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It was more than twenty four years
ago that we first discovered Goa, then just a 'name' on
a map. Totally dumbfounded, here was a
little piece of heaven on earth with over
fifty miles of India's best beaches all to
itself. Then a 'Union Territory' of India,
Goa is now a fully fledged Indian state.
But is Goa really part of India?
This tiny, gentle Indian state is a far cry from the
usual notion of what India is all about.
Indeed, many first time visitors believe Goa
to be an island. An understandable
mistake, as this small state is encircled by
mountains, rivers and estuaries which
effectively separate it from the rest of India.
And it isn't just the geography
that makes Goa different. Life for the animals is
different too. Water buffaloes and cows
wander around freely on a never-ending
eating mission and most Goan village
households have their own pigs, chickens
and goats scratching around in their yards.
The wild bird life is unbelievable. With a
book on ornithology, in just three days we
spotted over seventy varieties of birds
including the ubiquitous kingfishers and
brown eagles. The Indian subcontinent has
this wonderful relationship with animals —
they share the environment with mankind
in total harmony.
Goan food is truly wonderful.
'Curry' does not begin to describe the fragrant and
delicately spiced dishes on offer. And then
there's the renowned seafood. The ocean
in this part of the world is still fished the
traditional way, resulting in prolific fishstocks.
Plump lobsters, giant tiger prawns,
pomfret and kingfish, generally barbecued
in tandoori ovens only hours after leaving
the sea, are just a small sample of what
can arrive at your table. The local wines
have improved greatly over the last few
years and particularly red wines such as
Chantilli are very pleasant, There is also a
wide range of beers available as well as
the full range of Bacardi breezers which
served ice-cold certainly hit the spot.
Wherever you dine, from a pool-side hotel
restaurant to a humble beach shack, the
bill is another nice surprise. Even though
prices have risen over the last few years
and there are now some very chic and
sophisticated eateries, eating out is still
excellent value for money and a fraction of
what you would pay at home.
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The Portuguese hold the key to
the difference between Goa and the rest of the
country. They conquered Goa in 1510 and
ruled with a firm hand until as recently as
1961, making a real and lasting impact.
They built many fine villas and churches,
roads and sanitation systems, they
introduced Christianity, the work ethic,
schools, law and order, and generally
created a haven of civilisation in a subcontinent
otherwise ruled by the Mughals.
What absolutely amazes us about Goa is the friendliness of the people,
which continues to remain true with every visit.
So many people just like to say hello,
ask your name and where you're from!
Even the fishermen appreciate a helping
hand to push their boats back up the
beach, a labour often rewarded with a
smile.
We are in love with Goa. The sheer
beauty of the beaches is unbelievable,
with their fine yellow sand and a
backdrop of coconut trees. Whether way
up north in Tiracol, in the heart of North
Goa from Arpora / Baga through to
Calangute / Candolim, or in the quieter
south, the beaches are spectacular.
There is nothing more relaxing than
walking along the sand barefoot early in
the morning when the fishermen are
bringing in their catch, or in the late
afternoon when the wonderful warm
light radiates beauty...the sunsets are to
die for.
The capital of Goa, Panjim, is still very
much a working capital with the daily
hustle and bustle of commercial life. It's
fascinating to walk along the streets just
looking at the wares, from bric-a-brac
through to international trademarks,
particularly sportswear. Clothing,
material, cashew nuts, jewellery,
hammocks, and wooden products from
either Panjim or one of the many
famous markets will fill your suitcase
with ease! Travel before Christmas and
buy the most unusual presents at a
fraction of the price you'd pay in the
U.K. Getting about in Goa too is both
cheap and easy — although taxi costs
have risen over the last couple of years,
and you can now expect to pay from
around £2 for a short journey and the
local bus is still just a few pence.
We can't deny that Goa has changed over the last few years. This little known gem that was once heavily dominated by British holidaymakers, has been discovered by other nationalities and now attracts a more global clientele, especially from Eastern Europe and Russia.
One question we are often asked
concerns the difference between North
and South Goa. We have therefore tried
to give further details in our 'Walking
the Beaches' section. We
are also frequently asked what else,
apart from the beaches, is there to do in
Goa. On our
'Things to Do page' there are a
few examples of some of the excursions,
which are available from a local
operator. Fantastic sandy beaches,
wonderful cuisine, friendly locals, low
prices and direct flights from the U.K.
are all part of Goa's attraction today as
a holiday destination. Goa has little
crime and there aren't any 'no-go'
areas for tourists. It's the ideal winter
holiday destination - a place, a way of
life and an atmosphere that is addictive!
In 1975 it took about six weeks to get
there; today it takes less than nine hours
on a direct flight. Experience Goa with
Jewel in the Crown Holidays — this
winter!
For your financial security,
Jewel in the Crown Holidays Limited is both a Tour Operator member of
ABTA (W0020) and holder of Air Travel Organiser's Licence No. 3906. This
ensures that the air holidays and flights in our brochure are ATOL Protected
by the Civil Aviation Authority. |
