Tourist pictures from Goa

Daily activities Nov 2007

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The former Portuguese colony of Goa is one of the most relaxed places in India. In the seventies when all of India was full with European and American hippies, Goa was really packed with them. Now most of the hippies have left, but new travelers keep pouring in.

The most important attractions are probably the beaches. They are as beaches should be: made of white sand and lined with palm trees. See how the fishermen bring in the fishing nets and be prepared for the beach vendors who try to sell anything from fresh fruits to Rajashtani bangles.

Goa is especially a treat when you have traveled around in the rest of India. Travel in India can be very nerve consuming and Goa is just the place to go to forget about all that. If you have the intention of staying for a longer period of time (you won't be the first to be entangled in Goa's web of sun, beaches and relaxation in all its forms), you can often make a deal about your accommodation price, especially when you're staying with locals.

Old Goa offers a break form all the white sandy beaches and all night parties. It has a lot of sights dating back to colonial times.

Some of the best beaches are found in

1. Anjuna,
   is one of the most popular beach resorts. All night long, beach parties with trance music attract a versatile crowd with people from all over the planet. The Goa party season is generally over Christmas-New Year, when outdoor parties are held every other night at locations such as Hilltop,(Vagator), Bamboo forest and Shiva temple, (Anjuna). To find out where the party is you need to ask around- most taxi driver's will be able to tell you. During the day the beaches are a great place to relax, and there is usually a spot to find that suits your taste. For those who like the party-come-circus vibe, then there is South Anjuna, where people can lie and sip lemon nana or cold beers whilst getting a relaxing massage and zoning out to the trance music.
   
   There are various touts selling their fruit, massages and even gymnastic routines. If you are not interested, a polite no thanks is all that is needed, and if you want some peace and quiet, then stay at the Anjuna end of the beach.  The Wednesday flea market is a good reason to leave the beach for a while and to look around in the town. The best time to go is very early, so either you are still awake or you have to get up at 7:00 for a change. The Albuqurque Mansion is also worth a visit. It was built in the 1920s and modeled after the palace of the Sultan of Zanzibar.
    
2. Calangute
   is the busiest beach resort. It has many small hotels and guesthouses. In the weekends it gets a bit too crowded so we may suggest you use the weekends to visit Old Goa or daytrip to another nice place. The beaches are good: white sand, cocotrees, the works. North of Calangute you find Baga and Anjuna.

   Cows often roam around the beaches. The water is warm but not clear. Beware of drum sellers!
    

3. Colva.
   The beach is totally disappointing because it is full of filthy cloak water running nearby. The garbage from the many restaurants is just dumped at every corner and this is the cause for the high rise in malaria cases in Colva caused by the mosquitoes. The taxi drivers just quote prices which are totally unacceptable and even are a nuisance to travelers. There is more to this nuisance but perhaps some other readers could add some more realistic information.

   I traveled 8.000 km and visited Colva beach for the first time 50 years back, in January 1956 and 11 times since. It was the most fabulous beach on that west coast being one of the finest in the world until late 80s when human greed started degrading this paradise. Unfortunately interests speak louder and the ones who should stop this crimes are the ones who do more harm unpunished.
    

4. Coco Beach
   Another beach that never seems to get crowded is Coco Beach so is well worth a visit. It is situated on the Mandovi estuary under Reis Magos fort. The local fishermen appreciate a helping hand to pull the nets in. The beach remains relatively quiet because of its secluded position and is only reached by the long and rutted track leading to it. You would have to ask the locals to discover its whereabouts, so it is ideal if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Calangute and Baga.
   
   Martin visited this beach many times during his second and third visit.