ISLAND HOPPING ON A CYCLE - PANJIM ~ RIBANDAR ~ CHORAO ~ NARVE ~ DIVAR ~ RIBANDAR ~ PANJIM (50 kms +)
I set out from my place (Near Mahalaxmi Temple, Panjim) at 10.30 a.m. The sun was smiling bright at me almost mocking that I am late.
There was'nt much traffic in city because of the holiday. I cycled along
the D.B. Marg to Patto and then took the road along the Mandovi River (its actually amongst Asia’s oldest and once longest bridge – Ponte de Linhares) to the Ribandar Ferry Point. The Ferry touched in a few minutes. The fisherwoman was selling the ‘catch of the morning’. There were also some fresh oysters being sold across the road. The prices here are very reasonable.
the D.B. Marg to Patto and then took the road along the Mandovi River (its actually amongst Asia’s oldest and once longest bridge – Ponte de Linhares) to the Ribandar Ferry Point. The Ferry touched in a few minutes. The fisherwoman was selling the ‘catch of the morning’. There were also some fresh oysters being sold across the road. The prices here are very reasonable. 
This ferry crossing took me to Chorao Island which has the renowned Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (the Goa Tourism Development Corporation has a boat ride into the sanctuary for bird enthusiasts. Don’t know if it is still operational). The ferry crossing took about 10 minutes. [There is also another route to get to Chorao Island from Panjim – cross Mandovi Bridge, get down to Brittona and cycle about 4 kms till you get to a Ferry Crossing that will get you to Chorao. Also an interesting ride.]
There were trees along a good part of the road that provided shelter from the unforgiving sun. During monsoons the experience is enhanced by the lush green fields both sides of the road. The road is superior quality and I am struggling to recollect if I encountered any pot hole on the way. There were many side roads going down to the teak plantations and fields along the river. These were ‘Kutcha’ roads (no tarmac) and so were very tempting.
In Narve is the protected site of the Saptakoteshwar Temple. It was a s
hort 2 kms detour from the road going to the Ferry Crossing to Divar. I reached the temple site at 1.00. The temple has a historical significance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saptakoteshwar. Maharaj Shivaji is credited to have rebuilt this temple in the 1600’s. There is also another plaque that reads that Fundacao Oriente has renovated the Temple. But its present state undermines its historical glory.
In Narve is the protected site of the Saptakoteshwar Temple. It was a s
hort 2 kms detour from the road going to the Ferry Crossing to Divar. I reached the temple site at 1.00. The temple has a historical significance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saptakoteshwar. Maharaj Shivaji is credited to have rebuilt this temple in the 1600’s. There is also another plaque that reads that Fundacao Oriente has renovated the Temple. But its present state undermines its historical glory. By this time i was both hungry and thirsty. I had passed the small shops along the way optimistic that there would be at least a small restaurant at this important site. To my dismay there was none (although there is one a little ahead). A bypasser told me that i could get water at the temple priest's house (just opposite the temple). I asked the temple priest if there was any place nearby where they served lunch and he happily offered me to eat at his house. I was delighted. Even though I dont relish vegetarian food the food at their place is uniquely tasty. At pains of seeming offensive I offered to pay and he reluctantly accepted Rs. 50.
After lunch, I rest at the Temple waiting for the unforgiving afternoon sun to soften. Its always about 5 degrees cooler inside a temple. It was breezy too and so the heat outside did'nt bother me much inside the temple. A little later I met a boy from the village who told me of a spring nearby.
The spring flows round the year although its best is during monsoon. There were many people (men and women) bathing under it and i was encouraged by them to have a dip. The water is rumoured to have medicinal properties but for me - i felt fresh as new.
At 4.00 i set out again. I cycled my way to get the Ferry to Divar. Its a 
short distance from the detour i took to the Saptakoteshwar Temple. This is a short ferry crossing. All ferry crossings for pedestrians and two wheelers is free. I believe the Government pays for it. From here i had to go to get the ferry crossing to Ribandar which was about 7-8 kms. Divar has some amazing old portuguese houses and many of them are well maintained. [There is also a ferry that goes to Old Goa but i was already quiet exhausted]
short distance from the detour i took to the Saptakoteshwar Temple. This is a short ferry crossing. All ferry crossings for pedestrians and two wheelers is free. I believe the Government pays for it. From here i had to go to get the ferry crossing to Ribandar which was about 7-8 kms. Divar has some amazing old portuguese houses and many of them are well maintained. [There is also a ferry that goes to Old Goa but i was already quiet exhausted]I took the ferry and got to Ribandar. It brings you to a different ferry point than the one i took in the morning. From here Panjim is about 9 kms. I got home at about 6.00 p.m - exhausted as hell but the experience was totally worth it.
[There were not so many climbs and the many descents more than compensated for them. I didnt have difficulty buying water along the way. There are many General stores that even stock enegry drinks! ]
