My 7 top Goa Monsoon Moments

Every time I have been to Goa, the sky has been blue. The sun has been shining and it has been filled up with tourists from all over. Hectic, busy, fun and a bit exhausting.

This week, when I went, the sky was grey. The clouds were dark and rain was pouring constantly. But you know what, dear reader: I totally loved it.

Back in Norway we say: "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing" - so I put on my monsoon plastic shoes and headed off to explore monsoon Goa. These were my top favorite moments:

1. Nothing beats the vibrant colors and the freshness that the rain brings out. The coconut trees seems taller, the rice fields seems brighter and the nature comes to life again. And as I was strolling around in the fields, mesmerized by the green beauty, clicking away - I just hear my friends going: " - Oh, we are impressed Eli - see you walking around without fear for all the snakes and crocodiles." - Eeeeeeeeeeeeek....

2. Having Chicken Cafreal - and lots of other goodies at the local Florentines restaurant. I like the Goan cuisine for their smart use of spices. The restaurant is great: visited by locals, genuine and clean, cheap prices and most important: very tasty food:

3. Feeling the amazing and including atmosphere at The Miraculous Cross at the Holy Cross church in Bambolim:

4. Shopping the best cashew nuts (in the world ?)- in Sawantwadi. A long drive, but totally worth it. A beautiful place - and back in "my" state - Maharashtra.

5. Being the almost only (playful) tourist in a normally very crowded tourist area. How peaceful and calm to go for a stroll along the sea - feeling the breeze and rain at the beautiful Dona Paula beach area - famous for the myths of the Portugese lady Dona Paula and for shooting of the Bollywood films Ek Duuje Ke Linge and Singham. Usually packed with people, but not this week. Not even possible to buy the Fresh Lime Soda with Singham Masala  and Bombay Masala..:-) Hm - gotta come back here:-)  

6. Being invited to new friends' homes and feel happy when they show me their gardens with blooming flowers, the little birdie that they saved, their new kittens, the newly born calf or their old Portugese home which has been in the family for centuries and that they preserve with love, respect and pride.

7. Just sitting there, watching the rain pour down - feeling relaxed and happy - and knowing that the sun is waiting. Patiently. Because over the dark clouds, the sky is always blue..

Bye for now, dear Goa - see you again:-) 

Summer salad blues

Ya ya. I know. Not exactly super active on the bloggers front lately. Well, I do have a lot of things on my mind, and somehow my writings seems to get stuck back in the thinking phase.. They all bottle up soooo well in that comfy zone.. That, combined with long bright nordic summer days (and nights), make my thoughts take it really slow in materializing themselves into words and actually managing the journey - from my mind - all the way to the pc - and on to the blog. Go figure?!

Today I did it. Because today I was thinking about salads. Yup. Perfect food for long warm summer days, I think. And I was applauding myself for this summer having pushed my salad comfort zone to the limits (oh yeah) and thrown myself out in new and unknown salad territory. This summer I have been such a brave salad explorer. Very adventurous, I tell you:-)

So, let me show you my favorites so far, and please do feel free to tell me yours. First up: a green salad with tomatoes, asparagus, salmon and avocado. With a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, some nuts and the crispy green lettuce the flavors went so well together. That rich nutty/sweet texture of the avocado went so well with the light salty fish:

The next runner up had crispy fresh lettuce, spicy red chili, salty shrimps and (my Mumbai favorite) sweet mango. What a great combination of flavors also - that balance of spicy, sweet, bland and salty... Perfect!

One of my favorite ingredients in salads are tomatoes, and I couldn't help laughing thinking back to some shopping vegetable moments in India. So fresh. So tasty. And those guys who thought it was hilarious with this foreign lady who wanted to take pictures of something so ordinary as vegetables.. But hey guys: you presented them so well,, that's why:-) 

I think my conclusion is that I am a big fan of salads with balanced flavors: salty with sweet for example. Like the shrimps&mangoes, avocado&fish - and of course: sweet watermelon&salty feta cheese:

And let us not forget that balanced Greek salad: freshly cut red sweet tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, olives and onion - always a perfect dish on a hot summer day:

So, besides eating my way through the worlds salads, what have I been up to lately? Well, a bit of this:

- Sweating myself up steep hills to reach mountain tops ....

 ... to feel like I am on top of the world...

... and topping that feeling with throwing my sweaty self in to ice cold mountain water..: 

So, peace and quiet and just some blues to go along, and as we are hooked on salads, what can be a more perfect dessert that fresh blueberries and strawberries:

And in a few days I am going traveling...

