India Travel Diary: Goa

Traveling through Goa, the smallest state in India, is like traveling back into time.  One finds themself at a crossroads between Indian tourism including snappy tuck-tucks, bright Portuguese colors and centuries of colonialism.  

Beaches call India’s rising middle class to holidays, honeymoons and adventures.  But scratching beyond the surface one finds history rich in religion, arts and architecture.  

Starting in the south at Zeebop, we warmed up with a leisurely walk down Goa’s longest beach – complete with warm crystal clear water, fishing boats adrift on the sand and Goa’s famous beach shacks offering cold refreshments.

Meeting up with our trusty cab driver Cruz, we were taken to old Goa to marvel at the Portuguese Cathedrals which rival in size and scope many in the west. 

We rounded out our 36 hour Goa crash course in Panjim, to admire the Gitanjali Art Gallery.  Here we found oil works displaying a rich fusion of Indian and Portuguese influences including one memorable diptych displaying the angst of a new generation of artists.

We retired across the street at the Panjim Inn for Mojitos (hold the ice!) and Kingfishers.  Off to Delhi, ready to dive in to the fullness of northern India.