Here is the gorgeous Goa….awaiting with all its loveliness, beautiful beaches, scenic beauty, silvery sands and heart of heritage. The name conjures up images of the The splendor along with the sun, sand sights and smells will surely make you develop an abiding passion for Goa also called as ‘Pearl of the Orient’ or ‘Tourist Paradise’. Often Goa is colored and canvassed with sun, sand and water however; it is much more than mere beaches.
The fascinating account of the day & night life, the activities, the astonishing architect are always there to whirl your mind, dazzle your eyes and make you fall in love with the place. The blue water of the Arabian Sea, the peaceful weather at sun kissed beaches and a friendly yet vibrant culture & cuisine of Goa provides all the added praise Goa deserves for.The state of Goa is located about 1022 meters above the sea level. With a coastline of 140Kms Goa covers about 3700 Km of land.
Goa is bordered by the state of Maharashtra and stat of Karnataka on the South and East. On the West Goa’s famous and magnificent coastline is marked by the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea. Physically Goa is divided into four divisions, the Hill region, Central Valley Lands, Coastal and Flood Plains or the rolling uplands. Administratively the state is divided into two parts-North Goa and South Goa with Panjim and Margao as their governing headquarters respectively.
The coastline washed off continuously by the nerve thrilling waves of the sea make the natural scenery reside in Goa. Goa can be best experienced during October – May months of the year. During the monsoon i.e. from June to September Goa receives most of its rainfall of the year. The weather turns out to be too hot and extremely humid. Dec- Feb months are marked as the only cool months with the day and night temperatures ranging from 29 degrees to 20 degrees respectively.
Fun in the Sun: Goa is a dreamland to every tourist. To the Indian tourists it appears almost like a European vacation site with Europeans travelers outnumbering the locals and above all no pollution and life in the luxurious resorts and hotels. Being a meeting point of different races and cultures from all over the world, Goa showcases a distinctive life style. Local communities comprising of Hindu, Catholic, and Muslim religions constitute a multi-hued tradition of religious harmony.
Locals are called ‘Goans’ and they speak English, Konkani, Hindi, and Marathi languages frequently. They are very friendly with a happy-go-lucky nature. Goans are also referred as laid back as they don’t believe in the modern rat- race. The buzz of a cosmopolitan life has not fascinated them yet. The visitors do get surprised when they see the shopkeepers downing their shop shutters for lunch and a nap in the afternoon hours. Almost all Goans love to retire for the afternoon.
They have created an easygoing Goan culture that emphasizes on enjoying life and living good. At the same time it is very honoring to their account that Goa rates as one of the top most state with the highest literacy and social infrastructure added to its name and fame. Goa’s glory is dotted with miniature castles, forts and churches. The Goan architect presents a spectacular sight. The stone monuments are of permanent interest to those with a curious intellect. The magnificent churches and buildings are enough to witness the grandeur of the place.
Apart from the Goan culture and traditions the ‘golden must see’ beaches provide an intoxicating spell to one’s senses. Goan beaches are far ahead and superior in terms of leisure, life, fun and facilities. Tourists enjoy eating, swimming, water sports, shopping, dancing, sea walking and numerous other activities. The adventurous ones also try fishing, bird watching and invading the local towns in the morning on the rented bikes or bicycles. In Goa the sea, sun, and sand offer amusement from a fresh early morning to an awe inspiring sunset. Along the 104 Km of the coastal stretch there are numerous beaches dotted with ‘gourmet’s delight’ shakes adding a pleasant taste to the life.Varca, Cavelosum, Mobor and Cola are few of the quiet and beautiful beaches south of Benaulim.
The ambience is charming on this much clean beaches of Goa. The beaches offer activities like swimming, good food & drinks, dolphin watching and other amusing acts. Tourists often hire taxis from the Dabolim Airport or Margao Centre. To explore and move locally renting bikes or bicycles is an ultimate option. The Christian fisher folks reside along the Varca beach. Their fishing boats and eating joints on the beach are the more added charms of the beach. The visitors get to select out of the most exclusive and luxurious beach resorts at very reasonable rates. Palolem Beach: can be visited while driving south from Karnataka. The beach has water sports, dolphin games, food and many more activities. The fascinating white sand dispenses into the Blue Bay between two highlands. The wooded raised islands with coconut trees towards the northern headland are simply fabulous and watching and admiring them quietly is just enough to ferry you across.Agonda Beach: driving from Palolem beach toward Panaji directs you to Agonda beach.
