Day 4: (21-Sep)
Had a relaxed sleep (finally got used to the place) and woke up at 7:30am. Son woke up along with me and he looked much better. The cough had subsided, though he had a running nose. So we thought of going ahead with the day’s plan of South Goa and in-around Panjim city. Quickly called up Abhijit (“spitfire”) at 9am and asked about the important places in South Goa and the routes. Once I got the info, I was set for the day. We got ready, finished breakfast made of aloo parathas at a local joint (“Yash Restaurant”) opposite our hotel which cost me Rs. 110 and then hit the road around 11am.
Yash Restaurant
First destination was old goa, to see the Cathedral and Mangeshi temple.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus & Se Cathedral was quite old and looked like…a church! From the outside, it looked quite grand. And being a Monday, there was not too much crowd. We went inside and were pleasantly surprised to see the grandeur. It was undergoing renovation in several places. My wife had bought some candles, we lit them and vowed to come back again!
Basilica of Bom Jesus & Se Cathedral
It was around 12:15 and the next destination was Mangeshi temple. It was way out of panjim city and was on NH17. The parking to the temple was about a km walk. But in the hot and humid climate, it seemed more than several kms. The temple courtyard was undergoing construction. The structure looked quite nice. It had a beautiful pond adjoining the temple. No pics were allowed inside the temple. So, took some externals pictures only.
Mangeshi temple
By the time we started for south goa beaches, it was around 13:30. We reached Colva beach around 14:30 & stayed there for half an hour. Then we were hungry and thought of having food in a beach-side shack called Kentukee, which was overflowing with people. The waiter said any order is going to take more than an hour to deliver, which was too much for us to wait without fainting! So we drove back some 2 kms and found a restaurant called “hang out”. We ordered some starters, main course and some cold drinks. And we ate peacefully. The bill came to Rs. 450. Luckily it rained the entire time when we were in the restaurant and that cooled the outside temperatures. By the time we came out of the restaurant, it was almost 17:15.
I wanted to see Bagmalo beach near Vasco, but time was running out and we had to finish the Mandovi river cruise by today. Reluctantly, we dropped Bagmalo and drove straight to Dona Paula near Panjim. By the time we reached Dona Paula, it was around 17:50. Because it had rained earlier in the afternoon, it was sparsely crowded and the walkway looked amazing in the evening light. Clicked some pictires and headed to the main Dona Paula area.
dona paula
Water sports was going on in this place, a water scooter took people for a round in the sea.
water scooter
People all over the area were catching fish and I witnessed my maiden experience of “how to catch fish”.
Fishing
We left Dona Paula around 19:25 after having some Tea and reached Mandovi river at 19:40. Parked below the brigde (official parking area for cruises) and got the tickets for the 20:30 ride in “Coral Queen”. Each ticket was Rs. 150 and kids (whatever age) also needed tickets, no concessions!
Coral Queen Cruise
We got onto the cruise vessel at 20:30 and sat on the lower deck where all the fun and dance was to happen. The steamer started at 20:40 and people started hitting the dance floor. After sweating the whole day, my energy levels were totally sapped; so I preferred sipping a drink and watched wife and kid dance their way to glory! Some cultural dance programmes also happened in between and those were quite interesting!
cultural dance
We went past the casino vessels which were floating on mandovi river. Was quite tempted to go in and try my luck, but was quite exhausted by then and could only think of a bed!
Floating casinos
Around 21:30, the cruise promptly ended and docked us back in land. We started for home, realizing that it was quite late and the streets were almost emply by then. At the deviation from Panjim to Calangute, we found a nice looking restaurant called “the urban dhaba”.
Urban Dhaba
Since it was late, we thought we would eat and then reach the resort. We went in to find the décor quite neat and nicely done. Sat at a desk and asked the specialities of the restaurant. Finally settled on some Golden prawns fry, Chicken handi, assorted breads (for us) and chicken hakka noodle (for the kid). By the time the food came, my kid had already finished a coke and was not hungry. But seeing the food, me and my wife attacked with renewed vigor! The food was yummy and very tasty. Every bit of the chicken was perfectly cooked, the golden prawns just melted in the mouth! Even though after my stomach cried for break, I did not heed and stuffed more even after the internal auto cut-off signal.
Wife feeding kiddo at Urban Dhaba
The bill came to Rs. 620 and was worth each and every penny. We paid and started around 23:30. By the time I reached our room, it was midnight and my kid had slept off in the car. I parked, carried him to the room and placed him on the bed; luckily he was quite tired and kept sleeping. Later, took a bath to take away the day’s exhaustion and retired from the hectic day at 00:45am.
[To be continued: Day 5- Last few North Goa beaches].