The
season of Xmas and the new year is upon us. A
season
of peace, love and forgiveness. As tourists you have for long had a special
bind with the land and the people of Goa. Many of you have been coming here for
years, had close relationships with Goans and t many or most, you are family.
Your love for Goa and Goa’s reciprocity has made this relationship unique. Just
like the air we breathe and the water we drink, a relationship which is
timelessness, so is the bond between Goa and tourists.
Yet, sadly, there are some taints on this
clean sheet. IN the last couple of years conflicts between tourists and locals
is rising. Locals feel that the land and its people have not been respected,
degraded, defaced and usurped. Locals have rightly taken umbrage to tourists
cooking on the streets and dirtying our beaches. Images of liquor bottles on
the beach and broken glasses has defaced the picture of languid, peaceful Goa.
This land has been tourists friendly and still will be. But it needs a bit of
give back.
Before we proceed further, let us admit,
there are some rotten apples in our basket too. Sensitive Goans have hung their
heads in shame when an innocent tourist is abused, slapped and roughed up, only
because he wants to hire or move around in a vehicle of his choice and not
dictated by local taxi drivers, or unlike the rest of the world, he cannot pay
for his taxi ride according to a meter or hail a radio cab on his app, without , a) Realising that none
of the main app base services aren’t there b) hiring the Goan service is
fraught with either non availability or the prospect of being admonished or blocked by the local taxi
operators.
During this season of love and forgiveness,
let us pledge to tide over shortcomings and bring back the harmony and
affection to bring a long relationship back to health. Tourists need to work a
little harder. Our message is simple, Enjoy, Goa, Imbibe Goa but also respect
Goa, its traditions, customs, way of life and identity.
We once again welcome all tourists but
especially first timers or relatively new tourists. We have put together a
three day tour itinerary for your Goa first visit. This is no way a
comprehensive guide. And there will be lots more to see and experience in this
and subsequent visits. Treat this as a beginner’s road map, in a land you will
truly enjoy, if you nurse it with affection and respect
Day 1: Panjim, oh
Panjim
The
capital of Goa is as vibrant and colourful, if not more, than the rest of the
state. Conscientiously hidden from the bustle of the rest of this little town,
is the quaint and exquisite Latin Quarter named Fontainhas,
An architectural living reminiscence of the
Portuguese era in Goa, walk through the
archaic Fontainhas is equivalent to taking a walk-through history. Each
building has some historical significance and every house has a story. While you
walk here and marvel at the immaculate beauty of the quarter, you can enjoy
A scrumptious breakfast at any of the
cafes in the beautiful by-lanes should
set you up for the day
From the Goan breakfast of poi, bhajis and
sweet tea to flavourful English breakfasts, consisting of eggs, toast, coffee,
hash browns, ham and baked beans, you have it all in Fontainhas .
After you have had your fill, quite
literally, of the captivating Fontainhas, head to the alluring Bascilica of Bom
Jesus in Old Goa, which is around fifteen kilometres from there. One of the
oldest churches in India, built in the 1600s, the Basilica is a perfect example
of the dazzling Baroque architecture in India. The stunning church is also
renowned for housing the relics of the great saint, St. Francis Xavier. When in
Goa, you cannot miss marveling at the gorgeous churches, which dot the
countryside like pearls in the ocean.
After you have feasted your eyes on the
exceptional architectural wonder of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, it is time for a feast for the tastebuds too. Head back to
Panjim, and enjoy a Goan fish thali. Not having a fish thali in Goa in like
going to Italy and not having a pizza
Seafood thalis, fried fish and savoury
Portuguese desserts should surely be on your menu. Forget your nans and
butter-chickens for now, though Panjim offers a great choice for those too
After you have satiated your taste buds with
an unsurpassable lunch, some exciting shopping is an obvious choice. Panaji
boasts of some boho chic boutiques and tastefully done artefacts and
handicrafts stores, which are
truly worth a visit. paintings.
