Sunday 31 July 2011

goa beaches photos

Goa Beaches Photos
Pic from baga Beach one of the best beaches in goa

calangute beach
One of the best beaches in goa , pleasure to share with you all

Beaches in North – Goa Beaches in North

Posted by | Goa Beaches in North | Posted on June 30th, 2011

North Goa Beaches

Having a chance to spend a relaxed and comfortable holiday is what makes your vacation worth remembering. This will be fulfilled on your visit to Goa. A state so small is filled with the most beautiful beaches stretching up to miles making it a beautiful and ultimate attraction of the state.
Any beach holiday in India will be incomplete without you visiting the Goa beaches. Early morning walk across the shoreline will make the water glitter like diamonds, fishermen with their boats and nets lowered in water. This will give you a glimpse of the actual culture of Goa. A smooth sand and water brushing your feet is the best way to start you day. Some of the North Goa Beaches are below:

1) Baga beach- Ask anyone and they will tell you how exactly this paradise looks like. Most famous for its beautiful beaches and shacks, Baga have earned lots of international attention. Most famous for its exotic food and cheap drinks, it is a beautiful place to sip your drink.
2) Miramar beach- This is a well know beach located near Panaji, capital of Goa. This place is usually crowded with international and local tourists throughout the year. You can also enjoy some water and beach sports for your kids or indulge in spa treatment and pamper yourself.
3) Arambol beach: Located in the northern region of Goa, this beach is considered as one the most beautiful beach compared to other beaches in Goa. With calm environment and sound of sea waves, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery all day long. The clear water is the mixture of fresh water and sea water. Various cafes and restaurants have surface across the shoreline.
4) Vagator Beach: Like all the other beaches in Goa, Vagator also has tourists coming to see the red cliffs looking down on the shore. With DJ’s and bars playing music all night, you can groove and enjoy the sunset with your beloved ones.

Goa Beach – Beach in Goa

Posted by | Goa Beach | Posted on June 30th, 2011

Best Beaches in Goa

Goa is one of the most visited tourist destination in India and one of the main reasons for this is its endearing scenic beauty and wonderful beaches. Goa which is considered as one of the finest beach destination around the globe has a coastline of 125 kilometers out of which around 85 kilometers are covered by the inviting, romantic and beautiful beaches. Besides the beaches, water sports and scenic beauties, Goa also offers a wonderful nightlife where party lovers can dance to the groovy music till the wee hours in the morning at some of the best lounges. Exotic sea food, night bazaar, ancient churches, forts etc should also be on your list. If you are planning a trip to Goa and want to know about the popular beaches then read on the article below:

1. Baga Beach: One of the busiest beaches of Goa, Baga beach is a place where the day never ends. Baga beach is located in North Goa and it tops the list of happening beaches out here.This
beach has lots to offer to the tourist’s right from the brown sand, calm environment, shacks offering exotic food and cheap beer, Titos and Mambos (famous nightclubs) and lots more.
2. Arambol beach: This beach is considered as a hippie heaven because it is unsoiled and untouched as it’s not much commercialized. Arambol beach which is situated 50 kms fromPanaji is a place where tourists can enjoy the panoramic exquisiteness and serene climate.
3. Palolem: Palolem is very calm beach as it is bordered by snooty cliffs. Palolem beach is a small beach and hence it becomes very easy to explore it by foot. From Palolem beach you can take a walk to Butterfly Island which is worth exploring. You can also take a boat ride to Butterfly beach which is absolutely worth visiting as it promises some great scenic view. Besides this you can also visit Honeymoon Beach from Palolem Beach.

Vagator, Dona Paula, Colva, bambolim, Calangute, Varca etc are also some of the very popular beachesof Goa.

