Day 53 - Goa: Roses, Reflections & Standing Our Ground

We arrived in Goa at 10am, which felt wonderfully civilised after some of our earlier port days. With time on our side, I enjoyed a gentle morning rhythm — gym, breakfast, crossword, and getting ready — all without rushing.

We left our room a little earlier than usual because our lovely room steward (who is from Goa) was dashing around finishing up. He was keen to get everything done so he could head ashore and spend precious hours with his family and young daughter. With seven months still left on his contract, these brief reunions are deeply meaningful — a quiet reminder of the sacrifices made by so many of the crew.

While reading today, I came across a beautiful poem by Ruth Bebermeyer, “Given To”. It stopped me in my tracks — thoughtful, generous, and very fitting for this chapter of the journey. Well worth a read.



Immigration, Roses & Stories

Heading to the tour bus involved two separate immigration checks — India has certainly been the strictest so far. At the port, a very kind lady welcomed me with a beautiful red rose, a simple gesture that instantly warmed the moment.



Our tour guide was excellent, giving us a rich overview of Goa’s history. Joe shared a story from his own time filming in India — he’d wanted to visit Goa back then, but the war prevented travel. He explained how that period coincided with the Goans reclaiming Goa from Portuguese rule, which added a very personal layer to the history we were hearing.

Goa Chitra Museum

Our first stop was the Goa Chitra Museum, the life’s work of Victor Hugo Gomes. It’s an ethnographic treasure, thoughtfully laid out in three sections:

  1. Goan lifestyle — from early rural life through later years

  2. Non-mechanical transportation

  3. Colonial heritage

It’s a fascinating place and absolutely worth visiting if you’re ever in Goa. Joe opted out of the walking and stayed on the bus for a well-earned snooze.



Taj Exotica: Beauty… and a Bit of Hunger



Next came the part Joe had been looking forward to — a visit to the Taj Exotica, one of Goa’s top hotels. Although it’s beach-facing, the beach is quite a walk from the gardens, so Joe happily settled poolside instead.

We decided to grab some lunch before rejoining the bus. I enjoyed a delicious burrata salad. Joe, however, was far less impressed — his fish and rice arrived just five minutes before departure, leaving him to gobble down only a small portion. As you can imagine, he was not amused.

Naturally… we were last on the bus.

Back Onboard & Boundaries

Returning to the ship meant — yes — two more immigration checks. India certainly keeps you on your toes.

Joe missed the quiz, but we had time to shower and change for the final night of Chanukah. The ship had arranged a special Chanukah dinner, but unfortunately a few very opinionated guests made their displeasure known, insisting on ordering from the main menu instead of the arranged one — and doing so quite rudely in our opinion.

Joe and I both felt strongly that this wasn’t right. After the service, I spoke with Patricio and the restaurant manager to explain that we didn’t support this behaviour and would prefer to dine separately. I simply couldn’t sit at a table and silently condone such rudeness.

We were seated at the opposite end — forgetting that this was the slow-service section. Lesson learned. Sadly, it meant another very slow meal — the second of the day — and with Joe already hungry, patience was wearing thin.

Evening Close

Joe headed off to watch the magician’s show. He said it was fine — but not a patch on the previous magician he’d loved.

Another full, layered day — moments of beauty, kindness, reflection… and also a reminder of the importance of kindness and respect, especially when travelling together.

Tomorrow brings an early start in Mangalore — time now to rest.

Daily Reflection:

Travel teaches us not only about places,
but about people — and the moments when it’s right
to quietly, firmly stand by our values.

Highlight of the Day:

🌹 Being welcomed to Goa with a single red rose — small gestures, lasting impact. 

Comments

  1. Christina GiuffréDecember 23, 2025 at 9:25 AM

    I loved the poem, thanks for sharing. I shared with Mark because he gives so much but sometimes forgets how to receive. 🩷

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BDecember 23, 2025 at 9:49 AM

      I love that you shared that with him and that it really resonated x

      Delete

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