Do you remember the crazy AtoZ challenge I participated in in April? When I traveled around the world - and took you along? 26 days and 26 dream destinations. Well, now I am going to travel to one of them.

Stay tuned to see where I will take you along dear reader... Buckle up...

Ta ta! 

K for Key West

I'm worn out dear reader. Aren't you? We have visited 10 dream destinations in 10 days, and still so many more to come. Today I feel the need to just lay back, close my eyes and see where the road takes me. Maybe I will not even end up somewhere, but just be on the way...

So, I close my eyes, and there I am, a passenger in a car, well leaned back in the seat, the music is on, and I feel that fresh breeze, sea breeze.Yes, I am in the middle of the sea, on the road, going to Key West, USA.

It has been a busy week, starting with lovely Leila's Faroe Islands, then The Golden Temple, then off to Hong Kong followed by The lost city of the Incas in Peru and then yesterday Jazz took us to her beloved Jamaica. Against all odds I managed to tear myself loose from the rum, grilled lobster and that reggae beach party (but they had to carry me screaming on that plane.. ha ha ) And here I am.

And travel is not only about the destination is it? Travel to me is also about, well, the travel itself, when you are .. not anywhere, when you're just going from somewhere to somewhere. Whether it is on a plane, in a car, in a bus, on a train, on a bike, walking or just traveling off in your mind. The journey itself can be memorable enough ( in many different ways...)

One of the most cherished travel memory (travel travel) for me was the drive we took down to Key West. That road and the bridges going on forever - in the middle of the sea was amazing. I remember sitting there, leaned back in the seat, seeing nothing but blue blue sea on both sides. Just that feeling of cruising along, and having this intense feeling of happiness: this is so great! For a sea-lover like me, this was simply The Ultimate Drive!

Yeah, yeah.. I know - not all travels are as pleasant as this. The amount of travel stories are many and yes, can cause a lot of stress for happy travelers just looking forward to get to their dream destination asap. But when the travel is good, it can be sooo good, and a nice opportunity to admire the scenery drifting by. Maybe that's why going slow - in trains, boats, walking-  appeals to me. I have had some good moments going slow somewhere, philosophizing on the way..

So, what about you, dear reader. Did you have any awesome travel-experiences... or some not-so-nice-ones?

Well, I can promise you that on Monday we will not travel slow. Because on Monday we are traveling far away again, to a place which is very close to my hearth. I am very excited to take you with me to... L.....

1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs here. My theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along? Please stay tuned for a new destination On Monday. 

Go to a-to-zchallenge.com

Happy Independence Day Greece!

If you have followed my blog for a bit, you might remember my writings of the "No - day" in Greece, back in October. Well today -  raise your glasses and throw your hats up high up in the air for the other National Day of Greece. Because today we celebrate Independence Day. Hurray!

You see, after 400 years of foreign rule, the war of independence broke out in Greece in March 1821. It was time to fight for freedom from the mighty Ottoman empire, and re-establish Greece as a nation. It should turn out to be a long and hard fight, and also the superpowers Russia, France and England intervened. But, even though, first in May 1832 as a result of years of negotiations (and fights...), Greece was finally recognized as an independent nation.

All over Greece, there are parades and celebrations today. The heroes from the past are remembered and honored and the future of Greece - the children - are celebrated. And the National Anthem is heard...

So, please join me for a tribute to the past:

And for a celebration of the future:

Pic from Shutterstock.com

And while we are at it - let's hear it for the present too, shall we? Here's to this wonderful country and to all our Greek friends and family: Hipp hurray! Χρονια πολλα! And what's not to love .... Just have a look:

Fruitsalad at the beach....

Outdoor concerts and plays at ancient ground...

Idyllic harbors..

The colors of Greece....

Cute houses... 

and a sundowner at the sea...

Update: So, I am a proud and very happy Write Triber:-) And today my " Making a Difference" post about the NGO I volunteer work was published on Write Tribe. You can read it here.
Also: Thank you dear Corinne, and to all (blogger) friends for your kind support and friendship:-)

Thanks for following dear reader! Good evening from Mumbai! 

Happy in Hong Kong

What can I say dear reader? It has been an adventure. As a first time visitor, I try, with open eyes and a curious mind, to take in the atmosphere. To feel, see and get to know this city, this country. All new to me. And I must admit: Hong Kong had me already when I could feel that sea breeze.. and then we hit the restaurants... Oh heaven: d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s food. Then this wonderful afternoon, sitting there, sipping tea, watching the green hillside and the ships out on the blue water and then strolling up and down the busy streets, all of them lit up with blinking neon signs in foreign letters. Fascinating.

