a bit of...'wow this world has hidden secrets' moment is the hidden little secret beach. Only locals know of it and its just a small bit of beach that is perfect to watch the sunset. To the left is a very small fisherman's village with the little huts painted in bright colours. And everywhere else that surrounds you is views of the other end of the island... sand...sea...and a whole lot of sky! :)
Definately one of my favorite places in the world. I can understand why people might go there and think its not very special at all...but sitting there with no one around, all by yourself, with this little bit of earth that you have all to yourself, dipping your toes in the warm Arabian sea is so rare to find. And a perfect place to think and chill out and have a laugh with your friends :)
I finally got the chance to show it to someone back home (vikki...duh) haha and i will continue to bring my loved ones over here to just chill out in a place that seems like your so far away from everything else :)
Baba at Bon appetit remembered me aswell :) haha so surprised. OMGosh it was such a good laugh last time i had eaten there with about 12 of us :) all the 'youngsters' hung out in the tree house...that was... well....renowned for being a sneaky place to truelly relaaxxx... haha and sitting at the tables crossed leg feeding the same cat our fish heads and fish tails was just really nice :) Definately another place i HAVE to bring my loved ones to experience. The food is all caught that morning at the fish market and then cooked on a charcoal grill when you arrive along with fresh salads and anything else you request :)
Never had such great tasting, fresh fish before in my life! And im not really the biggest fish person! :) So yeah...overall :) i LOVED Diu!
