Blogs from Goa, India, Asia - page 3

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Asia » India » Goa » Panaji February 26th 2019

It was already 1am when I was confronted by an event I had never experienced before. I was completely alone in India. I was in Panaji, Goa standing under a dim streetlight. A few moments earlier I had motioned for the taxi driver to drive away. I wanted to figure this situation out on my own. Solitary, I stood there in the empty streets of the old Latin Quarter in front of the vivid green building. I pounded on the gigantic wooden colonial door with great solid thuds. Eventually, the door creaked open and I was beckoned inside. I was definitely not in Uttar Pradesh anymore. I had spent the previous day in and out of airplanes and airports. A flight from Varanasi, a connection in Mumbai, and a landing in Goa. Actually, the bulk of ... read more
Fontainhas
Battle with Termites
Church of the Immaculate Conception

Asia » India » Goa » Patnem February 24th 2019

Back on the travel track! This time it's Asia's turn. First country: India Some time ago I decided to do a Yoga Teaching Trainer Course. I've thought of many different places to take the course, but eventually I choose India because it's the place of origin. Then I needed to decide where in India I would go. First I thought of Rishikesh, but I was so done with the cold weather that I decided to go to Goa. I'm really glad with my decision. It's nice and warm, the people are so nice and I'm staying at a place right in front of the ocean. I can hear the beach from my cabin and the shala where we have our classes has a fantastic seaview. The sunsets are amazing here as well. The sun gets orange ... read more
Yoga class
Art of teaching class
Spice farm

Asia » India » Goa » Palolem February 2nd 2019

Namaste! In my happy place once again…but just when I thought india couldn’t surprise me, the toddler I brought with me experiencing it so differently, brings new perspectives. Last year I only guessed his emotions, his reactions. This year Taylor so eloquently describes his shock, joy, fear…the range of emotions that change minute by minute, as each new stimulation reveals itself. Some friendly faces he remembers, others he is shy to reunite with, while new friends emerge daily. Im of course happy to reunite with other traveling mommies, to have adult conversations and people I trust to watch taylor when I jump in the sea…that one time! And although taylor is an even more energetic player and faster runner…he is also capable of sitting still for longer periods. I anticipated bigger protests this year, to being ... read more
Chaudi market
First bus trip in India!
“Mommy and Taylor”

Asia » India » Goa » Baga October 21st 2018

Getting to India for the first time might have been long overdue, but that was no excuse to skip on a plan of action which was destined to take in a cross-section of what the nation entailed. The trip started in Goa state, more specifically Baga beach, and the very location where Goan nightlife is at its most complete, largely thanks to the crop of nightspots which line Tito's lane, the location of Tito's nightclub, India's most namechecked nightspot. Goa has clearly evolved from a hippie hang-out, to a resort where Indian nationals rub shoulders with the influx of foreign tourists eager to sample the throbbing pulse of clubland, and the commercial trappings which run alongside it. Goa is now the kind of resort where one separate hub of activity meshes into another, but in order ... read more
Ramoji Film Studios; Hyderabad; India
Tito's Lane; Baga; Goa; India
Golkonda Fort; Hyderabad; India

Asia » India » Goa » Margao August 26th 2018

After blowing the budget on dinner last night today was always going to be chilled we had a leisurely breakfast, checked our travel plans for later in the day and headed out to the Goa state museum. The museum is now shut. The collection has supposedly been moved to the Adil Shah Palace but on arrival there it also looked very shut.... Quick change to plan B - a walk up the hill and back around to our hostel. The walk took us past some stunning buildings and the higher ground is obviously where the more affluent inhabitants reside. The views from the top are beautiful and exploring the old Portuguese buildings a pleasure. Exploring away from the busy main roads I could understand why people like Panaji. We arrived back at the hostel in time ... read more
Panaji
Packed bus stopping for diesel!
Margao - municipal gardens

