Being a ``sea'' person and an Indian Goa was really the only place that came to mind when I was planning my honeymoon. The fact that my wife concurred with the decision despite having been there only showed up my choice to be right.
Goa has always been that part of India that has been different. For example Goa was under Portuguese rule, while the rest of the country was ruled by the British. This difference is stark and remains more than 25 years after the last Portuguese soldier left the shores of Goa. A Goan's attitude to life is so laid-back and relaxed. They are not bothered too much about the nitty gritties of modern life. They love to party, are very talented musicians and are basically honest straightforward people. The best part, the people here seem to have been left untouched by an almost steady increase of tourists all these years. How long this will remain safe from the trappings of a commercial tourist spot I do not know, but it is there now.
To really experience the Goa holiday you have to do a number of things. These are
1) Travel light: Very very light is the best bet. A couple of jeans, half a dozen T-shirts, the mandatory swim suite and a few shorts.
2) Do not fly in. Goa is well connected from both Mumbai and New Delhi, but that's spoiling the fun. Take the train or if you have the time take the bus journey from Mumbai.
I cannot comment on the bus journey as we did not have time, but we did manage to do the trip on train. The train journey sets the mood for the rest of the trip. Though an express, the train seems to meander through some of the most stunningly beautiful landscape ever designed by nature. Most of the journey through the western Ghats (a mountain range that cuts through the middle and south of India) is all about green valleys, slow and lazy rivers, picture postcard scenarios and a sea that begins to beckon a little bit out of Goa.
By the time you go through this, you are well and truly ready to slip into the Goan experience. Unlike the rest of the country there is no central place that you should visit in Goa. Its capital is Panjim and the region is basically divided into North and South Goa. Both areas have their own beaches like Anjuna, Calangut, Benaulim, Colva. It really depends on what you want to do.
The place is not short on options. Situated on the foothills of the Western Ghats there is no shortage of mountains and hilly terrains around the area. At the same time, its beaches are legendary. Being a predominantly Christian State, you will find a church in almost every street-and each one is more beautiful than the other is.
For the adventure seeking, there are a plethora of water-based activities (all-available at a rate that is not possible to find anywhere else in the world). The sunset cruise (offered by a number of operators) is a special highlight of the place. You get to cruise some of the cleanest waters in the region as well as enjoy the vibrant and lively Goan music.
The nights too are full of fun and adventure. Since this is one of the safest places to be, you really need not worry about going anywhere at any time of the night or day.
The thing about Goa which I did not find anywhere else is this�they know the meaning of the world relax.
- Surajit Agarwal
Goa has always been that part of India that has been different. For example Goa was under Portuguese rule, while the rest of the country was ruled by the British. This difference is stark and remains more than 25 years after the last Portuguese soldier left the shores of Goa. A Goan's attitude to life is so laid-back and relaxed. They are not bothered too much about the nitty gritties of modern life. They love to party, are very talented musicians and are basically honest straightforward people. The best part, the people here seem to have been left untouched by an almost steady increase of tourists all these years. How long this will remain safe from the trappings of a commercial tourist spot I do not know, but it is there now.
To really experience the Goa holiday you have to do a number of things. These are
1) Travel light: Very very light is the best bet. A couple of jeans, half a dozen T-shirts, the mandatory swim suite and a few shorts.
2) Do not fly in. Goa is well connected from both Mumbai and New Delhi, but that's spoiling the fun. Take the train or if you have the time take the bus journey from Mumbai.
I cannot comment on the bus journey as we did not have time, but we did manage to do the trip on train. The train journey sets the mood for the rest of the trip. Though an express, the train seems to meander through some of the most stunningly beautiful landscape ever designed by nature. Most of the journey through the western Ghats (a mountain range that cuts through the middle and south of India) is all about green valleys, slow and lazy rivers, picture postcard scenarios and a sea that begins to beckon a little bit out of Goa.
By the time you go through this, you are well and truly ready to slip into the Goan experience. Unlike the rest of the country there is no central place that you should visit in Goa. Its capital is Panjim and the region is basically divided into North and South Goa. Both areas have their own beaches like Anjuna, Calangut, Benaulim, Colva. It really depends on what you want to do.
The place is not short on options. Situated on the foothills of the Western Ghats there is no shortage of mountains and hilly terrains around the area. At the same time, its beaches are legendary. Being a predominantly Christian State, you will find a church in almost every street-and each one is more beautiful than the other is.
For the adventure seeking, there are a plethora of water-based activities (all-available at a rate that is not possible to find anywhere else in the world). The sunset cruise (offered by a number of operators) is a special highlight of the place. You get to cruise some of the cleanest waters in the region as well as enjoy the vibrant and lively Goan music.
The nights too are full of fun and adventure. Since this is one of the safest places to be, you really need not worry about going anywhere at any time of the night or day.
The thing about Goa which I did not find anywhere else is this�they know the meaning of the world relax.
- Surajit Agarwal
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