And now we resume our service - back to India and Tuesday*.

On Tuesday Carol’s father had kindly arranged a taxi excursion to show us the highlights of Goa, and so we visited to the church of Bom Jesus in Panjim, a spice plantantion (included lunch) a hindu temple and an old portuguese fort that had been a prison and used to hold members of the Goan freedom movement in the 1950s. 

One got the impression from information there that the Portuguese were hated, but as with so many things, I have a feeling they were considered good in some quarters and their legacy is both good and bad. Seems their treatment of the locals was typical for a European colony, though because they hung on longer than the British their occupation is seen as more malign. The Roman Catholic tradition was imported with some determination in Goa, and it seemed that non-Catholic beliefs were suppressed forcibly, leading to tensions and socio-political problems as one would expect.

Most amazing, while walking past the church of Bom (good) Jesus we met some friends from Somerton who had just cycled 500 kilometers from Mumbai to Goa, and were enjoying a recovery day before flying back – it’s the kind of co-incidence that might not have happened if we’d been there just a minute different either way.

Back at 6pm, a quick swim was enjoyed, then out to dinner and another chance to experience the local specialities – Chicken Cafreal is recommended and not fiery like some dishes. 

*I've had a cold since returning, and wasn't really feeling up to blogging in the rush toward Christmas.