LIFESTYLE & TRAVEL Star Cruises to start Mumbai-Lakshadweep-Goa service
[West Bengal, India] Kolkata, Apr 14 : Leading cruise operator in the Asia- Pacific, Star Cruises would start Mumbai-Lakshadweep-Goa service from September to popularise cruise tourism in the country. He said that SuperStar Libra would be homeported at Mumbai from which cruises would start to the destinations of Kadmat in Lakshadweep and Goa covering four nights at cost of Rs 20,300 per person including breakfast, two meals and Las Vegas-style dances. http://www.123bharath.com/westbengal-india-news/index.php? action=fullnews&id=45310 Yoga in Goa attracts foreign tourists [India News] Panaji, Goa is a land of sea, sunshine, serene nature and moderately warm climate in winter... the weather is warm and there is plenty of sunshine. The attractive sunshine might be over here with the onset of summer, but not the tourist shine as big hotels and resorts continue to lure them with value added services like Yoga workshops. Yoga, which has become very popular in the west, is a big draw for the foreigners. The hotels come out with special packages offering Yoga workshops and seminars with the stay. With the onset of harsh summer, the yoga classes have become an alternative to the beaches for foreign tourists. http://www.keralanext.com/news/indexread.asp?id=180866 Tourists, scuba divers avoid Goa's oil-polluted coast GOA, India (16 April 2005) -- Tourists and scuba divers are avoiding Goa, a state in India famous for beautiful beaches and coral reefs that have been polluted by an oil spill. A recent collision between two big ships off the coast of Goa led to an oil spill that has polluted tourist beaches throughout the state. According to local tourism officials, at least 110,000 liters of fuel oil spilled into the sea threatening marine wildlife, coral reefs, public health and Goa's tourism industry. http://www.cdnn.info/news/eco/e050416.html Sun kissed beaches of Goa attracting tourists [India News] Panjim, Apr. 16 : Goa is a land of sea, sunshine, serene nature and moderately warm climate in winter... the weather is warm and there is plenty of sunshine. Sun-kissed beaches as well as resplendent marine life is drawing tourists in large numbers to the leisure destination. Not withstanding the scorching heat, most of the tourists are extending their stay, as they want to explore the natural beauty of the coastal area. Tourists from England, Holland and Russia were seen basking in the sun to get tanned. http://www.123bharath.com/news/index.php?action=fullnews&id=46047 Get going to Goa in 10 minutes, bus drivers told ....It is said that Fashion Street (M. G. Road) in south Mumbai used to be known as 'Goa Bus Stand', primarily because, the road used to be the parking and pick-up point for buses from Mumbai to Goa. "The RTO department is creating a havoc on tourist bus operators by fining us an exorbitant sum of Rs. 1200 if they find using this as a 'pick-up point' for passengers," says Suren Naik, 51, driver of the Paulo Holiday Maker buses. He continues, "At the most, we are allowed to wait for 10 minutes for passengers to board the buses." http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp? section=fromthepress&subsection=inbombay&xfile=April2005_inbombay_standard6302 GOURMET Exotic chicken Vindaloo Simply put, Vindaloo is chicken marinated in a mixture of vinegar and spices. Unlike many authentic Indian dishes, Vindaloo is a practical, slightly exotic choice for the home cook. Vindaloo is a signature dish of the longtime Portuguese stronghold Goa so it is a hybrid dish, part Indian and part Portuguese. Simply put, Vindaloo is chicken marinated in a mixture of vinegar and spices. Unlike many authentic Indian dishes, Vindaloo is a practical, slightly exotic choice for the home cook. After a half dozen recipe tests, we found that they all have a deeply spiced base and bright flavor from vinegar. But, that was about it for common ground. So, we started testing with the chicken. http://www2.townonline.com/scituate/artsLifestyle/view.bg?articleid=224919 ENTERTAINMENT Goa still undecided on sending team to Cannes film fest Panaji, April 15 (UNI): The Goa government is yet to decide on sending any delegation to the Cannes Film Festival next month. "The State is of the opinion there is no need to send any delegation to the Cannes Festival or partner or sponsor the event as the Centre should itself promote IFFI-2005 in Goa," an official release here yesterday said. In connection with Goa, being declared the venue for the current year's international film festival of India (IFFI), the CII wrote to the State Government seeking its participation as a partner with the Central Government and the CII to promote the film industry for the IFFI. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200504151170.htm BUSINESS Goa, Kerala to emerge as hotspots in global resorts market Indian states of Goa and Kerala will emerge as hotspots on the map of international resorts market and investments will be flowing to these locations once the government provides necessary infrastructural facilities, according to experts. "Goa (western Indian state) will be most attractive spot for resort market investors followed by Kerala (southern Indian state). However, more business volumes are expected from Goa," Australian-based hotel major Accor's vice president (Development-Asia Pacific) Gaurav Bhushan told PTI in this western Indian metropolis on Sunday. http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser? Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=616&topicId=12552&docId=l:271421396&start= 10 Goa's skybus project lost in safety uncertainty One of the country's most eagerly awaited transportation models - the skybus project - faces delay with uncertainty over who will give its safety certification. The skybus is cited by the Konkan Railways Corporation Limited to be one of the cheapest and fastest forms of urban transportation, four times cheaper than underground metro. But its unique design has put officials in a quandary over whether the skybus can be included under the Railways Act or not. Goa museum to give glimpse into history of taxation Ahmedabad, April 12: Officials of the Customs and Central Excise Department across the country are very busy these days. From referring to books on maritime history of India to collecting seals used by custom houses during the Mohenjodaro and Harappan civilisation, they are collecting information about the history of taxation in India for a museum to be set up in Goa. http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=124775