Goa - March 2007

Lesson 1: If you travel to Goa between November and April - avoid North Goa beaches like the plague. Spend more time, instead, in interior Goa. We stayed at lovely VErem village, right by the river Mandovi in a private residence. A small hike takes us to Reis Magos - this is lovely and isolated church and fort, dilapidated and ignored both by the conservationists and tourists. Which is just as well - there is a poignance to it the views from the top of teh fort are magnificient. Reis Magos is literally the Three Magi. It is right at the corner of the Mandovi RIver and the Arabian Sea.

Bom Bahia - or "Bombay"

By now everyone knows that current city of Mumbai, erstwhile Bombay, was the dowry of Catherine Brganza , a Portuguese princess. The city name is a crucnhed up version of Bom Bahia (also known as "Good Bay"). If you manage to shut your nostrils with a clothespin, you may see why. Here are some views from the top of Malabar Hill looking out towards the western part of the bay.

Goa-Ah! - The House

I stayed at the charming Panjim Pousada, one of a trio of homes maintained in the traditional part of Panjim called Fountainhas. It lies plum at the end of a road, evocatively called "31st January Road". Not much to do. As it should be - save to watch the rain come crashing down on tiled roofs and hanging out the balcony cafe watching life go by in those historic streets. Panjim Inn and Panjim Pousada attracts a quiet crowd , not the beach-sandal-noise-pubgang. Which suited me just fine. Spend the night on the feni and bebinca dessert. Get mildly groggy and head to bed at 9.

Goa-Ah!

Useless meanderings circa September 2006 through beautiful Fountainhas in Panjim. Two days in an old Portuguese home called Panjim Pousada. Monsoons were on, almost. Drove out to the beaches on Vagator/Chapora. Did nothing much except, sit in the shade and read. Later, moved 50 yards away to a shack facing the sea. Lovely.