Blogs from Goa, India, Asia - page 119

I've now been drawing each day for almost two weeks, and these are some of the ones I've done so far - it's such a relief to be creating art again with pencils and paper. So much emotion, wow.... read more

I hit Baga in northern Goa at the recommendation of a friend who told me if I wanted to dance up a storm, this is the place to do it. And since I left my yoga mat in London and can't exactly go for a run, I've got ants in my pants. I stay in a beautiful little beachside bungalow round the corner and down the red dirt path from the famous Tito's bar and nightclub. Tito's. Sounds like a restaurant in little italy. The scene there is predictable and I vow to avoid it. I walk by at dusk out of sheer curiosity and was simultaneously amused and horrified to hear a reasonable facsimile of Barry Gibb singing "more than a woman" in perfect falsetto wearing a black ten gallon hat while a karaoke machine ... read more

A good thing has come to an end.... have spent 14 nights at Rs700 in the most excellent Afonso Guesthouse and have explored the surrounds of Panaji, also known as Panjim, mostly by local bus. Only at the end of the day when the heat has been too hot have I sometimes I succumbed to taking a taxi. Today was spent taking two busses there and two busses back to Chandor.... the place where the Barganza family built a beautiful colonial mansion. Members of the family still live in the house and to help with renovations and upkeep a minimum of Rs100 is asked to get a guided tour by an actual member of the house. The house is a showplace for old italian tiles, ming vases, handcarved rosewood furniture, family portraits, a private library comprising ... read more

This was a good place to get sick in....I am imagining what it would have been like to have to be sick in Kolkatta with the noise, the grime and the decrepidneess(sic) ............................................................... Have spent the last two days in my hotel room coughing and blowing and generally feeling too tired to be a tourist! Thank goodness Wendy has been able to amuse herself .......it became so uncomfortable that I had to visit a local doctor at 7:30 PM on a Sunday night!!. And he prescibed antibiotics, eyedrops (because my eye swelled up and was oozing), something for my unending headache and more benadryl ............ After two sets of pills I am already feeling better.....food is still a problem.....I think I have had one too many indian delicacies................... am looking forward to a gourmet meal in ... read more

The Afonso Guesthouse is situated on San Sabastian Road steps from San Sabastion Chapel. Contact Janette at 2222359 for reservations. Janette, the proprietress, is friendly, helpful, and keeps a very clean establishment of eight rooms starting at Rs700. At very reasonable prices, breakfast is served on the terrace at the top of the guesthouse and includes Goan bread, eggs, juice, jam, coffee, and tea served by two very able young girls, who work here. It is a pleasure to spend time in this family run establishment. The laundry is always finished by next morning, fresh clean sheets are provided when staying longer and the rooms and the bathroom are swept and cleaned regularly. Hot water from geyser is plentiful. Fans in the rooms make sleeping pleasant. Hanging out on the terrace gives one a chance to ... read more