I’m finally back after a rather long break. I didn’t mean to be away for so long but circumstances decided otherwise! As soon as we arrived in Goa, I started getting persistent pains in my upper abdomen and back. Turned out that I had a whole lot of stones in my gall bladder and needed immediate surgery! I am feeling much better, and almost back to my routine. On the positive side, I have no pain and am a few kilos lighter, though I wouldn’t recommend gall stone surgery as a form of weight loss. :D.
Thanks a ton for all the comments and mail. It felt pretty good to see them all in my mail box.
I am just getting back to regular cooking. We haven’t been starving, but my cooking efforts have been largely in survival mode. A large part of our last month’s meals came from our friends’ kitchens, as our stuff hadn’t been unpacked. So this post is not about food, but some glimpses of our drive into Goa and some pictures of a nice weekend holiday after we got here.
We moved to Goa at the beginning of the month, driving down from Kochi (a distance of about 800km) over two days, with an overnight stay at Udupi which is a temple town well known for its vegetarian food.
Driving down this highway is a lovely experience (not in summer though as it gets quite hot) as the road runs along the Konkan coast and one can see lovely views of the Arabian Sea while driving along.
The road runs so close to the beach, you can feel the spray when the waves hit the rocks!
There is one stretch (beyond Mangalore) called Byndoor where the road runs very close to the sea. This has always been a favorite point of ours to take a break, drink some tender coconut water and watch the view.
Waiting for us to arrive. 🙂
Two weeks back we had an occasion to spend a weekend at a resort, here in Panaji (the capital of Goa and also called Panjim). My husband and his colleagues to have a working-cum-holiday weekend at a small resort in Dona Paula called The Prainha. Families were invited along to enjoy the weekend. It was a nice change and just what the doctor had ordered for me! So while my husband and his colleagues spent some part of their weekend working, the spouses and kids got to have lovely, lazy weekend. The Prainha is a nice and quiet place with a little stretch of beach and is not too far away from the centre of Panaji. These are some pictures I took while at the resort.
Our resort, The Prainha.
A bit of advice, just in case!!
Village boys from nearby and football on the beach.
Twilight at the poolside, and the sea beyond.
I promise you some food in my next post. I really have to get that kitchen of mine going!!!
Asha says
Beautiful photos of the trip, love Goa!:)Welcome back.
Kalai says
Gorgeous photos! Glad to hear you’re feeling better, too. 🙂
Suganya says
Wishing you good health, Aparna.
Cham says
Wish a good Health …Beautiful pictures 🙂
sunita says
Aparna, grerat to see you back. Hope you’re much better on the health front 🙂
notyet100 says
NICE POST AND NICE PICS,..I JUST LOVE GOA,,,
Srivalli says
Glad to see you back and good that you are feeling better…those pictures are so nice..thanks for sharing!
Rachel says
Aparna…it was at his resort that I spent my 2007 New Years..at the lawns…During our stay in goa…donapaula was a fav haunt escpecially during the early mornings..well before the crowds came in…..Glad you are back..Take care
SMN says
Beautiful photos of the trip.. glad to hear that u feeling better
Sig says
Kidney stones… poor you… 🙁 Glad it is all gone now, and great silver lining too… 🙂 Beautiful pictures…… Goa is the best!
Uma says
glad to see you back! lovely photos. Take care.
Rosie says
Oh what gorgeous photos… I am sooo glad to hear you’re feeling better :)Rosie x
Arundathi says
Love Goa. Thanks for the photos – have to check out this resort on our next vacation. Hope you’re all hale and hearty soon!
Nandita says
Glad to know that you are doing better Aparna…and isn’t is beautiful to drive from state to state, I want to experience more of such drives :)Awaiting more of your posts 🙂
farida says
great photos! what a beautiful place! i want to be there:)
Vanamala says
Nice photos…
Mike of Mike's Table says
Yikes, glad to hear you’re on the mend! I hope you feel all right.Looks like a fun trip!
Priyanka says
Aparna-hope you are doing well now. Goa is really a beautiful place-we were there a couple of months ago.
Red Chillies says
Oh no, Aparna, hope you are feeling much better and are taking the much need rest after surgery. I loved the Goa pictures, our family diety is Lord Shiva in Mangeshi.
Nupur says
Oh dear, a move immediately followed by surgery must have been stressful! Glad to know that you are doing well and good luck for a speedy recovery. How wonderful that you will get to live in gorgeous Goa 🙂 it is one of my very favorite places in India.
Passionate baker...& beyon says
Great to see you back Aparna. Also glad to know you got rid of the stones, are feeling lighter & will soon be back in action. Goa is very beautiful…Dona Paula especially. Lucky girl…missed you over last months DB!! Take care & thanks for stopping by!!
vegeyum says
Glad to see that you are back, and also back in good health. Keep well. I look forward to lots of great posts from Goa.
DK says
Beautiful photos 🙂 There is always something at Goa that pulls me to it :)As for ur query for AWED event, you can send me already posted ones too..or u can make new ones 😉 I dont mind at all 🙂 The point is to collect as many dishes as possible under one roof which makes planning easier 🙂
Sunshinemom says
Glad to know that you are well now. You obviously had a good time :. Welcome back to reality :). I am still in the mode. Will give a long post about ‘Hornbill resorts’ in Dandeli when I get back!
Ann says
So glad to see you back and wonderful photos!
Aparna says
Glad you all liked the pictures. Goa is a lovely place with plenty of photographic appeal. Who wouldn’t love Goa?Of course, holidaying in Goa and living in Goa are two different things entirely.Rachel,I know what you mean. Dona Paula is awesome during the monsoons, too.Arundathi, Nandita, Try it out.Red Chillies,So your roots are down here. Mangueshi is a lovely temple.Deeba,I’m back at the DB this month.DK,Thanks. Will send you an entry.Sunshinemom,Happy holidays. Looking forward to your Dandeli posts.
Cynthia says
Your pics make me want to take a vacation.
Aparna says
Do come to Goa, Cynthia. You’ll love it.