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.