Visiting one, two or even a few countries is always on the wishlist of most people, but a Goan origin couple, now settled in Australia, have been extensive travellers across different countries and continents; extensive because not many can claim to have visited 101 countries and islands.
Smitten by the travel bug, this Goan couple enjoy exploring the world and understanding the geography they had studied decades ago in Mumbai. Now in their late 60s, Tiburcio and Vinny Fortes, who trace their roots to Orlim and Carmona in South Goa respectively, shifted to Adelaide-Australia four decades ago, at a time when skilled migrants were in high demand. Tiburcio was a draughtsman with an American firm Ralph M Paisons and his wife Vinny worked with Westinghouse, an American firm in Mumbai.
Now retired, Tiburcio and Vinny Fortes are proud to display mementoes of all the countries they have visited over the years. Like their travels, the collection is equally extensive “ fridge magnets, souvenirs, currencies of every country visited and even a journal recording day-to-day activities of their numerous tourist destinations. Vinny explains that her passion for travelling began years before she was even married to Tiburcio. “While at school, I liked geography and studying about different continents of the world. Tiburcio and I took our first holiday from Adelaide in 1974, but on our way to Australia in 1972, we stopped in Singapore and that could well be our first overseas holiday. When we embarked on our first cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong in 1974 on P&O Oronsay, which was the last cruise of that ship, there were many Goans. We were very excited to have fellow Goans crew sailing with us we were pleased to converse in Konkani and ask them about their Goan roots. From Hong Kong, we flew to London and toured Europe. Now we have done 17 cruises already and met many, many Goans during our cruises.”
Vinny also has fond memories of her trip to Goa. “In 2011, we visited 59 parish churches of Goa. We have had fond memories of Goa and to us, Goa will always be Goa, no matter what. Its name comprises only three letters, but has all the palms, jackfruits, mangos, cashew trees, paddy fields and the beaches are crowded with tourists from around the world. We remember Goa on a daily basis.”
Over the four decades, Tiburcio and Vinny have travelled across a staggering 101 counties and islands. “We have seen different churches and historic buildings, besides sampling the culture and customs of various countries,” says Vinny. Asked if they had any extra-special and unforgettable moments, Vinny replies: “All memories and sights are unforgettable, wonderful ones with beautiful prints and thoughts in our minds, made friends while travelling around the world too. We had two special and unforgettable events on the same day, November 13, 2008 on a cruiseliner “ lunch with an administrative officer group of 8, and dinner with the captain and his wife group of 10. This is something that is very rare I think.”
Vinny admits that modern day travelling is faster and more convenient than in the past. “In our modern times, the world is a small place as compared to previous years. Currently, one can step into the plane and arrive at a different country within a few hours. Modern travel is very fast and I am sure it will get faster as the years pass by,” says Vinny. Asked what an extensive traveller like her would like to advise others, Vinny sums up in one sentence: “If one has good health and wealth and loves to see the vast world, go ahead.”