I learned about an old culture and about new technology. I watched the cleaner on the street wash the garbage box on the outside, and the old woman in a pink coat sitting fishing from the bridge. I saw kids playing in the park, and I took in the lovely scents from the many eateries... Hong Kong was to me old and new, vibrant and intriguing. It was shopping, Madam Tussaud and Disneyland. It was temples, museums, parks, harbor and hills. Let me show you a few of my Hong Kong moments, I hope you enjoy them.

A fun part was just walking around in the busy streets....

What can I say other than: The food was sooooo yummy!! Sea food, and different vegetable dishes - in spicy sauces. Soups and noodles. Amazing flavors and presentation..

Some top moments:

And some surprising ones - because what do you know.. As we strolled around and turned the corner, a ship suddenly appeared in front of us.. No, no. We were not at the harbor, but in the middle of the city. A ship - which turned out to be...  a shopping mall... Ok..

And from the ship to the sea.. You know I have a thing for the sea.. so walking along the sea on a long and nicely made promenade - feeling the sea breeze in my hair - gorgeous.

So, Happy in Hong Kong dear reader! I wish you a lovely weekend wherever you are. 

When Mumbai takes your breath away..

If you should wonder, in between last week's new-to-me-blogging challenge,  I did make it outside the house... barely. It was great fun to participate. I wrote more posts than ever, and I read some brilliant pieces from fellow bloggers. But now, it is time to take you around again - in this contrasty city I live in...

1. Because can you imagine? One day I participate in health testing of children living in the slum, to see if they are underweight and afterward we pass out fresh bread to a loooong line of people......

I love this picture from our visit to Dharavi... and a local bakery :-) 

 ... and then we go for lunch, and one of my friends has this dish:

.
... and I am all of a sudden in the middle of a choir of bread-complaints: Yeeek, I can't eat this! What's the purpose? Is it just decor? Can't chew it! Too hard ...  (and I hear this little voice: Shut up and eat your bread, lady! There are people starving out there!)

2. Another day I go to an opening of a new posh restaurant, I eat canapes, sip champagne ( hey! it's an opening), shop a bit ( Note to self: next time do the shopping prior to the champagne)....

 ... and in the car on my way home, with shopping bags, a full belly and still with some champagne bubbling in my mouth,  I look out the car window and I see this:

... and I think: This is the home of some people. Someone is living here, and they have children. I can see their clothes, kitchen ware, and something looking like a small temple - just there under the bridge on the busy highway.. 

3. On Women's Day I write about Geeta and her amazing story about survival and improving her life after being beaten and abandoned by her husband. I read fantastic inspirational stories, but then I start getting irritated by some of the ads and commercials. Because what?! Is Women's Day about flowers, wine, spa, chocolates and pampering The Lady?! Huh! No! That is not at all what it is about.

And then I receive this: 

... ok then, must be possible to hold two thoughts at the same time, right?

4. Another day I go to Crawford market again. It's in the middle of the day, the heat is intense, the bargaining is crazy, cars are driving in to the crowds, and wherever I turn, I bump into people. People, people and more people....

.... and then I go visit my friend who lives practically on Juhu beach. Ahhhh - sinking down into her soft chair, sipping ice tea, chatting and watching the waves.. Peace and quiet. Peace and quiet.

Oh, the different faces of this city...  it completely takes your breath away  - in just so many various thinkable ways...

I hope you have a good week so far, dear reader:-) All the best to you:-) 

A walk on the wild side - free write

As I walk down the path I can see the sea. It is glittering through the dark green leaves and calls my name. I stumble down and it is there right in front of me. The little boat is further out, tied to a red balloon, going up and down in the waves. Is it too far out? I think so. Could I go there. No, I don't think so.

I come down to the beach and see that it is not sand, but small round white stones, all looking beautiful. I sit down and take some of them in my hand, letting my fingers caress them. Then I look up and the boat seems even further away now. Whenever there is a big wave, it kind of disappears for my eyes. I decide to go in. I take of my sandals and put them down. The stones burn my feet. I take small jumps. I take off my clothes, and go in the water.

The first wave take me by surprise and I loose my balance, but I continue. The sun makes me want to close my eyes. I go on, and I can feel the bottom disappearing under my feet. The wild side, I think. The wild side. I think of the wild side, as water is all around me. It is salty. I hum. Du duru duru dutturu. Du duru duru dutturu. It is cold, and when I open my eyes, I see them all there in front of me. People I love. Friends and family, even grandfather who is dead. How can they be here? She is waving at me smiling. I feel cold, and something is screaming inside me. No, this is not the way. I start to move my arms, They feel like two rocks, and my feet do not want to move.

