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India as a new Medical Transcription
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07. TRAVEL |
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Goa |
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When one thinks of
India’s beaches, one first thinks of Goa. Coastal Goa has it
all – sun, sand, sea and fun. Here you may swing to the lilting
beat of the Carnival, party on the beach, tuck into some delicious
vindaloo and seafood, or simply spend a quiet moment in a lovely church.
The brilliant green of the paddy fields and the tiny hamlets with
white painted churches stand out against a brilliant red soil –
Goa startles, enchants and hypnotizes with its blend of East and West.
This is after all an erstwhile Portuguese colony, the colonial masters
leaving behind their mark in a rich cultural legacy. Goa was the first
Portuguese possession in Asia, acquired by Alfonso de Albuquerque
in 1510 – Old Goa was built on the site of the takeover –
and the locals gave up without any resistance. |
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India’s
finest beaches are in Goa. The Tomb of St Francis Xavier
in Old Goa is a major Christian piligrimage. To some,
Goa means one big non-stop party. Visitors are sure to
be infected by the peppy spirit of the Carnival. The shady
Goan houses and elegant Portuguese mansions in sleepy
Portuguese villages, many of which you can visit, are
bound to enchant.
That’s just the coast. Inland Goa, primarily Hindu,
offers interesting temples around Ponda and the twelfth-thirteenth-century
site of Tambdi Surla.
PANAJI
Although Panaji (Panjim) is the capital of Goa, it still
has a charming small town feel to it. Sights include the
Idalcao Palace, Braganza Institute, Largo da Igreja (the
Main Square, dominated by the Church of Immaculate Conception).
The nearby Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is a nice excursion.
The road to Old Goa from Panaji passes over a causeway
that was built over a swamp in 1633 by the then Viceroy.
At the end of the causeway is the attractive preserved
village of Ribandar, meaning Royal Harbour. The houses,
painted in evocative colours, conjure up an image of seventeenth
century Portuguese Goa.
OLD GOA
Also called Velha Goa, Old Goa is the erstwhile capital
of Albuquirque and the heart of Portuguese Goa. The tomb
of St Francis Xavier inside the Basilica of Bom Jesus
attracts millions of devout.
‘Holy Hill’ , which one passes when approaching
Old Goa from the west, has a number of old churches. The
Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary (1526) is one of the
oldest churches in Goa. Other sights include the Royal
Chapel of St Anthony, Tower of St Augustine Church and
Convent of St John of God.
With a laterite facade, the Basilica of Bom Jesus is unique
in Goa and a Heritage Site. It contains the remains of
St Francis Xavier. The Florentine sculptor Giovanni Batista
Foggini carved the saint’s tomb (1696). Every ten
or twelve years the body of the saint is removed from
its silver casket for public viewing.
Across the square, the Se Cathedral, dedicated to St Catherine,
is largest church in Old Goa. Southwest of the cathedral
are the ruins of the infamous Palace of the Inquisition.
Short excursions from here can be made to Portuguese villages
like Chandor, Rachol and Loutolim. Loutolim is home to
the celebrated cartoonist Mario Miranda and his centuries
old ancestral home Miranda House – is open to visitors.
MAPUSA
The administrative headquarters of Bardez taluka, Mapusa
boasts St Jerome’s Church, Our Lady of Miracles and
the Maruti Temple.
Coconut-fringed sandy beaches line
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the
coastline in Bardez and Pernem talukas, in north Goa.
NORTHERN BEACHES
Indeed, it is north of Panaji that the legendary beaches
of Goa are to be found. Here’s the exclusive resort
of
Fort Aguada, and the legendary
Baga, the famed Flea Market of Anjuna, and quieter stretches
of sand like Candolim and Arambol.
Fort Aguada
The historic Fort Aguada, the strongest of the coastal
Portuguese forts, was built in 1612. At nearby Sinquerim
Beach, the Taj Hotel Group has set up a Hermitage Complex.
Further north, Calangute is a busy seaside town with an
excellent beach.
Between Calangute and Anjuna, Baga is a busy, lively beach.
Backpackers and lovers of sun and sea inevitably end up
in Baga. Massages on offer, sarongs for sale, fortune
telling – there’s much activity on the beach.
Licenced shacks on the beach dish out some great seafood.
Anjuna is one of Goa’s most visited beaches. Beach
parties are a major attractions where crowds sway to the
beat of rave and trance music. The Flea Market, held on
Wednesdays, is extremely popular. It’s great for
picking up jewellery, souvenirs and ethnic wear. In Anjuna,
the Albuquerque Mansion, a replica of the royal palace
of Zanzibar and built by an expat Goan in the 1920s, can
be viewed from outside. Besides, bungee jumping, paragliding
and windsurfing are all on offer at Anjuna.
Folks wishing for some peace and quiet can opt for the
beach at Vagator, a tiny hamlet just north of Anjuna village.
Chapora Fort, at the north end of the bay, offers splendid
views.
Arambol
Once an isolated, little-known paradise, Arambol in recent
years has been much visited. It’s still quiet and
secluded, and boasts a fantastic stretch of sand.
SOUTHERN GOA
Margao
The largest commercial centre in Goa after Panaji, Margao
is the capital of the state’s most prosperous taluka,
Salcete. It usually serves as an overnight stop for visitors
who are about to hit the beaches of South Goa, but the
Baroque-style Church of the Holy Spirit, and the many
fine seventeenth century houses are worth checking out.
The noteworthy beaches of the south are Benaulim, Varca
and Colva. There are several luxurious beach resorts here.
Arossim, Utodara and Majorda are three lesser-used beaches
in Salcete, with only the occasional restaurant shacka
and fishing villages. |
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Colva is the
most popular beach in the south – not as busy or developed
as Calangute up north – and offers the charms of solitude.
The large Church of Our Lady of the Miracles (1586) in Colva,
houses an image of Jesus which was discovered on the African
coast. Close by, Benaulim is even more tranquil.
The beaches south of Benaulim, Varca and Cavelossim, are quieter
and cleaner.
At nearby Betul, is the Cabo de Rama Fort. Named after Lord
Rama, who is said to have spent some part of his exile in this
area, the Fort enjoyed some prominence recently after a highly
successful Bollywood film (Dil Chahta Hai) was shot here.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Several Christian festivals are celebrated in Goa with much
gusto. These include the Feast of Three Kings, Feast of Our
Lady of Miracles, Feast of St Anthony and Feast of St Francis
Xavier. The largest non-religious celebration is the Carnival,
marked by colourful processions complete with floats. Held for
four days in February/March each year, life comes to a standstill
during the Carnival, as Goa parties on as only Goa can.
“Goa means one big non-stop party. Visitors are sure to
be infected by the peppy spirit of the carnival.”
CUISINE
Goan food is hot, making good use of the bird’s-eyes chillies
grown locally. The dishes show a strong Portuguese influence,
although local flavours are also apparent.
The signature Goan dish is the spicy pork or beef vindaloo.
The spicy Goan sausage --- chorizo --- is ‘hot’, literally.
Other notable dishes include sorpotel (pickled pig liver and
heart) and chicken xacutti.
Apa de Camarao is a spicy prawn pie and reichado a whole fish
stuffed with hot masala sauce. The favourite Goan dessert is
bebinca, made with coconut, jaggery, egg yolks and nutmeg.
The juice of the cashew fruit is fermented to produce feni,
the potent local brew. Palm feni is made from the sap of coconut
palm. Some swear by feni, others insist it’s an acquired
taste. Adding to the excitement of the Goa experience are its
casinos, targeted essentially at the Indian tourist. N. Suryanarayana,
Director Tourism, Government of Goa, elaborates, ‘We have
a ship that is a floating casino and some of the five-star hotels
also have casinos. This is mainly for the domestic tourist.’
The future of tourism in Goa looks very very bright, charting
as it is a sensible and sensitive course. Talking about the
importance of tourism in Goa and highlighting some of their
future plans, the Director Tourism explains, ‘Goa tourism
contributes to 50 per cent of the economy of Goa and 40 per
cent of the G.D.P. Our main industry is tourism. Goa also earns
14 per cent of the total foreign exchange earned in the country.
Goa’s policy is not to encourage any big industry, which
will cause pollution. We want to preserve our ecology. We want
to make Goa the main hub, the gateway into India from where
tourists will come into the country and further explore places
like Ajanta-Ellora, Belgaum, Sabrimala, etc. We are also making
Goa a permanent venue for film festivals to be held in India.
Goa is one Indian state that knows how to celebrate, where people
come for their bit of the fun.
The best time to be in Goa is on New Year’s Eve, when the
biggest, best and wildest parties in the country are thrown
all over Goa. Indeed, it’s an experience few will forget. |
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