Goa Carnival 2015

I trust all of you are well and thriving,

I've been away from blogging for almost a year.  We have relocated to Goa after an extensive search for a convenient and peaceful "retirement" home.  It took us a year and 14 trips Mumbai-Goa to achieve this.  Both my husband and I are back to our roots having left behind the noisy and busy city of Mumbai (it's always "Bombay" to Goans) where we spent the larger part of our lives.

In the days to come I will post on our home, its environs and the village we have settled in.  For today, I would like to show you the vivid images of Goa.  

It lasts for 3 days - before Ash Wednesday.  We call it "Carnaval".  This festival goes along the lines of the Brazil carnival. The first parade in Goa took place in Panjim on Fat Saturday in 1965.  It was celebrated even during the time of the Portuguese from whom Goa was liberated in 1961.  It was grand even then but from the 60s onwards it became distinctly Goan and is now a tourist attraction. 

The first day, the celebrations started in the city of Panjim or Panaji and here are some of the images.

       

Church of the Immaculate Conception, Panjim

Konkan Railway that passes through a scenic route.  That's a temple on top of the coach.

The cashew fruit.  We make the local brew "feni" from it.  See the rustic image of the brewing process below.

                                                  and ofcourse we have lots of sea, sun and sand.

                                                          that's a kite fish (spotted grey)

King Momo declares the Carnaval open !

Yes, we still have bullock carts !

                                      and yes, robots will one day take over - so beware !

                            Many of us also still cook on wood fires and use earthenware pots.

Goans and music !    To end the day's celebrations we have live music.

VIVA CARNAVAL !