London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 88 – 23 November 2016
Old Goa, Agonda Beach and Another Small-World Moment
With only a few days remaining before the end of our epic London-to-Mumbai journey, we were determined to make the most of our time in Goa.
After a leisurely breakfast, Team Kontiki set off to explore Old Goa, located approximately 38 kilometres from our resort.
The drive took about an hour and was pleasant enough, passing through the lush green landscapes and quiet villages that give Goa so much of its charm.
Old Goa was once the capital of Portuguese India and, during the 16th and 17th centuries, was one of the most important cities in Asia. Often referred to as the “Rome of the East,” it was a major centre of trade, religion, and culture.
Today, however, much of its former grandeur has faded, and the area is relatively quiet compared with its historic importance.
The main attraction is undoubtedly the magnificent Basilica of Bom Jesus.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage destinations in India and is renowned for housing the remains of Saint Francis Xavier, the Spanish-born missionary who played a major role in spreading Christianity throughout Asia.
Inside the basilica rests his tomb, which attracts visitors from around the world.
One of the church’s most remarkable traditions is that the saint’s body is brought down from its elevated resting place for public viewing once every ten years, allowing pilgrims to pay their respects.
The last exposition had taken place in 2014, just two years before our visit.
Although we could not view the body itself, simply being present in such a historic and spiritually significant place was a privilege.
The church was peaceful, elegant, and filled with a sense of calm that encouraged quiet reflection.
Across the road stands a museum containing many historical artefacts and exhibits relating to Goa’s colonial past. Unfortunately, time was not on our side, and we reluctantly decided to leave it for another visit.
Our next destination was Agonda Beach, located a couple of hours to the south.
The journey took us along narrow roads winding through villages, forests, and stretches of beautiful coastline.
Agonda has a reputation for being one of Goa’s finest beaches—quieter and less commercial than some of its northern counterparts.
We were also hoping to meet Simon, the German overlander we had encountered a couple of days earlier, along with the group of fellow travellers he had mentioned.
On arriving, however, things did not quite go according to plan.
We asked around and searched the beach, but there was no sign of Simon, his travelling companion, or any of the other overlanders we had expected to find.
Perhaps plans had changed, or perhaps we had simply missed them.
Disappointed but not discouraged, we decided to make the most of the situation.
And what a place to do so.
Agonda Beach was absolutely beautiful.
Long stretches of golden sand, gently swaying palm trees, and the endless blue waters of the Arabian Sea created a picture-perfect setting.
The atmosphere was relaxed and unspoilt, making it easy to understand why so many travellers fall in love with this corner of Goa.
We spent the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the beach, walking along the shoreline, and soaking up the peaceful surroundings.
Eventually, as the sun began to lower in the sky, we made our way back to the Royal Palms Resort.
There, the day produced one final surprise.
At the resort, we met a friendly Goan couple and their daughter who were visiting from Wimbledon, London.
As conversations often do when travelling, the discussion soon turned to family origins and places we had lived.
Then came one of those astonishing coincidences that seem to happen so often on this journey.
The lady told us she had been born in Nakuru, Kenya—the very same town where Mahesh and Anil were born and spent their childhood years.
Thousands of miles from Kenya and halfway across the world in Goa, we found ourselves reminiscing about the same town and sharing memories from decades gone by.
Moments like these make you realise just how connected the world really is.
It truly is a small, small world.
Location: Old Goa and Agonda Beach, Goa
Weather: Warm, sunny, and ideal for sightseeing
Highlights: Visiting the Basilica of Bom Jesus and relaxing at Agonda Beach
Most memorable moment: Standing in the church that houses the tomb of Saint Francis Xavier
Unexpected disappointment: Missing the gathering of overland travellers at Agonda Beach
Small-world moment: Meeting a Goan lady from Wimbledon who was also born in Nakuru, Kenya
Places visited: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, and Agonda Beach
Distance travelled: Approximately 150 km round trip
Mood of the day: Relaxed, reflective, and once again amazed by the unexpected connections that travel creates
“The roads may take us thousands of miles from home, yet somehow they keep bringing us back to people and places that feel familiar. Once again, the world proved to be much smaller than we imagined.”
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki enjoys its final days in Goa before beginning the last stage of the incredible journey towards Mumbai.
