The Big Chill Goa – Being there
December 12th, 2006 by rui
What’s Goa like?
Goa is a tropical paradise that lies on the west coast of India bathed by the warm waters of the Arabian sea. It is unique in many ways but mostly due to its history and geography that have left an indelible mark on its people for generations.
Often called ‘the pearl of the east’, Goa is known for its gothic churches, age old ruins, palm fringed beaches, coconut groves, ferry rides, and bubbly folk music. Goa’s 80 mile long coastline is adorned by some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. In fact many people think of Goa as synonymous with beaches and sun and golden sand. Goa is an important destination, with sun, sand, food, wine, old churches and sea being the major attractions.
What types of accommodation are there?
For convenient access to the festival, the area to target when looking for accommodation is North Goa – from Aguada to Vagator.
There is a wide variety of accommodation in the area, from luxury and boutique hotels, through to budget camps.
Some useful links*:
www.goahub.com
www.ownersdirect.co.uk
www.siolimhouse.com
*these links are to external websites entirely unconnected with the The Big Chill. They are provided for your information and no recommendation is inferred by the link.
What languages are spoken in Morjim?
Konkani, Marathi. English and Portuguese are widely spoken too.
What’s the currency?
The Currency Unit in Goa is the standard Indian Rupee.
Each rupee consists of 100 paise. Currency notes are issued in the denominations of Rs. 1000, Rs. 500, Rs.100, Rs.50, Rs.10. Coins available are Rs.5, Rs.2, Ree.1, 50 paise coin, 25 paise coin. Notes of Rs. 1000, Rs. 500 and Rs. 100 are quite similar. One should be extra cautious while accepting or handing out these notes.
At the time of writing, 100.00 GBP = 8,886.19 INR
While planning for a trip to Goa it is essential that you know about the currency of the country. Knowledge of the exchange rates and the currency regulations are essential. With the open economy it has become very easy for travelers to use credit cards for shopping and changing traveller’s cheque. Money exchange in Goa is easy and proper information is available regarding the exchange rates at all major banks.
Currency Regulations
Taking Indian currency out of India or purchasing the Rupee is not permitted. Since Goa has a flux of overseas tourists almost round the year all currencies can be exchanged. One will have no difficulty in changing either dollar or sterling traveller’s cheques. There are many Exchange Bureaux in Panjim , Calangute and Baga. Cash can be withdrawn by credit cards at some banks in Calangute and Panjim. One can change some of their currency into Rupees at the airport or at the nearest branch of State Bank of India where one is offered the best rates of exchange.
Many hotels and resorts, shopping malls and showrooms accept Master and Visa cards Travellers cheques of all major brands are easily changed.
Are there any travel pitfalls to watch out for?
Whilst Goa is generally a trouble-free destination for tourists there have been incidents of sexual offences against women. Female travellers are advised to observe and respect local dress and customs and not to walk alone on the beaches or village lanes at night.
You should not become involved with drugs of any kind. Penalties for possession of narcotic substances can be severe. There is a minimum sentence of six months for possession of small amounts for personal consumption only. However, a 10 year sentence for possession of other amounts applies. The slow judicial process means that lengthy pre-trial detention, usually of several years, is the norm.
Foreign Office Advice for Travellers to India
What’s the local cuisine like?
Visitors to Goa tend to think that food and drink in Goa means the famous fish, curry, rice and feni package. And for most Goans these are indeed the three basic necessities of life — fish, curry and rice.
They combine to make a heavenly daily meal for the average Goan. But Goan cuisine, like the land itself, has many flavours and tastes with its vast treasure trove of culinary delicacies.
The long period of Portuguese rule, besides that of the Muslim and Hindu kingdoms, has left an indelible influence on the original style of Goan cooking and this has led to an exotic mix of truly tasty and spicy cuisine. Most people who sample Goan cuisine, enjoy this different and unique style of food which has a distinct and unique combination of spicy flavours.
A Goan values his food as much as he does his daily siesta. And in his daily meal, seafood always has a pride of place is some form or the other. From fried fish to exotic concoctions like ambot-tik, sea food is usually a must on the menu, except for the occasional break for some religious observance.
Goans take pleasure not only in what they eat, but also how they cook it. Although modern conveniences have almost completely taken over in urban areas, the traditional way of cooking in clay pots on firewood continues in most rural areas of Goa. This style of cooking adds an additional smoky flavour to the food, highly valued by Goans.
Despite the two schools of cuisine traditions influenced by the respective religions of Hinduism and Christianity; there are some meeting points that present an interesting harmony. This blend of various cooking styles and influences is what makes Goan food so unique among the cuisines of India.
