Day 87 - GOA (MORMUGAO), INDIA

 Date: 4/1/2024       Day 87     Port: GOA (MORMUGAO), INDIA

Description: Enjoy this marvelous old Portuguese and Hindu city studded with vibrant temples and majestic churches. Visit the stunning baroque cathedral and quaint, colorful Panjim for a taste of Portugal in India. Explore the countryside and its spice farms, local markets and the region’s exquisite beaches. Buy fragrant spices and search for colorful local crafts in the bustling markets. Enjoy fresh seafood, curries, stuffed oysters and roast suckling pig among other tasty specialties.

Planned Excursion: HIGHLIGHTS OF GOA

3.5 Hours    Moderate Activity      # MRM-001: Free

Behold two extraordinary Portuguese-built churches in Old Goa that date to colonial days.  Recognize the Portuguese influence that still dominates in one of Asia’s few Latin quarters.  Enjoy the hospitality of a Goanese family that will welcome you into their home.

Today's Notes:  At each of the ports in India we have pulled into our access to the Internet has been blocked.  One can only think that it is deliberate.  By whom is not known.  It has made it very difficult to update this blog.  

We enjoy our excursion into and around Goa.  We toured two Catholic churches. First was the "Basilica of Bom Jesus" built in the 17th century and is considered the finest example of Baroque architecture in India. We were not allowed to take any photographs inside the Basilica.  It contains the body of St. Francis Xavier.  We saw his body in a glass casket perched high above in an alcove to the right of the main alter.  From Wikipedia "The body of Francis Xavier was first taken to Portuguese Malacca and two years later shipped back to Goa. It is said that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried.[4] The remains of the saint still attract a huge number of tourists (Christian and non-Christian alike) from all over the world, especially during the public viewing of his body every ten years (last held in 2016). The saint is said to have miraculous powers of healing."

The second church was not far away within walking distance, Se Cathedral. From Wikipedia "The Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral, is the cathedral of the Latin Church Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the seat of the Patriarch of the East Indies. It is part of the World Heritage Site, Churches and convents of Goa located in Old Goa, India."  In this church we were permitted to take photographs.     

The heat and humidity have been difficult to endure at times.  Getting back into our air conditioned buses has been a welcome rest bit.  India is in the dry season even though the humidity is high where normally you should see afternoon rain showers. 

Again once we are back out to sea and away from India should we regain our higher speed Internet connections.  We leave Mumbai India on April 3rd.  I have pictures to upload in the two sea days before our next port-of-call.