Goa: The Pearl of the Orient

Fun, frolic and Feni are the three f-words that rule the roost in Goa. The tiny emerald land on the west coast of India sandwiched between the borders of Maharashtra and Karnataka, is a party-lover`s ultimate destination. From all night beach parties to the atmosphere of perpetual bonhomie which comes naturally to Goa, it is one place on earth which gives partying its real meaning.

Once a Portuguese colony, Goa still bears vestiges of its erstwhile colonial masters - in the names of the places, in the surnames of its people and in its spiritual inclination. This small former Portuguese enclave is one of India's most popular tourist spots, both for the domestic and international traveller. The name Goa is derived from the Konkani word `Goyan', which means a patch of tall grass.

Once a great Hindu stronghold, Goa was a part of the grand Mauryan Empire, around 3rd century B.C. Rulers and empires came and went and Goa imbibed all their spirits in its customs from the The Satvahanas of Kolhapur to Adil Shah of Bijapur. Goa soon became a bone of contention between the Dutch, English, French and Portuguese, all vying for its possession. Ultimately, in 1510, the Portuguese conquered Goa, with Alfonso de Albuquerque leading the invasion. After ruling for four centuries, in 1961, fourteen years after the country's independence, the Portuguese handed over possession of this colony to India.

Se Cathedral, the largest Church In Goa

Goa combines old Portuguese architecture, flavour and lifestyle to it's history. Its unending beaches, the pristine beauty of the seascape, its mystical hills and groves, the rhythmic pounding of the sea, its swaying palms - all make it a fairytale land for the traveller.

Places To See:

Goa is geographically divided into North and South Goa. While in North Goa
main places of interest include the capital Panaji (Panjim), Mapusa, old Goa and the stretch of famous beaches for which Goa is well known.

Panaji
On the South bank of the river Mandovi, Panaji is the capital of Goa State. The Portuguese heritage is visible everywhere in the architecture, the many churches, the friendly casual ambience and the bars and cafes.

Old Goa
Ten kms from Panaji is the former Portuguese capital of old Goa, where it is worth spending a day to see the old churches and remains of the former colony. Visits to the churches could include The Church of St Francis of Assissi, Se Cathedral and the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses the mortal remains and the tomb of St. Francis Xavier.

 Beaches:

Candolim Beach, Goa

The beaches of Miramar and Dona Paula are famous, as is the stretch from Siquerim, Candolim, Calangute,Baga, Anjuna, Vagator and Arambol. There are a wide variety of places to stay and eat suiting every budget. The action point now has shifted from Calangute, the paradise of the sixties to the adjacent Baga beach. With a number of resorts, hotels and shacks, restaurants and eateries having sprung up the dividing line between Calangute and Baga no longer exists. Anjuna Beach is famous for its Wednesday flea market and its ability to attract all kinds of eccentrics and die-hard hippies. Only basic accommodation is available here and at Vagator.

 South Goa
The main city in South Goa is Margao, from where buses are available to Vasco da Gama, where the rail terminus is, and to the beaches of Bagmalo, Colva and Benaulim. Colva with its pure white sands has a wide-range of accommodation and restaurants and shacks.

Wild life sanctuaries:
Bondla, Molem and Catigao Wild Life sanctuaries are worth a visit, with Bondla being the most popular of the three because of its easy accessibility. Wild boar, Sambar and a host of other animals can be spotted here.

Cuisine:
Some of the specialties of Goan cuisine include vindaloo, sorpotel and xacuti. Bebinca is a Goan dessert that goes very well with vanilla ice cream. The local spirit Feni made from either coconut or cashew nut is famous for its bitter taste and the unique high that it gives to its drinkers. Goa is also a heaven for sea food enthusiasts, from different varieties of fish to prawns, Goa has it all.

Transport:
Apart from the lackadaisical buses and expensive taxis, a popular means of transport is motorcycle taxis. Motorcycles and bicycles are also available on hire.

When To Go: Oct to March is considered the best season. If you can tolerate the soaring temperatures, April and May finds Goa in a quiet, lethargic mood with the sea still calm enough to swim in.

How To Get There

Air: Planes fly to Goa from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram. For overseas travellers, Mumbai has a well - connected airport. Direct international chartered flights to Goa also operate. Dabolim in South Goa, 26 kms from Panaji, is where the international and domestic airport is situated.

Rail: The most picturesque train route is of the Konkan railway which operates from Mumbai to Mangalore, and passes Goa en route. The rail distance from Mumbai to Goa is about 700 kms. You can also entrain from Bangalore (430 km) and Delhi (1874 km).

Road: The road from Mumbai (582 km) is picturesque, and can be accessed by bus as well as hired taxis.

Ship: Catamaran service between Mumbai and Goa generally operate from October to May.