Chocolati To Church

Headed out of the apartment with my two girls to have some lunch.

Aye, thats oor  place up there

 We walked along past the Panjim Road junction where we saw this environmentally friendly water tanker going past.

 Environmentally Friendly Water Tanker

Work started on the Hotel behind this Bus Shelter about 4 years ago 

This bush was trimmed recently, was almost on the footpath a couple of weeks ago

 Arrived at Cafe Chocolati for lunch.

Merlyn had Tuna Pasta Salad and a Lemon Tea

Christine had a BLT Pannini and a Ginger and Lime Soda

I had a Chicken Salad with Honey and Mustard Dressing, also with a Ginger and LIme Soda.

The we went inside to look at the desserts on offer.

We decided on a piece of Carrot Cake, a piece of Ginger Cake with Lemon Icing and a slice of Chocolate Toffee (Milliuonaire shortbread) along with a scoop of ice cream.

Decided to have the small slices

After lunch we took a walk along the Panjim Road past the Music Academy

The Rocket Bus passing the Music Academy

and were lucky enough to see one of the New Coca Cola Trucks. Not sure if they are in production yet in the UK

Coca Cola Truck

and down the Pilerne/Saligao Road towards the village of Orda to visit Our Lady Of Hope Church.

The Siquerim Bypass is a lovely quiet back road and we saw a Blue Kingfisher sitting on some overhead lines and was lucky enough to get a half decent picture of it.

Blue Kingfisher

Christine with Our Lady of Hope Church in the background

This is house I passed by a couple of years ago whilst out on a walk. It was being painted at the time and the owner stopped me and asked my opinion on his colour scheme. What could I say to him - Ideal Colours for a Love Nest 

The Love Nest

We saw a large number of Brahminy Kites which were hovering just above us for ages. Beautiful birds.

Brahminy Kite

This is a beautiful local church, unfortunately I don't know the name of it.

Here are a few pictures of Our Lady Of Hope Church in the village of Orda which is about a mile west of our apartment.

We were hoping to have a look inside as it is meant to be something special, but it  was closed. We  made some enquiries and it is open every morning from 0600-1200 and every Saturday and Sunday from 1730 -1830, so we have a visit planned for Sunday evening.

We also wanted to visit the Church Cemetery next door but this was also closed.

Our Lady Of Hope Church Cemetery

After leaving the Church we headed down to Candolim Market to get some fresh mint leaves and some fruit and vegetables.

Next to the Church is one of the larger schools in the area, St Theresas, which accommodates pre primary, primary higher and higher secondary.

St Theresas School

Further along the road is Bosio Hospital which is run by Nuns.

Bosio Hospital

Just before the market we saw some cattle at the side of the road.

Try not to tangle with this one

Merlyn & Christine en route to the Fruit Market

Christine at the Fruit Market

Street Vendor outside the Fruit Market

Indian Lady crossing the road outside Fisherman's Cove

Just time to get back and change before heading along to Sinquerim  to the lovely Himalaya Restaurant which is probably our favourite Restaurant. This is Christine's first visit to Himalaya.

Christine had an Avacado  & Prawn starter followed by a Crumb Fry Prawns with Garlic Potatoes and Salad.

Merlyn also had an Avacado & Prawn Starter followed  by Crispy Chicken.

Ian has Chicken Lollipops for starters followed by meat balls, chips and salad.

Strolled back towards Candolim and stopped The Stone House for a drink as there was music on. When we went in the Musician ???? was on his break. When he started up again, we quickly drank up and left as he was dire and that's being kind to him.

A quick stop at Jambalaya before heading home.

A Walk In Panjim

Christine, Merlyn &  I  took the  Panjim Bus from Candolim to Betim and then used the local Ferry to get us into the central area of Panjim.

We then walked  along the esplanade until we reached BHAGWAN MAHAVEER BALVHAR CAMPAL Children's Park.

Merlyn & Christine in Panjim

 Merlyn & Christine at Entrance to  Park

It was lovely and we met and spoke to a number of nice people, in particular two guys from Mangalore, Thasleem and Fairoz.

Thasleem and Fairoz

   .
Thasleem works in shipping in Dubai and Fairoz is a messenger in Abu Dhabi, but travels the 150kms to Dubai every weekend to join Thasleem so that they can party, party. Two lovely, friendly guys.

Mother then asked them the all important question - Are You Married ? - No was the answer so photographs were taken to be added to Jacqueline's suitors list.

A group of school kids were sitting in the park having their lunch.

Other people were just chilling out.

There was a lovely small boating area for kids and a castle to play in.

Here are some more pictures of the park

We then walked back along The Esplanade, past the Ferry Terminal

where we saw this little car which obviously belongs to the local Panjim Tupperware Mannie.

This is a little spot we stop off at if we have to wait any length of time for the Ferry.

This is little place to pray which we saw on our way to The Mandovi Hotel for some lunch.

At the Mandovi Hotel we sat out on the balcony and Merlyn had a Cheese Toastie with Lemon Tea

I had Carrot and Ginger Soup followed by Vegetable Spring Rolls washed down by a large bottle Fosters.

Christine had a Banana Milk shake with Ice Cream followed by a Creme Caramel as she was still not allowed Hot Food following her mouth surgery for her implants.

 
We then headed off through the Old part of town towards the Bus Station. We stopped and had a look at a couple of Book Shops  and Merlyn bought  a couple of colouring books and crayons for a wee girl who has literally been brought up under a tree in the lane where we stay, as her mother is a fruit seller. This is another book shop which was a lovely building.

Just before we reached the16th century Baroque Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the most prominent and elegant church in Panaji is a whitewashed edifice with an enormous bell that was taken from an Augustinian monastery in Old Goa. 

we saw this Wedding Car sitting at the side of the road

just next to the Panjim Branch of Halfords

On the way to the Bus station we passed by this small local school

It had blackboards set into the wall on the outside of the building

Having not eaten for about 20 minutes we thought a cake stop was in order. Found this little shop sold lovely cheescake.  Also bought a large piece of Banana and Cinnamon Cake to take back to the Apartment.

Whilst waiting to cross the road to the bridge Postie from Tyndrum (Jim Atkinson) passed us at speed in his Post Van. Obviously trying to get to Killin for a golf night.

We crossed the Qurem Creek footbridge to get to the Commercial District which leads to the Bus Station

Merlyn saw an elepant floating downstream. Unfortunately, it looks like it had drowned.

Can you see any more Elephants Christine ?

The commercial district is expanding rapidly with a lot of new office building going up very quickly.

The following signs are self explanatory

Two great bakers

2 Great Bakers

One of the building under construction

Could cope with these parking charges at home

This area is clean  - Even has Dustbins

Fruit Sellers outside the Bus Station

????  - Possible dried coconut scapings - ????

Panjim Bus Station