Kolkata - Calcutta City - India

The Lighthouse at Port Credit - Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

“Every lighthouse knows
that when the giant waves come,
no one will help!
And when you know that no one will help you,
you fight more seriously!” 
~ Mehmet Murat ildan ~

Please read my poem 'The Stubborn Captain'.
by clicking above on the above or on the following link:

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2010/12/stubborn-captain-at-sea-on-tranquil.html

Tools & Implements

TOOLS & IMPLEMENTS - GOA - INDIA

The IMPROMPTU FOUR

 - A sound sampling of the village local quartet

playing on the porch of St. Anne's Church,

Parra, Bardez, GOA,

- one of the rare and fast-disappearing

brass bands of Goa.

Video by 'TonFerns'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIAa2DvHAdw

FRUIT & SEED OF THE CASHEW TREE

While the cashew plant is native to northeast Brazil, the Portuguese took it to Goa, India, between 1560 and 1565. From there it spread throughout Southeast Asia and eventually Africa. The English name 'Cashew' is derived from the Portugese name 'Caju', its called 'Acaju' in Brazil, 'Merey' in Venenzuala, 'Cajuil' in Spanish and 'Decajou' in French. The cashew seed, often simply called a cashew, is widely consumed. It is eaten on its own, used in recipes, or processed into cashew cheese or cashew butter. The cashew apple is a light reddish to yellow fruit, whose pulp is processed into a sweet, astringent fruit drink or distilled into liquor and known in known in Goa as 'Caju Feni'. This photo is not from a farm or plantation, but from the 'El-Kays' garden in Parra, Goa.

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8108409/

We ourselves must walk the path.

~ No one saves us but ourselves.

 No one can and no one may.

 We ourselves must walk the path. ~ Buddha

. (Photo by TonFerns - Parra -Goa)

Feb. 2016.

Flowers of Goa

"Some people grumble that roses have thorns;
I am grateful that thorns have roses.”


~ Alphonse Karr, A Tour Round My Garden ~


http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8096837/

SIGN OF THE TIMES

The first St. Michael’s Church was founded by Fr. Barnabas in 1971 and was originally just a small chapel close to the British Air force base in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.


In 1973 Fr. Barnabas shifted it into the British Officers’ Mess. The kitchen of the church was converted into the Parish House.


Father Barnabas was succeeded by Fathers Attilio, Edmund, Antonino, Felicio, Godwin and Angelo. The congregation increased along with the space to accommodate all of the parishioners.


It was during the tenure of Fr. Felicio Diniz as the Parish Priest in the early 1980's when I was an active member of the community centre. I had made the sign on my own accord out of plastic letters and a metal cross cast into Plaster of Paris. I handed over the plaque to Fr. Felicio who then had it fixed to the wall at the entrance of this church.


Now here's where the story about this plaque takes a different turn. Some years after I left Sharjah a magnificent new church was built nearby, and the old one was demolished. On my visit to Goa after many years my wife and I stayed with her sister Lourdes and bro-in-law Leo when we noticed this plaque in the show-case in their living room. I was greatly surprised as to how this piece of work would cross the Arabian Seas into Goa. Lourdes then related to me how she had salvaged it just prior to the time when the bull-dozers moved in for demolition of the old church.Thanks and kudos to Lourdes for saving and keeping this sign - a sure sign of the times - and a Sign of the Cross of more than 30 years ago.




Sunset in Mapusa - Goa

A moment, and its glory was no more. The sun went down beneath the long dark lines of hill and cloud which piled up in the west an airy city, wall heaped on wall, and battlement on battlement; the light was all withdrawn; the shining church turned cold and dark; the stream forgot to smile; the birds were silent; and the gloom of winter dwelt on everything.

~ Charles Dickens ~

Coincidence of the Day - Today 7th April 2016

STRANGE COINCIDENCE

So strange that 2 years ago today Merle Haggard who passed away yesterday received a life time achievement award this day.


Merle Haggard received the Academy of Country Music's Crystal Milestone Award today on his 77th birthday - 6th April 2014. His first #1 hit was - I'm a Lonesome Fugitive in 1966. I bought a compilation C&W Album from Jashanmal & Sons in Abu Dhabi in 1968 that featured this hit. I was 21 years old.



Rest In Peace - Merle Haggard

REST IN PEACE

MERLE HAGGARD

One of my favourites,
Country Singer Merle Haggard
passed away Wednesday 6th April
on his 79th birthday.

I purchased a compliation
Country & Western Long Play Record
from Jashanmal & Sons Abu Dhabi in 1968
that had my all time favourite track on it.
It is called
I'm a Lonesome Fugitive.

A fugitive and lonely no more.
Heaven is now his home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qh_b-9gAE0

Chapel of Jesus of Nazareth, Siridao, Goa

Chapel of Jesus of Nazareth,

GOA - India

Photo of the Chapel of Jesus of Nazareth in Siridao, Goa, taken from Aldeia de Goa in Bambolim, a distance of approx. 3.5 km away. The white strip above the trees in the foreground and the rocky cliffs down below the chapel is the sandy Siridao beach.
 In the background across the River Zuari looking south/south-west are Sancoale Hills and new real estate, IT and industrial developments.

Savitri Tributary

Vashishti River, Maharashtra, India

Jaigad River - Maharashtra

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8033836/

            ~ Train Journey on the Konkan Railway ~

~ from Mumbai to Goa ~
12th February 2016

Amba River, Konkan Railway - Scenic Vistas

~ Train Journey on the Konkan Railway from Mumbai to Goa ~
12th February 2016

 An unforgettable journey.

 Daytime travel.

Board at Dadar, Mumbai, early morning,

 by evening reach Thivim, Goa.

 Scenic travel.

Panoramic vistas of the Western Ghats along the way.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/129257540

Please click on the link below to see location.

BEING IN THE VICINITY OF THE TOMB OF MOTHER TERESA

IMPACT OF MOTHER TERESA 

It was a great opportunity, privilege and a golden once in a lifetime chance to visit the Shrine and Tomb of Mother Teresa in Kolkata on the 7th of February 2016.

As soon as l walked in the modest room where Mother Teresa's tomb is enshrined, a shudder suddenly ran through my spine immediately giving me goose bumps. I bowed down and closed my eyes to say a prayer and pay my respects momentarily. Then, when I lifted my head up and opened my eyes, I saw everyone around me in tears and when l touched my own face I found that l was in tears too. Such is the impact of great Mother Teresa's radiance around those who come to visit her shrine in Kolkata. The awe, adoration and admiration was clearly visible on the faces of all those who silently stood and prayed around her tomb.

Although my visit to her tomb and a tour around the shrine lasted only a short while, I will remember and cherish these moments, and also the memories of attending the celebrations of a beautiful wedding of a family member for a long time.

Bird Symphony Orchestra

Chapel on the Hills of Porvorim, Bardez, Goa. India

St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim, Bardez, Goa

SHEER DETERMINATION

The school building on the right was constructed in the early 1960's under the tenure of Fr. Pacificus who poured his heart, mind, time, diligence, care and determination into this massive project of that great era along with the efforts of all those involved in achieving its completion. I have seen this structure come up during my schooling years at Monte de Guirim.

St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim, Bardez, Goa

During my time at the school during the late 1950's and early 1960's the trucks with firewood arrived and unloaded their stuff on the concrete paved area in the foreground. Seen in the center of the picture are the stairs leading to the play area below the refectory and the Junior dormitory above it. The rear of this building led to the teachers quarters and the chapel. This area was our stomping ground throughout our scholastic years - a favourite spot for everything that defines recreation.

I remember the famous Sacrula de Saligao, dressed in a brown tunic, standing on the parapet on right side of the stairs leading to the refectory and delivering his speech with an umbrella. The building on  the right side of the refectory consisted of an art classroom run by the well-known and legendary Capuchin Brother Vitalis who was my art teacher. Next to it was the Infirmary, and the Music Room that had a LP Record Changer, a microphone and a PA Amplifier.

This sound system was used for playing instrumental music during the afternoon recess and music from Radio Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in the evening before the recitation of the Holy Rosary in Konkani by two boarders at 8 pm. One horn loud speaker was placed on the top of the school building steeple facing the Guirim side and another on the side of the refectory directed towards the Sangolda side. Families living down the hill and beyond could hear and join in the Rosary in the stillness of those nights of long ago, perhaps even more than a mile away.

Incidentally and interestingly, a bell that consisted of a 2 feet length of a railway track and an iron bar was used to call students to dinner and studies. It was suspended on the horizontal beam of the roof near the stairs leading to the right of the refectory building. The covered garage and service station for the school Land-Rover was located to the left of this picture taken from the spot where stood the mango tree.

St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim, Bardez, Goa,

This stairway in the foreground leads as a short-cut towards the famous Franco's shop and to St. Diogo's Church at the T-junction down at the foot of this hillock on the east side. As a day-scholar I often used this steep slope to buy pepper-mints or a loaf of bread during the afternoon lunch break.


Related Article:
Four Annas and a Loaf of Bread
http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2008_06_01_archive.html


The white painted rooms on the left were classes Prep. Junior and Prep. Senior in 1954. The classrooms below were Stds. 1, 2 and the Laboratory with the well-known human skeleton in one of its the cupboard, under the care Fr. Chrysostom.






