GOA - God's Own Abode. Review on Goa

They say that God is in detail, taking this further I say God is in finding pleasure doing small things (something different from the crowd) which most of us miss out. Goa isn't a place to visit on a whistle stop tour. Goa has much more than sun, fun and sand to offer, provided one is willing to let go one’s spirit and explore. Goa can be as enjoyed all the year round. It all depends on the kind of mood you carry. December-February is a time for zest, fun and merriment. March-May is a time to chill, swim and snooze. June-October is a time to unwind, meditate and contemplate (soul searching). Personally, I enjoy Goa most during the late monsoon. The landscape is transformed to ethereal bliss. Thousand shades of greens soothe your eyes, sit out in the balcaÕ (sit out before your enter the house) and listen to the sound of approaching rain, watch rain drops trickle down the coconut palm and the early morning sun filtering through the freshly washed palms. The most invigorating thing to do is to wake up early and the watch sunrise, it signifies hope and new beginning (we mostly end-up watching sunset, almost all tourist destination has sunset point). Take a walk along the beach early morning and enjoy a sense of perkiness and energy all through the day. Let the honking of the traditional paÕ (bread) wallaha be your alarm. Hire a motorbike (Rs.150- Rs.300 depending on the season), this will ensure you the best mobility, avoid traffic snarls and explores the narrow lanes running along field and canals. I have listed below some of the thing you must do: 1. Ferry ride from Ribandar, near Panjim to Diwar Island and back. You can take your car into the ferry. 2. Santa Monica Boat ride at night. With on board dance from Panjim at night. 3. Move around by car/motorbike - the churches and temples are lit and look beautiful at night. (Saligaon church very close to Calangute) 4. Experience Para Sailing and boat ride at Calangute and Baga. The small hotels (called shacks) along the Calangute-Baga beach rent a relaxing chair and umbrella and watch the sea. Useful Tips: 1. Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated in a humid climate. 2. It’s cheaper to eat food outside the main hotel. Look for restaurants that are crowded, the food is likely to be fresher. 3. Enjoy the sol koddi (a purple juice given after meals to aid digestion) 4. Carry sunglasses and caps, enough of rolls and batteries. 5. If you are buying Cashew nuts, buy Zantey’s for taste and quality. Drum Roasted is the best, even with the peels. Don’t risk with other brands, most of them are hybrid variety from Kerala and lacks the taste. 6. Wear seat belts for driver and co-drivers on the highway or end up paying 100/- bucks. 7. Maintain speed limits as sometimes there are interceptors with speed guns to fine you for over speeding. :Bon Appétit: North Goa: 1. Souza Lobo by the beach: this a fantastic place facing the sea in Calangute. 2. Little Italy, Candolim and Baga Two restaurants situated at different locations. Both claim to good genuine Italian food and both worth visiting. One is on Calangute/Candolim road and the other one is in Little Baga opposite the river 3. Britto’s, Baga- Great food. 4. Florentine – Saligao, a 10-minute drive from Calangute, this restaurant has been in existence for quite some time. Well-known for Chicken cafreal. Panjim: 1. Alua-Merces, located at Merces near Panjim. Famous for stuffed crabs. 2. George Restaurant near Our lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim (Authentic goan food, but a bit cramped space). Try FISH RECHADO here. 3. Viva Panjim, Fontainhas, Illhas, Panjim Goa. Great food and listed as favorite by Mario Miranda. Great HOME FOOD. 4. Corina, near Patto Brigde, Panjim...Lovely Goan music and fish curry rice. 5. Shiv Sagar Restaurant and Ruchi Restaurant has good veg food. 6. Tato’s this is a restaurant in Panjim and Margao for snacks like puri bhaji or goan paÕ (bread) South Goa: 1. Martins Corner, Majorda (South Goa) one of the best places I have ever eaten fish and it is SACHIN TENDULKAR’S FAVOURITE joint. (he owns a house around that place) Traditional Sweets and Delicacies you must try: Bebinca: ingredients eggs, sugar, coconut and Maida Doça: ingredients Channa dal, fresh coconut and sugar Dodol: Rice flour, coconut and coconut jaggery (rich in iron). Mangad: Mango Chapatti (equivalent of aamrass). Sausages: You got to be lucky to get great sausages, one place that is recommended is shop no.72 (I am not sure of the number) but it is in Agacaim market, anybody will tell you when asked. And the taste is ultimate. Godobod (Gadbad) Ice-cream – Do try it if you get a chance. Some Exclusive Places you must visit: 1.Ancestral Goa: (Big Foot) A centre for Art, Culture & Environment. Located at Loutolim, 9 kms from Margao 2.Savoi Plantation Spice of Life: is located at Savoi Ponda, 25 kms from Panaji. Experience the typical Goan Hindu Cuisine served in Mud Pots with Banana Leaf. On the way to Savoi Plantation one can visit Cashew nut Factory, Ananta(Vishnu-the Preserver of Universe)Temple party in water. 3.Old Goa: Churches and archeology and Art Museum. 4.Aguada Jail: A top security sea facing prison. So a highly influential convict can get a sea facing accommodation for free ;)5.Shree Manguesh : 22 kms from Panaji (26 kms from Margao) 6.Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chorao 7.Mrs. Braganza’s House, located at Chandor in south Goa, is the next best thing to do (after exploring the beaches), while sight-seeing in Goa. The house is a antique connoisseur’s delight.8.Mapusa Market on Fridays. See vintage Goa market in its splendor. You will be delighted to find Lamanis (Nomads) speak impeccable English with European accent. Another trivia- Mapuça is called so as the story goes, the traders would buy grains wholesale from Belgaum. The Maap or measure would be sold heaped over the level to them. These traders would in turn sell to the locals at the same price that they procured the grains. Locals were happy little realizing that the measure sold to them was level (Saa). This difference was the profit margin for traders.9.Flea Market at Anjuna or Baga on certain nights where foreigners sell trinkets along with other artifacts etc. EARNEST REQUEST Please help keep Goa clean and plastic free, discourage fellow tourist from littering.