Monday, 14 July 2025

WE GO GO-AAAH!!! (March 11 - 20, 2023), Day 8 - Reis Magos Fort, Aguada Fort and Chapora Fort

 

Just like Kerala, Goa's waterways is serviced by many RORO ferries. However, what makes Goa more unique is their ferry service is free to all on foot passengers and cyclists! Taking advantage of the free service, we took the ferry from Panaji Ferry Terminal to Betim Ferry Terminal, hence saving some leg power across the busy Mandovi Bridge

In photo here is Reis Margos Fort

On Betim - Verem - Saligao Rd @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/tQLCiBryFpUEQhhL7

On Betim - Verem - Saligao Rd

Reis Magos Lighthouse @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/yQSCCPgpXEfdatyY8

Reis Magos Church @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/BhgJjDWYu9kCguVv9

The Fort's walls can be seen from this coastal road @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/UTNqQWEYzp6G1CcQ7

Rocky Beach @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/uHgBSCeSQAKxvv2BA

Fort Aguada and the moat

Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada Lighthouse, located within the Fort

Aguada Lighthouse located within the The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways which is next to the Fort.

Fishing activities and water sports on Nerul River @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/uiG7NGvQRMFhWXSL8

Candolim Beach Road

Aguada - Siolim Rd @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/5xLqQnvJ8Mo8K8zn7

St Anthony Chapel on Aguada - Siolim Rd

Baga Bridge @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/ag3vnFtrcUSQ8P5i7

Saude SaibiniChem Mondir @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/1UGp43kumooKM1YV8

Chapora Fort. 

One of the towers of the Fort

The Fort, located on a hill, comes with a high vantage point. 

It was not easy to visit the Fort. From the car park area, we have to barge through a parade of stalls on a paved slope. Then there were about 100-120 steps to climb to reach the top 

Chapora Jetty @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/BHvgmpNYwAWcerCe8

Teacher's College Students at dress rehearsal outside Penha de Franca Church

Inside the church

The church grounds. After this we returned to Panjim to shop for cashew nuts before returning to the hotel. Later we took a walk out for dinner at Sheetal Pure Veg Restaurant











Thursday, 10 July 2025

WE GO GO-AAAH!!! (March 11 - 20, 2023), Day 7 - Divar Island, Chorao Island, Dr Salim Ali Bird Santuary & Saptakoteshwar Temple





Saptakoteshwar Temple @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/CpgdLYcxDCnmSEq97

Lunch stop @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/WV42ZABuZ1GjdVLD6

250 rupees for king fish thali, comes with clam curry, fish curry, prawn curry, potatoes, etc

We also got  biryani

Ribandar Ferry Terminal

Mandovi River and the city

Chorao Ferry Terminal

Right after the pier. It is most rewarding to ride on Goa's many laidback islands as the ferry service is free and traffic is low

Shaded roads

Coca Cola is big in Goa. Shri Devaki Krishna Temple @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/Uv1dDWKW5KGrQKJj8

Our Lady of Grace Church @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/7z6eSQzmZAZA1qrZ6

An adorable lock gate

Bicholim Rd @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/MbnWZi7jF8PYoEWY7

On Divar Island again!

We crossed the Mandovi River for the 2nd time via Naroa Ferry Terminal. 

Church of Holy Spirit @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/ykshwegAPuTKAcJ16

Laterite brick stones used as retaining walls here are similar to the building materials used to build Melaka's A'Famosa and Saint Paul Cathedral. The Portugese conquest in Goa and Melaka began in the same era.

A house under construction

An abandoned dwelling

Saptakoteshwar Temple's Tank

The signboard explains that the temple existed during the Kadamba period (10th-14th century) before it was moved to another site.

Capela de Nossa Senhora de Candelaria @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/niZ7SBM2pzsm126f9

Second time crossing the railway line today. This is just before Sao Matias Church

Sao Matias Church @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/64BfCvtb1FmmBwN46

Ship building industry near Dhauji Ferry Terminal @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/bDjc96o7oaCpFEPw9




We planned for 4 ferry rides and 3 islands escapade but only managed 3 and 2 because the silly ferry across the Cumbarjua Canal was not sailing due to engine problems. Resulting from this, we had to give up visiting Juve Fort as it was already getting late. Taking the longer route via the bridge will risk riding through the night. 

Tuesday, 8 July 2025

WE GO GO-AAAH!!! (March 11 - 20, 2023), Day 4 - Panaji

 


Met Gaurang Kulkarni at Sheetal Pure Veg Restaurant

Lake View @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/R1BXU9dXQTcmAvsV8

Crossing Santa Inez Creek @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/xQpRUxStDFCPRLKm7

Lunch at Sheetal @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/7k482dKzJZE15enb7

Vegetarian thali

Cheap

Municipal council workers on their way to sweep the streets

On Avenida J Silveira Road. A gradual uphill climb to visit the Maruti Temple 

Pleasant climb with lots of greenery

At the roundabout

The rich?

Maruti Temple

Fontainhas Old Quarter. Unlike the rest of India, Goa was under Portuguese rule and only received its independence in 1961, hence the Portuguese architecture

View from the hotel room. The modern Indian vs the traditional Indian


Photo credits : Google streetviews

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Goa Marriott Resort & Spa, Post Box, No. 64, Miramar, Goa, Panaji, Goa 403001, India @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/dK13aDnLkPZ2dqgE8