GOA

Goa is India’s little paradise. It is the smallest state in Western India with beautiful beaches stretching along the coastline of the Arabian Sea. Goa became a part of India in 1962, 15 years after India declared its independence from British rule. Since before then, Goa was occupied by the Portuguese, of which is still felt and present to this day as most buildings, churches and homes represent the Portuguese architectural style. Beautiful churches, small bungalows and villas that are many hundred years old line the country roads with beautiful bougainvilleas and coconut trees. The beaches are filled with small family owned huts serving you fresh seafood with Goan spices while you breathe in the salty smell of the sea in the air.

Goa: About Us

Goa: Image

My husband is from Goa and we planned our trip accordingly so it can overlap with my in laws visiting family. Arriving at the airport late evening, we hopped on a taxi that took us straight to Martin’s Corner, a favourite family restaurant and pub with live music and delicious food. We met up with my in laws and cousins and joined them for dinner and drinks. Make sure you head over to Martin’s Corner for some of the best seafood and lively atmosphere.

There are so many places you can stay in Goa, most are resorts on the beach, many hotels are available in the towns as well. We stayed in Eco Leisure Beach Resort on Betalbatim Beach. These were small huts on the beach! Nothing extravagant, but if you’re looking for something different and not luxurious, definitely check this out. We took a day to see the historic Old Goa and its churches. As mentioned earlier, Goa used to be a Portuguese colony and if you’ve been to Lisbon you will see it resembles a whole lot in its architecture. You can visit the famous white Holy Spirit Church which also has a museum inside for you to explore and maybe escape the afternoon heat. After visiting the church, we visited the Bigfoot Cross Museum. It is a great museum for Goa’s history, legends, art and culture and takes you through an outdoor section that is a bird and butterfly park.

Goa: Accessibility Policy

Goa: Image

Goa: Image

Carrying on with our afternoon exploring, we decided to drive to Dona Paula Beach. Legend has it that two lovebirds actually died here due to different caste and nationality. The caste system in India is a Hindu social and religious hierarchy which was created a few thousand years ago. The country has struggled to move forward and aim to make this traditional caste irrelevant to this day. You can spend an ample amount of time here, looking out into the ocean or just taking a quick break here to relax or eat something. Grab some fresh coconut water whenever you get a chance, there are plenty around here. It’s a great refresher in the intense heat. Make sure to climb up stairs to get an unobstructed spectacular view of the sea.

After a crazy, heavily packed trip around Nepal and India, Goa was the perfect place to relax and unwind. We took our second day to sleep in and go for a swim in one of the beaches. Goa is also a great place to go surfing, kayaking, mostly in the northern beaches. Northern part of Goa is also buzzing with beach parties and festivals, while the Southern part of Goa is more quiet and serene. Rest of the day was spent visiting families that still reside there. While it is always thrilling and exciting to travel to new places and warm up to the cities you visit and have it feel like home, it’s pretty nostalgic to have so much family history embedded in a city or town that you can call your own.

Goa: Accessibility Policy

Goa: Image

Travelling through the different cities in India will expose you to different languages, dialects, religions, traditions and cultures. Make sure to visit Goa as it has its own distinct vibe that’s different than the rest of the country. Whether you want to relax, enjoy water activities, explore yoga, see nature, visit family or enjoy the nightlife in Goa, it won’t be disappointing.

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Goa: Accessibility Policy

GOA

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