Greetings from Portugal!

Or at least that's what it feels like. We've made our way down to Panjim, the capital of Goa, described as the cutest capital in India. It is indeed extremely cute, with old colorful buildings lining the small streets, but it feels more like Europe than India. Yesterday, we walked around town, visiting the main attraction, the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (try that one with your mouth full!). Stunning white church, described as a gigantic wedding cake on a hill. And that's exactly what it looked like.

Last I blogged was from Arambol, and between there and here, we spent a few days in my favorite place yet in Goa: Anjuna. It wasn't at all what I expected. The guidebook refers to it as "Dear old Anjuna, that stalwart on India's hippy scene," and many people said it could be skipped and that the food was terrible. (The restos were among favorite in all of India, though the food did make Blaire quite sick for 24 hours. She then made a quick recovery after sleeping a full day.) Anjuna was much more relaxed than Arambol, and much prettier. We didn't end up getting our tattoos or staying up all night for the full moon party (which, anyway, is nothing compared to the scene in Kho Pagnan, Thailand). Just went for a late dinner at a gorgeous seafront outdoor restaurant (poshest, priciest meal yet - Blaire even opted for a glass of white wine, and I had a delicious cucumber martini), then back for a good sleep at our lovely guesthouse on a tranquil street (except for the constant scooters driving by). Despite the proximity of everything, everyone rides a scooter. Most people here are not tourists, but rather hippies who came and never left! On our last day there, we went for a long walk around town with two destinations in mind. One was Hotel Bougainvillea (aka Granpa's Inn) which is a guesthouse in a 200-year-old Portuguese-style mansion. The grounds and interior we "ridiculously pretty" (another guidebook quote) and there are also fabulous outdoor yoga halls where teacher training is available (hmmm, maybe on my trip back next year?). Our final destination was absolutely out of this world. Literally. Blaire and I both said it felt like walking right in and out of a dream or parallel universe. It's called Yoga Magic and is an eco-retreat center, with stunning tent/huts to stay in (for a hefty chunk-a-change) and compostable toilets, open-concept showers (think: watch the buffaloes graze in the sunny open field as you scrub yourself with natural organic soap), and plenty of other incredible aspects. Here's the website, worth checking out: www.yogamagic.net. Pretty sure it will be a non-negotiable eventual honeymoon spot!

So, again, I'll keep this pretty brief. So much more to say, but details will appear in the book...

Off on an overnight bus to Hampi tonight, a Unesco World Heritage sight that looks stunning. Then heading south for a week of Goa's best, most relaxed and secluded beaches, to do some beach reading and beach yoga before heading even further south, into Kerala, to meet Jim (Blaire's dad) in Kochi on the 25th. 

Going to spend the afternoon in Old Goa today, another Unesco sight. 

Still no photos from me, but Blaire has added more to facebook for you to check out :)

The marvels of this diverse country continue to take our breath away.

Beautiful, mesmerizing, fascinating India...