St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim, Bardez, Goa

The blue structure on the left was added in the early 1970s. The laterite stone stairway leading to the green room was the sound room that housed the PA sound system with microphones, amplifier and 6 LP stackable Garrard Record player. The bridge until 1956 was flat. It was arched and the roadway sunken to facilitate the trucks with firewood to clear underneath and reach to unload at the top.

St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim, Bardez, Goa

For quiet study or meditation, sports activities or games, and just plain conversation or watching a sunset over the Arabian Sea, one could rejoice in silent bliss.

Evening in Parra, Bardez, Goa

Day is ended, dim my eyes,

But journey long before me lies.

 ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim, Bardez, Goa

THE FAMOUS FACADE

The famous and timeless vertical striped façade and stepped steeple of the main building. Classes below and senior dormitory above. This frontal magnificent structure served also as a backdrop for the annual school students picture. Two stairways on both sides lead and join at the landing below the front portal. The wing on the left was added much later. The original vertical stripes and borders around the arched balcony and main portal were bluish-grey and later changed to red sometime in the early 1960s.

The huge hall on the first floor was actually a dormitory for senior students. It was temporarily converted into a drama hall for the two special days in the school calendar as described above. On one occasion, I had also witnessed an Ordination to priesthood of one of the students of Monte in the late 1950’s, by the Archbishop of Goa.

The large dormitory comprised of a purpose-built stage with permanent fittings. It was well-known for its unique curtain that resembled a beautiful scarlet drape, far ahead of its time in its operation and the way it opened during the 1950's. It consisted of a timber frame-work that was fitted to the lower half of the curtain at the rear. The ropes were attached to the top of the timber frame, and the curtain was completely lifted up into the ceiling, aided by a pulley system, forming a neat horizontal crease midway, making it look majestic as it went up. It had also had other rolling scenic curtains which were painted by Brother Vitalis. The stage had an array of boxed floor lights in the front end. The entire facade from ground to the sloping roof, and side to side, was painted in light bluish-grey hues resembling marble Roman architectural columns.

On the second day of the school concert, students attended Holy Mass at the school chapel, followed by breakfast in the hall mentioned above.

Fisheye Exposure in Time

TIME EXPOSURE

Way back in 'TIME EXPOSURE". Literally! A past blaster: Scanned copy of a Moonlit Night Scene photographed from 'Al Hamra' Building rooftop- Al Arouba Street - Sharjah. Circa 1980. Nikon FM2 with 180 deg.Fisheye lens. 100ASA 35mm Film - Developed, processed and printed by Tony Fernandes. Filters 65 Yellow 40 Magenta. Enlarger Ht: @ 19". Camera facing E-S/E. In the foreground is the taxi-stand for Ras Al Khaimah. Facing East, and spanning from left (N/NE) to right (S/SE} are the glimmering lights of the fabulous and well planned city of Sharjah.

Palm Sunday - Goa

PALM SUNDAY

At the triple chimes
Of village church bell
We rose up early and saw
In the serene stillness before the dawn
The bright morning star in the East
Right above the sky’s edge
And as we turned our gaze
Southwards above the horizon
Saw the constellation
Called the Southern Cross
Twinkling just above the backyard hedge

GOA'S SIXTIES REMEMBERED

GOA'S SIXTIES REMEMBERED


Sunday was a typical day with attendance at the very early first morning Mass at 6 am, so that we could be on time to hear “Binaca Hit Parade” at 8 am. at our neighbour’s place who had a powerful Grundig valve radio that used huge external line antennae above their house. The programme we used to listen to was broadcast on shortwave, 31 metre band, by the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. I remember meeting my mother going to church for the second mass and pass us returning on our way from the first. Ricky Nelson, Jim Reeves, Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley reigned supreme with their hits. Seven or eight of us would be listening with paper and pencils in our hands and voila! - in one sitting we would have the lyrics of the song that we liked. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfObEBEQD40

“When the sun has set, no candle can replace it.” 

~ George R.R. Martin ~

Stalking stork - Goa - India

The Constant Stalker'

White Stork - Goa, India
(Konkani: Bokem)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Way of the Cross

Via Dolorosa

14 Stations of the  Cross

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6nqnrYD7P4



Way of the Cross

Via Dolorosa

Via Sacra

Povitr Vatt

Lenten services at St. Diogo's Church of Parishes of the twin villages of Guirim and Sangolda in Goa, bring back memories of childhood. Taking part in the solemn procession winding its way around the hill-side and around the perimeter of the cemetery with life-size statues of Christ carrying the Cross, and hearing the touching notes and words of the motets sung in Konkani, sent a chill up my spine.