Old Goa

After Panjim we headed over to Old Goa which looked like a much smaller town and, according to our guide book map, had lots of churches. Lots of churches indeed, from what I could tell the only thing the town had was churches...not sure if anyone actually lived there. Our driver dropped us in front of one big church; the Basilica. It was very pretty and quite different from any other church I've seen in India because it was a dark red (although most of the earth in Goa had a red color to it so no doubt this was actually the most real colored church around). The basilica houses the remains of St. Francis Xavier; alas none of my photos of the interior of the church came out; either it was the spirit of St. Francis making them fuzzy or the humidity...I'm guessing it was the humidity. It was a beautiful church that even with gobs of tourists (why were no tourists in Panjim? Made it nicer but seems odd that they all skipped it) the church had a very calm peaceful holy feel to it...at least to me.

Then we walked for about 1 minute (literally) over to the Cathedral. A big white church with a little bit of a Tuscan flavor to it. Again, quite beautiful with a simpler interior but some beautifully ornate side chapels.

After visiting the cathedral it was judgement call time...do we check out some of the other 7 churches in town or head back to the hotel and the pool? Well seeing as it was about 100 degrees and we were both actually dripping with sweat (it is a weird feeling to have your eyelids sweat) the pool won out. I must say that was one of the most refreshing dips in a pool I've ever had.

So while our day of sightseeing in Goa wasn't very long; it was very wonderful. If you ever get a chance to come to Goa don't spend it all on the beach, check out Panjim and Old Goa. They are well worth the visit.

Pictures! The exterior of the basilica and a chapel in the Cathedral.