DAY 93---GOA, INDIA

 

        We docked here at 7:40 this morning.  It is already 82 degrees and 89% humidity with forecast high temp of 93.  YUK!!!  I mentioned yesterday that India immigration is requiring a face-to-face inspection in the cruise terminal if you are going off the ship either today, in Goa, or tomorrow, in Mumbai (Bombay as it used to be called).  Rebecca had no plans to get off and I was to do a tour tomorrow.  Last night I decided I did not want to play the India immigration game so I will not be getting off either day also.  Will enjoy the ship's air conditioning instead. 

Historical/Background Info:

        We were here in 2013 and 2017 also.  Goa is actually the smallest state of India, but one of the richest.  The capital is Panjim.  We are docking today at Mormugao just across the bay is Goa’s largest city, Vasco de Gama.  The Portuguese landed here in 1510 and conquered it.  It remained one of the Portuguese’s territories until 1961 when the Indian army chased them out and it was annexed by India.  Because of the 450 year Portuguese rule, in many parts of Goa, mansions constructed in the Indo-Portuguese style are still standing. 

        Goa is visited by many tourists each year for its many beaches, places of worship, and world heritage architecture.  Tourism is its primary industry.  The land away from the coast is rich in minerals and ores, such as, bauxite (source for aluminum), magnesium, clays, limestone, and silica.  This make mining its number two industry.  Agriculture, while shrinking because the young people now do not want to work (sound familiar??), still offers some employment.  The crops are rice, pine nuts, cashew nuts, and coconuts.  Of interest to all you alcoholics, Goa is also noted for its low beer, wine, and spirits prices due to it very low excise duty on alcohol.  Rice with fish curry is the staple of the local’s diet.  I’ll pass on that, thank you!   

LAST EVENING

                                                                  Our beautiful orchid

                                                              Hazy as sun is about to set.

        I started with the pan seared fole gras and we both had the cajun style seafood gumbo.  Gumbo was ok but not spicy.  For our entrees we both enjoyed the honey glazed Virginia ham with mashed potatoes and carrots.

                                                Couple bunnies on the "Christmas tree".

              I had some of this chocolate cake with a pecan crust on the bottom for dessert.

TODAY

        After my morning coffee (double shot Americano) I went up on deck 12 to get some photos then down to deck 6 for some closer up photos of the cruise terminal.  They are calling people off the ship to clear immigration by their tour number so as not to have to wait on the pier in the heat.  Paul also asked that the atrium remain clear but when I walked by it was packed full.  I call this a covid spreader event!

                                                  Cruise terminal and tour buses lined up.

Not much near the dock.

                            This is either an Indian naval ship or Indian coast guard vessel.

View today from our suite.  Loading some kind of ore for export, probably bauxite.  You can see the humidity in the air.

Indian coast guard vessels at pier behind our ship.

   Armed soldier on the pier.  Never can tell when a rowdy Regent passenger may act up.  LOL!!

                                                            Small band making noise.

      Before going into the terminal for immigration, you pick up your passports under the tent.

                                   Better photo from our balcony this afternoon without the haze.

        Here is the link to the Goa photos I took back on the 2017 world cruise.  You can cut & paste it to your browser to open it.  Not sure but you may need to have a Google account as these are on Google Photos.

https://goo.gl/photos/9xYxHb8kTKjVVMvy6

 

        Ship was almost ghost like today with most off the ship on tours.  We will be sailing again at 4pm and heading up to Mumbai where we will be docked tomorrow morning by 7:30.

        We have decided to head down to the Mariner Lounge for cocktails this evening after avoiding it for over a week.  We will sit at at a table for two and not at the bar.  We're still trying to avoid others as much as we can.  I know there are still some covid positives in isolation but they are not saying if there were any new cases yesterday or today.

        We will be dining in Compass Rose this evening and here is tonight's menu.  I have also made a special order request for fried calamari as our appetizer.  Tonight's production cast show is "Divos & Divas" again.  Think we have seen this show at least 3 times this cruise but will probably be going again tonight.