It is about 3 Km long beautiful cove of white sand dominated by a large hill to the South. This beach has comparatively fewer stalls and shops. Visitors are advised to carry their essentials. To enjoy the scenes, sounds of the sea and indulge in the soothing nature visitors are offered tent houses as well.Anjana Beach: is popular amongst the Indian tourists. The beach dotted with coconut and pineapple trees offers and archetypal vision of paradise in the area. Tourists often head to the close by flea market walking on the beach. This goan beach also has the best food, good transportation, good lodging for the budget travelers.Calangute Beach: is perhaps Goa’s busiest and most commercialized beach.
It is lined with handicrafts stalls and boutiques set up by Kashmiris. Himalayan souvenirs, precious gems, stones, jewellery by Tibetans, textiles from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka are all available here. The shacks and restaurants also mostly offer western and Indian dishes.Sinquerim & Candolim beaches are other beaches about 13 kms from Panaji. They are overlooked from the headland around the Agounda Fort. These beaches have fewer facilities and a long walk from here would head you to the famous Baga beach. Baga Beach: is another charming combination of land and sea. About 10km west of Mapusa, Baga beach is an extension of the Calangute beach. Baga beach is known to have the liveliest nightlife amongst other Goan beaches. It has the best range of food joints, cafes, resorts, tandoori terrace restaurants with thrilling dance floors. So make sure to pack a pair of dancing shoes as well along with your sunscreen, sun glasses, sun- hat and swimming costume, when visiting the goan beaches.
Panaji: also named as ‘Panjim’ by Portuguese meaning ‘the land that never floods’ is the most happening center and the state capital of Goa. The city is spread along the southern baks of Mandovi River. The place has a charming and un- hurried character named to it. Panaji wad announced as the capital on Mar 22, 1843. City’s ambience is worth a visit. It attracts tourists with its paddy fields, wooded valley harbor, temples, churches and forts. The church square, the cafes, Govt. buildings specifically the passport office seem to have the Portuguese influence.Viceroy, Dom Manuel de Castro of Portugal was known as the “Father of Panjim”. He initiated public projects and set Panjim as a stage for Govt buildings. It was him who supported infrastructural set ups in Panjim. Today it has become the educational, commercial and cultural hub of Goa.
Eat your heart out: Goan cuisine offers a smorgasbord of food. Good and tasty food is serious matter for the Goans. They prep Portuguese, Konkani, Nawabi and all kinds of Indian foods. Sea food like fish, prawns, crabs, lobsters, mussels and oysters are always on the everyday menu in Goan households. The best way to enjoy the diversity of Goan cuisine is to try their fairs and festivals. Small eateries, shacks always have something for various taste buds. The shacks also offer fresh fruit salads, juices from fruits typically grown in Goa. Spices and Coconut is used in most of the dishes for extra flavorsIt has been so far beneficial to Goa that the Portuguese, European innovations have given extra features and flavors to the food varieties. The shacks are open longer hours for those night owls who like to have a quick snack then. Indian curries including chicken and fish curries are loved and served no matter what.Walking on the beach the tempering aroma from the shacks casts its spell and makes you hungry. So why not give it a try?
What is Dona Paula? A former fishing village of Dona Paula is a commercial hub and an ideal spot to relax and enjoy. It offers water sports, fishing and other ultimate aquatic games. The Bay of Dona Paula can be sited as the meeting point of Goa’s main rivers into the Arabian Sea. The town is about 7 kms from Panjim and is the official residence of the Governor of Goa. Named after Dona Paula Menezes the place is commonly known as ‘Lover’s Paradise’. According to the legend the local viceroy’s daughter got into a love affair with a poor fisher man. She faces objection from her family because of their uneven financial status. Either she jumped or was pushed off the cliff into the deep waters below. It is believed that her spirit haunts here and she emerges from the moonlit waves wearing a pearl necklace.
The shopping bonanza: Shopping is always a delight in Goa.
The trip is not complete until you buy a souvenir of your memorable sojourn. Sightseeing, beaches and shopping are the priorities here. Handicrafts such as embroideries, paintings, brassware, shell works, bamboo crafts are the attractive gift ideas. Govt emporiums sell antiques that inspired the ancient civilizations. The Friday market at Mapusa, Wednesday market at Anjana beach and the Saturday night market at Baga beach are very famous and extremely lively spots.
Shops get more customers and seem to be doing well. Jewellery stones and precious gems are put up on display for sales at discount rates. Home decorations, dry nuts, cashews and sun dresses are also Goa’s other specialties.Bargaining to bring down the price and make the purchase a worth while experience puts extra flavor to the shopping retreat. It is said in Goa that “the real charm of shopping in lies in bargaining to your heart’s content”. Sightseeing, shopping, food, nature, sea, sun, sand, amusement and fun come in the travel package to Goa. It can be conclude that it is one of the best travel bargains. So pack your bag and get set go…..GOA