With a wide variety ranging from prawns to sausages, chicken to beef, and numerous vegetarian dishes, Goan cuisine is able to satisfy even the most finicky gourmet appetites. Goa has some magnificent culinary delicacies like the prawn balchão and sorpotel which have become famous around the world.
Goan food is simple but most, though not all, of it is chili hot, spicy, and pungent. Items made from rice, fish, and coconut abound in nearly every Goan meal.
Seafood such as prawns, lobsters, crabs, pomfrets, clams, ladyfish, mussels, and oysters are used to make a variety of curries, fries, soups and pickles. Besides fresh seafood, dried and salted fish dishes are also highly prized by Goans.
Feni – Goa’s "National" Drink
Gently swaying coconut palms and bright red or yellow cashew apples can be found occupying Goa’s half landmass under crops and their sap or juice is the source of Goa’s popular "national" drink, Feni.
Making Of Feni
Palm Feni is pure but a strong drink ranking with the strongest spirits. It comes from Toddy, which is produced by tapping the sap from the base of the young palm shoots. Growers have to choose between producing Feni or coconuts because once tapped, the young shoots cannot go on to produce nuts, but the decision can be reversed with the next growth of shoots according to market demand.
Unfermented, the Toddy makes a nourishing and refreshing drink and when strained and boiled down to crystallising point, it produces palm jaggery, the coarse brown slabs of sugar used in Goan sweet dishes.
Within hours of tapping, the Toddy ferments to about 4% of alcohol. Often, it is drunk soon afterwards, but when distilled, the first gives the more potent Urrack, a favourite drink sold in the local bars.
Types Of Feni
The famous palm Feni is the result of the second distillation. It’s name in Goa’s local language ‘Konkani’ means ‘froth’, a name attributed to its reaction during processing.
A second type of Feni that is even more popular is ‘Caju’ Feni derived from the cashew apple. The Cashew is the legacy from Portuguese who introduced it to Goa from Brazil. Cashew Feni is usually drunk after the first distillation, but one can also find it double-distilled, flavoured with Ginger, Cumin or Sasparilla to produce a smooth liqueur.
Are there any other local festivals or traditions in Goa in April?
April-May is homecoming season for Many Goans settled away from Goa. It is also the fruit season and Feni-making season and toddy-tapping season.
What’s the local wildlife?
Goa is gifted with over 1512 documented species of plants, over 275 kinds of birds, over 48 varieties of animals and over 60 genera of reptiles. Few of the tourists know that one third of Goa is covered with rich forest and that it is one of the greatest reservoirs of biodiversity in the world.
Goa has rich and varied wildlife destinations. The rugged Western Ghats is a haven for many different species of birds and animals. The Western Ghats also known as the Sahyadris extend for a total of 600kms. Goa and the neighboring Karnataka account for the widest belt of forests along the Sahyadris. The Coastal areas provide the tropical backdrop. Goa Wildlife sanctuaries are a haven for herds of deer and gaurs (Indian bison), Malayan giant squirrels, clusters of monkeys, slithering cobras and pythons. You may be lucky enough to spot a few black panthers on look out for preys. Tigers and elephants are also common sights. Nature lovers, bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts find vibrant avenues in the Konkan belt to enjoy the varied wildlife.
What sort of weather can we look forward to in April?
Goa experiences a lovely and relaxing climate. Just the type needed for you to chill out and have some fun. Summers from April to May can be hot and humid, though being in the coastal region, the gentle sea breeze is a welcome soother.
The monsoon months are June to September with an average rainfall of around 320 cms.
What can they do with their time apart from the festival? What are the nearby attractions or daytrips?
Apart from the beach, Pernem taluka has a lot of temples as it was not under Portuguese control until the new conquests. The important ones being Shree Morajaee Temple, Shree Bhagwati Temple, Shree Betal Temple, Shree Shantadurga Temple, Shree Sapteshwar-Bhagwati Temple.
The other attraction is the Terekhol Fort across the Terekhol river.
Pernem is also famous for the majestic Deshprabhu House, belonging to the erstwhile Pernem royal family. Considered to be one of Goa’s grandest Hindu Mansions, It is located in the town of Pernem.
Calangute Beach
Calangute, known all over the world for its scenic beauty is located 16 Km from the capital. Goa’s busiest and commercialized tourist spot. Though heavily developed by Goan standards, Calangute is not yet the high rise hell that many Asian resorts that have become in recent years.
Church Of St Francis Xavier, Old Goa
Church of Saint Francis Xavier situated in Old Goa is a 17th century pieces of religious art. A beautiful octagonal tabernacle richly decorated in an ornate style has two statues, one of Saint Francis Xavier and the other of Jesus on the Cross. Vows of poverty, humility and obedience of St. Francis Xavier’s are inscripted right below these two statues.