Goa Hotels – Hotels in Goa

Posted by | Hotels in Goa | Posted on June 30th, 2011

Goa Hotels

Goa is one of the best tourist spot attracting people from all over the world. Most common destination for tourist, it is bounded by state of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south. A place with beautiful infrastructure and good quality of life, Goa has become the first choice of every tourist.
Goa is not only famous for its eye-widening beaches and night life, but also for its places of worship and heritage architecture. Many domestic and international tourists visit Goa every year. The next doubt that will click your mind is comfortable accommodation. Starting from luxurious five star hotels such as Park Hyatt, Taj Exotica, JW Marriott, Intercontinental to name a few, you will get many choices at your service. However if you are looking for something cheaper then you can opt for Holiday Inn, Casa De Hotel, Baga Beach Resort and many more that will fit the bill. These accommodations are suitable for budget mind travelers especially the backpacking tourists. This will range from simple, bare rooms in regular guesthouses to cozy well furnished rooms for family and friends.
However if you want a taste of typical rural Goa, try accommodation in a family house. Goa offers you variety of accommodation types to suit your budget preferences. These differ from backpacker budget and youth hostels to five star luxurious hotels. Goa is well known for its unmatched and excellent quality resorts providing variety of services such as spa, water pool resorts etc. However Goa also provides accommodation in different configuration such as full-fledged resorts, club style villas, apartment and condos or small inns and guesthouses.
Most hotels offer different packages for honeymooners, couples, families and spa seekers. Will you not enjoy the view of the beach from your room window sipping a glass of drink? You will get all this in Goa.

Beaches in Goa – Goa Beaches

Posted by | Beaches in Goa | Posted on June 30th, 2011

Beaches in Goa

The first thing that comes two our mind when we think of Goa is its amazing beaches. These beaches have always been the centre of attraction for Indian and foreign voyagers. Around 83 kilometers of area is covered by Goan beaches which a major contributor to the flourishing tourism industry of Goa. The blue skies, Silver sand and the pleasant weather make it more special for the tourists. Although there are so many beaches in Goa, each one has its unique importance. Few beaches are known for lonely and quite environment while others are famous for extravagant parties. The cleanliness is another factor which distinguishes the Goan beaches from the rest.
The following are few of the popular beaches in Goa:
Baga Beach: This wonderful beach is known for the fishing. Many tourists enjoy this unique experience & cherish those memories.

Agonda Beach: If you are a calm person who wants to relax in a peaceful environment then Agonda beach is the place to be. This beach is not very crowded and thus one can enjoy the beauty of the nature to the fullest on Agonda beach.

Arambol Beach: This beach is preferred by swimmers. The beach is located near the northern border of Goa and is its length is around 16 kilometers. Many foreigners prefer this beach for sun baths.

Betul beach: This beach is not very long beach but the pleasant climate of the beach makes it special.There is a river known as river Sal near this beach which ads on to the beauty of the environment. Thebeach consists of many fruit trees and coco palms.

Anjuna Beach: Anjuna beach is very famous for late night parties. Generally the beach is crowded byyoungsters and becomes a happening place for partying with lights, music and beverages.

Goan liquor sailing through the illegal sea route to Karnataka

IT IS sunset in Goa and some businesses close shop for the day and for others it is time the start.

Darkness is creeping in and the Tourism Department’s artificial high mast lights are waiting to be switched on. The crows are returning home along the often deserted stretch of Polem beach on the far point of Goa, close to neighbouring Karnataka.

It is a peculiar Goan beach side - small canoes lined up on the seashore waiting to go to sea. With shadows lengthening and with no sign of the artificial lights, a small fishing canoe leaves the shore laden with gunny bags of dry fish.

Yes, with daylight fading and darkness making its presence, it is time for Darshan Naik (name changed) to kick-off his business operations from the beach. He oversees the loading operation of gunny bags being dumped into the small motorized canoe.

For any naïve first time visitor to the beach the bags fills ones nostrils with the strong smell of dry fish. But the three labourers know that it is not just dry fish.

Hold your breath. Sandwiched between the dry fish are popular brands of Goan liquor bottles stuffed in gunny bags to be transported to Karnataka along the sea route and it has been for the last 15 years that Drashan and been doing this.

One evening, Darshan a post-graduate was aimlessly walking on the lonely beach. He was jobless and had to do something to keep the home fires burning. An idea struck him. He would join the illegal liquor transportation system from Goa to Karnataka.

His task has not been easy since he joined the trade. He regularly bribes politicians, the excise people and keeps them happy. He also keeps his excise guards at the other end of the state happy in Karnataka by giving them their monthly dues, he says. And he has mastered the trade.

Darshan and his workers are seasoned in the illegal transportation of liquor. The sea is one route were liquor is smuggled across the state borders, the others being the rail and road network.

The unloading operation will be at one of the not so frequented beach areas in Karwar district. Then the question asked is - why do people in Karwar prefer Goan liquor over liquor manufactured locally.

Goa is famous for good quality liquor. Goa’s coconut and cashew Feni sells like hot cakes. As its name suggests, coconut Feni is extracted from the flower of the coconut palm tree and cashew Feni from the cashew fruit.

In the neigbhouring state of Karnataka, the government had control over extraction and distribution of the local country liquor- Arrack, till 2006, but has since banned the production of the country liquor. The ban has since fuelled the demand for Goan country liquor in Karnataka.

