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!!!

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!!!


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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.






















Wednesday, 25 June 2025

WE GO GO-AAAH!!! (March 11 - 20, 2023), Day 2 - Vasco da Gama to Dudhsagar Falls

Dudhsagar Falls

Early morning breakfast of samosa and chai by the street stalls near to the railway station

Local favourite

Waiting for our 6.30 am train to Castle Rock

On board with our seat mates. We met Ratan Biswas who works as a chef in Goa. He is from Assam and was on his way home for a short break

Rotating fans on the sleeper train

Toilets

Toilets

Toilets

Passing scenery as we rolled out of Vasco Da Gama

After awhile, passengers try to get comfortable on their long journey

As for those who can't sleep, they snack! Another samosa sold by the train staff. They also offer chai and bottled water. After they are done with their rounds, they return to take orders for lunch. Perhaps the same service will be offered for dinner as the train will go on until Shalimar in West Bengal, a journey of 1 day, 17 hours and 15 minutes!

The train navigating Mollem National Park's mountains

Mollem National Park

Dudhsagar Falls. Note the bridge by the falls. If you ever come by this same route, remember to switch to the other side of the train after this shot is taken as the train will follow the cliffsides to the bridge, offering a close up view of the Falls. Sadly, we were unaware and missed this part

We got off at Castle Rock at 9.15 am. This is Railway Station Road with Buddha Vihaara's gateway in blue, on the left.

Castle Rock - Anmod Road is a single laned road with thick foliage

As Castle Rock is located on the Western Ghat and within the Dandeli Tiger Reserve / Anshi - Dandeli Tiger Reserve / Kali Tiger Reserve, we were riding through a hilly and forested area. 

After climbing for about 6 km, we turned left onto Route 748's Panjim - Belagavi Road. 

This is one of Bhagwan Mahavir National Park's entrance, about 25 km from Castle Rock @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/9pMAmJ46jD2afBtG7

Route 748's Panjim - Belagavi Road. 

So happy to find a restaurant in the middle of nowhere! Wild Mushroom Restaurant,30 km from castle rock @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/DcWh2ZNvm2eqKjE36

On Route 566's Margoa - Ponda Hwy, crossing the Zuari river @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/1KNaNRwouoigYGDaA

Tea break at Jila's. At this point, we had another 25 km more to go! Even though the route ahead is scenic and passes through cashew nut farms, it was riddled with steep slopes

The riding part is about 90 km. Note the yellow arrow pointing to Dudhsagar Falls whilst the green circle marks Castle Rock


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