A taste of Portugal

We traveled down out of the hill station at Mahableshwar into the state of Goa, a Portuguese colony for several centuries. The narrow streets and boldly painted buildings, small cafes and meaty food made us feel we had left India altogether. We spent a few days in the state capital, Panjim....enjoying the European flavor and the riverside promenade that was flush with activity with the International Film Festival of India in town. We also paid a visit to Old Goa, the former capital that rivaled London and Lisbon in its prime. Now all that remains are many old cathedrals and basilicas that are a stark contrast to Hindu temples we have visited.