Anjuna Beach
Anjuna was once the most celebrated of Goa’s many beaches, for this is where the european tourists would hang about. Their departure has done nothing to rob the wide shelf of sand of its beauty, and almost every visitor heads here, for it has gone on to become one of the most photographed of beaches.
Colva
Colva is on the northern end of this long, continuous strip of coastline. It’s broad and beautiful, has a stream coursing through it and is backed by palms. Sadly, its beauty has made it popular and its popularity has cheapened it its off-beach shops and restaurants, brightly lit and crowded, give it the feel of a funfair rather than a serene, unwinding beach.
Dona Paula
On the other side of this headland is the little bay and tiny beach of Dona Paula. Water scooters and speedboats buzz across the bay and, at the drop of a hat, guides will embroider on the woeful tale of a star crossed maiden who fell in love with a handsome man below her status. Conventions could not be breached in those distant days and so she leapt into the sea and to her death.
Daytrip links:
www.daytrippergoa.com
What else is there to do at night?
Though, Nightlife is not so popular in India, it is very much accepted in Goa, which bears much of the Portuguese culture and tradition. One time Portuguese Colony, Goa is the best place in India to visit, if you love to fun & frolic through out the day and the night. Nightlife in Goa is exciting and there are many ways to spark up the evening.
The people of Goa are fun lovers and it is very common to find families going out for a night of fun & merriment. There are places where, almost every third house has a bar-cum-restaurant. The place may not be anything very special, usually just a room in the house that has been opened to the public with a couple of chairs and a table. But the atmosphere is excellent – totally relaxing and extremely favourable to an enjoyable night out with friends and family. Most of the places serve exquisite seafood and other Goan delicacies and have well stocked bars. Titos, which is right on the beach in Goa are the hottest place to visit and to be seen at in Goa today. There’s also a new discotheque ‘The Beachotheque’ where you can dance the night away. You can also check out Lidos in Dona Paula. But, if you are in the mood to dance to the tempo of the ocean, get together with your group of friends, some food and drink and hit the beach. No doubt, you will surely have a special night with the shimmering sand, the soothing moon and the bracing waves!
What is the shopping like?
For travellers to Goa, the visit is not complete unless they take back a souvenir of their memorable sojourn in this magnificent paradise. Naturally, shopping should be a priority on the itinerary of every tourist, along with the sightseeing attractions.
The excellent local handicrafts of Goa are easily the most popular souvenir items and include brassware, terracotta, shell work, crochet, carved furniture, bamboo work, papier-mache, etc. These are available in the Government Emporia and also at shops and stalls near the popular tourist spots.
Another item which is on the list of every traveller to Goa is a pack of the famed cashew nuts. These are available practically everywhere. There are shops specialising in selling only cashew nuts. The nuts are available in a wide variety of tastes ranging from plain, salted and masala. The prices vary based on the quality and flavour.
There are also many fascinating options in the lifestyle and fashion shops which have come up in recent times. Some of these are located in fabulous old Goan houses which have been painstakingly restored. These shops make the best selections in home styling and fashion available to the tourists at quite reasonable prices.
It is also a fascinating experience to go around and shop in the traditional markets of the Goan towns and villages. These markets are a mirror of Goa’s ethnic culture and provide a glimpse of the typical Goan way of doing business.
Two of the most famous such market areas are Mapusa and Anjuna. The Friday Market at Mapusa, where stalls sell everything from curios and old coins to dried fish and spices.
The Wednesday Market at Anjuna Beach started by and for foreigners is an extremely lively spot where souvenirs, beachwear, trinkets and handicrafts are sold at bargain prices.
Most deluxe hotels and resorts also have good in-house shops, but the price ranges are usually higher.
The charm of shopping in Goa lies in bargaining to your heart’s content in markets and shops until you finally bring down the price and make the purchase a worthwhile experience.
Is the area good for swimming, diving, snorkelling, surfing, windsurfing or any other water-based activities?
With such a beautiful coast, it’s easy to see why water sports are the most popular adventure pursuit in Goa. Since the early 1990s, they have spread from an exclusive feature of star hotels to a wide range of offers from private operators. The coast is dotted with beautiful locations for water sport. The most popular is the stretch from Calangute to Sinquerim. The big hotels on South Goa’s serene Arossim and Mobor beaches offer many choices in quieter locales. Beaches in the north are more crowded, where you can combine the partying with sporting – not highly recommended since most extreme sports require that you don’t have a hangover. You’ll also find plenty to do off Dona Paula, near Panjim.
