DocDivaTraveller: December 2014

December 25, 2014 12 comments

The second stop of our second day was the capital of Goa, Panaji and hence of course Velha Goa. Velha in Portugese means old. Old Goa is also known as Pornnem Goem. Its a historical site in the North Goa district.

Our church hopping tour started with the famous Basilica of Bom Jesus. We were privileged to see the exposition of St Francis Xavier which occurs once every 10 years.

For the exposition ( which is a huge huge event), there was very tight security and vehicles were not allowed after a certain point. They were providing shuttle buses to the church area from the parking. We parked our bike and then took the bus. It was just a five minute ride and we all were laughing after getting down. The ambiance was very festive with thousands of devotees paying visit. Then as we geared up for taking photos, I remembered something and panicked. Where was our tripod?
I was carrying it and could not remember the last time I saw it. No it was not on the bike. So definitely I must have left it in the bus. Gosh now what? There were tens of shuttle buses and their routes were unfamiliar too. I waited there in dismay while poor hubby went hunting for it.

I had never misplaced anything before. Losing things is husband's forte. And now that I had encroached his territory, he was going to tease me forever. After 45 minutes he turned up swinging the tripod bag. Relieved, I forgot the bunch of candles which I had bought and left them on the footpath where I had been sitting.

The picture of the Basilica could not be taken as it was covered for the huge masses to take place. It was a huge event for which devotees from all over the world had come. The exposition is a 44 day event which started on 22 November. When we had booked our tickets, we did not know that we would be privileged to witness this event which takes place every 10 years for just a few days.

The queue to the church where St Xavier's body was kept was very very long. We spent at least an hour waiting but things like this happen once in a lifetime.

St Francis Xavier was a Roman catholic who was born in Xavier, Kingdom of Navarre in 1506. He left Rome in 1540 and his goal was to spread Christianity in Asia. He left Lisbon in 1541 and came to Goa, the Portugese capital of India. After India, Japan he wanted to spread his faith in China but died in Shangchuan Island.

His body was first buried there, then his incorrupt body was taken to Portugese Malacca in March 1553. Later his body was shipped to India in December. Since then his body is kept in a glass container in a silver casket and known as the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

His right forearm with which he used to baptize his converts has been kept in the main Jesuit Church in Rome. The baffling part is that the body is uncorrupt without any embalming or preservation. Never in my life I thought that I would be able to see his sacred relics.

Photography was strictly prohibited inside the church. I have picked these photos from a local newspaper.

The place where I realised that I had misplaced our tripod. I had been sitting on the sidewalk crestfallen.

At the entrance.. This exposition occurs once in every ten years for just 44 days!!

The back of the Basilica...

Lighting candles..I lost the candles too which I had bought earlier :(

The Se cathedral ..where the sacred relics were kept... We were in the queue for an hour!!

St Francis Xavier...

The incorrupt body of St Francis Xavier

Devotees paying their respects...

In front of the Se Cathedral..

The cathedral of St Cajetan. Its not clearly visible but it resembles the St Peter's cathedral in Vatican City ( the main dome)

Tired hubs after the tripod hunt :D

Top: Esprit
Skirt: Only
Accessories: Forever21
Sunnies: Aldo

December 22, 2014 11 comments

Do you know anyone who does not like flowers? Well I have not come across any..not till now. My affiliation for flowers is a bit on the pathological side. So much is my obsession right from childhood that Dad used to say he would marry me to a guy who owns flower business! So what happens when a person like me gets to see tonnes of flowers..that too everywhere? She gets crazy clicking pictures and writes a blog post!

I am so not a morning person. I have sulked before but my beautiful morning experiences are here and here. Seems early mornings turn out really very well when I participate!

Two days ago I came to know about the flower mandi i.e the wholesale market of flowers. The market that serves the floral needs of the entire city. It was not very far from our place so we decided to pay it a visit. I have known about vegetable, fish, meat and fruit wholesale markets of Delhi; but flower market ..never! I always used to wonder that from where do all these flowers come.

This market starts at 4 in the morning. As soon as the sun comes up, flowers wilt and hence the market shuts down. Nowdays during winters, the sun rises late. Its usually dark till quarter to seven nowadays. And late sunrise means unsatisfactory pictures. Anyways in the fear of losing out on seeing the market, I dragged both of us out and left in the dark at around 5 30 and was surprised when we reached there.

The crowd was maddening.. Everyone was involved in transactions..buying and selling. Since it was dark, the whole market was lit up and it felt that it was middle of the evening. And the best part? there were flowers everywhere. Right from imported ones like Cympidium to exotic orchids to Anthurium to good old marigolds, there was no flower which I did not see here! I got absolutely crazy clicking pictures. Although natural light came quite late, I took maximum pictures in Artificial lights ( which are not good at all). After exploring this vast market on foot, I bought myself a bunch of gerberas ( which are my favourite flower).

I was dead tired at the end of that trip but turns out that my morning adventures turn out really well!

P.s These pictures have been taken in the most unfavourable of circumstances. First the lack of natural light and second maddening crowd! There was so much pushing and shoving that each picture took number of attempts to suit our satisfaction level. Sometimes someone would come in the frame and other times someone would knock hubby down! kudos to him for maintaining his patience!

Red rose anyone? p.s I am married!! ;)

Tonnes of marigold

marigold gardlands..

aah ..coloured roses!!

orchids anyone?

gerberas...my favourite..a sweet vendor offered me this gardland!!

finally a bunch of gerberas for myself!!

tiger lilies

Top: Uni Style Image
Pants: Forever21
Jacket:Globus
Beret: Globus

December 16, 2014 14 comments

Our first excursion began with the Chapora fort. You all must have known by now that we are soo fond of forts. This is not a regular tourist spot as its in ruins. However its frequented by hordes of youngsters ( foreigners mainly) because of the interesting climb and the gorgeous views it has to offer.

Chapora fort as the name suggests is situated on the Chapora river atop a hill. This fort was present from the 15th century before the Portugese arrived in Goa and had changed hands many times. In order to end the Portugese rule, Emperor Akbar joined hands with the Marathas and made this place their base camp. The fort has steep slopes all around and commands views in all directions; making it a very safe place. Don't know how it got destroyed.

When we were planning our trip and hubs showed me this fort, I was excited. Little we knew that in order to reach this place we have to brave the rock climbing and prickly grass. I was in heels (thank God they were wedges) and dress so my plight could easily be pictured. I used to think that a motorbike can take you anywhere but I was so in dreams!! Unless you are fit enough to walk any kind of distance, you can't be a true traveler!!

As we conquered height gradually and steadily, we took breaks for absorbing the beauty all around. The Arabian sea on three sides and the Chapora river on one. The rocky Vagator beach could be seen. It was almost dusk and we witnessed the sun going down into the Arabian sea. There were tall, prickly grasses all around and they provided a very pretty picture. I am a tough girl; but my choice of wrong footwear and outfit made this experience a difficult one indeed!!

The view from the top was mesmerising and its environment even merrier!! There were lots of groups, some couples and few families and all were enjoying in their own way!! Some were picknicking, some were singing, some playing groovy songs at high volume while some were musicians! Drums were being beaten and guitars were being strung! It was pure party flavour up there! Infact I forgot all my bruises and aching knees and joined the fun! We were famished from our adventure but had to munch only on biscuits as nothing was available up there.

After an hour at the top, it was pitch dark and it was even harder to get down! We lighted our way with our cell phones and it was real scary. Behind us there were only four guys who overtook us soon. How come we end up at the last always? ;)