The car agency fixed the number plate and then I headed out once more, toying with the idea of going to Cabo de Rama, a fort in the far south. But I ruled it out, being too far and a bit boring going there alone. Again, the beach dilemma hit me, and I decided on Benaulim, which is south of Colva. I stopped in Panjim to pick up some snacks at Pastry Cottage, which I was pleased to learn, was still run by the same person we used to know. I remember running to Pastry Cottage to pick up stuff while waiting for madam to finish her hairdos at Claudina’s, opposite. On the highway once more, I again took the the inner roads after Cansaulim, and this made for a really lovely drive. Benaulim itself seemed rather hot and crowded so I decided not to hang around there, and headed back to Utorda. The staff at Zeebop greeted me like a long lost friend and after a couple of drinks there, I was back in my beach chair and then soon, in the water 
Utorda beach
That evening, I planned to go to Florentine and ended up there by 9. Would you believe, I had to wait for 30 minutes for a seat for one ! But it was well worth it, and the two quarters of cafreal I ate proved it. The night seemed young, so I took off for Miramar, another destination that played an important part in my life. The road along the Mandovi past Campal and upto Miramar was superb ! I reached Miramar and noted that Foodland still existed ! The beach seemed to have its usual share of noisy tourists even at that time, so I drove onto towards Dona Paula, though I turned back at Raj Bhavan circle. Thinking it had been a great day, I drove happily back to my hotel.
