So 2 months capped in Bombay with a rather nice trip to the cool capital of India, Goa. In the interim, the journey has taken me through "Hotel Heavens" (nothing could be a bigger misnormer - the place is a dump and seems to believe that "Medimix" is an essential part of the Heavenly experience). More to the point, this is located inside an export processing zone (government's wisdom of disseminating largess). What this means is that the place dies by 2200 hrs and if one were to step out of the 12X14 hotel room, one may get shot.
Next stop was "Ashoke Delux Apartments" whose claim to fame was a canteen which served oily food. Other than that there was poor access to the place, internet and other amenities...but it was an apartment so one could drink in peace. The next stop (i.e. the third change in one month) was Lake H. i.e the company guest house - which is a collection of some 10 apartments which serve as transit acco for people. Nice place, food is great but god help you if you like a random midnight snack!! The main reason being that the company's trust level vis-a-vis its minions is the same as the love and affection between Narendra Modi and Sonia Gandhi. net result - keys are with the caretaker ironically names "Ramsevak" (loosely translated Servant of (a) God) - sample pics of the "Den" are as below - a 360 degree view:
So currently one is parked in this den, where the Internet is limited but the food is great - if rather homely. The local crowd isnt very pleasing but then living out of a suitcase (Sideways - don't get any ideas re: suitcase and elantra) has its advantages - d0nt need to be polite to immediate neighbours!
So anyway, the second month in Bombay was capped off with a rather spiffy trip to Goa. The place of lodging was Panjim Inn, Fontaihas, Panjim, Goa. To give a background, this part of Goa has been preserved as a live heritage site, complete with a resident community, brilliant, traditional homes and a quaint little church, St.Sebastian's, to complete the picture. Unfortunately no camera was taken. This turned out to be a good thing as there was no pressure to take "Patel Snaps" and no tourist agenda. Life slowed, we unwound, and had a great time in the process. Day one was lovely..after a rather delayed "Spice"Jet, landed in warm Goa for the 30 min cab ride to the Inn. Relaxed with some sandwiches ( ;-) ) and then headed out to town, which turned out to be a walk..en route discovered a lovely restaurant ( i forget the name but its close to the Patto Bridge on Ourem Road otherwise known as the 31st January Road - btw this place also has an 18th June road.. what next? 9th January Road??? I know of one individual who would be rather pleased with that!). Dinner at this place was great (Caramel Custard didn't pass muster..neither did the cheese sandwich from the hotel) - I ordered some Goan, and then proceeded to guzzle 2 cubes of butter, much to the horror of present company... before that some alcohol was purchased so after dinner, the party moved to the Inn. Which had all the ingredients.... Wi....e, Wo..an, So..g.. and what a blast!
So the next day dawned and a short walk into town (on sunday) convinced us that that was a waste of time... even the art deco place attached to the hotel was closed. But, in the evening, one Nos. Scooter was organised for the customary trip to Baga - the name synonymous with Partying! The scooter ride was great - cool, with cool people - reached Brittos and parked next door at Oceanic where the music was great. En route, picked up some food at ....... (reader please fill in in comments).. The location was brilliant! Sea side (i.e. beach), a table, some mom-batti, a well mixed whiskey, some decent music and an advancing tide! After a bit this prompted the change to another venue (We were looking for a dancing, music, place) but alas, after turning off at the Calypso, we found one deserted beach shack after another... and therefore settled down to a quiet evening with drinks, the sea, the waves and some music. Highpoint of the evening was when present company ordered some tea and Naan! His expression was priceless! At some point, the night unwound, and the trip back was as nice... fond memories of the carefree days relived etc. Night caught up..
unfortunately the morning came rather early in the form of one WES (people have nothing better to call up holidaying people at 0800!!) and Naik II, the scooter vendor coming to collect his able steed..! So breakfast at the Inn followed by a quiet stroll in the city and eventually lunch and sleep at the INN... evening being reserved for dinner at Fidalgo Mirch Masala - a very touristy place with average food..but the evening was good, strolling around Panjim (Inn), forward, backward, sideways....and then the Midnight Mass at St.Sebastian's - which was rather disappointing as the service was average and the resident priests did not touch upon any of the contemporary issues other than a passing reference to the commercialisation of Christmas (he objected to Santa Clause) and the general atmosphere of hatred across the world. So the night capped off with a well deserved sleep and the morning, as usual, started off with a bang! But then checkout time came swiftly upon us, prompting a rapid exit towards mandovi hotel... where, the cheese sandwich didn't pass muster, so toast was ordered, and the cheese transferred to the toast... as a result I overate - but, as the food settled in, and conversation flowed, the traffic noise drifted into the distance and time flew..and it was time to say bye to beautiful Goa.. The return trip was great.
