Goa's Capital

Church of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

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I arrived in Panjim (Goa's capital) on the train from Hampi around 4pm as it was running late. It was so hot on the train as well. I got a motorcycle taxi to the hotel, checked in, showered and went for a wander. On the way into the main area I walked past the famous church (Church of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception), so I took a picture. I was hungry so went to get some food. I found a punjabi restaurant and had a really nice meal. I had been eating too much rice lately, so it was nice to have some north indian food. After dinner I walked around for a while getting familiar with the streets. It's quite modern with lots of shops geared towards tourists.

The next day I went to visit Old Goa as there are lots of chuches there and lots of Portuguese history. I got a local bus to Old Goa and then wandered around. I went to visit the Archeological museum first. We weren't allowed to take photos. It was a really interesting collection of statues & sculptures, coins and paintings of Portuguese viceroys. Next to the museum is the church of St Francis Assissi (1521). I went in and had a quick look round. There were lots of religious paintings inside.

St Francis Assissi

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The next church I went to was The Se Cathedral (aka St Catherine's Cathedral). The Portuguese viceroy Redondo (1561-64) wished this church to be "a grandiose church worthy of the wealth, power and fame of the Portuguese who dominated the seas from the Atlantic to the Pacific". Today it stands larger than any church in Portugal, although it was beset by problems, not least a lack of funds and Portugal's temporary loss of independence to Spain. It took eighty years to build and was not consecrated until 1640. The ornate gilded main altar comprises nine carved frames and a splendid crucifix. Panels depict episodes from the life of St Catherine of Alexandria (died 307 AD).

I then went to get a drink and have a rest. It was so hot and it was tiring walking around in the sun. After a while I took a walk towards the river and had to go through the market. It was so busy and lots of hustle and bustle. Near the river is the Arch of the Viceroys (1597), constructed to commemorate Vasco da Gama's arrival in India. There ia also one surviving monument, known as Adil Shah's Gate, which predates the Portuguese and maybe even the Muslim period. It is Hindu in style and consists of a lintel supported by two columns in black basalt, to which are attached the remains of perforated screens.

a memorial dedicated to freedom fighter Dr Tristoa de Braganza Cunha

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After a wander I got the bus back to Panjim and went back to the hotel to escape the heat of the day. I rested for a bit and then ventured out again. I posted some cards, checked emails, browsed the shops and went for dinner again at the punjabi restaurant.

The next morning I checked out and got the bus to th beach resort of Arambol which is Goa's most northern beach. I decided to chill for the weekend by the sea.