A perfect Goan Day......went to Panjim the capital of Goa and had a fabulous breakfast in a local cafe' called Sanyog...best samosas ever with a lovely coconut/chilli chutney for all of 9 rps each (12p) we then went on a walk through the steets and markets taking in all the sounds, wonderful sights colours and smells that make up a Goan town. We then wandered through the fruit and the fish markets before taking a stroll up the side of the Mondovi River watching the fisherman and just people watching. Further up the River bank you come to the gymnkanna and we sat and watched a girls cricket match for a while, a little further up and all the school children were out squealing with delight as we took their photos and then each and everyone shaking our hands saying thank you and grinning from ear to ear. Then 5 minutes by car is Dona Paulo a great spot for lunch with stunning views up the coast and gorgeous bays. Then onto Cartolim for an afternoon on the Zuari River birdwatching and crocodile watching up the river and through the mangroves and canals, the sun setting just as we were nearing the estuuary on the way back....just stunning. Then back to the hotel for the friendly Goan welcome.....a real home from home....a quick shower and then off to the wonderful Riverview Restaurant for great food, brilliant music from Neil and Daryl in stunning suroundings......
The perfect Goan view..........
After a lovely relaxing day on a gorgeous beach just strolling, swimming and chilling with the Jock family, followed with a late lunch of chicken chow mein for 80rps and a beer for 30 rps I sat back down at the sun bed. The sun was just beginning to lower in the sky with the light dancing over the sea, to the left of me, one of the oar driven fishing boats was just starting to cast it's nets. In front of me Jnr Jock was playing cricket with the locals and to the right of me was miles of gorgeous white sand and palm tree's. Then just to complete the perfect scene, three dolphins started playing, jumping clear out of the water over and over again..........
Morning walk.......
Set off around 0630 on the first morning of our stay, turned left outside the hotel and within two minutes I was at the village crossroads with the gleaming white church and the sounds of early morning mass echoing around the square. The drinks, samosa, fresh bread and rolls stall was just beginning to set up as was the small locals cafe'. I then sat on a small part of terracing at Cavelossim's "field of dreams".......Santa Cruz's football pitch which is just a red dirt pitch with a clubhouse and a small section of terracing. A plaque stands talking of laying the foundation of the a new pitch......as I sat and watched the sun rise over the hills in the distance and works it's way up the palm tree's behind the clubhouse I just thought.......santa Cruz's "Field Of Dreams" it really was a stunning view. From there I walked back to the cross-roads watching all the school children in the uniforms making there way to school either the local one or waiting to catch a bus, some along with their brothers or sisters casually sitting on their fathers scooters as he drove them to school.....yes the village was well and truly awake...........
The following morning I took the ferry road down towards Assolna......the steam was rising off the fields as I watched egrets, kites, herons and kingfishers go about their morning business......then down to the ferry as locals made their way to work wearing jackets and me in my sandals shorts and loose cotton shirt.......as I walked back after watching the sunrise above the Western Ghats I saw in the distance what looked like 40 or 50 crows flying in perfect formation........I thought that looked strange and then I looked up as they flew across the road and I realised that they were in fact large Fruit bats.....they must have forgotten their watches as it was now around 0730 and I have never seen fruit bats doing anything other than roosting, hanging from tree's during daylight. It really was an awesome sight I have expected Batman to come walking down the street......I walked on back in to the village Christmas carols were now playing out of some of the house's, I walked past Kennedy's the small local bar and then the garage whih has a bakery just behind it and oh the fresh smell of bread mmmmm mmmmm.......school children were again meandering up the lane some on bikes as they made their way to school and of course then the bread boy on his bike ringing his bell as he made his deliveries. The sunlight was creating shafts of light through the palm tree's and across the lane, which seemed to just complete the scene......it was then time to go back to the hotel and wake the rest of the Jocks up get some breakfast and then let the next adventure begin...............
p.s. Apologies for any spelling mistakes and lack of punctuation I'll blame the jet-lag as I've been up since 5am but am flagging now....so off to get a coffee and look at photo's of the Goan sunrise and a village waking up to make me smile.......by the way it's dark and freezing bcak in Scotland
Brilliant!
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