Goa has a special place in my memories. It is the place where I met my husband and also because this was my first solo expedition. I heard that new year’s eve is celebrated with lots of fun and entertainment in Goa. Since I had been selected as a professor at a university and had been saving money for something special, I decided why not take a trip to Goa. I found that people in North India are very nosy and misbehave with a solo female traveller. Although I did not face such problem in Goa.

history of goa:

Often referred to as “The Rome of the East”, Goa was ruled by a large number of Indian kingdoms and dynasties from the 4th century onwards. The name ‘Goa’ is derived from the Konkani (the language of Goa) word ‘Goyan’, which means a patch of tall grass. Mythologically, the origin of Goa is attributed to Parshurama, a god of the Hindu pantheon. Goa became a Portuguese colony in 1510 following the impulses of trade and the demand for spices, cotton and indigo. The Portuguese renewed Goa by erecting one of the great churches like Saint Cajetan Church and Bom Jesus Basilica in Old Goa which is a place of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the world.

goan culture

When you travel to Goa, “The Jewel of India” you find that they enjoy life to the fullest without getting tense from unfavorable repercussions. ‘Siesta’ is an important part of life in Goa. I noticed that the shops closed in the afternoon, my host told me that the time from 1pm to 4pm gives Goans an afternoon nap. Legendary Lata Mangeshkar is from Goa, as are classical singer Kishori Amonkar and pop singer Remo Fernandes. There is a vast representation of the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon, attesting to the catholicity of the people’s beliefs, as well as their mutual tolerance. In fact, Goa can be loved only for this rare quality that one feels imperceptibly even on a short visit.

goan beaches:

Calangute It is my favorite beach. It is the most famous and the busiest. if you like the music, the dance, the chatter of countless people around you, then Calangute is the place for you. The main road leading directly to the beach is lined with Kashmiri-run craft boutiques and Tibetan stalls selling Himalayan curios and jewellery. High quality textiles from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka can be purchased here.

Anjuna Beach: Anjuna is known for its infamous full moon parties and flea market.

Baga Beach: Baga is actually an extension of Calangute Beach, but it is secluded enough to gain popularity with topless sunbathers, although it is not among the famous ‘nude’ beaches. It is difficult to organize transport in the late afternoon in the area, as there are no buses that reach the place after dark and it is a long walk to the Calangute taxi stand from the beach.

Palolem Beach – It is also known as “Paradise Beach”. This beach in South Goa is about a mile long and provides seclusion and idyllic scenery. If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful beach experience, complete with the most stunning coastal scene, then this is the beach for you.

Mandram o Morjim: This is a place for those seeking peace and solitude. The beach stretches across three villages: Mandrem, Ashwem and Morjim. Divided by small creeks, these are spectacular windswept stretches of sand, devoid of crowds.

Although Goa is known for its beaches, the city’s more than two dozen temples are also worth a visit.

Where to stay:

If you go for Christmas and New Year, you must book well in advance as it is the high tourist season. Not only are all hotels big and small booked out, you won’t find rooms to stay in family hostels either. My husband’s aunt and uncle were with us on our second trip and we had decided to go there on the spur of the moment. We got there with all our luggage and confidently knocked on our old host’s door (we stayed with him the year before), but he had no room! He tried to accommodate us with his relative, but again the answer was “no vacancies”. After an exhaustive search, a widow gave us the study of her son (she had seen two couples wandering the street and worried about the “ladies”). The room was very musty and practically a rat hole (our benefactor charged a huge amount for 2 nights stay). My advice is if you go there just for New Year’s Eve, don’t worry about booking. Just enjoy the sun and sand and all the festive atmosphere of Goa with a feni in hand. We saw many people sleeping comfortably on the beaches the morning after New Year’s Eve. But this suggestion is only for those traveling alone or with friends. If you have family with you, booking the hotel should be your top priority. Or you can make a deal at local hostels that are just as good. Hire a bike and go on long rides to explore Goa’s beaches and scenery.

The carnival:

Goa tour is incomplete if you miss being a part of the Christmas Carnival. It doesn’t matter if you enjoy or see others enjoy. There is enthusiasm and happiness everywhere. Floats depicting popular lullabies and nursery rhymes create a whimsical and colorful sight on the streets. Celebrated mainly by Christians, the three-day festival has absorbed the revelry tied to traditional Hindu and Western dance forms, and spurred on by the artistry of Goa’s genius, has become a uniquely effervescent spectacle.

Restaurants:

Tito’s en calangute: TITO’S restaurant is a favorite of locals and foreigners alike. . Stars like Richard Gere, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Aishwarya Rai (to name a few) have dined here.

Pagoda (CALANGUTE)

Excellent genuine Chinese restaurant run by a Chinese expat. Located at the junction of Baga and CSM Road

J&A’s Little Italy (BAGA)

One in the list of the most popular restaurants in Goa, this Italian restaurant is highly recommended and is situated on the charming Baga river promenade.

Shopping:

Shopping in the famous traditional markets of the Mapusa and Anjuna area is a fascinating experience. These markets are a mirror of Goa’s ethnic culture and give a glimpse of the typical Goan way of doing business. The Friday Market in Mapusa, where stalls sell everything from curios and old coins to dried fish and spices. The Anjuna Beach Wednesday Market started by and for foreigners is a lively place selling souvenirs, beachwear, trinkets and handicrafts at bargain prices. Be sure to brush up on your negotiation skills before you go, the vendors, who speak surprisingly fluent English, are quite resourceful. There are many tattoo shops too. Al’s tattoo studio in Goa is the best in Baga Road opp Ronel hotel.

Regards

feni: Feni is Goa’s native liquor famous throughout the world and almost synonymous with the region. Goans still believe that any ceremony requires the joie de vivre sans, the company of alcohol, as they are prefects for celebrating goenchi feni. The birth of a child is celebrated with feni, death is mourned with feni as well as partying, football and fish such as the ‘famous fours’, which accompany any goan event.