Old Goa, Panjim, Aguada Fort - Part 6

Here we are turning to summer finally. Days are longer and hotter now though evenings are cool of which I am glad. I don't look forward to summer months - it is going really tough here then. So current weather is just what we need. Today the world is celebrating women's day... How I wish that women still took more place in politics and international relations, may be we would indeed have no wars and find better ways of conflict resolution. Also many a times during my pregnancy I thought that my baby (as well as many other) will be born in our world full of frightening things, and I am not sure I will be able to protect him/her from them completely. 

Life is peculiar nevertheless. There, where it is peace, we keep on enjoying good things... family relations, traveling, shopping... We have to carry on. Today I am presenting one of our last days in Goa.

We started off with the thought of visiting one church in Panjim, Goa capital, which my D wanted to see as it was shown in many Bollywood movies. On the way, as usual, we discovered other sight seeings, liek this cathedral with graveyard. I cannot tell you the name, but once again it a Portuguese architecture.

We had to reaffirm and ask the way to Panjim many times and it was a long one... It was hot that day but scooter ride soothed sun's heat somehow. We were approaching a long bridge.

Which ran across a wide river...  Then we had to turn left and go along this river.

I liked the boats on water.

After many directions given by locals, we arrived at Old Goa... when asking people where the church was everyone assured it was there.. when it wasn't. Every time we were told it wasn't far, just 5 km, 3 km... and so on... In the end we were told by one kind man that we came to Old Goa by mistake in search of that church. Well, it was an adventure that day. Anyway we decided it was also good as we could see the old part and its sightseeing. Like this Arch of Conception as I read words on it.

archaeological museum building...

a Basilica of Bom Jesus

Then we at last got right directions, we reached Panjim itself. This are the streets there. 

By 3 in the afternoon we arrived at the aim of our whole trip that day - Lady of Immaculate Conception Church in Panjim. My D was happy to view it himself as he wanted to. Unfortunately we couldn't enter its premises, as there was some service going on, and it was very crowded. Besides... being silly I wore shorts and open top... and was not allowed moreover. Although we were relieved and happy to be there, the impression was spoiled by some of the churches "whoever", who behaved with us very rudely, as we were just trying to see a little inside the building. He started arguing with D, shouting at him... just right outside the church's entry. I was ashamed. I said my D not to continue any such talk... And we turned back.

After the churches's "tour" we undertook a ride to Aguada fort -another piece of Goa Portuguese past. Built in 18th century.

 The lighthouse inside the fort walls.

The wonderful sea view... Sunshine...

 The day ended with usual evening swimming in the sea.  The same evening we went out to have dinner at the Russian cafe, but that experience wasn't good at all... to our disappointment, the food was poorly prepared, costly, and the next day I fell sick, but tried to stay up and cheerful.

 Such a calming evening. Just one and a half day was left.

Goa: Anjuna Beach, Chapora Fort and Night Life - Part 5

Hello, friends! Another week is coming to an end, and I am a week closer to a great for my life event. I am not anxious about the time of labor and all, but I just want everything to be fine for me and a baby.
Meanwhile I made another short trip with my D, this time to Delhi.He had an official reason, me - accompanying him and also visiting relatives from his side, who all happen to be living in Delhi. So while he was attending meeting and training, I stayed with one of his aunts and her family. Her daughter in law has a 1.2 years old boy, so I really felt good being there with him and witness his early childhood days. Most probably I will be joining prenatal classes next week as everyone suggests it is really a useful thing to do during pregnancy and will help restore body sooner after it too. Did any of you have such classes?
Now, perhaps, you got annoyed with my never ending posts about Goa, but honestly, I didn't think I'd have so many memories to share with you, and I'd like to keep them for myself, here in blog. And show my baby later when he/she grows a little :), as he/she was also a part of it.
In North Goa we also visited Anjuna beach - a crowded place with numerous cafes and restaurants on a coast line. The view from the cafe we went to.Once again we appreciated the quiet beach we were staying at in our hut.

After that me and D decided to go and explore Goa independently. We stopped at one beautiful point to take pictures.

Somewhere on the way during another stop my D spotted this rooster, he looked exactly like Russian one! Privet!

The next adventure was visiting one of the Goa forts - Chapora Fort. Can you see its walls? So we had to go there... up... on rolling stones. I was on my 16th week then, so it was still ok, but now I wouldn't have risked. 

Almost there... The fort was built in 18th century by Marathas and Portugues. 

The view inside the fort walls. Honestly, nothing significant, but nevertheless interesting. As far as I understood the main purpose of going is there is to see beautiful view of Goa from a high point!

Like this one...

And this - there you can a beach on the opposite side - a favorite place of all Russians, where it is said they now are having some troubles with local people.

Our evening was also intended for visiting one of the most famous places of Anjuna beach - Brittos restaurant. Besides having huge premises, beautifully lit in the evening, it also delivered great food at reasonable price.

Yea, that's me in the right corner of the pic :)

 Anjuna beach in the night - a row of lights, all calling tourists to come and have dinner or a drink... or two.. And music from each and every cafe, which you can hear when walking along the shore.

Later we and our friends headed for a disco to club Cubana, but I have no photos of the same. We enjoyed some European, Hindi and even Russian disco songs there, and were back to the hotel around 1 am. After long time we had a late night party with dancing.  Don't worry, baby was all right :)
Even if I am trying stay away from world's troubles now, the latest news about Ukraine-Russia, couldn't have been unnoticed by me, and we watch news from there every day. I cannot understand all of that politics or whatever, and would never like these two nations be apart and at war - we are so close ethnically, I myself have Ukrainian roots... this all is just way too sad.
Thank you all for your kind comments, and I hope you all had a great weekend, in spite of anything.