The people of Karwar district in Karnataka had this to say about Goan liquor: "We have tasted it and know about Goan liquor- Feni. We prefer the Goan variety over the home made stuff (Karnataka). It is not adulterated and now with the government ban we have no choice. The quality is much better than ‘arrack’ and the price is still competitive," said Sushant Naik.

But then smuggling of liquor from Goa into Karnataka is not confined to just country liquor. Other liquor is also ferried through the sea route. Whisky, Brandy, Rum, Gin, and Vodka termed Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) finds its way into Karnataka, says Darshan.

There is a large market for IMFL products in Karwar district and beyond, says Darshan, which he has been exploiting to his benefit.

The Goa government’s liquor policy has seen excise duty imposed on liquor products relatively on the cheaper side compared to other states. A policy which means liquor rates in Goa are on the cheaper compared to other states.

So it is a win-a-win situation for smugglers from Goa and for the traders in Karnataka. Both end up getting a huge pie from the smuggling operations. The customers too are happy to have a peg or two of IMFL manufactured in Goa.

With liquor being a huge revenue earner states are cautious in protecting and nurturing their revenue by supporting the state level distilleries.

Daman and Diu, the former Portuguese colonies like Goa have liquor relaxation in terms of its availability but the same does not extend to the neighbouring state of Gujarat, which is a ‘dry state.

The sale of liquor continues in Gujarat through other channels. The supply is fulfilled by boot leggers. There is also a demand for high end quality liquor in Gujarat. The cost of foreign liquor is high and it is supplied through the smuggling channels.

Every year in Gujarat, confiscated liquor is destroyed, so much for its dry state status.

Despite all the factors, the Indian liquor industry continues to thrive. Side by side illegal boot legging industry carries on. Both meet the demand for liquor. Both have a common end -- to reach the customer and meet the demands of the market. It is the reach and the way it reaches the respective consumers that differs.

Liqour Are Cheap In goa

PANAJI: Over here (in Goa), liquor is cheap, and relationships are cheaper, says the changed promos of the movie Dum Maro Dum.
The change has stoked further angst among some Goans who say the movies producers intention seems clear-selling the movie at the cost of mauling the character of the entire state.
Why is the producer so hell bent on tarnishing the image of Goans? When you say relationships, what does one assume? That you can get into a relationship freely or by spending money less than the cost of a liquor bottle in Goa. Instead of a front door entry, this is a backdoor entry. Is the movie trying to portray that grandmothers, wives, daughters, aunts, sisters are cheap and easily available by breaking away their ties? It is highly insulting, said Philip DSouza of the Shiv Sena.
He added, This is a frying pan-to–fire situation. They think that they dont even owe us an apology but decided to add salt to our injury.
Savio Rodrigues, who filed a public interest litigation against the film and whose PIL was disposed of by the high court, said the changed dialogue was derogatory to the entire populace, while the dignity of women in Goa continues to be stripped.
It means that all relationships are cheap and a woman is available for a relationship, for a price cheaper than liquor. Its even worse now. Why is the government committee set up by the chief minister shying away from viewing the movie? The high court order has no bearing on this committee, for it was not set up by a high court directive, Rodrigues said.
He further said that his PIL had sought a special disclaimer in the movie. I asked that the film should carry a special disclaimer that the movie is a fictional account of certain isolated incidents in a very small part of Goa. The movie in no way is a reflection of the people of Goa at large, who are known for their tourism and hospitality. Also, we are not happy that the movie will continue to have the defamatory dialogue against Goan women in its foreign screenings. The excuse that the film producer has given is that the prints have already been sent abroad, he said.
Stating that he wants to appeal before the Supreme Court, Rodrigues said, However, it has been three days since the high court order was given, but I am yet to get a signed copy of the order. I cant do anything till then.

Goa`s Feni Traditional Liquor

Traditional Goan Feni

Mention the terms exotic cuisine, relaxed lifestyle, electrifying nightlife, splendid feasts, lively festivals, and beautiful beaches, you’ll be directed to one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the world, the best in India at least, Goa! Nicknamed as the holiday beach state of India, Goa has emerged as the home to some of the most stunning and finest beaches of the world. All thanks to the sun-kissed and palm-fringed beautiful beaches, this tiny yet striking state is a holidaymaker’s paradise. Right from old-fashioned seafood huts to luxury resorts to beach shacks to trance night parties to supreme tranquility, Goa has them all. So, whenever you are on a long and relaxed vacation to Goa, make sure you witness the marvelous blend of beauty and nature with unique lifestyles here. So be it the unique serenity, flea markets, swaying palm trees, lavish worldwide cuisines, and of course, hot babes, do not take a chance to miss anything at this tiny miraculous land.

