Panjim Cool

Panjim is a small city but it packs some serious cool.  Here's a small sampling...

The Fashion:

The Books:

The Portuguese-inspired architecture (this art gallery is connected to the Panjim Inn):

The Cinema:

We all have fond memories of this movie theater.  Tenzin and Mark took in a James Bond flick here in 2006.  Not quite as highbrow was the movie that Karma and I went to:  Apna Sapna, or "Money Money", in which a diamond heist (they were hidden in the singer's high heeled shoes!) provides the impetus for true love and family reconciliation along with a few song and dance numbers.  

Mark has been practicing with the panoramic app on his phone again.  Here's the streetscape in Panjim - click to enjoy:

Waiting for Maggie

In which Mark and Kobi arrive at Palolem Beach in Goa to wait for Maggie to arrive from Bangalore.

On the edge of the Arabian Sea:

An educational moment between father and son:

Kobi stops at a shrine:

It's too bad that Tenzin isn't here to experience the adventurous menu - Pork Belly and Liver Paté are a little unexpected for South India but not for Palolem - the Inn is run by a Dutch couple.

And finally, it's Maggie!  She's been on her own in India since last June.  Kobi and Mark are so happy to see her!

History Lessons

Mark and Kobi combat jet lag by visiting a few historic sights in Delhi.

Just a little "Indiana Jones" moment:

Kobi was too young to remember our first trip to the Red Fort, 

built by Shah Jahan (who later built the Taj Mahal in Agra).  

Kobi gets a history lesson by audio tour...

This next photo is not historic - in fact, it's pretty new.  Delhi's amazingly clean subway system takes them around the city, causing Mark to worry about the rickshaw trade.

Now for the Qutb Minar - which was built by the early Muslim sultans in Delhi, starting in the twelfth century and wrapping up nearly 200 years later.  It's gone through several earthquakes, lighting strikes and other disasters, but it's been repaired again and again.

Here's a closeup:

Kobi checks the time:

Mark experiments with the panoramic app on his phone.  You can click to see the full setting of the Qutb Minar.

India again!

Maggie headed to India in June 2014 and Mark & Kobi are finally going for a visit.   Karma, Tenzin & Jen hold down the fort...err...homestead...well, Middletown.

After a 14-hour direct flight, Mark and Kobi land in Delhi and promptly visit our old haunts.

There's a full moon over the India Habitat Center:

They finagle their way into a sold-out performance of "Happy Birthday Sunitra" which is a hysterical comedy about a Sikh family in West London.

Of course, there is a meal at the American Diner.   Back in 2006, Tenzin made friends with one of the guys working there, giving him a copy of Harry Potter on our way out of town.

 And a visit to Khan Market and FabIndia, where these retail geniuses have apparently branched out into groceries.

Delhi, NYC or Middletown - home is wherever we are: