Can't see the pics above but if there is a disgusting one, that is the fish pedicure/ massage which we got in Mangalore. My feet are as soft as a baby's butt again, the others are of the evening cocktail party and the gals in all their lovelynew clothes flanked by Eugene.

We are slowly cruising up India's western coastline, almost midway up and have just left our second to last port,Goa. As with other cities we visited, Goa is a former Portuguese colony, but unlike the other cities, it remained under Portugal until it was annexed by India in 1961.

We have truly had it with big bus tours. No matter how good the tours are, when 2-9 buses of 50 people descend on a site, in 90+ heat and humidity, it just doesnt feel like luxury.

Regent cruise line sends us out tour selections 9 months in advance which read "taste of Goa: experience a full day of all the fascinating culture this beautiful city has to offer, including a visit to a spice farm and a gourmet Indian feast." So, we select our included tours as Regent is all inclusive.

Once you get on board the description is expanded to read: this 5 hour tour is as follows: drive 2 hours to temple. You must be dressed appropriately with long sleeves, long pants or dress ( 90 + degree weather) and must remove your shoes..please remember socks as pavement will be hot. This stop will require you to climb 227 stairs. You will spend 30 minutes. Then you will go to the spice farm. This will be another 30 minute ride on the bus. You will spend 30 minutes. You will drive 30 minutes to lunch and restroom break. 1 hour. Drive home 2 hours."

Goa is renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture.

We decided to forego the places of worship and world heritage architecture and to opt into a tour which included yet another Asian beach to add to our beach collection ( one Thailand, 2 Sri Lanka). Darn, missed Malaysia.

This tour would take us to a 5 star Taj property, which is equivalent to a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons. Doug realized that the 5 1/2 hour tour only included a mere 2 hours at the beach: 2 hours were transit and 1.5 was an ethnographic museum and an outdoor folkloric dance presentation, which would have been delightful in 97 degree weather. So, we thought....hmmm...take a taxi early to the resort...skip the museum...and spend the day at the resort, hopping the bus just for the ride home. The destination desk was not terribly fond of our taking a taxi by ourselves. They kept stressing it was a hour ride. We responded that it would still be one hour whether it were taxi or bus and they acquiesced and worked things out for us. Doug negotiated $10 apiece for 4 of us (Eugene and Gail joined us) and we were off.

Goa is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole. It was ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on 12 Indicators.Along the way, we passed gorgeous, upscale homes in the prettiest of tropical settings, and pulled into the most elegant resort during our trip to date.

The elegant green lawns went on forever and there were plenty of chairs. We grabbed some on the beach and had a great day playing in the surf. I really have to write a book "Great Beach Resorts of Asia." Most of the tours here seem to offer mostly churches, temples ( Hindu, Buddhist and a few synagogues), markets, heat and humidity...powdery beaches and fine resorts are your best choices unless you really are into religion and sweating.

Tomorrow is our final port of call...Mumbai. We are spending 8 hours in a tour bus getting an in-depth perspective of churches, temples, heat, humanity....

We are disembarking the day after next, but since many of us are going on a land post trip to the Taj Mahal, we had to pack tonight and get some of our bags out tonight. It was sad to realize the trip is nearing its end.