Goa, as soon as we hear the name, the mind paints a very serene and pleasing image where there is sea breeze purifying our souls, leaving us completely drenched with #vacationvibes; people are relaxing on the beach chairs, playing along the waves with the sea salts mixed in their hair – thereby, adding merriment in the ambience!
So, very recently, I visited Goa for the first time. And now, honestly, I am uncertain about which memory was the best! Was it when the sun played hide-n-seek with the sea during the blissful sunrises and sunsets; the waves splashing and sprinkling the water all over, inviting to immerse oneself into the worry free zone; the cool breeze that blew my hair; the petrichor of the first rain on the quaint little cottages where I spent time with the warmest and most hospitable people who narrated their family stories over sumptuous dinner meals?!
Well actually, the raw stunning nature is what allured me to visit Goa, in the first place. Then, its vast history and culture intrigued me to know more about it. Which is when I realised that “Goa’s heart is in its villages”! So, if you really want to experience the ethos of this magical land, you must start your journey through its villages. These villages have their own charm and character. Away from all the noise and tourists, the Goans prefer living in their villages.
Yes, partying and having fun in Goa is what this place is popular for, but trust me, there is so much more here than just parties and booze. So, here are more details about this little heaven, which is tucked in between major metropolitan areas. I compiled some of the pointers and important details that can prove useful while planning your next trip to Goa. Read on…
(PC: mittalpatel on Pixabay)
History:
Goa is a place of contradictions, offering the best of both the worlds for all kinds of personalities. While on one hand, it is undoubtedly one of the most peaceful states; and on the other – it is the known as the “party capital of India”!
While you are exploring the core Goa, you can still hear people conversing in Portuguese and Konkani, sitting in their rustic abodes, which are in amalgamation of Goan, Ottoman and Portuguese architectural styles. Wondering about all the Portuguese influence? This is because Goa used to be a Portuguese colony. Which is why Goa is visibly different from the rest of India, owing to their rule to the Portuguese people, which isolated it from the rest of India for 451 years! However, English and Marathi also falls in the category of widely spoken and understood languages here.
Infact, with Delhi Airport Service Pvt. Ltd., you can discover the true essence of Goa. You can take various pasoi (leisure walks) in the Old Goa, a stroll in the surreal Latin quarters of Fontainhas. And if you are interested in doing some fun activities, you can go deep- sea fishing, take ferry rides, please your taste buds by taking food tours & experience the appetizing Goan cuisine, or try your hand at tile painting!
Best places to visit in/ near Goa
- Anjuna Beach
- Fontainhas- the Latin quarter of Panjim
- Divar Island
- Dudhsagar waterfall
- Abyss Aquarium waterfall
- Anjuna Flea Market
Cities not to miss in Goa:
- Panaji, (which is the capital and is also referred to as Panjim)
- Margao
- Vasco da Gama
- Old Goa (home to the famed 16th century churches, convents and monuments)
- Mapusa
Wildlife sanctuaries:
- Cotigao wildlife sanctuary
- Bondla wildlife sanctuary
- Mahavir wildlife sanctuary
Transportation
- Dabolim is the only airport
- You can reach Goa by taking an overnight bus/ train from Bangalore/ Mangalore
- You can also take an overnight bus from Mumbai to Goa
- Important train stations: Thivim (for North Goa); Madgaon (for South Goa)
Demographics:
The Goan population is a mixture of Hindus and Roman Catholics, the distribution being approximately 65% Hindu and 24% Christian and a very small population of Muslims.
Best time to travel:
Visiting Goa is a bliss all year round. However, you can experience the best of Goa from mid-November to mid-February. There is a huge influx of tourists during the Christmas, New year time, Ganesh Chaturthi and the Goa Carnival.
Best tours of Goa:
– Heritage walks in Goa
– Goa Shore Excursion tours
– Old Goa & St Estevam island tour including ride on canal boat & lunch
– Pasoi de Assagao (meaning Heritage walk in the village Assagao)
– Goa Beach Honeymoon tours
Best things to eat:
Foodies, rejoice! There are a lot of amazing food joints in Goa, but we will talk about the popular and ‘must try’ food items!
Trying sea food is a must if you visit Goa. The popular items of Goan cuisine are Goan prawn curry, Bebinca ice-cream (a popular Indo-Portuguese dessert) and the classic rice and fish curry. You must also try the Feni liquor because it is produced in Goa itself. “The two most popular types of Feni are cashew Feni and toddy palm Feni, depending on the original ingredient.”).
At last, I would recommend visiting Goa for not just parties and beaches, but also to understand its culture and history. Travel the entire place with plenty of time at your hand. This bohemian land will definitely make you will believe that there are so many hidden stories and memories waiting to happen with you!
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