For two I dont intend doing anything of any value to mankind but am just going to chill and amble. Firstly down to the beach where I got as far as the sand, saw the deck chairs lined up and all the tourist stalls, turned round and left.
Candolim is a beach resort, in the state of Goa, and I am not partial to resort type places. There are lines and lines of cheap clothing stores, many jewellery stores, hotels, cafes and lots of tourists, mainly domestic tourists. Apart from some of the food on offer it could be any tourist town in Asia. But it is pretty; the palm trees give it a tropical feel, occasionally you see a woman in a Sari to remind you of where you are. It’s different but it does not feel like India (or Portugal - where much of the influence comes from). Tomorrow I might check out some places away from the beach.
Well it has been a chill out day. Lunch, a quick dip in the pool, an afternoon nap and just now a rather nice western style (and priced) massage. Not too much exertion there.
Time for dinner.
For dinner I joined the remaining member of our tour group and went to an interesting looking place overlooking the street below. Dinner started with crab samosas which were delicious. Tiny wee samosas oozing with a spiced crab filling. Then came the best; gently spiced kingfish, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Mouthwateringly delicious, tender, perfectly steamed it was delicious. An excellent choice and something different from the usual curry. I do like my seafood.
Next day - Saturday.
Not in the mood to do much but wishing I had stayed in south Goa as originally planned I just went wandering enjoying looking around the back streets at more residential areas. For me that was more fun than the main street.
But the main street did have cafes with real coffee and that is a big attraction for me, so I plant myself for an espresso and a stale palmier (too early for the naan I wanted) and watched.
Candolim is very chilled. Apart from the toot toots and the traffic everything else moves at one pace; slow. Its hard to tell the locals from the domestic tourists of whom there are many. Signs are all in English, traditional dress is seldom seen and most restaurants have a mix of Indian, chinese and western food. I forget I am in India.
Until I see the cow. There are few places I have been where cows roam the streets and revered by most. But I’m sitting enjoying my coffee and a cow walked along the street. He stopped and eyeballed me and then just stood there, like a cow, on the side of the road oblivious to the traffic. He changed direction at one stage and we made better eye contact. I’m wondering if he thought he was a scooter as he lined up nicely in the two wheeler park. He was moved on my someone’s scooter giving him a gentle prod from behind.
People watching is one of my favourite pastimes as there is always something crazy to see, but this is very low key, no gesticulation, no one screaming, no hawkers and no characters. Very anywhere.
For a bit of a change I caught a cab to the Latin Quarter, Fontainhas, which was cute. Aparently very portuguese and very different from anything else we had seen.
Dinner came in the form of pork chops. Hmm. Pork they were, chops they were, smothered in garlic was perhaps a ruse to discard the taste but it didnt matter because there was so little pork it didnt need disguising. Fat was in abundance but it had good fries on the side so all was forgiven. Returning to Candolim in time for a wander and a welcomed attempt at an early night. Tomorrow I leave Goa headed for Varanassi so a day on the road.
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