The Travel Connection

My third visit to Goa. What can be said??. As this was with family there had to be a visit to a temple and an aquarium and the very touristy river cruise!!  The temple architecture in Goa is very unique. Its a combination of Hindu, Portuguese and Islamic architecture.The dome in place of Shikara immediately catches ones eyes. One of the reasons for this unique style is cause the same artisans were constructing both the temples and churches at the same time.The arched entrances, niches and pilasters that feature in most of temples of this period display a distinct European influence. The deepsthambhas of Mangeshi  with its white washed pillars and baroque decoration show unique synthesis of Hindu and Portuguese styles.The lamp towers were influence of Maratha temple architecture. A very unique style indeed. Well, the aquarium can be best avoided as there is not much to relish in dark musty place. Please run away from the noisy , loud irritating river cruise.The only sav...

Blast from past! After a 4 month sabbatical, the traveler in me is on the prowl again. I recently found the missing pictures of a holiday taken in 2009. Well, I had to put on my writing gloves after that. I bet everyone has done that, been there! So instead of the obvious, let me write about the offbeat. Goa and offbeat? Yes , there is more to Goa than the beaches! A long holiday and an itinerary in hand, i narrowed upon the first of the two places we crashed in on our holiday. A self confessed LP fan, i choose a century old heritage hotel " The Panjim Inn" in Goa's Latin quarter for the first 2 days of our holiday. The Panjim Inn has a colonial old world charm with its antique furniture, art and the building itself. I totally recommend it, if you like offbeat!  We started our holiday with a walk through Fountainhas.With its calorful old villas, some crumbling buildings, quaint little shops, it was a sight to our sour eyes and ...