This was one hell of a ride. I woke up 7 a.m, had a cheese sandwich and a cold coffee, set out at 7.25 am to meet Ian and Prue at their guest house near Panjim Church. They are Australians touring India on their bikes since last 4 months.
From there we proceeded to Indoor Stadium where Joseph, Terence, Delfin, Haresh and Joshua were waiting for us. We set out for DonaPaula via Miramar beach. From DonaPaula we went to the Goa University, Bambolim. On the way Vinoo and Mayur joined us. We then took the road going down to Shiridao. At this junction Joshua split and head home. We went down the to Shiridao and rode right up to the Chapel of Jesus Nazareth – a modest chapel but with a spectacular view. The road from Bambolim to Shiridao is narrow and runs along the beach. The weather was pleasant and the cool sea breeze made the experience memorable.
After this we decided to go to the Batim Church of Our Lady of Rosary. The site of this Church had always eluded me and it wasn’t until recently that I found my way up to this Church. I wanted the group to see it since this Church is also perched atop a hill with a spectacular view of the lush green fields below. We were lucky as the morning mass had just finished and the person in charge agreed to hold the door open for us for an extra time till we got a good look at its interiors. It has very modest interiors and an old painting hanging high near the ceiling and needs repairs. An inscription on the floor read that it was constructed in 1650 by a Portuguese noble.
From here we continued our ride through the beautiful village setting and the green fields that we spot from top. We were heading to St. Anne Church at Talaulim – slated to be the oldest Church of Goa.
This Church is presently under renovation – a project undertaken by the ASI and INTACH. We were allowed entry inside by the priest who lives next door and we explored it right up to both its towers. The experience was worth the ride.
From here we were guided to the ancient laterite Kadamba road that leads to Old Goa! It’s a steep climb up but we managed to cycle a good part of it. It opens on the new Kadamba by-pass (NH-4A). This ride was definitely very bumpy!
At Old Goa we stopped at the Gandhi Circle for a quick fruit snack...banana’s, chicku’s and Cucumber. We bought more water. The salt put on the cucumber was much relief to my body’s depleted salt levels. We rode along to Ribandar and back home to Panjim.
45 kms – 4 hours with rests.
From there we proceeded to Indoor Stadium where Joseph, Terence, Delfin, Haresh and Joshua were waiting for us. We set out for DonaPaula via Miramar beach. From DonaPaula we went to the Goa University, Bambolim. On the way Vinoo and Mayur joined us. We then took the road going down to Shiridao. At this junction Joshua split and head home. We went down the to Shiridao and rode right up to the Chapel of Jesus Nazareth – a modest chapel but with a spectacular view. The road from Bambolim to Shiridao is narrow and runs along the beach. The weather was pleasant and the cool sea breeze made the experience memorable.
After this we decided to go to the Batim Church of Our Lady of Rosary. The site of this Church had always eluded me and it wasn’t until recently that I found my way up to this Church. I wanted the group to see it since this Church is also perched atop a hill with a spectacular view of the lush green fields below. We were lucky as the morning mass had just finished and the person in charge agreed to hold the door open for us for an extra time till we got a good look at its interiors. It has very modest interiors and an old painting hanging high near the ceiling and needs repairs. An inscription on the floor read that it was constructed in 1650 by a Portuguese noble.
From here we continued our ride through the beautiful village setting and the green fields that we spot from top. We were heading to St. Anne Church at Talaulim – slated to be the oldest Church of Goa.
This Church is presently under renovation – a project undertaken by the ASI and INTACH. We were allowed entry inside by the priest who lives next door and we explored it right up to both its towers. The experience was worth the ride.
From here we were guided to the ancient laterite Kadamba road that leads to Old Goa! It’s a steep climb up but we managed to cycle a good part of it. It opens on the new Kadamba by-pass (NH-4A). This ride was definitely very bumpy!
At Old Goa we stopped at the Gandhi Circle for a quick fruit snack...banana’s, chicku’s and Cucumber. We bought more water. The salt put on the cucumber was much relief to my body’s depleted salt levels. We rode along to Ribandar and back home to Panjim.
45 kms – 4 hours with rests.