Till next time......
Footnote: The new loudspeaker is the cellphone!
Next stop was "Ashoke Delux Apartments" whose claim to fame was a canteen which served oily food. Other than that there was poor access to the place, internet and other amenities...but it was an apartment so one could drink in peace. The next stop (i.e. the third change in one month) was Lake H. i.e the company guest house - which is a collection of some 10 apartments which serve as transit acco for people. Nice place, food is great but god help you if you like a random midnight snack!! The main reason being that the company's trust level vis-a-vis its minions is the same as the love and affection between Narendra Modi and Sonia Gandhi. net result - keys are with the caretaker ironically names "Ramsevak" (loosely translated Servant of (a) God) - sample pics of the "Den" are as below - a 360 degree view:
 |
| Room by the lake |
So currently one is parked in this den, where the Internet is limited but the food is great - if rather homely. The local crowd isnt very pleasing but then living out of a suitcase (Sideways - don't get any ideas re: suitcase and elantra) has its advantages - d0nt need to be polite to immediate neighbours!
So anyway, the second month in Bombay was capped off with a rather spiffy trip to Goa. The place of lodging was Panjim Inn, Fontaihas, Panjim, Goa. To give a background, this part of Goa has been preserved as a live heritage site, complete with a resident community, brilliant, traditional homes and a quaint little church, St.Sebastian's, to complete the picture. Unfortunately no camera was taken. This turned out to be a good thing as there was no pressure to take "Patel Snaps" and no tourist agenda. Life slowed, we unwound, and had a great time in the process. Day one was lovely..after a rather delayed "Spice"Jet, landed in warm Goa for the 30 min cab ride to the Inn. Relaxed with some sandwiches ( ;-) ) and then headed out to town, which turned out to be a walk..en route discovered a lovely restaurant ( i forget the name but its close to the Patto Bridge on Ourem Road otherwise known as the 31st January Road - btw this place also has an 18th June road.. what next? 9th January Road??? I know of one individual who would be rather pleased with that!). Dinner at this place was great (Caramel Custard didn't pass muster..neither did the cheese sandwich from the hotel) - I ordered some Goan, and then proceeded to guzzle 2 cubes of butter, much to the horror of present company... before that some alcohol was purchased so after dinner, the party moved to the Inn. Which had all the ingredients.... Wi....e, Wo..an, So..g.. and what a blast!
So the next day dawned and a short walk into town (on sunday) convinced us that that was a waste of time... even the art deco place attached to the hotel was closed. But, in the evening, one Nos. Scooter was organised for the customary trip to Baga - the name synonymous with Partying! The scooter ride was great - cool, with cool people - reached Brittos and parked next door at Oceanic where the music was great. En route, picked up some food at ....... (reader please fill in in comments).. The location was brilliant! Sea side (i.e. beach), a table, some mom-batti, a well mixed whiskey, some decent music and an advancing tide! After a bit this prompted the change to another venue (We were looking for a dancing, music, place) but alas, after turning off at the Calypso, we found one deserted beach shack after another... and therefore settled down to a quiet evening with drinks, the sea, the waves and some music. Highpoint of the evening was when present company ordered some tea and Naan! His expression was priceless! At some point, the night unwound, and the trip back was as nice... fond memories of the carefree days relived etc. Night caught up..
 |
| Fontainhas |
unfortunately the morning came rather early in the form of one WES (people have nothing better to call up holidaying people at 0800!!) and Naik II, the scooter vendor coming to collect his able steed..! So breakfast at the Inn followed by a quiet stroll in the city and eventually lunch and sleep at the INN... evening being reserved for dinner at Fidalgo Mirch Masala - a very touristy place with average food..but the evening was good, strolling around Panjim (Inn), forward, backward, sideways....and then the Midnight Mass at St.Sebastian's - which was rather disappointing as the service was average and the resident priests did not touch upon any of the contemporary issues other than a passing reference to the commercialisation of Christmas (he objected to Santa Clause) and the general atmosphere of hatred across the world. So the night capped off with a well deserved sleep and the morning, as usual, started off with a bang! But then checkout time came swiftly upon us, prompting a rapid exit towards mandovi hotel... where, the cheese sandwich didn't pass muster, so toast was ordered, and the cheese transferred to the toast... as a result I overate - but, as the food settled in, and conversation flowed, the traffic noise drifted into the distance and time flew..and it was time to say bye to beautiful Goa.. The return trip was great.
Till next time......
Footnote: The new loudspeaker is the cellphone!
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