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History:
Long before the British came to India, the Portuguese had arrived in 1498 CE in search of gems, gold, silver and spices to spruce up perfumes. Vasco da Gama is believed to have visited Old Goa in 1510 CE, more or less along with Saint Francis Xavier. Goa went through its inquisition (1560-1812), which saw large scale forced conversion to Catholicism. Hindu temples were demolished by the Portuguese and their idols desecrated without compunction. The Portuguese refused to hand over Goa after India's independence in 1947, which called for Indian military intervention in 1961 to make Goa part of India.
Regions:
Goa is divided into two regions, North and South Goa. This is on an administrative basis, which has grouped village commonalities as well as location of beaches as their method of distinction. The map of Goa looks peculiar, with 25% of North Goa in the southern area and a similar portion of South Goa in the Northern region. North Goa has six districts, South Goa has five. Goa's main rivers, in fact, its lifelines, are the Mandovi and the Zuari. The Mormugao harbour on the mouth of the river Zuari is one of the best natural harbours in South Asia. |
How to Get There:
• By Air:
Goa has only one airport, Dabolim, essentially a military base used by civil aircraft, both international and domestic. Plans are afoot to make it a purely international commercial airport and move the military out, except for a token presence. Goa receives international flights from Dubai, Sharjah and Kuwait in the Middle East through the year and from the UK, Germany and Russia during the charter flight tourist season.
• By Rail:
Madgaon in South Goa, the rail hub, has direct train services from Delhi, Kochi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Kolkata, Thiruvanantapuram, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. Travelling to Goa by train is a sight for sore eyes. For budget travellers, this is the cheapest method. It is faster and far more comfortable than travelling by road. Tourists must make reservations well in advance as the major trains are usually heavily booked. Trains from Mumbai and most other places have a special quota of seats for tourists. Quota tickets must be purchased in person at the rail station by the tourist and not by proxy. Quota tickets are only sold at the station of origin. Tickets can also be booked online, but when you are asked to choose your payment option, you must use the payment option "AXIS." Unless on a shoe string budget, travel in air conditioned sleeper coaches, that are quieter and more comfortable. Each bunk is provided with two freshly laundered crisp white sheets, a blanket, and a pillow.
• By Road:
There are several bus routes from various cities. Overnight buses to Goa are one alternative to trains and flying. Many of the coaches are newer Volvo models, yet you have to share your sleeper bunk with one other person.
Where to Stay: Goa has more than its fair share of 4 and 5 star hotels, yet they are always packed to the rafters. Prices in tourist season, October to mid April can be steep. Foreigners may find the prices reasonable, simply because the Indian economy is Rupee based. You can book accommodation online for almost all kinds of rooms, even down to the local equivalent of B&Bs. Almost all beaches are sea-fronts of the heart of Goa, the villages. If planned in time, you are spoiled for choice.
Moving Around:
Buses are the main mode of transport, and incredibly cheap. Or rent a two-wheeler for next to nothing. Fuel is at international prices. Such vehicles are banned outside Goa limits, so get yourself a map.
Communications: Buy a prepaid mobile at next to nothing and sell it when you leave. The cost of talk time is unbelievably low. 6 hours at night for less than half a dollar! And there’s competition here too!
What to See:
It is very difficult to compress all of Goa into a couple of pages. Still, what must be seen are Goa has two World Heritage Sites: the Bom Jesus Basilica and a few designated convents. The Basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the patron saint of Goa. Once every twelve years, the body is taken down for public viewing and the next such occasion will be in 2016. The Velhas Conquistas regions are also known for their Goa-Portuguese style architecture. There are many forts in Goa such as Tiracol, Chapora, Corjuem, Aguada, Gaspar Dias and Cabo de Rama. Influences from the Portuguese era are visible in some of Goa's temples, like the Mangueshi and the Mahalasa Temple. The world famous Mangeshkar sisters, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, nee Mangeshkar, who between themselves have sung more than 40,000 songs since 1942, are from the Mangueshi area. Other places are Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary; Dona Paula - a popular beach; Fort Aguada; Old Goa, home of famed sixteenth century churches, convents and monuments, Ponda taluka, the temple heartland of Goa; Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary; Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Candolim, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa, Mormugao Harbour, Pilar and Dudh Sagar Waterfall.
