May 12-13 - Goa and Mumbai

May 12 – Goa

After our experience in New Mangalore, it was comforting to see a large 22 seater bus waiting for our group of 8 with a professional guide to take us around for the day.

Goa is, of course, more geared to tour groups. We were soon on our way out of the port area to visit the town of Old Goa. We visited the two main churches, St Francis Xavier and Se Catherine cathedral. The Portuguese influence is very evident. We then visited and walked through a Portuguese part of the town, with lovely old homes in a residential area.

After another long drive we made a short stop to visit a Hindu temple up on one of the hills overlooking the rural part of town. Then it was back down into the city to visit the shopping area and markets.

Altogether we were impressed with Goa. Unfortunately the ship was only docked for a short time so we could not see more – maybe one day. Tomorrow – Mumbai.

Tying up at Goa

The Portuguese influence can be seen at the port

Dancers welcome the ship on the dock

St Francis Xavier cathedral

Catholic cathedral opposite St Francis Xavier

Interminable traffic

The local art school put up these columns to brighten up a roundabout

The Portuguese part of Old Goa

Hindu temple perched high up on a hill

View from the temple

The local market

May 13- Mumbai

Our last day visiting India, Mumbai, the business capital of India. The day dawned hot and humid – to be expected at this time of year. We were certainly glad we had organised a tour out to Elephanta Island.

Immigration went surprisingly smoothly and we were out on the dock much earlier than we anticipated. So we were required to wait for our guide and bus. This did not take long and soon we were comfortably sitting in our bus for the short trip to the Gateway of India where we were to pick up our ferry out to the island.

We had magnificent views of the Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Hotel as we left and spent a very pleasant hour or more getting to the island. By the time we arrived the temperature had soared, but being one of the first ferries to arrive we found the walk up to the temple caves not too busy. Some of the stall holders were still setting things up.

Our guide, Naina, was excellent. She was able to impart her knowledge of the temple in very simple terms, relating the statues to real life. The temple is carved out of the stone which makes up the hill at the top of the island. Over a period a years a temple was carved into the rock with all columns and statue frescoes being one piece of rock. The site is protected with UNESCO World Heritage status. Sadly many of the statues were damaged by the Portuguese when they were administrators of the region centuries ago. What is left though is quite astonishing.

There are no records to tell us how long this structure took to create, whether it was 100 men over 1000 years or 1000 men over 100 years. No records were ever kept.

After our visit we returned to the ferry. The stairs were now very busy with other visitors coming up and it was quite a challenge negotiating the stairs with all the stall holders now in full swing and people making the climb up in the opposite direction. Watch out for the monkeys, goats and cows too! Not to mention the carters taking up people in chairs who cannot manage the climb!

After a refreshing ferry ride back to the city we had a short tour through the Taj Mahal Hotel. Quite a place. Then it was time for lunch.

After refuelling, our bus met us once again and we were taken on a tour of the main city sights, including the main buildings from British Colonial history. Some really beautiful architecture is to be found in the city. We also passed the beach area at Chowpatty and visited Dhobi Ghat, the huge public laundry, the largest in India. Quite a sight. Then it was time to return to the ship. One final encounter with immigration and security and we were back on the ship. I now know how India captivates its visitors.

Early morning over Mumbai harbour

A street without vehicles - a strange sight in Mumbai!

All the trucks are very colourful, but no doors!

Some beautiful colonial buildings, but very much in need of care

Outside the Taj Mahal Hotel and someone sent the pigeons flying from the square

A beautiful view of the hotel and the Gateway to India, not to mention the ferries!

On the ferry across to Elephanta Island

At least we didn't have to walk along the very long pier - it was very hot

Just do it!!! Don't understand this lack of effort over rubbish

The family goats making themselves comfortable at the front door

Entrance to this extraordinary temple

A bit hard to read the description. but it has a fascinating history

The destruction of the statues is very sad. Fortunately we know better now

My hand gives an idea of perspective. The size of these statues is immense

Remember this temple was carved into the rock

It was so hot

A local resident

And another. This woman was wearing her sari in a particular style peculiar to the area

Our ferry awaits for the return journey

The ferry back was very crowded. Our guide told people to move up so we could get a seat. They weren't going to move!

You can just see the awnings over the pathway to the top. They are lined with stall holders selling all manner of souvenirs

Free for all to get off and you have to step on to another boat before getting to the dock. No gangplank

Reception area inside the Taj Majal Hotel

There is a large display of photos of famous people who have visited

Barak Obama being one

How the waterfront looked when the hotel was first built

The hotel is still in the same family

The man was not allowed in to a European hotel because of the colour of his skin. He determined to build his own hotel and everyone was welcome

A bust of the founder of the hotel

The main railway station - one of the highlights of a city tour

You see all sorts of sights in amongst the traffic

Slums have a star rating. You can aspire to move into a higher rated slum!

And of course there's cricket

This is the hospital!

Chowpatty beach

A millionaire's 27 floor home. for a family of 6!

Dhobi Ghat

A hard life

Many hotels use this laundry service

Ah, now here's a spot for my cow

Random

Commuters take their cow to the station and pay someone to feed it during the day!