I kick with my feet and slap with my arms. Again and again. I go up. I go up and I am up and can take in the air again. The boat is right next to me. I grab it and manage to drag myself inside. Exhausted I lie there on my back and look up at the blue sky above me. No, I say to myself, no. Enough of the horse crap. Because it is possible. Possible to be so scared of dying that you can forget to live. But not anymore. The warm sun does her best to warm my body and I can see a bird flying up there.

I start to laugh. Laugh and laugh and laugh. Bubbling and loud and I cry a little bit more while I smile. I want to get off the boat, and run up the hill and jump up to catch the sun. Instead I head home to make dinner.

***********

I am participating in a fun festival of words this week, and you can too:-) This post is written for The Write Tribe Festival Of Words, which goes on from 2-8.March 

Today, Day 3, our topic was Free Write ( Write for about 15 minutes on whatever comes to you mind). You can read more about free write, and enjoy some of the other entries on the website: Day 3, 4. March: Free Write. 

Happy reading!

PS: On my mind - on my walk on the wild side:

A Perfect Day

A day stretched out on a sunny beach or a day hiking in crisp mountain air? A day at work, doing what you love the most, or maybe a day of doing absolutely nothing? A day which includes traveling, dancing, reading, helping someone out or playing with your kids? Or all of that? What would be a perfect day for you? And is there really such a thing as A Perfect Day?

All I know, is that I woke up this morning with a smile on my face thinking: Wow, that was a perfect day yesterday! And unbelievably enough, our day started with a visit to the FRRO office, an adventure I have described before. With two reluctant teenagers in the backseat ("do we really have to use (read: waste) a school-holiday on this?") we set out on The Mission to renew our visas.

Every time we have been to FRRO, there are some new rules. This time we were told by a brisk guard that we were not allowed to enter the building until 9.30. Oh well, I spent the time taking some pictures from the area, and at 9.20 we stormed the stairs armed with visitor badges (also a new rule), for the first line to get a number. Another new thing: in the waiting room we were welcomed by a smiling male employee: " Good morning and welcome!" What?! A pleasant contrast to the screaming No-person at the main gate. And we were in for another surprise. Learning from experience: we had prepared for the worse and brought with us supplies. Well, didn't need any! After only 2 hours we found ourselves at the main gate, all 4 of us with our bright and shiny renewed visas - so: one more year in India! Yey! PS: My theory is that The Greek's very insisting and helpful hand to our officer when he ran into some PC- trouble speed-ed up the process!

The FFRO office building...

...and a neighboring house.. (waiting for the FRRO gate to open:-)) 

By then, everyone's mood had improved considerably, including the teens', and encouraged by our success we decided to celebrate with a better lunch. We ended up at Britannia, an institution in Mumbai, known for delicious Parsi food, but one we had still yet to visit. We quickly overlooked the paint coming off the walls, when we were so warmly welcomed by the owner, the 92 year old Boman (only 1 of his 9 names though, one of the others being Batman:-) What a character! Almost worth the visit alone! He was patting my kid on the head instructing him: -  I am planning to be 114 years old, so you have to be at least 120, ok?! Well, the 14 year old didn't have much choice but to nod obediently - 120 years old huh? Ok, ok, no problem:-) 

So with the stories of Mr Boman, we sipped our Fresh lime soda and enjoyed their famous dish Chicken Berry Pulav - rice, chicken in sauce and topped of with barberries. D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.

My favorite drink: fresh lime soda: and here with sweet on the side served in a water bottle:-) 

William and Kate overlooking us and waiters waiting to serve:-)
Note the sign " Please do not argue with management!" 

92 year old owner Boman - a well of interesting stories:-)  

Yummy Chicken Berry Pulav :-) Huge portions! 

What a fun day it turned out to be! We had planned for something else and there we were: talking, laughing, spending time together, then going for coffee, meeting interesting people and sharing good moments. And then in the evening, a bit spontaneously, we decided to head up to Breeze - for what became a wonderful evening - catching up with old friends and getting to know some new ones. 

You know, it was just one of those days, when life plays you a small trick! When the day turns out so different than what you had anticipated. Good talks with family and friends, lots of good-laughs and some moments that makes you smile when you think about them. And you just feel so well and so grateful. To me that is a good day, maybe even a perfect one? 

So, what would be a perfect day for you? And is there really such a thing as A Perfect Day?

Well, I hope you will have a perfect weekend dear reader! Enjoy the moments and take care:-)