Popularly described as the Pearl of Orient, Goa is the abode of scenic beauty and many tourist spots, intricate churches, terrific temples, exotic flora and fauna, evergreen hill and mountains and many more. It is globally famous for its pristine beaches fringed by the swaying palm and other leafy trees that create heavenly ambiance for tourists to enjoy the Goa vacation in a delightful and memorable way. It is visited by tourists all the year round making Goa the tourist destination of all seasons. Come to this state once and it is sure you will love to be back year after year to explore the beauty of the beaches and its amazing tourism options.
Goa is predominantly known for its fun filled beaches that offer tourists to enjoy sometime of their life with immense happiness. The beaches creates amiable ambiance for tourists to enjoy the fulfilled beach activities along the silver coastline. You can sit under the umbrella of the beach and enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding. You can enjoy fun filled activities like swimming, angling, motorboat tour, beach volleyball, football and many other delightful beach activities can be enjoyed on the seashore of Goa beaches. Well for honeymooners and newly wedded couples beaches of goa creates heavenly ambiance. It is the most favored destination and offers couples to spend time in a romantic way to make the honeymoon tour Goa an experience of lifetime.
Exotic flora and fauna of the state also helps in the boom of Goa tourism. Most of the forest here is owned by the government making it most protected and safe place for the wildlife species. In the year 1999 the National Geographic Magazine compared the vegetation of Goa with Amazing and Congo basin. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Cotigoa Wildlife Sanctuary, Mandovi- Zaruri Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondala Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, etc are the most admired wildlife parks and sanctuaries of the state. Tourists can enjoy safari inside these national parks and sanctuaries to spot the wild in their natural home. You can also spot various colourful species of birds twittering in the jungle, flying here and there and some singing in the melodious tune. Enjoying safari in these exotic wildlife parks and sanctuaries of the state will truly be the delightful experience of tour in Goa.
Well if you know Goa only for its pristine beaches and exotic flora and fauna then you are missing the best part of the Goa vacation. This tiny state of India is also famous for its Heritage monuments and churches which till date preserves the essence of the Portuguese presence in Goa. Intricate churches with beautiful glass works and beautiful designed lures the heart of tourists. Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, St Francis of Assisi, St Cajetan, the tower of St. Augustine, etc are some of the finest churches in Goa. These are internationally known heritage sites which depicts the rich cultural heritage of India.
Beside these tours in Goa is made more delightful and memorable by the warm hospitality and world class accommodation facilities offered by the Goa hotels. Most of the hotels in Goa offer the scenic and picturesque view of the beaches making tourists stay in the hotel more memorable and enjoyable. There are many more to explore on Goa tours which can hardly be described with words but it is better experienced. Tour operators provide gamut of tailor made Goa packages for tourists to enjoy vacation in Goa in a delightful and memorable way. Overall we can say that holiday vacation in Goa the beach capital of India is a lifetime experience.
By: Terence Lewis
Posts Tagged ‘Goa India’
Goa – The Jewel of India
November 3rd, 2009
Goa has a special place in my memories. It is the place where I met my husband and also because this was my first expedition alone. I had heard that the new year eve is celebrated with much fun and frolic in Goa. As I had been selected as a lecturer in a college and had been saving money for something special, I decided why not take a trip to Goa. I found that people in North India are much intruding and misbehaving towards a lone female traveler. Though I did not face such problem in Goa.
Goan history:
Often known as ‘The Rome of the East’, Goa was ruled by a great number of Indian kingdoms and dynasties from the 4th century onwards. The name ‘Goa’ is derived from the Konkani (The Goan Language) word ‘Goyan’, which means a patch of tall grass. Mythologically, Goa’s origin is ascribed to Parshurama, a God of the Hindu pantheon. Goa became a Portuguese colony in 1510 following the urges of trade and demand of spices, cotton and indigo. Portuguese renovated Goa by erecting one of the great churches like the church of St. Cajetan and Bom Jesus basilica in Old Goa, which is a pilgrimage site for the Christians all over the world.
Goan culture
When you travel to Goa, “The jewel of India” you discover that they enjoy life to the fullest without getting tense about the unfavorable repercussions. ‘Siesta’ is an important part of life in Goa. I noticed shuttered down shops in afternoon, my host told me that the time from1pm to4 pm provides an afternoon nap to the Goans. Legendary Lata Mangeshkar is from Goa just like the classical singer Kishori Amonkar and the pop singer Remo Fernandes There is a vast representation of the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon, which testifies to the catholicity of the people’s beliefs as well as their mutual tolerance. Indeed, Goa is could be loved just for this rare quality which one feels imperceptibly on even a short visit.
