Panaji and Old Goa

After getting the train from Mumbai we made it to Panaji. A town on the coast that was under Portugese governance until 1961. The town though looks like it is still under their rule. Its buildings are lovely and there are churches everywhere - a noticeable difference to all the hindu temples elsewhere we have been. We think its due to this fact that there are no cows (or cow pats) on the streets of Panaji.

We took a local bus to Old Goa which was the Portugese base in the 17th century. It was apparently a very prominent and powerful town but all that remains now are the churches (one pictured) and cathedrals dotted about a small area on the banks of a river.

The food here is also very different and we can tell we are in the south. Prawn curries abound and we've had three different types already - all excellent. Its also the first town where beer is on sale very openly so we have certainly been enjoying ourselves. It does cause problems for some though - an Aussie guy was killed by his waiters just up the coast yesterday after complaining of slow service.