Diu

As we’d exhausted all other transport options, Bhupu Mama kindly offered to go halves with us on a car from Gandhidam to Diu. We had the same excellent ‘Bhupendra fearing’ driver who took us around Kutch a few days earlier. The journey took seven hours, most of which in comfort apart from the last two where the road disintegrated into a dirt track. I toasted our safe passage with a Kingerfisher Strong. 

Diu is a tiny ex-Portuguese island off the south coast of Gujarat. Although the island sits in Gujarat, it’s governed directly from Delhi as a Union Territory. Gujarati prohibition laws don’t apply here, so the island attracts lots of booze hunting locals. We came here for the beaches, but cheap Kingfisher is a nice extra. 

We hired a scooter for the first couple of days and visited Diu’s beaches, most of which were totally deserted. As it was so hot, we didn’t spend too much time soaking up the sun, preferring to keep cool driving around with the wind in our hair (in Shejal’s hair). It brought back memories of being in Greece with my Dad where riding scooters was our favourite part of the holiday. 

Nagoa beach is mainly frequented by the locals. It’s quite a contrast between what Indians and Westerners think is acceptable attire for the beach. When locals go to the beach, they go fully clothed. It’s common to see Indians bathing in full dress. We’re always set to ‘when in Rome’ mode, and have avoid hassle so far. 

Our last day was spent chilling by the hotel pool. 

It would have been nice to spend a few more days in Diu relaxing and doing the beach holiday thing, but unfortunately we’ve got to move on; the itinerary is looking very busy as we approach Rajasthan.