Panjim - Panaji - Ponje

Panjim - My favourite place in Goa.
The colours, people, houses, hangout spots and riverside views, it all adds up to this multi cultural city. Surrounded by water, the northern river Mandovi and the southern river Zuari. "party boats" cruise up and down the river with Indian tourists dancing to the latest Bollywood hits. On the market you will find ladies selling chorizo sausages and the fresh fish market filled with mullet, snapper, pomfret and kingfisher ready to be made in to tasty curries and fried with masala and semolina.

The old heart of the city is called Fontainhas. You will see for yourself when we go for a walking tour through the city how the Portuguese left their foot print here. The colours, the window and door decorations and the many pots and plants adding greenery to the small front porches of any typical house. Many old timers still speak Portuguese and are proud to be Goan.

There is a mix of 3 major religions like all over India,  Hindus, Christans and Muslims. Panjim has a bigger Christian community in Goa and there are many festivities over the year like Easter where the locals enjoy a red and black dance and Carnival of course with a grand parade with music and dancers and not to forget Christmas. Here some pictures

 

Our logo

We finally got our logo ready! Tell me what you think?

It's a bit wacky no?!

 

 

Eat from the garden

What you can find in my garden in Goa.
After the monsoon everything is so green and lush! I enjoy watching the garden grow year by year.
I am still waiting for a pineapple to show up, I planted that 3 years ago!

Mangoes will be in season in March and bananas come and go. The plant actually dies once it gave fruit, so sad as they look amazing!

Going home

Unfortunately this recce has come to an end. Today my flight departs from Dabolim airport in Goa to chhatrapati shivaji international airport in Bombay, there I will catch the next plane towards London Heathrow. Time has gone very fast and I enjoyed travelling and meeting people for the coming tours for ROARR. Now once I get back at the office I will put all the pieces together to complete the package. Keep an eye on ROARR’s main website www.ROARR.me for more details on “Ride to the Sunny South” and other journey’s including The Alpaca Rally to Peru, Ecuador and Colombia in October 2015. See you all back at home! Yasmin

Last days

         I am starting to get used to the weather now, the humidity doesn’t affect me that much anymore. Around noon the sun really starts to get hot. Roaming around on the bike has worked out well for me because that is how I got my sun tan. Also for all the girls who read this; please leave you foundation at home! When I wash my face before going to bed this is what I remove. Shockingly dirrrrty…. I have whole India on my face. Now in the evenings I am feeling more chilly so I grabbed a jeans from my suitcase and I noticed that the food has done me well too, the jeans was definitely more tight fitting than the last time I wore it.

 

         I have managed to make good contacts regarding the bus and I am satisfied with the result of this recce. Tomorrow is my last full day and I am hoping to finish of some loose ends. I have decided not to end “Ride to the Sunny South” in Cochin but to fly out from Calicut as we can save some time by not driving another 300km. I have got some ideas to fill in the days that I am extending along the Konkan coast. When I explored the route to Cochin I noticed the distance between the cities where too long and driving for about 4 hours should be long enough for people to enjoy. Now the task is to find interesting hotels to stay and an activity to do. Currently.
        I have located my office at a restaurant in south Anjuna called “La Franza”. They are ok for me to make calls and use their internet from my table (while I munch away a banana fritter with nutella or as today Calamaris in butter garlic sauce). Even when they close between 2 and 4 PM they let me stay and continue my work. Much appreciated!