This last week of December has been an interesting stay in Goa. The original plan was to do the 10K run at the Goa River Marathon on 14th December, but I didn't get good enough sleep on the 13th night so I skipped. (partly due to a heavy dinner at Sea Shells Siridao, a must visit). I did make up for it by doing a 10K on my own on the 16th. My friends Val, Malcolm and Jimmy did the 10K run on Sunday with some great timin. Three of us (Ernie, Charles and me) joined the gang for lunch at Joet's at Bogmalo Beach.
It's been an interesting trip in the sense that it's the first time we've stayed in Panjim for a week. Panjim has the Serendipity Arts Festival running from 12th to the 21st of December and features exhibitions, paintings, performances at the Arena, Nagali Hills. The overall vibe is extremely nice in the city compared to the usual laid back ambience we enjoy in South Goa.
When you live in Panjim the food choices are incredible. We have eaten at Janot at Panjim Gymkhana (Excellent), the House of B (Very Good) at Tonca, Te Fitti Cafe on 18th June Road (quite Good). Also street food at Cafe Mangalore Taleigao (the buns were really good and the sheera too). The overall food quality has been truly outstanding. If you don't have alcohol, the food is relatively cheap compared to anywhere in Bombay. And I would definitely recommend that you go to these places. Club Palma at Aldeia is overpriced and food is ok. We also defined the Old Monk Index while having Old Monk.
We found time to connect with family and friends in Siolim and also managed to attend two sessions with writers at the International Centre in Goa. The roads have improved further and seem to be in good shape, tarred etc The Margao City bypass is complete and you can get to Margao station pretty easily from North Goa. The national highway will take you to North Karnataka on the Karwar side also very quickly. The roads in North Goa and in Panjim city which had been dug up in the past have now been cleaned up.
The two major traffic bottlenecks are because of the Porvorim Flyover which is being built and there is some construction on the access road to Dabolim airport. There is some highway work as you head out of Goa (on the Mopa Airport Road). Overall infrastructure seems to be working fine. Goa is set up in the right direction.
The disappointing fact is that the AQI seems to be on par with Mumbai. It was hitting 150 quite often in North Goa (dropped to 80 on 18th Dec) It's about 80 in South Goa but that's to be expected because the volume of construction and habitation in South Goa is much lesser.
Overall an interesting trip and hopefully, Goa continues to be a prime tourist destination.
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