To many people Goa is all about the beach. Just to show willing we decide to visit one this morning. This entails another bus trip, in the opposite direction this time. The bus station isn't quite as manic this morning and we soon find a bus to Miramar with plenty of free seats. We get comfy and realise that we may have made a mistake as the bus is clearly not going anywhere until it is full. The driver has all of the necessary equipment. Garland of marigolds, figure of Lord Ganesh and a string of flashing lights. Once we get going we quickly cover the ground that we walked yesterday and travel on another half mile or so, past the Food Festival, to the Miramar Beach Terminus. 
The beach seems somehow artificial with strange contours and patches of different coloured sand. The biggest give away is that you have to step up from the pavement onto the sand. There are a couple of talented types putting together a sculpture using the sand. Nearer the sea there is a plague of touts selling poor quality costume jewellery. Does anybody ever buy from these people? The sea looks a bit murky so we pass on a plodge. The beach at Hyacinth's may have given us a taste that cannot be met.
Time for a cup of tea. We noted signs for the Marriot Spa and Resort from the bus and headed their way. They had a very nice cafe, overlooking the point where the Mandovi arrives at the sea. We order lemon teas which arrive as teabags and pot of hot water with somebody to relieve you of the chore of taking the teabag out of its individual packet and of pouring the water. Somebody else delivers two biscuits on a saucer. The service is totally OTT. D drops his teaspoon by mistake and is nearly trampled in the rush as several staff swoop in to retrieve it. This aberration costs us just short of a fiver. In the last three weeks we have had some very good meals for less.
We take another trip on the ferry, getting off at Betim this time. It's not much of a place - a bit like Kyle of Lochalsh but warmer. We then walk back through the shopping area. A few places are closed for Sunday but most are open. The streets are much quieter. We head for the Gujrat Sweet Mart and treat ourselves to a mixed box for our long train trip tomorrow. We also get some cashews. 
We hide from the sun for a couple of hours then set off up the hill via a brutal set of steps that misses out much of the zigzag road from yesterday. Our target is the Sunaparanta Arts Centre. There is a fascinating exhibition of photographs in the garden, specially chosen for their depiction of times past. The narrative with each is really informative and thought provoking. The indoor exhibition is also photographs with a literary theme. The cafe looks good but is closed and as we leave each room in the gallery a uniformed security guard locks it behind us. We may have got here a bit late but what we did see was well worth the effort.
For supper we have booked a place literally around the back of the Afonso. They gave us no choice, just be there at seven and eat at an outside table. "Nothing else possible". We get there promptly and are seated. Within a few minutes people are being turned away even though there are empty tables. All a bit confusing. The prices are exceptional, for drink as well as food. We have Kingfish Balchao, Pork Xacuti,veg pulao and three large beers for less than £7. Back at the room we treat ourselves to a nightcap and a couple of the sweets. They are yummy. We are in celebration mode tonight. An online check has revealed that we have the coupe on tomorrow's train.
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