And after you shop till you drop, head to
yet another old time Goan restaurant which serves Goan and Portuguese food. We
encourage you to discover one, perhaps in a colonial home. This is where rich
traditional flavours meets classic colonial charm for an undeniably Goan
experience. Ask for Cafreal, Steaks, Crab Xec Xec, Pork Vindaloo, Prawn Balchao
and some desserts like Caramel Custard, Bebinca and Puddings. What a perfect
way to end an eventful day!
Day 2: Vagator Vibes and Friday fever
You have not done Goa, if you haven’t been to
Anjuna, they say. When the hippies arrived in Goa in the 70s, it was the vibe
at Anjuna that captivated them to stay there. Start your day with a hearty
breakfast at Artjuna or German Bakery. The cafes are renowned for great
breakfasts, and you will be set up for a good three to four hours.
After a ambrosial morning meal, hop on to
see the majestic Chapora Fort. The magnificent fort ruins offer a spectacular
view of the Chapora River emptying itself into the vast Arabian sea. The
striking view from the Chapora fort will be etched in your memory for a real
long time! You can also trek downhill and walk right upto the Vagator Beach.
The pristine Vagator Beach is a long stretch
of soft brown sand and a great place to catch an alluring sunset with your
friends or your special someone. Indulge in some thrilling water sports like
jet ski, parasailing, banana boat rides, motor boat rides and many more. With
exceptional beaches and warm waters, water sports in Goa is truly delightful.
Just off Vagator is the Little Vagator or
Ozran Beach, which is considered to be one of the best places to catch a sunset
in Goa. Head to any of the fanciful European
Mediterranean restaurants, in the area known for its delectable food and
splendid sunset views. Delicious Pastas, Desserts, Paellas, Tapas, Pizzas and
fresh seafood and grills in many of these places, will leave you wanting for
more!
If your day 2 is Friday, you are in luck or
just make your Friday one of your days in this part of Goa, there is a new cool
destination in town and locals and tourists
are blocking their Friday calendars to get to the The Goa Collective
Bazaar inside Hilltop, the popular party venue at Vagator. With curated
products and limited space, it is ideal for a day or evening of catching up
with friends, gorging on some delectable grub from across the world. There’s
great representation such as Thai, Burmese, Turkish, Korean, Italian and Greek
fare alongside great desserts, innovative drinks such as flavoured water and
Kombucha and a couple of bars stirring the nicest cocktails and the usual
beverages. Not to forget the North Indian snacks and the Maggi stalls that are
often the most crowded.
This market is designed keeping ‘good vibes’
in mind. All ethnicities are on colourful display with kids and pets roaming
hassle-free. Conversations, laughter and general merriment add to the live
music on the main stage or the DJ spinning some chilled out tracks create the
right ambience for a nice Friday evening.
Day 3: Simply South
Today is a day to head south, literally! The
relatively untouched South Goa is like a clandestine affair between the buzzing
party hub of North Goa and the unscathed beauty of the Goan villages. South Goa
is a delicate blend of the two, with its idyllic rural atmosphere and with an eclectic
party mood in certain pockets. South Goa offers two divergent experiences and a
promise of a sublime, idyllic time.
The southern beaches are relatively less
crowded with miles and miles of flowing brown sand and waves lapping gently at
your feet, a perfect setup for an exhilarating bout of water sports. When in
Goa, enjoying water sports and beach swimming is un-missable. Swim in warm
waters of these secluded beaches with no one to disturb you for hours together.
Lunch can be in any of the popular shacks or
restaurants from Utorda to Varca. Feast on the freshest seafood, innovative
cocktails and traditional Goan fare like Sorpatel, Pork Vindalho, Chicken
Xacuti, Pomfret Caldin and Chicken Cafreal, and leave with your taste buds
thoroughly satiated.
Spend the evening at the Majorda beach,
catching an astounding sunset and watch as the night walks in with a cloak of
glistening stars and beaming moon. Enjoy the dreamy setting with a candlelit
dinner at one of the shacks on the beach, to make it an experience of a
lifetime. And before you realize your intriguing holiday comes to a fabulous
closure.
Head back to your homes with incredible
experiences and enchanting memories of a great long weekend in the sunny state
of Goa.
Enjoy, imbibe, respect Goa, and come back for more.