Goa and the Blue Mountains; or, Six months of sick leave

"Goa, and the Blue Mountains; or, Six Months of Sick Leave" by Richard F. Burton is a 19th-century travel story where the author uses his time away from the military to explore parts of India, journeying from Bombay to Goa, observing the landscape and culture. The book starts with the author excitedly leaving his military duties on a local boat headed to Goa, where he humorously focuses on both the good and bad parts of traveling, vividly detailing the heat and chaotic crew. Through his journey, Burton contrasts romantic ideas about travel with his real experiences to prepare the reader for a mix of lighthearted stories and observations about colonial viewpoints.