Our walk ends

Our last stop on our heritage walk was at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Construction began in 1594 and was completed in 1605. This Jesuit church is simple in style and has had its white exterior paint removed to reveal the original stonework. The church purportedly holds the perfectly preserved body of St Francis Xavier and thousands of pilgrims flock here every year to see him. The body is displayed in a silver casket with glass sides and top. This is now raised high above the heads of the pilgrims as apparently it was getting damaged by all of the touching and kissing!

No photos are allowed inside the church. 

Outside, a family insisted on having their photo taken with me. The kid doesn't look too impressed! 😂

We then found a place to sit so that Yashasvi could finish her fascinating story of the history of Goa. She was an excellent guide and very passionate about her subject. 

I then said my farewells. Yashasvi was going back to the starting point with the other couple to fill them in on what they had missed before they joined us. I asked Yashasvi for a restaurant recommendation for a late lunch. She suggested Adlem Goi which proved to be very good, if a bit more expensive than I have got used to. I had a delicious kingfish curry, but I resisted the temptation to ring the bell when I left 😂.

Later, I returned to my homestay and asked Shiva to organise a taxi to take me to Panjari tomorrow.Read more