Thursday 18 November, 2010

A Walk Through The Emerald Beaches of Goa

"The decomposed and shriveling body of St.Francis Xavier, placed in a glass mounted casket is said to be known as savior and guard of Goa. His soul is believed to be the main protector shielding the entire region from all forms of disasters and unfortunate incidents. According to the much touted belief, the locales say that, this hinter land will capsize under bask of ocean if the body of saint will shrink further."


Lined by the swaying palms trees, sheen of the glazing sand and the aroma of the sea food would definitely give you a wake call, that yes you are in Goa. Nestled in the South Western India, Goa is cloistered with the chastened trails of old Portuguese styled mansions, thousands of year old churches, and the unsullied passages would bound to catch the glimpse of every traveler.


The beauty of Goa especially the northern region gives a motif to the vacationers to mellow out and take a siesta break by lading themselves free at the beach side. The warmth of the sun, entering into the body would bestow your senses with the unique feeling of soulful elation. It’s just 554 KM drive from Mumbai that will take the travelers to the an imperious Tiracol fort on the northern bank of the Arondem River—before you make your way down to Pernem’s Gold Coast or to the interior. It’s just a short kilometer drive from Redi, the last known on the Maharashtrian Konkan. Fittingly, Maharashtra ends at sea fort, sacred temple and am glorious secluded beach. True to nature, Goa goes one better. It welcomes travelers with the fort of its own harmonizing with the tranquil sea shores. The Triacol Fort speaks about the legacy of revolutionaries who unfurled the India flag, relinquishing this territory from the shackles of Portuguese rule. Near the fort, regular gushing of the sea waves at Querim Beach would greet the travelers with the mesmerizing window view. The beach is remote and is donned with an element of raw beauty still waiting for a cosmetic dressing. With minimal number of food stalls, the travel savvy’s have an option to satiate their parched throats with the refreshing coconut water. While at the same time, every staunch activity of the bird hoping on branches of mangrove tree can be closely noticed by an every wild life enthusiast. Further moving ahead, the trail of these calm beaches doesn’t ends here. About 12 Kms away from the Querim Beach there are Kalacha and Arambol Beach which are not as vivacious as the mentioned ones, but with a suffusion of simplistic quietude they are an incomparable travelers point to hang out. It uniquely boasts a fresh water lagoon right in the vicinity. This fresh water lagoon, shares a cozy and quaint space with the foreigners who after taking a bath in the saline water, feels like scouring the sting of saline water. In a stance to discover the compose and equipoise environs of the rural areas, the travelers vacationers can take a stroll through Arambol Village, a 10 minute walk up from the beach, following the road from Arambol Pizzeria that’s lined with beer bars, fish shacks and restaurants.


In the shade of Cashew trees, just South of the Arambol Beach are the unsullied sands of Mandrem, lined with canoes. The Tiny twin beaches of Asvem, Junas and Madrem, offers the vacationers with a sense rejuvenating trek over sands and cliff. Taking a walk on this golden stretch, the enthusiasts have an option to reach Turtle beach, also known as the turtle sanctuary. Clubbed between Morjim and Chopdem, it was once the sporting haven for surfers. Measuring the perennial lengths and breadths of the beaches, the travel enthusiasts by hiring a bus or taxi can explore the main core areas of Panjim. Nestled a few kilometers from the Western Water front, this ‘Rome of East’ shares close ascents with beaches of Europe. In the family of ‘Goan Beaches’, Campal, Miramar and Dona Paula endows Goa a unique character. The Goa’s most famous beaches lie along the coast of Bardez taluk, north of Panji. Drive across the Nehru Bridge on the Mondovi River and you will head straight to Alto de Porvorim for the Calangute-Vagator stretch. Or turn left and drive down towards Betim to reach the Gold Coast via beautiful drive along the Mondovi, past the awe inspiring Reis Magos Fort, it entirely depends upon you, which route you will take. Also hidden around the estuary there are good numbers of unexplored beaches which includes Coco beach, Candolim Beach and Calangute Beach exclusively. The Shimmering sea in extreme west, forays a trail to Arjuna Beach with Laxmi Narayan Temple marking it as the most visited center. Going back in the era when Goa saw the Portugeese invasion and various missionaries from west were indulged in spreading Christianity all over India. Amongst the crowd of those missionaries, Saint Francis Xavier was the one who conjured a great impact in the history of India. After his death, his body was preserved in the form of one of the supernatural antiques at Saint Francis Xavier Church. It is assumed that with the shriveling dead body of Saint Xavier, the Goa would drown in the sea. This Church been certified as the magical dome by the Pope of Rome. Basilica de Bom Jesu, Church of our Lady of the Mountand, Church of Saint John of God are some of the other religious sanctums in Goa sharing a close knack with the structures built in Europe.


The vacationers could visit Goa by boarding a train like Rajdhani Express and Konkan Kanya express, which could most surely be booked in advance by the vacationers in order to avoid any chaos later. From Delhi the Rajdhani express runs at 11:00 AM in the morning and Konkan Kanya Express runs at 6:00 PM from Margaon , followed by its arrival at 4:58PM to Thane and 5:55AM in Mumbai respectively. The travelers who are taking route by bus or car can come all the way straight from NH 17 via Chiplun and Sawantvadi. The luxury coaches and sleepers leave from Mumbai gym and opposite Bandra Talao for Goa in the afternoon. The journey of 9 to 12 hours ends at Margao from where you can take the auto or taxi to reach to the main city. There are immense numbers of Hotels in Goa which offer the travelers with the best spate of services along with the appetizing food. While on a stay at Hotels in Goa, the travelers can relish their taste buds with the sea food and Anglo Indian cuisines. Blessed with well furnished floors, air/non air conditioned rooms, the Goa Hotels sharing the similar faculties with other Hotels in India, genuinely commodious enough to cater to every mindset with a great ease. Victorian Heritage Hotel near beach, Kerkar Retreat in Calungute, Angels Holiday Resort at river side can genuinely be accommodating for all the aspiring visitors, looking for a complete comfort and rejuvenation. There are many luxurious as well budget hotels in Goa which could make the entire stay of the vacationers simply an unforgettable experience. You can also stay at Villages in Canagunim where villagers rent out rooms, and private beach at this sojourn provides the vacationers with a fancy spree, which on mixing with the fenni leads to unwinding the senses from boredom or depression.


The homely atmosphere amidst uncharted beauty is the USP of Goa. If you are planning to explore the overwhelming state of this exciting yet unique picturesque land, then without even missing a single heart beat, it is advisable to pack your bags and immerse your self in the palpable faculties of the region. Whether you are a newly married couple or a family person or a lonely bohemian, Goa is the destination which will most obviously pull you to feel the real percussion of sea tides, calling you to unveil the mysticism still unknown to you.