Beaches:
The beaches of Goa are the life of Goa. The beaches in north Goa stretch over a distance of 30 kilometers: Arambol, Morjim, Chapora, Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Sinquerim, Bambolim, Miramar and Dona Paula. South Goa has: Bogmalo, Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim, Mobor, Canaguinim, Agonda and Palolem.
Culture:
The diverse culture of Goa becomes more evident as you tour through Goa. The modern
and happening lifestyle of the beaches gives way to the deeply religious aspects - the number of cathedrals, churches and temples dotting the landscape of the state. Native Konkanis and people of Portuguese descent reside in absolute peace and harmony. Christians, Hindus and Muslims co-exist peacefully in the cities of Goa. Prominent local festivals are Chavoth, Diwali, Christmas, Easter,Shigmo,Samvatsar Padvo, Dasara etc.The Goan Carnival is the Indian Mardi Gras and a major attraction for tourists. And Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali is celebrated with as much zest as Christmas and Easter. This harmonious existence, putting aside their origins, religious beliefs and revelling in being Goan is also part of the culture of Goa.
The local residents of Goa love music and you will find people breaking out into song
anytime, anywhere. Each village has a band of their own. The music is often zapped with Portuguese words and phrases. Religious music and hymns are also a part of life in Goa. Goa Trance is a popular form of music at present. This is best enjoyed during a dance. Speaking of dances, there are different colorful folk dances that gives you an insight into the rich culture of the place. Dekhni, Dhalo, Tonvamel are some of the dance forms.
Cuisine:
Spicy treats to delicious sweet dishes, Goan cuisine carries the distinct mark of the rich
historical heritage of the state. Apart from traditional fare, you will also come across various
international delights. South Indian dishes are also prepared in Goa. Vegetarian or non - vegetarian, you get it all. The basic food of Goa, however, is a preparation of rice, fish and curry. Portuguese and Muslim influence can be tasted in many of the dishes in Goa. Its location along the Konkan coast has also influenced the food. A lot of spices like kokum (red sour fruit) are used to prepare Goan dishes that are used in parts of India along the Konkan coast. Most traditional dishes are prepared using a lot of spice and chili. Some of the popular non - vegetarian dishes of Goa are: Iscas de Galinha, Galhina Piri - piri, Chicken Xacuti, Chicken Cafreal, Sorpotel, Pao com Chouricos and Pork Vindaloo.
Vegetarian fare is as delicious. But Goan cuisine is incomplete without digging into the delicious seafood platter. Dishes are cooked using crabs, lobsters, shrimp, prawns and fish, like Seafood Caldeira, Crab xec xec, Balchao de Camaro, Dry Prawn Kismur and Fish Caldine.
Drink:
All kinds of liquor are freely available, at decent prices. Local wines are quite good and cost less than half the price of imported wines. There are two local brews made and drunk in Goa -- cashew feni and coconut feni. One comes from the cashew apple, and the other from the sap of the coconut tree. 86 proof Feni has its own strong taste and aroma. Some like it, some don't. But you often run into bus-loads of tourists picking up their 'souvenir' of feni. My personal tip is to add a twist of lime to any Feni concoction.
Safety: Do’s and don'ts in Goa:
• Do not indulge with drugs.
• Avoid the mouth of all rivers (such as the Mandovi River at Miramar), especially at low tide when the flow of the water current out to sea is the strongest.
• Just don't get into the water at all in the off season.
• REMEMBER: The safe swimming period in Goa is November - early May.
• Avoid contact with unprocessed cashew nuts as they contain the same irritant present in poison ivy ('urusiol').
• Goans are very friendly and helpful, should you have any problems talk immediately to the nearest Goan shop, restaurant or bystander and ask for help.
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