But before you bid adieu to your dream destination, there’s one thing you must definitely indulge in, as your trip would be sheer incomplete if you haven’t tasted the local brew feni, for which Goa is most celebrated across the globe. It is this native liquor that has made Goa all the more popular across the globe, leave alone the pristine beaches and exotic holidays. What scotch is for Scotland, tequila for Mexico, and champagne for France, is feni for Goa! Interestingly, this local brewed drink is the most favored alcohol amongst all hard drinks offered here. In fact, tourists and visitors carry bottles of feni with them as beautiful remembrances and reminiscence of a wonderful and mesmerizing Goa trip. Such is the warmth of the drink and the pleasure of going on a high offered by feni that you are bound to feel on top of the world after guzzling down a couple sips of it. Also referred to as fenny, fenim or fenni, the term feni has been derived from the word ‘fenn’ which means froth. Steer through the section below to know more about this traditional and strongly aromatic drink.

Goan Fenny Drink

Want to get the real feel of feni and appreciate the real stuff? Hire a cab and make a trip to one of the spice plantations and gulp down some feni ice cold from coconut shells. But beware; do not overdo it as it easily gets over your head. Though feni production is a local industry, but the state has surely picked up the right source to attract hordes of its admirers. This intoxicating locally brewed clear and strong Indian liquor called feni is prepared from either coconut or the juice of the cashew apple. The liquid distilled from the juice of the cashew apple gives you the aromatic and spicy cashew feni, while its coconut counterpart is derived from the toddy collected by toddy tappers from the coconut trees. Cashew feni is the most preferred drink amongst the two due to its flavor, although coconut feni has its own fan following.

What is more interesting and exciting is its preparation. While all seems as easy as ordering feni and enjoying its flavor in a coconut shell, preparing a gallon of it undergoes a great deal of hard work and dedication. To start off with making cashew feni, the cashew apples are crushed manually in a coimbi, which is a rock on the hill carved or shaped like a basin with an outlet to let the juice flow down. As the juice passes by the basin, it is collected in a huge earthen pot called Kodem, buried in the ground. When collected in earthen or copper pots, the juice passes through the distillation process, beginning with boiling on firewood. Through the process of vaporization and distillation, the concentrated liquid is collected in a smaller pot which is blended frequently with cold water with a wooden ladle to keep the pressure under control. Such is the aroma and fragrance of the distillation process that you can instantly feel the same run through your nostrils.

The entire process of feni production gives you three different products to take pleasure in. The Urrac, the product from first distillation, is light and can be easily consumed neat, though you can enhance its flavor by diluting with some lemon or orange. The product of second distillation is the moderately strong Cazulo, giving you options of guzzling it down neat or in a diluted form, depending upon your resistance of the alimentary tract, though it is not common in markets now. Finally, comes the third product that each tourist or holidaymaker to Goa eagerly waits for - feni. Since Cazulo is no more made, feni is produced after second distillation itself. The higher grade feni is 42% alcohol by volume and is like dynamite, in terms of strength. There are over 4,000 mini traditional distilleries or stills in Goa manufacturing cashew feni and 2,200 such stills making coconut feni. With 75% stills producing cashew feni being located in north Goa and the rest in south Goa, as against 65% stills producing coconut feni in south Goa and remaining in north Goa, it clearly indicates that north Goa flourishes in cashew trees while south Goa is abound in coconut palms.

Seat yourself comfortably at a sea-facing tavern with the perfect ambience in the background and experience heaven as you sip Goa’s native liquor and let yourself booze!

Goa Nightlife

What to Do at Night in Goa

Given Goa's recent history as a place where hordes of hippies 'turned on, tuned in and dropped out' one would be forgiven for thinking that a typical Goan nightlife scenario would have a lot to do with dancing half-naked around a beach campfire but no; Goa surprises in that it is a popular casino destination so dreadlocks and sarongs are replaced by well-groomed hair and formal clothing.
This is the site of India's only on-board casino as well as various other gaming joints. But of course the campfires and dancing (in season) are ubiquitous along the coastline and are as free and easy as the sea breezes that cool this delightful coast down.

