London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 86 – 21 November 2016
Relaxing in Goa and the Taste of Home
After months of early starts, long driving days, border crossings, and countless kilometres on the road, today was all about slowing down and enjoying the laid-back lifestyle that Goa is famous for.
For the first time in many days, there was no alarm clock.
We enjoyed a long and relaxing lie-in before eventually making our way out of the resort.
Just outside the gates of the Royal Palms Resort were several cafés and restaurants serving breakfast well into the late morning. One in particular, directly opposite the resort, caught our attention.
There we treated ourselves to a hearty English breakfast, accompanied by steaming cups of masala tea.
It felt like the perfect way to begin a leisurely day in Goa.
After breakfast, we went for a gentle stroll around the area.
The roads around Benaulim were lined with small shops, cafés, guesthouses, and market stalls, all contributing to the relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
During our walk, we stopped at a local vegetable shop.
There was a very important reason for this.
Our resident chef, Ramesh, had run out of one of the most important ingredients in Team Kontiki’s travelling kitchen—his famous fresh green chilli masala.
No journey was complete without it.
So we stocked up on fresh green chillies, ginger, and garlic, ensuring that normal culinary service could resume immediately.
With our supplies replenished, we returned to Kontiki and decided to spend the afternoon exploring Panjim (Panaji), the capital city of Goa.
The drive took about an hour and was enjoyable throughout.
As we approached the city, Goa’s unique character became increasingly evident.
On one side of the road were beautiful waterfront views, while on the other stood elegant colonial buildings reflecting Goa’s long Portuguese heritage.
Unlike many Indian cities, Panjim has a distinctly European feel, with colourful houses, tree-lined streets, churches, and charming architecture.
Our first destination was Dona Paula, one of Goa’s most famous viewpoints.
Overlooking the Arabian Sea, it offers magnificent views of the coastline and the surrounding waters.
We spent some time there simply enjoying the scenery and soaking up the warm sea breeze.
A refreshing glass of fresh lime juice made the experience even better.
Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the most enjoyable.
The return journey, however, provided a reminder that life with an ageing motorhome always includes a little excitement.
While driving back, we heard a familiar sound from underneath the vehicle.
Experience immediately told us that something was not quite right.
We pulled over at the roadside to investigate.
Sure enough, one of the rear shock absorbers had worked loose once again—the very same one that had caused us trouble several times before.
Fortunately, by now Team Kontiki had become experts in roadside repairs.
Within minutes, Ramesh and Anil had their tools out and were tightening everything back into place.
Problem solved.
At least for now.
With Kontiki once again roadworthy, we continued towards Mapusa Market, one of Goa’s busiest and most popular markets.
Ramesh was determined to prepare a proper home-cooked meal that evening and wanted the freshest ingredients available.
A good chicken was purchased, along with a few additional supplies, before we headed back to Benaulim.
Back at the resort, it was time for some well-earned relaxation.
We spent an enjoyable hour in the swimming pool, cooling off from the afternoon heat and enjoying the luxury of not having to drive anywhere for a change.
While at the reception area, we also met a friendly Sikh couple from Birmingham.
Like many people we had encountered throughout our journey, they were fascinated by our London-to-Mumbai adventure.
They told us they too dreamed of undertaking a similar road trip one day, and we spent some time sharing stories, advice, and experiences from our travels.
As evening approached, the aromas coming from Kontiki’s kitchen began attracting attention.
Ramesh had prepared his fresh green chilli masala and was busy cooking chicken for the team.
After weeks of restaurant meals, hotel food, and roadside eateries, the smell alone was enough to make us hungry.
And the result did not disappoint.
The meal was absolutely superb.
Spicy, fresh, and packed with flavour, it reminded us of home and demonstrated once again why Ramesh had earned the title of Chief Chef of Team Kontiki.
No matter how good a restaurant may be, there is something special about enjoying a home-cooked meal after months on the road.
As we sat together enjoying dinner, we reflected on how different today had been from much of our journey.
No borders.
No long drives.
No breakdowns.
Just sunshine, friendship, good food, and the relaxed spirit of Goa.
Sometimes, that is exactly what an adventure needs.
Location: Benaulim, South Goa
Weather: Warm, sunny, and perfect for sightseeing
Highlights: Visiting Panjim and Dona Paula and enjoying a relaxing day in Goa
Most memorable moment: Watching Ramesh and Anil repair the troublesome shock absorber at the roadside in true Team Kontiki fashion
Places visited: Panjim, Dona Paula, and Mapusa Market
Interesting encounter: Meeting a Sikh couple from Birmingham who dream of doing a similar road trip
Food highlight: Ramesh’s fresh green chilli masala chicken and home-cooked dinner
Vehicle update: Rear shock absorber tightened and secured once again
Mood of the day: Relaxed, content, and thoroughly enjoying the Goa lifestyle
“After thousands of miles, countless adventures, and many challenges, a day spent in the sunshine of Goa with good friends and home-cooked food felt like pure luxury.”
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki continues to enjoy Goa before preparing for the final run towards Mumbai and the completion of our epic London-to-Mumbai road adventure.
