Glimpses of Goa

I've just returned from spending the last three days in Goa. It wasn't a holiday - for some reason people automatically think a visit to Goa means a holiday!! I had gone on official business. But I did take time to see a few of the sights. Not all and not the celebrated ones (like the Church of Bom Jesus). But what I saw, I enjoyed very much. I wanted to share those moments and so I'm putting up some photographs which I took. Alas, I forgot to take my camera. So these pictures have been taken with my mobile phone. Please bear with the not-so-great picture quality.

My stay was in Panjim which is about 32 kms from the Goa Airport. The drive was beautiful - lush greenery, waterways and bridges. Here is the one snap I managed to click from the moving taxi.



On the second day, I took a stroll with my colleagues along the promenade down to the jetty. The area has some superb buildings with a distinct architectural style. I'm not an expert, nor did we ask any local to enlighten us - but the architecture certainly indicates Goa's Portuguese past. Here are a few pictures.


At the Jetty


The structure in the distance is actually a floating casino. There were several of these, including one called Casino Royale!



Above is a picture of the Institute Menezes Braganza and Central Library-apparently the oldest public library in India set up in 1832. It is a lovely building in butter yellow. I noticed that many buildings were painted yellow, blue or red. As you will see in the pictures that follow.


Headquarters of 2 Signal Training Centre

According to a blog I found on Goan Architecture, the building in the picture below is named 'The Maquinez Palace' and was orginally built in 1702. The premises were used to house first the Goa Medical College, and then the Dept. of Food and Drug Administration, Govt. of Goa. It has since been renovated. In the present day, the offices of the Entertainment Society of Goa and the India International Film Festival, Directorate of Film Festivals and Press Information Bureau are situated here.





Deciding to do the 'touristy' thing, I took a cruise on the Mandovi River. The sailing vessel (it was too big to be called a boat and I do not know the correct name) is this huge three storeyed structure. On the topmost deck there is a stage with a DJ and lots of chairs. Passengers are 'treated' to song and dance. Loud music is played and people are invited to come and dance. People generally shed their inhibitions and shake a leg. Alcohol is consumed freely regardless of time of day. I cannot say that I enjoyed this experience. The water was lovely and the sights par excellence. I would have preferred to enjoy these in silence with only the sound of the waves for accompaniment. Be that as it may, here are some pictures:








The white structure you see in this picture is a sort of midget lighthouse

And, saving the best for last, the sun setting over the Arabian Sea....

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11 Responses to Glimpses of Goa

  1. Quizzerix says:

    Nice, very nice! Goa is one state that I would like to visit..

  2. You must have a really nice camerafone or is it the eye behind the lens? Gr8 pix..The best is indeed at the last!!..I just love Goa in all its seasons...In rain or in December its just so romantic!

  3. Deepa says:

    Thanks Vibhuti. I was rather surprised myself that the pictures turned out well!! By the way - how come your comments always appear in duplicate? (two times that is) :))

  4. Nice pictures and beautiful description..a bit different treat than usual..

  5. radha says:

    Lovely pictures. And yes, Indians do love noise. I wonder why. I guess tourists to Goa expect the carnival atmosphere all the time. Pity.

  6. Sandhya says:

    I loved reading this post and the Kerala post. You had highlighted the way the Jews live there, their architecture etc. This too is different than the normal Goa tour post.

    You seem to notice unusual things everywhere. I will remember this post too and will visit these places when I tour Goa!

  7. SG says:

    Very nice travelogue on Goa. Excellent pictures. Never been there yet. We will certainly visit Goa the next time we visit India.

  8. I have been to Goa twice first time in 1989 and second time in 2000. Goa appeared to me more attractive when I visited there first time. The article is good, covers description of old buildings. There is lot to be covered on Goa, the beaches, temples, churches, rivers and weekly markets. I wish to be there once again. Let us when it is possible.....

  9. Informative post and some lovely pics... Thanks for sharing :)

  10. I have been to Goa twice first time in 1989 and second time in 2000. Goa appeared to me more attractive when I visited there first time. The article is good, covers description of old buildings. There is lot to be covered on Goa, the beaches, temples, churches, rivers and weekly markets. I wish to be there once again. Let us when it is possible.....

  11. Nice pictures and beautiful description..a bit different treat than usual..