River Navigation tales from Goa

 River Navigation tales from Goa

On the 10th of February 2025, I went on a small tour of two islands off the banks of Mandovi river.

Starting off at Panaji, I travelled by car to Old Goa and reached the Ferry point behind 'Se Cathedral'.

There was a waiting ferry and space for my car as well. So I drove into the ferry and got out of my car. Uniquely there is zero fare for individuals crossing to the island and back.  However, I knew cars and two wheelers had to pay a certain fare.  I had only Rs.500 denomination notes in my wallet, so I searched my glove compartment and found a Rs.100 note.  That was better, since I was expecting the fare to be not more than 100.  To my surprise when the ticket collector came to me he requested for change.  What is the fare I asked. Rs.8 he said.  That came as a surprise to me.  Most places fares have increased by multiple times and here was a ferry crossing with my car and all I had to pay was Rs.8.  I found some coins and got around to paying the fare with the coins.

Off the ferry and onto Divar island.  It was pleasant and clean.  I did not have any fixed timetable.  So off I went to another ferry point on the other side of the island.

I was not sure where this ferry would take me.  I asked a local who also happened to be the ferry master and he told me it goes to this second island of Vanxim.  It is very small with some 15 houses and 40 inhabitants.  I enquired about having tea if there was any tea stall.  I was surprised when he told me that I will not even get a water bottle.  He added in the same breath, I can ask any local houe for water and they will always help.

I was worried about getting stranded on that island but he reassured me that there was continuous ferry service and maximum wait time would be half an hour.  That reassured me.

Suddenly there was a little commotion and it was pointed out that the ferry is leaving immediately.  This as I understood, was because someone across the banks had requested for a special ferry.  I was told that one can ask for a ferry immediately if there was urgency.

And I asked how much that costs.  And surprise surprise - Rs.100.

So onto the ferry and across to the island of Vanxim.

 It is a small cute island and true to what I was told I was given a glass of water to drink by a friendly resident from one of the houses.  Simple people with big hearts.