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












Thursday, 26 June 2025

WE GO GO-AAAH!!! (March 11 - 20, 2023), Day 3 - Panaji to Old Goa and Divar Island

The Captain of the ship! He sails his ferry between Old Goa Ferry Terminal and Piedade Ferry Terminal; across the Mandovi River

In Goa all ferries are FREEEEEEE!!!

In the morning, we checked out from The Flora Grand Hotel in Vasco da Gama and moved to Coastal Pearl Hotel in Panaji. We then went for a Goa-an lunch at Mum's Kitchen @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/XAghvsNGXDZFBVag7

Cosy front at Mum's Kitchen

After lunch and check in, we began our ride to Old Goa and Divar Island

Ponte de Linhares Causeway

Near Shri Vithal Mandir temple @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/sjerSLeMJ6GUiMnq5

Sao Pedro Church @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/2iniTWnaEZv575r47

Church of St Francis of Assisi

Basilica Bom Jesus, built in 1605, contains the tomb of St Francis Xavier

St Cajetan Church

The Arch of Conception

Arch of Viceroy

On the ferry from Old Goa to Piedade, we discovered the set up here is actually a double decker bunk bed!

The bunk bed next to the kitchen stove! Where's the mattress???

Toilet on the ferry! Everything goes into the river!

Engine room

Benches for the passengers

Off the ferry and through the swamps

At the 1st junction @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/tKEn6XFKPGwNRkh5A

Climbing up the slope @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/PtgEX7Aj1pXRrWQo6

At Ribandar Ferry Terminal waiting to cross back to mainland

On the ferry, sailing towards St Pedro Ferry Terminal.

These 2 men are part of a 4 men crew who works on 24 hours shifts. They sleep and eat on the ferry. Ferry service in Goa begins at 6.30 am and ends at 12.30 am. Don't even think about taking a shower!!!

My new friend riding on Peanut while the ferry is sailing. It was not easy for him!

Back on Ponte de Linhares Causeway, we made a quick stop at the salt plains

The majestic Mandovi Bridge, a cable stay bridge and the smaller Avenida Dom Joao de Castro, an arch bridge over the Mandovi River

Ponte do templo forms part of MG Road

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church


Tea break

The clock stopped since 1922? 

With the lady boss at Mr Baker 1922. She overheard our conversation and enquired if we are from Singapore. We told her she is not exactly wrong as we stay quite close to Singapore! After all, Singapore was once part of Malaysia! She went on to reveal that she could recognize our accent as she has been working at Singapore Airlines' office in India for 17 years!

After tea, we took in the evening views at Panjim Promenade. 

As Goa gaming laws only require casinos to be located off shore and not in international waters, the floating casinos here are permanently anchored on the Mandovi River. 

Kokni Kanteen Goa @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/n6pxqFLdg6aRfKd26

After ordering our food, we requested to use their restrooms only to be informed that their restroom is closed due to a water shortage!. Later, a water truck came to deliver water!! It seems like the whole area relies on water truck which comes every 2-3 times a day!!!



Photo credits : Google streetviews

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Coastal Pearl Hotel Miramar Panaji, Dukes Villa , house No- 13/394/2, near Ajit Kamat Hospital, Miramar, Panaji, Goa 403001, India @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/sPMkErUAcaDcXLaR8


The hotel is located in a good location where you can find food easily. McDonald's is just 400 m away. Friendly and helpful hotel staff. Too polite in a way as they always stand up when you are in the room and open the door for you. Room is big and clean. Bed is firm though the pillow can be a little bit plushier. Toilet is clean though the walls has some stains. Perhaps some extra attention is needed there. Breakfast is simple but seriously good. They provide tea, juice, biscuits and bread on a daily basis but the local breakfast varies from Idli and sambar to puri and chole to dhosa and potatoes.