Continued from first part here…
# 6th Nov Day 3 :- Next day, we hired a car. Cars are easily available for hire. One can also rent a car and drive oneself. It costs 1400 rs for South Goa trip. South Goa trip is for one day and North Goa trip takes another day. We didn’t have time to visit North Goa this time.
First of all we went to Shantadurga temple at Ponda.
From there one can go to Mangueshi temple but we skipped it as the weather was too hot and in mood to walk. Then we went to Old Goa area which is well-known for its churches. We visited the Basilica of Bom Jesus which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds the remains of St.Francis Xavier. Just in front of this church is the Se Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Asia.
By the time we left for Panaji, weather had changed drastically and it was awesome. In Panaji, we had lunch at Casa Moderna on our driver’s suggestion. Rates were quite reasonable and the food was excellent. Service was prompt too even though it was crawling with people. I had ordered a Goan thali…the fried fish covered with rava was simply awesome.
After lunch we headed to Miramar Beach in Panaji. It is actually the shore of Mandovi river.
From there we headed back to Colva. As it was raining we didn’t stop at the Marine Aquarium on the highway. In the evening I did a bit of shopping in the market. Souvenirs and other stuff are over priced in Goa…I guess due to all the foreign tourists. One needs to bargain well 🙂 A typical Goan shop…
#7th Nov Day4: After enjoying the morning in beach, we boarded the train to Pune in afternoon. The train route from Madgaon to Pune is really beautiful. One can also get a gorgeous view of the Dudhsagar Falls as the train passes just in front of it.
Thus my first trip to Goa ended. Looking forward to the next trip to Goa 😀 😀
My Random Thoughts 
Hey Reema, I am glad you had such a nice trip! When I go to India I definitely want to go to Goa. It was very interesting to read about the area.
I thought St. Francis Xavier was a Latin American Saint. One school in my home town is named after him. I need to find out why now….
thanks!! yes when u visit India u must visit Goa!
Wow!
I’m off to goa next week! And here: i’ve already read Goa travellogues from two blogs i love, one yours and one http://subups.blogspot.com/2010/11/goan-odyssey-part-1-konkan-experience.html 😉
Great! enjoy!
Oh I totally agree with you on the train route! It is beautiful and specially during the rainy season. Even the food on Konkan railay is so unrailway like. It is just awesome
Yup!!
Woww! That train route is so inviting. Our Goa plan has somehow never materialized. Hope to make a trip soon 🙂
I hope it does soon! 🙂
Great captures… thanks for sharing 🙂
Btw… “the fried fish covered with rava” is called “rava fry”. One can even make it at home 🙂
oh yes I am sure it can be made at home. But it was the first time I tasted that. 🙂
This post brought in a lot of memories. thanks for that ! 😀
What sort of memories?? 😛
I think the view from the train was the best! Indian Railways could organize such ‘train picnics’ with few stoppings in between so that we can enjoy such views!!
Destination Infinity
wow! nice idea 🙂
Beautiful !!
I loved the temple and cathedral views. The photos are cool… and the snap of from the train is also a wonderful one.
I believe it was a wonderful trip 🙂
thanks Bro!!
wow! your post makes me want to go to Goa.. we recently wanted to go but did not get the tickets, since we planned really late.. the churches and temples, the beach and the best of the lot if the view from the train 🙂
yes its hard to get tickets especially when the season is on. Try to get booking in GTDC resort.
is* the view (typo)
Wowow the pic of the train and that humangous waterfalll WOWOWWOWOWOW BEautifull…
and yummy fooooood ….
You had fun and that tooo Loads of it ….
Bikram’s
Yup I did!! 🙂
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That is quite a summary of your trip to goa, next round is reserved for North Goa i suppose.
yup!
its an amazing place…scenic, delicious food, and what i liked most was the people….i have been there twice and want to visit again….loved your post and excellent pictures…
thanks and welcome to my blog! keep visiting!