Goa beaches:
Calangute is my favourite beach. It is the most famous and most crowded. if u love music, dance, chitter-chatter of countless people around you then Calangute is the place for you. The main road which leads straight to the beach is full of Kashmiri-run handicraft boutiques and Tibetan stalls selling Himalayan curios and jewelery. The high quality textiles from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka can be bought from here.
Anjuna Beach: Anjuna is known for its infamous full moon parties and for its flea market.
Baga beach: Baga is actually an extension of Calangute beach but it is secluded enough to gain popularity among the topless sunbathers, though it is not among the famous ‘nude’ beaches. It is difficult to arrange for the transport in the late evenings in the area as there are no buses to the place after the dark and it takes a long walk to the Calangute taxi stand from the beach.
Palolem Beach – is also known as “Paradise Beach”. This beach is south Goa is about a mile long and it provides seclusion and idyllic scenery. If you’re looking for a most unhurried and balmy beach experience, complete with the most breathtaking coastal scene, this is the beach for you.
Mandrem or Morjim: This is a place for those seeking peace and solitude. The beach stretches across three hamlets: Mandrem, Ashwem and Morjim. Divided by little creeks, these are spectacular windswept stretches of sand, devoid of crowds of people.
Though Goa is known for its beaches, the over two dozen temples in the town are worth a visit too.
Where to stay:
If you are going for Christmas and new year then you must book well in advance as this is the peak tourist season. Not only all big and small hotels are booked out, you won’t find rooms to stay in family run lodges also. My husband’s uncle and aunt were with us on our second trip and we had decided to go there on a spur of the moment. We reached there with all our baggage and confidently knocked at the door of our erstwhile host( we stayed with him previous year) but he had no room! He tried to accommodate us with his relative’s but again the reply was “no vacancy”. After an exhaustive search a widow gave us her son’s study (she had seen two couples wandering back and forth in the street and worried about the “ladies”). The room was very humid and practically a rat hole (our benefactor charged a whopping amount for 2 nights stay). My advice is that if you are going there only for New Year eve then don’t worry about booking. Just enjoy the sun and sand and the whole festive atmosphere of Goa with a feni in your hand. We saw many people who were comfortably sleeping on beaches the morning after New Year eve. But this suggestion is only for those who are traveling alone or with friends. If you have family with you then booking the hotel must be your top priority. Or you can make a deal in local lodges which are equally good. Hire a bike and go on long drives to explore the Goan beaches and scenery.
The Carnival:
Tour of Goa is incomplete if you miss out being a part of the Christmas Carnival. It does not matter whether one enjoys or see others enjoying. There is enthusiasm and happiness all around. Floats depicting popular lullabies and nursery rhymes make a whimsical and colorful sight on the streets. The three-day festival primarily celebrated by Christians, has absorbed Hindu tradition-bound revelry and western dance forms, and stimulated by the artistry of the Goan genius turned into a pageantry of singular effervescence.
Restaurants:
Tito’s on calangute: TITO’S Restaurant is a favourite with locals and foreigners alike. . Stars like Richard Gere, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Aishwarya Rai (to name a few) have all dined here.
Pagoda (CALANGUTE)
Excellent genuine Chinese restaurant run by a Chinese expat. Situated on the junction of the Baga & C. S. M. Road
J&A’s Little Italy (BAGA)
One in the list of most popular restaurants in Goa, this Italian restaurant comes highly recommended and is situated on the charming Baga river promenade.
Shopping:
Shopping in the famous traditional markets of the Mapusa and Anjuna area is a fascinating experience. These markets are a mirror of Goa’s ethnic culture and provide a glimpse of the typical Goan way of doing business. The Friday Market at Mapusa, where stalls sell everything from curios and old coins to dried fish and spices. The Wednesday Market at Anjuna Beach started by and for foreigners is an extremely lively spot where souvenirs, beachwear, trinkets and handicrafts are sold at bargain prices. Be sure to sharpen your bargaining skills before you go, the vendors, who’re surprisingly fluent in English, are quite sharp-witted. There are many tattoo shops also. Al’s tattoo studio in goa is the best on baga road opp ronel hotel.
Souvenirs
Feni: Feni is the native liquor of Goa famous all over the world and almost synonymous with the region. Goans still believe that any ceremony require the joie de vivre sans, the company of alcohol as they are prefect celebratory of goenchi feni. The birth of a child is cheered with feni, a death is mourned with feni apart from fiesta, football and fish as are the ‘famous fours’, which go into making any goan happenings.
By: Sheetal Ahlawat
