Goa Review
Goa is one of the coolest places in India. It is more than fun being in Goa. There are lots and lots of fun elements associated with it, few being fascinating history, Portuguese influence, fantastic churches, dazzling beaches, magic, authentic and palatable cuisine and much much more.
There is so much to see and discover in Goa that one may get short on time. Its rich culture mesmerizes you and you are completely bowled over by the welcoming hospitality received from the locals. Goa was formally a Portugal colony and one finds a strong influence of it still predominant. After all staying and reigning on this land for 450 years definitely has to leave its mark.
Goa is at its best when visited during winters. The monsoons are rough and summers are too hot here. But one usually finds this place pretty much crowded during summers and monsoons. Its only because of the school vacations one find several families visiting Goa during summers. However Goa is said to be beautiful even during monsoons, though one may not get to enjoy playing and swimming on the beach.
Monsoons are usually slack and the rates for accommodation are much cheaper. But during winters the accommodation tariff zooms like anything and it gets very expensive. Also one needs to do bookings one or two months prior to their visit to avoid any trouble. This happens more when its time for Goa Carnival. Goa Carnival is an integrated part of Goa and is conducted every year. This carnival speaks about Goan culture, traditions and customs it attracts thousands of visitors from all around the world.
The nearest airport is Dabolim which is connected very well to all the national and inter-national flights. The nearest rail road is Margao and Vasco da Gama. Goa is also very well connected by road to all the major cities in India. One gets to hire cars or two wheelers here to do sight seeing.
I am not really impressed with the bus services available in Goa. The bus services are totally under-developed. Though there are many buses available to reach various destinations, one finds them crowded and in poor shape. The fare is cheaper enough but they are really not worth traveling. It's better to travel either by auto rickshaws or private taxis, though they are bit expensive.
Goa has so much to offer, but there is very little time and so much to see. I have been always fascinated with Goa's beaches and churches. Though there are so many beaches in Goa, one thing that can be pointed out is that none of the beaches resemble one another. Each and every beach has its own specialty and beauty. Same is about churches. The churches in Goa offer great sightseeing, especially the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
The Mangeshi temple is a very well known holy destination in Goa. Apart from that there are few more temples famous and most visited by pilgrims every year. Nothing beats Goa when it comes to its cuisine. Goan Cuisine is very famous and extremely delicious. There is so much variation in each and every dish, that it is really impressive. Coastal food forms an important part of diet in Goa.
Goa is also famous for its water sports. One gets to indulge in lots of water activities like river cruising, paragliding, parasailing, water scooters and much more. The local sightseeing conducted by Goan Tourism is worth enjoying. Though they may not be really comfortable in summers, since the buses arent air-conditioned one can definitely enjoy this trips in winters. They take you to all the major tourist places in Goa and tell you a lot about its history,culture and significance. Though it may get a bit tiring in the evening, it at least allows you to visit maximum places in Goa in a minimal charge which otherwise can get a bit expensive if you plan to hire a private cab. Also these places are too far from each other.
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