Everyday work aboard small boats on the calm, tropical waters of the Chapora River in North Goa.
On the Chapora River, the working day begins long before the first visitors start searching for the postcard version of Goa. Near Siolim, I noticed groups of men working from small boats, surrounded by calm water and the dense tropical vegetation lining the riverbank.
From a distance, the entire scene appeared almost motionless. Only after watching for a while did its rhythm become visible: equipment being moved, long poles lowered into the water, men stepping between boats and a sequence of tasks performed without haste but with unmistakable experience. The stillness of the landscape contrasted with the constant activity taking place on the vessels.
These are the scenes I value most during my travels. They do not present famous monuments or places featured on the opening pages of guidebooks. Instead, they reveal everyday life continuing beyond Goa’s beaches, resorts and well-known tourist routes.
As I photographed the men at work, I realized that a river may appear peaceful without ever being truly idle. For the communities whose lives remain connected to it, quiet water can still mean a very busy day.
- Date
- 2026-01-01