TOP SEVEN SPOTS YOU HAVE TO VISIT WHILE IN GOA
How about taking 10 days off your busy schedule and visiting one state in India which is not only blessed abundantly with natural beauty but also known for it’s hospitable people. Yeah am talking about non other then the little state of Goa, which I would call India’s Emerald of the West. This site is dedicated entirely to this beautiful state, it’s culture, it’s people and it’s tradition. Come and explore it !
HOW TO GET HERE: Goa can be reached by its lone airport (Dabolim), by train (Konkan Railway) and by the many buses connecting the state with cities in India (primarily Mumbai and Bangalore).
WHERE TO STAY: We have a list of hotels in Goa. Some pretty reasonable other not so. However the two that I have listed out will make your stay even more memorable. The Siolim House, A beautifully restored 300 year old Portuguese era manor house that once belonged to a governor of Macau, Siolim House is now a unique boutique "Heritage" Hotel in Goa, very unlike a Goa hotel, and the tents at the Cola beach. Cola beach is a beach a few kilometers away from the Palolem beach. This beach is known for its seclusion and the tents. Visit www.colabeach.com for more information
1) SOCIAL GOA: For those travelers who wish to study and read a little on the art and culture of this place, Big Foot located in Lotulim would be the right spot. You are warmly welcomed and at an affordable rate that you pay has an entrance fees , the entire trip is really worth it. Do not leave this place with out visiting the Cross Museum which is right in the neighborhood. Lotulim is also famous for it’s Chocolate éclairs, thanks to the Gila bakery. Pop one or two and the experience will be a relishing one. http://www.ancestralgoa.com/
2) THIRSTY GOA: THE most commonly spoken word in Goa is Feni. And the reason is not difficult to understand because Feni is the name of the most popular local drink among hard drinks. There are two types of Feni’s - Cashew Feni and Coconut Feni. Cashew Feni is made out of the juice of cashew apples whereas coconut Feni is made from the toddy collected by toddy Tappers
In the traditional method of making cashew Feni, the cashew apples are manually crushed in a “Coimbi”, a rock on the hill which is carved or shaped like a basin with an outlet for the juice. The juice is collected in a huge earthen pot called “Kodem”, which is buried in the ground. The juice is then distilled in earthen or copper pots.The liquor produced from cashew is of three grades Urrac, Cazulo and Feni.What makes Feni a great drink is not only it’s good taste but also it’s smell. It has a strong smell which cannot be hidden once the bottle is opened and the drink is poured in the glass. A bottle of cashew Feni can be purchased from any leading wine shops in Goa
3) SANDY GOA: If you thought that Goa is only about the Baga and Calangute beaches, you are highly mistaken . Goa has a numerous other beaches which are yet to be explored completely by the tourist. One such beach is the Serna batim beach which is just 1 km away from Colva. What makes this beach really beautiful is its scenic location and the beautiful white sand. The Furtado shack is one place that you should chose to stay , its reasonable price rooms and the authentic Goan cuisine will make you trip really exciting
4) FAT GOA: Goan cuisine is a blend of many cultures. An authentic Goan meal would consist of plain rice, fish curry and fish fried. A number of restaurant providing this meal , to name a few is the George Restaurant near the Panjim Immaculate church, Stomach in Mapusa, Hotel Manoshanti behind EDC house, Panjim. Leonaras Restaurant in Verna, don’t forget to taste the crab Xec Xec, simply heaven and Filsu Bar and Restaurant, Verna Other typical Goan food would be the Chicken Cafreal, the best one can be tasted at Florentine in Saligao, the Crab Xec Xec, Chicken Xacuti, Bangado racheado (Stuffed mackerel), Goan sausages, Fejoada (a Portuguese dish made of beans and pork sausages), Prawn Caldin and not forgetting the most popular sweet’s served mainly in Christmas, the bebinca and the doldol.. To taste the authentic Portuguse-Goan cuisine one must visit Viva Panjim in Fontainhas.
5) SPICY GOA: For those interested on learning a little about the spices that were originally brought by the Portuguese, when they conquered Goa, visit the Spice garden’s. There are many such garden but the best one is the Savoi Spice Plantation located in Ponda. For an amount of Rs 300/- one not only get’s to see the plantation but enjoy an authentic Hindu Goan meal.
6) NATURAL GOA : Nothing better then visiting the various springs such as the Pompurba spring and the Kesarval spring. Yet another picnic spot would be the Harvalem waterfalls and the Mayem lake. . If you wish to combine a little bit of Trek , visit the “Canyon of Goa”, the Dudhsagar waterfalls. These spots would have to be visited in the month of August or September, as the monsoon is ending
7) RELIGIOUS GOA: For those who wish to end this journey praising and thanking God, visit the beautiful churches, temples and mosque. Some of the best churches is the Saligao Church located in Saligao, the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the St Cathedral and the St Monica church in Old Goa. Just a few kilometers from old Goa is Ponda also knows “temple town of Goa”. Here we have beautiful temples such as Shri Ramnath and Shri Manguesh temples, and nearby is the Shri Shantadurga Temple. There is yet another beautiful temple which is dated back to 11th century, the Tamdi Surla temple which is located in Tamdi Surla. Tambi Surla is an excellent place for those who love trekking. On the way to Ponda one comes across the Safa Shahouri Mosque.Safa Shahouri Mosque is one of the 27 mosques built by Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah in Ponda. Constructed in the year 1560, it is a small single chambered mosque having a tiled roof.
Content written and compiled by Celina M.Fernandes. For any queries please contact goamiramar@gmail.com
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