Goa- Ethnic & Exotic

Goa is divided into two districts-North Goa and South Goa. I got down at Madgaon station, took a bus for Old Goa (also known as Velha), and checked in my hotel. 

The best way to make acquaintance with the state is to hire a bike or a scooter. It's an easy and exciting way of sightseeing. But, I choose a bicycle to do my bit in reducing carbon footprints. So, I rode like a wise man with winds in my hair and the Arabian Sea beside, unknown of the fact that the rear tire was on the verge of going flat and me about to be exhausted very soon. Therefore, I went back, paid some more bucks, and changed to a scooter.

Churches

My first visit was the Church-Basilica of Bom Jesus. A UNESCO World Heritage Site has piousness and history of its own. It has the body of Saint Francis Xavier, which is said to be very fresh and decays at a very slow rate. The body is opened for public viewing after every ten years. Another attraction is Se Cathedral, just opposite the facade of Basilica. I was eagerly looking forward to the ' Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception' , the same place in Panaji , where the movie ‘Josh’ was shot.  

Basilica Of Bom Jesus

Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Beaches

Foreign tourists can be seen flocking near beach shacks, especially 'the flower children'. Spending a day on Calangute or Colva is almost the same, rather the choice should be made between the crowded or silent ones (eg Varca beach). Wednesday Flea Market at Anjuna beach is a 'must visit'  for buying spices and handicrafts.

A Silent Beach

 A boat in the Arabian Sea

                            

Life in Goa is amazing. Here, people know how to relax and live with comfort and ease. The beaches are doodles of fun, nature, culture, and people. Restaurants are busy, with a large number of orders pouring on their stewards and youngsters tossing between the choice of lager or draught. 

Churches and forts narrate their own stories of the Portuguese era. Sea-facing Goan houses with red Manglorean tiles and the backdrop of green palm trees, make a unique blend of ethnicity and exoticism.

I ended my trip with a boat cruise on the river Mandovi, a crab fry, and a beer (INR 45). 

What more to expect from life? Cheers!!