Goa, India

Shantadurga Temple

Goa is the smallest but richest state in India, with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole. It was formerly a Portuguese province and only annexed to India in 1961. Home to Bollywood stars and a frequent venue for lavish weddings, it is known for its beautiful beaches is also a biodiversity hotspot.

Today we took the "Taste of Goa" excursion. Others in our group were bus, temple and spice farm weary and braved engaging a local cab to take them to a Taj beach resort. 

We began with a rather long drive (our driver got a bit lost in the Goa countryside) to the Shantadurga Temple, a large Hindu temple complex dedicated to the goddess Shantadurga who mediates between Shiva and Vishnu. Got it? There was a lot going on inside, but we were only allowed to take photos outside. The temple was renovated in 1966 and looks pretty modern.

Spice Village

Then we drove to the nearby Spice Village for a guided plantation tour and explanation of the various spices grown, fortunately under the shade of beetelnut trees. After the tour we had a pretty good Indian buffet lunch of rice, vegetables, curried chicken, dal, spicy salads fruit and ice cream. I bought a variety of dried spices to bring home for gifts.

Our final stop was in old Goa to visit two churches 17th century churches, the Se Cathedral and the Basilica of the Born Jesus containing the relics of Saint Francis Xavier. 

Old Goa