Casino Goa

This is India’s only live gaming casino located on board a luxury ship. There are two cruises daily. The dusk cruise lasts from 17:30 to 20:00 and will cost you about ten dollars per person. The dinner cruise is from 19:30 to 06:00 and will cost almost thirty dollars per person.
Any money you spend on the tables is extra. On some nights you may also be entertained by a live Russian belly dancer. There is a dress code so please dress accordingly. No children are allowed on board, so you will need to make separate arrangements for them.
Location: Set on a small luxury ship called MV Caravela, in Panaji Jetty opposite Hotel Madovi.

The Other Casinos include

Beaches

The typical nightlife of Goa is played out on the beaches, in the shacks and popular eateries. There is no need to go hunting for a club to dance at as with the dusk each shack on the beach will crank up the volume and start playing music. Some play Bollywood numbers others have western pop and rock. Pick one you like and join the group dancing on the sand near the shack.

Chances

Situated in the hotel Cidade De Goa it is quite a distance if you are living near any of the north Goa beaches. Yet if you are planning to make an evening of it, make sure you dress well as they have a strict dress code.

Discos and Night Clubs

These are more permanent structures than the shacks on the beach and also offer a good time. A few of the more popular ones include The Alcove at Vagator Beach which is open till midnight. Also located on Vagator is Temptations, at the Red Cab Inn, below Starco’s Crossroads.
At Baga there is nothing to beat Tito’s for both food and music. If you are at Colva beach you can head for Ziggy’s and Johnny Cool’s. Both of which are open till only 22:00. At Men Mar on Vasco road and Lido’s at Dona Paula beach the action lasts till 22:30.

Here’s a list of the most popular beaches in Goa.

Candolim
Baga
Armbol
Calangute
Mandrem
Vagator
Anjuna
Miramar
Majorda
Bogmalo

Las Vegas

This one is closer to the central part of Goa and is more popular as a result. The casino is lively enough. Again make sure that you are dressed properly or risk being asked to leave.
Location: Leela Beach, Mabor, South Goa Candolim Beach

Goa Dances

When one talks about the dances of Goa, your imagination tends to stop at people dancing to trance and techno music. In case you didn't know, the Goan dances extend much beyond those rave late night parties at beaches. The traditional dance of Goa gives a picture of the mindset and lifestyle of Goans. They reflect the rich historical and cultural legacy that Goa abounds in. Goa has a unique amalgamation of different cultures and the Goan dances portray this blend of different faiths very beautifully. Some very popular folk dances of Goa are Dhalo, Dekhni, Fugdi, Shigmo, Kunbi, Lamp Dance, etc.

Dhalo
One of the most popular dances of Goa is the Dhalo. It is one of the choicest dances of the women dwelling in rural Goa. In this dance form, young girls and women form a semi circle by joining their hands behind each others waists. They then sway in coordinated movements to beats of rural musical instruments and music. It is a dance full of fun and frolic.

Dekhni
The Dekhni is basically the traditional dance of those Christians who converted to Christianity from Hinduism during the Portugal rule. These people were the ones to compose this traditional dance form of Goa. The dance also involves singing by people. It usually begins with a beautiful lady starting the dance and is joined later by other dancers gradually. The music of this dance is a lovely combination of rhythm and melody of both western and Indian genre.

Fugdi
The Fugdi is a traditional dance of Goa that is quite popular among the womenfolk of Goa. This dance is devoted to the Hindu Elephant God, Lord Ganesha. This dance can be performed on any occasion and does not require any particular festival to be performed. One of the most common dances that is performed in Goa, this dance requires continues swirling until one gets exhausted and sits down.

Shigmo
The Shigmo is a traditional dance of Goa and is performed during the advent of spring season. For farmers, this dance is symbolic of regeneration of their natural resources. This dance is also performed when soldiers return from the battlefield victorious in their mission. This dance is performed mostly during the month of March when temples are decorated lavishly to celebrate the spring festival.

Kunbi
One of the earliest folk dances of Goa is the Kunbi dance. This dance was mainly performed by the earliest settlers of Goa known as the Kunbis. The dance has more of a social element in it rather than a religious feeling. The dance is performed by the women dancers who perform this dance very elegantly at quite a fast pace. Their traditional attire adds the color to this dance form.

Lamp Dance
The Lamp Dance is called so because of the brass lamps that is used to perform this dance. The dancers have to dance very slowly balancing heavy brass lamps on their heads. The music is usually instrumental and folk instruments like Ghumat, Samael, Cymbal and Harmonium are used. This dance requires immense amount of self control and discipline in order to balance the lamps and dance.