All Our Bags Are Packed!

India # 7 - Goa

India has yet to focus on "clean air." Mumbai has plenty of smog. As we entered the Goa harbor, ships were unloading coal.

Bituminous coal is the worst kind to use for factories, energy and other applications

Large Portuguese and catholic influence begins in the 1500's with explorer Vasco de Gama.  Check out the bus name!

Although the cruise offered tours with modern buses, our bus was left over from a previous era - rundown and very old. Getting into the bus turned out to be an obstacle course: Steep steps to enter and a places to trip and bang your head

Surprise! At each step of the way--getting off the ship, going through immigration, on the bus and returning to the dock, etc., there were soldiers throughout the port area--many of them carrying weapons. Why?

Besides Goa towns, there was plenty of tropical and sub-tropical areas

No backhoes, tractors and other heavy equipment---only manual labor for this road project

Interesting (historical) architecture throughout the towns and a "traditional" way to carry goods.

              "Hey, guys! This is the fast lane! Move over!"

            Bus stop              

                          Hindu temple has an interesting design

                            Church built in the mid-1500's

Many years ago, underground water and poor construction caused church to start collapsing. Outer walls built to keep building intact

  Beautification project: Manual labor to mix cement materials

Heavy bricks / newly made cement carried by hand to this area.  

Area wetted down by man tossing water with a pail and cup

               Design issue: One of the church's towers collapsed

                                          Bike repair shop

               Trying to keep up with the flow of traffic

Rare opportunity: Historical house owned by an 85-year old woman allowed us to see her house because her son is on the Oceana Cruise Line's Board of Directors

  Family rarely lives in this house. Property maintained by a full staff

                        Home is several hundred years old

       Backyard is filled with pets: Ducks, geese and this turkey

Beautiful side yard. This home is a prime example of "have's and have nots." The house is surrounded by dilapidated homes and rundown buildings.

        Motorcycles and scooters: standard mode of transportation

            Less expensive means of "getting about" is a bike

With nothing to worry about and always fed, cows love to hang out and watch the world go by. Cows considered sacred and are not consumed!

                          Markets are always fun to tour

Interesting shaped grape

                     This was the "go to" place to shop

This leaf ("Pan") is filled with betelnut (below photo), tobacco and a "lime gel." It becomes a strong drug and can be used to "escape" from day-to-day issues

T

             Flowers being prepared for Hindu temple offerings

Merchants tend to sit on top of their stalls rather than standing in the aisle

                     A bunch of bananas cost about one dollar

                                            Fish market

Although the fish are fresh (caught earlier in the day), there is a "detectable" odor

Inexpensive transportation. Although it's "standing room only," people still try to get into the bus.