Catching up: Goa

We flew from Cochin to Goa on Feb. 20, on a flight that took off and landed twice before we eventually got to Goa. It was really a puddle jumper (and had already had one previous take off and landing by the time we boarded).
We stayed at Villa Viega, which is a small guest house in the southernmost part of Goa. Goa was a Portuguese colony until 1961 (14 years after the rest of India gained independence) and has a very different culture than much of the rest of India. It has been, since at least the 1960's, a beach hangout for hippies and assorted counter culture types, as well as proculture (is that the opposite of counter culture?) more recently. The area we stayed in has developed a tourism industry only within the past 20 years.
Here is some video of Lynda, Sonia and Bea's first steps into the waves in Goa. The water, air, and beach were glorious, warm, gentle, just great. Our guest house came with a pass for the pool at the 5 star Interconinental Goa hotel, just across the street, so we swam there and at the beach. This was the first time I've ever swam in the ocean on my birthday. We had six wonderful days in Goa, hanging out at the beach, eating in waterfront restaurants, swimming on the pool, and just having a great time.