India - Goa, September 2013

 

A week's half term holiday from school provided the perfect opportunity for a wee jaunt across the Arabian Sea from Fujairah to Goa. This former Portuguese colony is a beautiful oasis and tourist magnet within India, and 6 days here flew by in a flash.

Country number sixty on my visit list will be remembered for its beauty, food and friendliness. Gazing out of the aeroplane window coming in to land, I was immediately hit by a lush tropical green feel in the aftermath of monsoon season. Ever so photogenic palm trees were everywhere and golden rice paddies were being harvested by man and machine.

Raquel's friends Manuela and Nelson from Portugal joined us, but were lucky to fulfil their dream of visiting Goa. They accidentally overlooked organising the mandatory Indian visa, only realising their slip on the day of departure! We decided to wing it and astonishingly Air India didn't check, so they made it from Dubai via Mumbai to Goa! Arriving at the immigration desk in Goa though, they were told in no uncertain terms that no visa meant no entry and an immediate return flight to Dubai! Raquel and I bade farewell to them that morning, despite all kinds of pleading. Much to our surprise though, as we napped in the afternoon, we heard word that more pleading, tears and fuss had resulted in the Goan authorities granting them a temporary visa. Miraculously they were released from their airport confines and were on their way to meet us! They had to twice visit the city to complete tiring paperwork to become legal visitors, but thankfully were able to live their Goan dream!

Despite being on holiday, there was some work to be done academically and physically, more for Raquel than me. She squeezed in some university masters reading as I engrossed myself in my kindle. On the exercise front we maintained our training schedule in preparation for my umpteenth and Raquel's first half marathon in December! We experienced some stunning beach runs, with palm trees and busy fishermen on the landside and the sparkling waves of the Indian Ocean on the other. I will never forget the spectacular sunsets we were lucky to witness; running doesn't get much better than this!

The seafood and fruit was fresh, delicious, cheap and cheerful, so I ate like a king and loved it. For my final lunch I savoured a couple of my favourites: seafood platter and a banana lassie!

Refreshed and rejuvenated after an intense first 5 weeks of term, I'm ready to tackle the next 8 weeks of school before the next travel adventures of winter break!