Asia » India » Goa » Old Goa August 25th 2018

Today we got the bus to old Goa. This was a surprisingly straightforward venture and very cheap (10p each!). We were lucky enough to get seats on the way there, although we had to stand on the way back. Old Goa used to be the Portuguese capital of Goa, with a population greater than that of London in the 16th to 18th centuries. Unfortunately they had to move the capital to Panaji in 1843 due to Malaria and Cholera. The area is now a world heritage site and full of old churches and cathedrals to see. On arrival we were surprised at how small the area is and how little there is in terms of cafes or places to eat. The guidebook recommends a day trip there but unless you’re particularly interested in the archeology museum ... read more
Church of St Cajetan
Se Cathedral
Church of St Catejan

Asia » India » Goa » Panaji August 24th 2018

Arriving in Vasco Da Gamma at just after 6am we were surprised at how quiet it was. There were no auto rickshaws waiting outside and most of the stalls and shops were shut. There were, however, a lot of taxi drivers. These seem to be replacing the tuk tuks in Goa. Deciding a taxi was far too expensive we walked straight out of the station, past the deserted tuk tuk stand, and managed to find ourselves a bus to Panaji. Perfect! And only 40 rupees each... The bus stand in Panaji turned out to be a mere 2km from our hostel so we walked there. Unfortunately we were somewhat early. Reception don’t start until 8am, breakfast isn’t until 830 and check in is after 230pm - welcome to laid back Goa! We are staying in the ... read more
Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Miramar beach
Miramar beach

Asia » India » Goa » Palolem February 20th 2018

Exactly 1 month since our first journey to India together began and we have a daily routine that both energies and exhausts us!! Here is what a typical day looks like lately, as we enjoy our time on Palolem Beach in Goa: 7:30: Taylor wakes up to the sounds of multiple birds chirping and leans towards me, waiting for me to notice he’s awake. He kisses and cuddles me and I nibble at his waist while he giggles, still groggy. 7:34: Taylor is wide awake, sliding off the bed and looking for a ball. We’re already playing! 7:45: we eat pomegranate, with mini sweet bananas, oranges or mangos. Or I nibble at what I can while Taylor devours it all and I start cooking breakfast...scrambled eggs with onions, tomatoes and cheese and chai for me. 9:00: ... read more
Riyash, his Indian brother
Navin, Bettina’s son
Nouri, Annie’s friend who he adores

Asia » India » Goa » Betalbatim February 18th 2018

** Hope Noone is confused but I just mixed up my photos for 17th and 18th. Now sorted ** Went the other way along the beach today, North along the lovely soft sand until we couldn’t walk any further. Easier walking along the harder sand at the water’s edge and then we can cool of as required with a refreshing paddle. Surprisingly my poor right knee doesn’t like the softer sand at the back of the beach, and boy of boy, is there a lot of soft sand round here. My knee says it is too lumpy and now my left knee says the same thing and had to put ice-packs on them last night so being careful today. Along the way there are several separate beach areas. Sunset Beach is one, not sure of the ... read more
fun fun fun
South Goa beach dogs
South Goa beach

Asia » India » Goa » Betalbatim February 17th 2018

We decided to take a walk along the beach, left goes to Colva. Checked at reception how much a taxi back should be in case we wanted to get one. 300 rupees. Best to know proper price as Goan taxi drivers have, it seems, a bad reputation for overcharging. Idea was to walk before the full heat of the sun so we set off at about 10 am after I had liberally slathered myself in suntan lotion. Lovely walk along the beach, nothing better for getting a bit of exercise and also an even tan. Note no suntan has hit my skin so far despite having been in India for 10 days. We stopped quite a lot really to look at things most especially the fishermen and their boats. We’ve seen similar boats in Sri Lanka. ... read more
Lovely beach seller. I didn't want to buy anything so gave her money for a photo instead. We shook hands on it.
Egret or heron ? Not sure, will check later
What I love about the Indians, who we like a lot, is that they love to have their photos taken either together or very often with us. If I point the camera at anyone and say "is it ok ?" they always pose themselves, smile and say Yes.




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