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May 30th, 2011 admin

Holiday Central

Holiday Central

North Goa has become synonymous with holidaying and partying. Caroline Andrade explains why

If the idea of lazing around on white sands with a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other is one’s idea of a perfect holiday, then North Goa is the place to be. Be it the azure seas that stretch to the horizon, the dense coconut groves fringing the shore or the relics of Portuguese monuments that you stumble upon in the most unexpected quarters, this place has all it takes to make for a perfect holiday destination.

Goa has gained an unsavoury reputation for drugs, drinks and debauchery but that’s hardly the reason why people from all over the world throng its beaches, tavernas and churches. Being a Goan myself, I never seem to be able to get enough of the laid-back lifestyle, the sensuous sound of the waves, the strains of the guitar and the locally brewed cashew nut drink ‘feni’.

All through the year, the climate offers plenty of sunshine, thereby attracting thousands of swimmers and surfers. The best time to visit Goa is between December and February. The beaches of Goa are special no doubt, but what makes them more so is the never-ending party spirit of the Goans. Apart from Christmas and New Year, the Goan Carnival is celebrated in the month of February and lasts for three days. A characteristic feature of this much awaited revelry is the parading of colorful tableaux depicting the cultural heritage of Goa and the influence of the Portuguese. There is much music, dance and street processions and the local populace is joined in the celebration by thousands of tourists from home and abroad.

The months from June to September, however, see Goa transformed into a rain-swept, watery swamp. This is when the monsoons hit Goa and they do so with enormous force. Ferries capsize in raging seas and low-lying areas routinely get flooded. But it’s a great time to get discount accommodation as most hotels are empty and for those who don’t mind the wet and the wind, this is an ideal time and place to get far from the madding crowd.

One of the best ways of exploring North Goa is by hired bike or car. Distances being relatively short and the roads extremely narrow for the most part, small private vehicles offer both the cheapest means to get around and allow access to places that cannot be reached by buses or bigger vehicles. Public transport services are available but auto rickshaws must be avoided where possible because their charges are way too high and they do not even go by the meter. There are buses which are of course always cheaper, but their only drawback is that they have stops only on the main roads.

North Goa is known for its golden beaches, wooded hills and paddy fields. Many of the region’s churches, shrines and forts here have historic significance. North Goa is also associated with music and the famous goan cuisine. It’s renowned for its lush stands of coconut, jack fruit and cashew trees, all along the coast.

North Goa has some exquisite beaches. They include the Miramar Beach, Sinquerim and Candolim beaches which have the 16th century Fort Aguada as a backdrop. The island of Dona Paula, hugely popular as a picnic spot, is close to the Miramar Beach.

Then there is the Calangute beach, which is far from what it used to be years ago. The shacks and palms have given way to the rapidly-growing, package-tourist market which has spawned rows of shops, guest houses and hotels. It has been completely commercialized and people from states like Maharashtra, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, throng this place. Throughout the year, this beach is over crowded and one rarely encounters Goans here. The Baga beach is yet another beautiful beach beside the Calangute beach. It is towards the extreme right end of the Calangute beach and is till today the favorite among most Goans. Further ahead, is the Anjuna Beach, which is a stretch of straight sand. The beach has an invigorating atmosphere and draws an eclectic crowd of hippies, philosophers, rastamen and musicians. Anjuna is known for its flea market, held under the shady coconut trees, every Wednesday. You can pick up trinkets, T shirts, or even get a tattoo done.

The old Portugese Chapora Fort stands on a hill which looks down on the tiny Chapora village, the estuary, the coconut trees and the Chapora beach. Both the Chapora and the Vagator beach are considered as most beautiful among most beaches of North Goa. The entrance to the Vagator beach is at a height, with coconut trees bending over it. This beach is not a major hub for visitors, so if you are looking for peace and tranquility on a quite beach then this should be your first choice. Further north are the somewhat isolated beaches at Arambol and Tiracol.

North Goa is also a popular shopping destination. The major markets here are Mapusa, Calangute and Anjuna market square. Shopping in these markets gives tourists a little insight of this city and its traditional values. From brassware to handicrafts, shells and Goa’s famous cashew nuts, you can almost find everything you have on your mind.

In the Calangute Market Square, Saturday is market day. Shops sell everything from fish to groceries, to Kashmiri carpets and Tibetan artifacts. Also if you wish to take back souvenirs and memories of this place then Baga Beach has some excellent shops for you. The Old Portugese Houses are home to the sale of all designer labels and even home styling décor.

Goa is frequently visited by tourists from all over the world, who shop in at these places till they drop. They are fascinated by the different colored bags sold at these markets and along with them they also buy curios, jewellery, brass ware and so on. The traditional markets of Anjuna Beach and Mapusa are also popular. The Friday market at Mapusa is popular among Goans. Shops at Mapusa sell dried fish, curios and old coins.

One will also find a variety of home made preparations sold over here and can bargain to get them at a reasonable price. The market here generally sells sausages, Prawn Balchaos (Traditional Goan prawn pickle), pork vindaloo, as also goan delicacies like the Bebinca. The stores also sell Goan liquor like the ‘feni’ which is a favorite among all Goans. This is not all; the bakeries in this market serve a variety of Goan sweets, prepared from black jaggery and coconut, with again the home made touch.

Goa is famous for its seafood and it is said that the best food comes out from the Goan kitchen. There are many things worth trying out here, which may also include the traditional fish curry rice, which is the staple food of all Goans. The most amazing fact about this dish is that the style in which it is cooked is almost the same, in every Goan house. One must also try out the Vindaloo curry with fish or chicken. Souza Lobo at Calangute and Britto’s at Baga serve authentic Vindaloo, Cafreal and Goan seafood dishes. Café Xavier’s situated at the Mapusa Market, is another hub for the traditional Goan food. So along with having something of the best that Goa serves you here, you can also sip some chilled beer with friends and family. O’Coqueiro, famous after the arrest of the most wanted Charles Shobraj there, serves mainly Goan and Italian food and Florentine; a basic set up is famous amongst its locals for its Chicken Cafreal dish. All these eating joints in North Goa, make it worth visiting it over and over again.

This is not all; North Goa is also popular for its river cruises. Santa Monica is the most attractive entertainment cruise with live Goan Cultural Show and music on board. The Mandovi River looks stunningly beautiful with all the cruise boats nicely lit up at night. All this makes North Goa such an ideal holiday destination that tourists have taken to buying property in Goa, so that they don’t have to bother booking hotel rooms or apartments every time they decide on a Goan interlude.

About the Author

Caroline Andrade is a journalism student from the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media. Currently into print, her area of specialization is magazine. She has a good command over writing non fictional, feature stories.

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