Goa,
a tiny emerald land on the west coast of India is situated between the
borders of Maharastra and Karnataka. Goa was under the rule of the
Portuguese for over 450 years. The territory of Goa, Daman & Diu was
liberated from the Portuguese rule in the year 1961. Goa attained statehood
on 30th May, 1987. A very striking feature of Goa is the harmonious
relationship among various religious communities, who have lived together
peacefully for generations. Though a late entrant to the planning process,
Goa has emerged as one of the most developed States in India.
Indulge In
Water sports are a main and exciting option on a vacation in Goa. Goa’s
splendid coastline, rivers and lakes make it the absolute place for some
enthusiastic water sport activities. Surfing, snorkeling, jet-skiing, boogie
boarding,
scuba diving, water-skiing,
parasailing, windsurfing, and deep sea fishing are just some of the water
sports that can be enjoyed in Goa. The best season for enjoying water sports
in Goa is from October to May.
Some Sport you Would Like
Windsurfing in Goa
Windsurfing is a unique blend of surfing and sailing, which requires the
surfer to adjust his strength and balance to the changing patterns of wind
and water. Most of the windsurfing trainers and experts deems Dona Paula bay
to be ideal for the beginners. The conditions here are almost lake-like for
both the prevailing winds and the sea. The morning breeze is light and
steady. just right for learners; while stronger winds that set in during the
afternoons offer a perfect challenge for the more experienced.
Dinghy Sailing
A pleasant change from windsurfing is dinghy sailing. With the winds in Goa
so gentle most of the time, this particular sport offers its participants
much time to relax. Dinghies are available for hire at the Cidade de Goa and
the Taj Holiday Village. These 15-odd feet long crafts hold three to four
people comfortably
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is also fast gaining popularity. Underwater visibility in the
more tranquil of Goa. s bays and lagoons ranges from five to 10 meters.
Attractive coral heads, lobsters, bright colored fish, and other marine life
can be conveniently explored in these shallow waters.
Water Skiing
For the speed freaks Goa offers the thrills of venturing into the sea on
speedboats. The . thoroughbred. amongst these, can achieve speeds up to
30-40 miles an hour. These crafts, which can carry between six to eight
people, are available at the Cidade de Goa, Oberoi, and Taj Hotels. They can
be conveniently used for sightseeing as well as water-skiing.
Angling
The
beaches of Goa offer a varied and
plentiful, almost inexhaustible, supply to seafood, still incredibly cheap
and absolutely fresh. Go to Betul for Goa. s best and largest mussels,
brought ashore by expert divers. Go to Agonda (not to be confused with
Aguada) for all imaginable rockfish which, with any lucky, you could angle
yourself. Soormai, salmon and mullet are frequent catches.
Other Water Sports
High fliers amongst the speed lovers can opt for parasailing. Both the Taj
and Oberoi hotels provide the necessary equipment for this enthralling
sport.
A more recent addition is the water scooter. They are readily available at
Dona Paula jetty, Cidade de Goa, Majorda, Oberoi, and Candolim beach.
Some of the sights inside Ancestral Goa are :
Beaches - Long stretched beaches, like - Anjuna,
Calangute are some of the best beaches one must visit.
Art Gallery & Handicraft Center - Exhibits Goa's very
own arts and crafts.
Churches - Goa, Jewel of India, is studded with a number
of churches that remain as silent but forceful witnesses to the intense
religious history of the land. Some are - Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se
Cathedral.
Location : Located in the western part of India, just by the side of
the Arabian Sea.
Language : Marathi, Konkani, Hindi, English.
Climate : tropical
Best time to visit :Through out the year.
Indulge In : Water Sports
Speciality :Beaches, Goan Cuisines and Goan Music.
Festival : Goa Carnival
The Emerald Land
Getting There
By Air : Goa's international airport is Dabolim, at a
distance of 29 km from Panaji, on the coast near Vasco Da Gama. Most
domestic airlines operate in Goa apart from chartered private airlines
operating from UK and Germany. Indian Airlines has direct flights from Delhi
and Mumbai daily. Air India also flies to Goa
By Rail : Reaching Goa by train is easy from Mumbai (490
km), Bangalore (430 km), and Delhi (1,874 km). Goa's two main stations are
at Margao and Vasco Da Gama.
By Road : We can provide you the tourist car or coach
for the road transpotation, even from the neighbouring states of
Maharashtra, Karnataka and also for the in city drives and sightseeing
trips.
Related Storie(s)
Mumbai – World of Beaches
and Cinema- By Sandipan Ghosal
Goa-Land Of Beaches- By Kriti
Vajpeyi
