Last minute shopping for a few gifts. Then walking again on the promenade. Surprised to find the place mobbed by mostly Indian holiday crowds. Felt very festive, but not clear whether they were mostly Christian or not. Visited a small commercial art gallery near our hotel. A single artist was being displayed. Skillful but strange subjects – part dream like, part surreal, lots of faces some peering through jungle foliage ala Rousseau.
Caught a sleeper train that evening and woke up in Goa – actually a 45 minute taxi ride from the station. Also learned that Goa is the name of the state; the city is named Panvajin.
We were there a total of 25 hours but we had a very pleasant stay. Went for a boat ride In the harbor – there were a dozen or more large party boats that made several one or two hour trips each evening. On our boat there were about 500 people- all Indian except us - sitting on chairs facing the stage. There was a disc jockey and a heavy amplifier playing heavy beat popular dance music and groups of about 50 were invited to dance – first children, then couples then men, finally women. Between each group, four very amateurish dancers entertained the crowd. Everyone ignored the sunset and other sights, but seemed to have a great time.
We then went to a gorgeous restaurant at Hotel Crown, which we had noticed on a hill overlooking the harbor. We sat at a poolside table with a full view of the harbor It was a about 7:30 when we got there and we were the only customers. We were assured that it would fill up by 8 or 9. The food was among the best we’ve had and only a bit pricier – when we left at about 9, there were still no other customers. Strange.
No comments:
Post a Comment