Relaxing Days - Goa, Palolem Beach Part 2

Our next morning at Palolem beach was as bright as the beach huts we stayed in. They were called Sai Valentines, Sai meaning Saint in Hindi as a combination Sai Baba and Saint Valentine. What an invention! hehe :) We used to adore this view with bushy palm trees at the back.

Here is the first hut we got - colorful, simple, perfect for seaside vacations. We tried to lie in hammock too, but it wasn't comfortable to get out of it.

Of course that one of the main aims of ours was to SWIM! I was taught swimming by my parents when I was small, my D learnt swimming himself about 2 years ago, going to the swimming lessons in early morning, 5 am! I am happy that he got such determination to do it! So we enjoyed warm water of the sea immensely... amazing experience, so much of joy.

I couldn't stop from collecting few seashells - one of the beauties of the sea. Now I regret I didn't get more of them, but may be next time.

After pleasant water procedures we were very hungry and wen tin search of breakfast. On the way I took the picture of the ad board - 80 % written in Russian! For those who are not aware, Goa is an abode, for some a sanctuary, of Russians! I was so happy to see many of such boards, menus and other written words  in Russian there. 

Finally we settled in one of the cafes with a wonderful sea view just in front of your eyes. That morning we felt we were taking a long awaited rest. I was so happy sitting there and doing particularly nothing!

Our breakfast arrived - it was yumm! My D had English style, I - Spanish style breakfast as they call it. Don't know whether they actually look like this, but it didn't matter as soon as we liked what we got!

 Then we had a walk back to our huts. There were many boats on the shore at that time of the day, later fisher men would rule them to the sea to catch seafood for restaurant dinners.

 As I had mentioned already, Goa has strong Christian influence and here we found small church facing the sea.

 Goa has MANY dogs who keep on lying here and there on the sand and then ask for food from tourists in the cafes. But this one was a dog of an Indian woman who used to come every morning to clean this sand and if needed, hotel rooms.

 Time flew while we were relaxing and feeling happy to be in such a beautiful place. The sunset at the sea is a special one... I love this pinkish sky and other people in no hurry.

In the evening we again went to try out local eating points and the moon, which turned this way in India, was the witness of our happiness. The next day was going to be not less great but even adventurous.

Good night, my friends and I appreciate your kind comments and wishes! Blessings and hugs to all of you!

Goa Vacations Part 1 - Just Arrived

I cannot tell you (and you must be knowing yourself) that it is such a special feeling when your dreams come true. After living in North India for 4 years, I finally reached another part of it - West India, state Goa with a capital Panjim or Panaji, washed by the waters of the Arabian Sea. Remember, in one of my posts I displayed a mug with "Goa" written on it as a projection of my dream? :) Now here it is materialized, and I am so happy to share my latest trip impressions with all  of you. 

There is something I haven't yet told you about, my friends, yet, and this something also played role in taking up that decision. A little more than 3 months ago we got to know that we would become parents! Unexpected, unplanned, somehow shocking, surprising were first feelings we had. Then we took it as a nature's gift, its blessing, and since then all our thoughts and deeds are towards this big for our lives event. 

So, we made this trip because we thought we deserved it and it would be good to have some break from routine and give rest to your bodies and minds before we get too busy :) ( And I am too big to fly far, lol).

Meanwhile... we arrived at Dabolim Airport, Goa, last to last Sunday. It was afternoon, around 4 pm and the first thing we had to do is to remove our jackets and change shoes to slippers! Vacations began! We went to Goa with our friends - a couple who are also expecting their first child almost same time as we.

We headed to the South Goa first, planning to spend half of our vacations, living on the Palolem beach there. On the way from the airport we witnessed various views, nature scenes altering with the urban. The first feature of Goa you notice is loads of palm trees everywhere!

Second - no busy roads and very simple surroundings.

Third - many churches, chapels, built during Portuguese influence times. Also many houses, big and small, fazenda type, built by same Portuguese, you don't feel you are in India at all as architecture overall is not Indian.

The crosses were towering above all the churches and stands just right on the side of the road - very strong Christian spirit.

And beautiful government buildings. This one is the South Goa District Headquarters.

My D captured some scenery  of local life - a woman selling utensils beside the road. Her daily deal and means of living. 

Loved our way - I will remember these views forever!

By the time the sun was setting and when we arrived to our beach huts, it was already twilight. 

However we dropped the baggage in the room and hurried to see the Arabian Sea for the first time in our life! Pictures are blurred but it is exactly how we saw Palolem beach in the twilight - people walking, some swimming, first evening lights and promise of a great time ahead! We could breath in the air of relaxation, love and joy.

The hut we stayed in (exterior pictures in next post) had a mosquito net. I always wanted to sleep under such.

Later, when we changed our clothes to more appropriate and beach-like, we made our way along the seashore, which had endless row of various cafes and restaurants to suit any taste.

The night market at Palolem which we visited few times afterwards.

We finally chose one restaurant called "Cafe Del Mar" and had delicious seafood dinner with a sea view in front of our table. 

That's all for now and soon I hope to find time to proceed and show what else we found in Goa last week :) Today I am still under impression of this beautiful state which has so much to offer. Today we went to office first time after we came back and I must say it was a tough day! We both were loaded with work straight away, but now we have that corner in our hearts where we will be coming back to again and again and recollecting those precious days we spent together, almost 24*7 :)
Hope you liked these selection of pictures and I will prepare more next time. Thanks for staying with me, dear friends! Have a wonderful day ahead wherever you are!