Goa: The ‘Susegad’ State

Sun, sand and beaches. Those are a few things that come to mind when one thinks of Goa. But that’s not all. Goa has more to offer than what meets the eye. With a rich cultural heritage filled with art, music & more, Goa is a destination waiting to happen with many interesting places to see in Goa

Goa is split between its North & South counterparts. Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Candolim & Fort Aguada are what define North Goa, while Majorda, Colva, Benaulim & Varca are famous in the South Goa.

THINGS TO DO:

Although they all share the same coastline, each of Goa’s beaches has its own unique identity offering everything from food to water sports, shopping and more. If you’re into adventure sports, then Jet-skiing, parasailing, scuba-diving and wind-surfing available at almost all of Goa’s beaches might just be the thing for you.

All you night owls looking to have a good time, be sure to visit Mambos, Tito’s, Town Cafe & Kamaki in the North.

The ever so famous Anjuna flee market on Wednesdays offers great bargains on footwear, clothes & accessories and is a must visit for all you shopaholics.

If you like gambling then you’re in for a treat as Goa has the finest of casinos offering the best of casino gaming from Black Jack to Rummy, Roulette to Poker both on land and off shore. The slot machines however are most definitely No.1 on the list and favoured by all casino lovers.

The Goa carnival, a unique blend of culture & cuisine is a 4 day extravaganza of fun & excitement coupled with dancing, colourful floats, masked attire and lives music. It is by far the best opportunity for visitors to experience all of Goa under one roof. The Carnival is always held on the weekend before Ash Wednesday. So be sure to highlight the dates on your calendar or you might just miss Goa’s biggest celebration.

Places to see in Goa

Apart from the beaches, other places to see in Goa for foreigners would be the churches, temples, forts & wild life sanctuaries. The most famous of all is the Basilica of Bom Jesus known to house the mortal remains of St.  Francis Xavier. Other places of interest are the church of St. Francis of Assissi, the wildlife sanctuary at Bondla, Fort Aguada, Se Cathedral & the first and only ethnographic museum, Goa Chitra.

HOW TO GET AROUND:

Travelling in and around Goa is best by bike. You can rent one for Rs. 200 per day. These are available at every nook and corner. Your best bet would however be a good bargain. That’s when you can get the best of everything that Goa has to offer. The three-wheeler auto-rickshaws painted black and yellow are also a cheap transportation mode while travelling around town.

Goa is a multilingual state and you need not worry about a language barrier because almost everyone there speaks English & if that’s not the case it is said that Goans always understand the language of a ‘Smile’.

FOOD & DRINK:

Food forms a big part of the Goan culture and although you can find everything from Chinese to continental, Italian and more, the fresh seafood is what will make your heart skip a beat. They say that Goan food is incomplete without fish. So be ready for a foodgasm after savouring the sumptuous Balchao’s, Sorpotel’s, Xacuti’s, Vindaloo’s and more.

Fenny or Feni, classified as ‘country liquor’ is a spirit manufactured exclusively in Goa. Depending on the ingredients used you can either have its cashew or coconut variants. With the alcohol content between 43-45%, this fermented spirit is sure to take you on a new high.

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

The weather in Goa is almost like any other Indian city, comprising of summer, winter & the monsoons. Goa’s tropical climate sees temperatures in the range of 24 to 29 °C, with May temperatures often crossing 33°C. The best time to visit Goa would definitely be October to January, but if you’re looking for great deals then the monsoon months are your best bet.

So the next time you’re looking for a relaxed, laid back vacation filled with a whole lot of fun, don’t forget to head to the ‘Susegad’ state of Goa.