2020 India – Panjim
22nd January 2020
During a previous visit to Goa, we went on a day trip to Panjim and as we liked it so much, we thought we would stop there on our way to our final stop, Agonda. We stayed at the Vivanta Goa, a big hotel that offered a good deal with half board. I liked these hotels as they were usually well run as this one proved to be. I don’t know if there had been any problems in the past but the security was very strict and we had to go through metal detectors before going getting to the front door. I was never sure whether to be assured that they were taking our safety seriously, or worried as to why they should feel the need to. Once inside we were welcomed with a little garland of flowers and a weird and wonderful drink that was most welcome on such a hot day. Dinner was an excellent buffet with lots to choose from which I enjoy even though I always eat too much. There was some very pleasant live music in the restaurant but they also had piped music in the large reception area so I could hear both at the same time which always irritates me. I can never understand why it doesn’t occur to managers of these places that it is best to have either live music or piped music, not both at the same time. Would they go to a concert which featured two bands playing at the same time?
Our first morning was spent on a tour of Fontainhas which was the oldest and largest Latin quarter in Asia. Goa was once a Portuguese colony but it was only in that small area that you really got a feel for its history. The architecture was a lot different to the rest of Goa and a lot of the people still spoke Portuguese. The tour was excellent and the highlight was a visit to a 300-year-old house where 75-year-old Chico Fonseca had lived for 70 years. He had Portuguese ancestors and spoke Portuguese with all his friends and neighbours. Fortunately, he also spoke a little English so he and his charming wife showed us around their small apartment. It was full of antiques, many of which had their own stories. We were shown to a large, covered balcony area where we were offered refreshments and then Chico took out a guitar and sang us some songs. He was a well-known singer having studied and sung Fado in his youth. To be honest, he was pretty bad but we all loved him and the stories he told us between songs. He said with great pride that he had sung for Margaret Thatcher and that she liked one of his songs so much he had to sing it twice. The funny thing was, instead of singing, Fado he sang songs like Santa Lucia which didn’t really suit him but we still loved it. 
2020 India
