Jan 8–14
Jan 8 Private dorm quiet, best rest in awhile. Wake 9, rise 9:40. Café downstairs. Paid 500rs another night on card — tough to leave into chaos. 11:50 walk south along beach, tried to find iron gym, failed. New local spot on main street, mackerel fish thali 180rs, ok. Back relaxed. Leg workout in private dorm: handstand holds, air squats 3x60, lunge jumps, kossack jumps, knee switches. Tried weighted pistols but no heavy objects. Advanced kossack hops, tib raises 3x20, side splits. Solid session, 7.5/10. 3:45 walk to regular shawarma spot through woods, schawarma plate + pomegranate juice + takeaway 300rs. Shower, rest, dorm still empty. 7:30 shawarma. 8:30 Patnem beach, cheap chicken spot: half momos 100rs, half chowmein 100rs. Reception guy walked into room a few times.
Jan 9 Private dorm again, dog barking short. Wake 8:10, rise 9. Thighs sore from workout. Café. Tried to pay another night, reception moved me to new room — one bunk, no curtain, no locker. Used old locker in first dorm. Room smaller but AC stronger. Snacks: bananas, nuts, Snickers. 12:00 walk to beach main avenue, mackerel thali 200rs. Hostel music. Jaw exercises, neck bridges. 3:00 walk to shawarma joint, plate + juice + 2 takeaway 300rs. Found out about 5‑beach trek in Gokarna. Shower, rest, chill. 9:10 walk north, chicken thali 200rs. Longer walk south to Patnem beach, bamboo chair at end. Hostel quiet, signed up for Questrade 4% promo, opened TFSA + RRSP.
Jan 10 Told couple playing pool to stop, best rest in awhile. Wake 8, rise 9. make reg Café. Told reception guy checkout Monday, moved back to original 3‑bed dorm, paid 1000rs card for last 2 nights. Walk north to beach spot, chicken sandwich 150rs. Chill, handstands improving. 2:00 Banyan Tree fish thali 200rs. No pullup bars in Goa. Blue sipper from thailand broke. 4:00 walk south, found new slippers 200rs. Tree branch workout: pullups 12/10/10, raises, neutral pullups. Walked south past Patnem to Rajbag beach. Evening chicken thali 200rs, chatted with drunk Manchester guy. Snacks 40rs. Dorm full, couples checked in. Chat with Gemini. Bed 11:30.
Jan 11 Sleep disrupted by snorers, eventually ok. Rise 9:40. Café. Couples checked out. 12:00 Shiva Yoga Center free hatha class, donated 100rs. Only new pose: chest down + arch back. Finished 1:25. Chicken thali 200rs. Planned massage on beach 700rs but guy gone. Corner snacks 50rs. Side splits, shower, rest. 4:30 shawarma plate + juice 300rs. Chill dorm, researched stock lending. 9:20 Palolem beach, north end quiet, Banyan Tree fish thali 200rs. South end, sat on rock listening to waves.
Jan 12 Sleep ok, kids loud at 7. Nap til 9:45. Café. Checkout Summer Hostel 10:50 — nice 8‑day reset. Walk to bus station, pom juice 60rs. No direct bus to Gokarna. Chowmein 165rs slow af. Bus to Karwar 60rs, then Ankola 58rs, then Gokarna 50rs. Veg thali 80rs en route. Checked in RSN Guesthouse 800rs cash negot from 900, free water but no ac. Walked beach packed with locals, sunset viewpoint, hostel scouting. Evening veg thali 150rs. Shower, rest. 9:10 speed training on beach: drills, broad jumps, glides 50–60m, effort 6/10. Cooldown stretches. Locals commented on physique, asked me about diet. Late veg chowmein 110rs. Sleep at 1am.
Jan 13 Better sleep. Wake 9:15. Paid another night 800rs cash. 11:40 temple trail to Kudle beach, falafel plate 160rs. Started 5‑beach trek: Om, Half Moon, Belekan, Paradise beaches. Handstand hold on sand for first time ever. Ate chicken meal 150rs, lemon soda. Lighthouse hike. Met German + Finnish travelers walking back. Back at 6pm, wash shoes, shower n rest. 8pm veg thali 120rs, noodles 110rs, peanuts 50rs. Main temple said no foreigners allowed. Chat with Gemini about surf club in Udupi, 9700rs for 5 days.
Jan 14 Sleep ok, family loud at dawn. Rise 9:45. Paid another night 800rs cash. 12:00 walk north, veg thali 120rs. Ran into biker from Hampi. Walked north along beach, surf school quote 6k for 3‑day course. Push workout on beach by small boats: handstands, one‑arm pushups, diamond pushups. Effort 6/10. Chicken thali 250rs with wifi. Shower, rest. 8:10 walk north, try new spot on beach chowmein 200rs. High tide coming in.