GOA - the Bali of India is how I'd describe it. Development has altered the place a lot since our previous visit in the early 80's; there has been a big influx of people from elsewhere in India for work not to mention the bus-loads of Russian tourists.
Steamy, sticky & green with jungle encroaching; there is now only a fading memory of the Portuguese who ruled Goa for 450 years until they were kicked out in 1961. We've played at being tourists for a couple of days, using a driver to visit the sites over narrow roads clogged with scooters & horn-tooting.  Old Goa, the original Portuguese capital now only has UNESCO-listed R.Catholic churches & huge cathedrals; unfortunately poorly maintained although their past grandeur is evident. We had fun on a sunset ferry trip around Panaji harbour; the Indians on board weren't interested in the view only on dancing to the disco music. A flea market crowded with Poms & Ruskies, a potent combination; & the merchandise was very "Baliesque"! Lunch & a tour of a spice plantation proved educational - cardamon, peppers, nutmeg, cashews, cinnamon, vanilla plants all being harvested. 
Tomorrow to Sri Lanka, just as news reaches us of a UN Human Rights committee & it's finding the SL govt. are guilty of war crimes - hope it doesn't cramp our style at all. We've endured Indian bureaucratic pettiness at it's best at the GPO when wanting to send a parcel to Shikshangram -"no From address in India": so we returned later & no problem:) Still we've also had great coffee & internet access at Lavazza cafe & Sally has had a trim for wait for it  - 100 rupees, A$1.85!! And the fascination Indians have with any westerners continues to amaze us, they will stare for ages & ask the most inane questions with a seriousness that means can can't laugh.