Signal Station Flagstaff (historical)

After making it through the gauntlet of bureaucracy required to step foot in Goa, Larry negotiated a taxi tour for us, along with two German couples we met along the way.

Our cabbie’s name was Nelson, and Old Goa was our first stop of the day.

In the 1960s, many American hippies found their bliss on the beaches of Goa. These days, sadly, this lush tropical paradise is strewn with trash.

As we left the port, we passed high walls covered with dingy murals and concertina wire behind which India Oil operates a refinery.

On our way to Old Goa, we passed many roadside vendors, such as this gal selling fish.

And check out that guy on the bike: According to Nelson, he is a garbage collector.

We didn’t get a change to check out the McDonald’s on Goa. It can be fun to see how different countries interpret the menu around the world. (I was curious if they had any items featuring curry, for instance.)

Nelson took us by a beach during our tour, and as much as I love swimming, after all the trash I’d seen in the bay and throughout the day, I just didn’t quite feel like it.Read more