Diu Favorites

Favorite thing: Only one ~ St. John's ~ of the few whitewashed churches on Diu Island still holds regular services. St. Thomas's is a museum (religious carvings and statuary) and St. Francis's is part of a hospital. Those three are in very good condition, but there are also a couple of smaller churches that have fallen into a state of disrepair.

Favorite thing: The small white fort in the picture is the Panikot Fortress, also known as the Fortino do Mar (sea fort). Built in 1535, the small fort defended and dominated important shipping routes for hundreds of years, despite its small stature. It houses a lighthouse and a chapel.

It can apparently be visited by boat from an information office on the coast ~ we just admired from a distance at the Diu Fort. . .or at beachside cafes.

Favorite thing: The fort covers approximately 600,000 square feet of the island of Diu. Plants and vines are taking over in some sections, adding to the "exploratory" feel of a visit.

It's a fascinating place to wander or relax ~ a partly overgrown jumble of solid walls, cannons and even an old chapel.

Favorite thing: There isn't any information (signs, maps, etc.) to tell you what the sections of Diu Fort once served as. . .but it is still a fascinating place to spend an afternoon or early evening.

The views over the Arabian Sea are terrific and it makes a wonderful place to watch the sun set.

Fondest memory: Be careful not to overstay (it does close at dusk) ~ we got locked in when we stayed past closing hour.

Shouting drew the attention of the jailkeepers (there is now a town jail in part of the grounds), who produced a twenty-foot ladder that allowed us to climb into their jailyard and then be let back out into Diu.