By Somali K Chakrabarti
After it rained throughout night, the sun showed up the next morning. As we had ventured to the South of Goa on the earlier day, we decide to head straight to the forts and beaches of North Goa.
The remnants of the forts that once guarded the coastline still attract many visitors.
Though the Portuguese forts were mostly functional forts, without the architectural finesse or ornate carvings found in the Mughal forts, yet one can’t help marveling at their construction. The sturdy bastions have withstood the lashing of the sea waves for over 4 centuries and still continue to do so.
Fort Aguada
Fort Aguada (meaning Watering Palace in Portuguese) was constructed in 1612 to defend the Portuguese from any attack via the sea route, and offer a safe berth to the Portuguese ships.
The fort had an underground water storage chamber, a light house, room for storing gun powder and bastions.
The unobstructed view of the sea from top of the fort is amazing.
North Goa Beaches
With a host of beaches, Goa is a beach lovers’ paradise.
Near Fort Aguada is the Sinquerim Beach, one of the first tourist beaches of North Goa. The pleasant weather makes it possible for us to explore the coastline of North Goa.
Calangute Beach, a favorite among the beach goers in Goa is a sandy beach. After a brief spell of shower, as the sun shone on the sand, we stepped into a spacious open restaurant on the Calangute beach.
The restaurant, known as Destination One, has a nice seating arrangement facing the beach. The food served is delicious and we enjoy a leisurely lunch by the beach.
Anjuna and Vagatore are rocky beaches, where the waves come crashing against the rocks making a delightful view.
Baga beach is a sand beach where river Baga meets the sea. As the beach is close to the hotel where we had put up, we go up to the waves coming on the shore to get the feel of splashing waves and the ticklish sensation as the sand shifts under the feet with the receding waves.
On the last day of our trip, we head South again before leaving for Mumbai
Marine Fish Aquarium
Located on the National Highway, 18 kms from Panjim is the Marine Fish Aquarium. We find statues of Goan fisherwoman and men in front of the aquarium.
The aquarium houses an impressive variety of fishes that are found in Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep islands, Indonesia, Australia, Japan and China. A lady explains us the characteristics of the fishes including the star fish, puffer fish, clown fish, the playful kissing fish that responds to human gestures, the deadly Piranha, poisonous eel fish, and many others. She holds a lobster in her hand and asks us if we would be interested to hold it. I prefer to click instead.
Three Kings Church
One of the most intriguing places that we visited was the Three Kings Church in a village called Cansaulim in South Goa. The place bore a deserted look, with a huge banyan tree lying uprooted next to the locked church. Anil Bhai who drove us around tells us that the church (known as Bhootachi church among the locals) is considered as one of the most haunted places in Goa. The church is opened only on a few days in January and a banquet is planned on the 6th of January every year. Not a soul resides there after sunset.
However it is also one of the most scenic spots from where the entire stretch of the coastline of south Goa can be seen, with a green cover of palm groves bordering the coast and villages in the valley below the hill.
The other highlights of the trip were the O Coqueiro restaurant where Charles Shobraj was nabbed by the police. The statue of the tourist killer sits in front of the restaurant, whose management had informed the police of his presence.
We caught a glimpse of the famous (?) Kingfisher villa on the way, and picked up stuff from Pastry Cottage, a small but well know bakery in Panaji, famous for its cakes, pastries, mocroons, and snack food.
And how could I not mention the cat who came and sat on the floor next to my chair in a shack. All the while I was having some snacks, she continuously tried to endear herself in the hope that I would give her some grub, thus leaving me with no other option but to oblige. Here she is.
By the evening we were heading back to Mumbai, recharged after going around Goa on the short trip.
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Lovely pictures Somali. Has come out very well. I always miss Goa and when I realize that I can’t visit Goa any soon makes me feel depressed 😦
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Thanks Anoop, but a lil confusing…how do people get depressed after they die? 😉
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Haha… That was a good one Somali 🙂
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😀 😀
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[…] Here’s the second part of the travelogue – Going around Goa […]
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The cat is so cute! 😃
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It was trying its best to be cute and posing for the camera too. 🙂
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Must have had a refreshing break. Enjoy!!
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Yes a good break. Thank you Geetashree. 🙂
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Goa during the monsoon has its own charm and beauty. Yet to explore Goa. Need to plan a trip soon. Cute clicks.
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Thank you Sri &Kri. I am sure that you will enjoy exploring Goa once you plan out a trip. 🙂
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Wow. The pics are so beautiful Somali. I never knew there are even Haunted Houses there ( Bhootachi), haha… And well described the forts history. I can understand you had an amazing tour to Goa. 🙂
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Oh there are many, and it seems this one always figures in the list. Thanks Jackie. 🙂
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Haha… Wow. That’s informative. You are welcome Somali… 🙂
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I envy you. Wish I could visit Goa soon. Till then, I’ll manage with your lovely pictures and description. 🙂
Have a wonderful day!
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I wish you soon get the chance to go to Goa..that too when there are not many people around so that you can move around at leisure. 🙂
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The cat is so cute! ????
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Goa is always invigorating and the way you have narrated each stage of your visit, it is tempting to plan one more visit. Yes, it is a wonderful array of things that one can explore and enjoy, the rich history behind the robust forts to the beautiful church to the wonderful beaches wherever you go, they keep following you. Generally missed out by many is the large green coverage across the coastline that makes it eye catching.
Regarding the cat, I had a similar experience when I was in Bhutan and leisurely enjoying the open restaurant facing the beautiful mountain peaks and the sunshine, suddenly appears from no where a beautiful cat, and was behind me till I gave what I was eating…
By the way liked the way you have described the haunted Three Kings Church.
😀
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Thanks a lot Nihar. Invigorating is the exact word that conveys the essence of the place at least for outsiders like us. The coastline and the green coverage makes it so refreshing. Infrastructure is relatively better too. Btw cats seem to have a way to know whom to ask from. It sat below my chair despite the fact I was the only one in my family having vegatarian soup and snacks. 🙂
Have a nice day.
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You are right Somali these cats are smart cookies and they know where the piece is and who is that guy going part with them…these are interesting experiences and the coincidences are not new.
Some places have there own set of energy, it is so unique to those places only, and Goa is one of them, the moment you land you are charged up, it is exciting and it is inbuilt with exploring the unending coastline and so many things to do, you get lost in the wilderness.
You do have a great weekend.
take care!!!
😀
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Thank you Nihar. You too have a great weekend. 🙂
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The pictures are beautiful esp the one with starfish and the cat is indeed the cutest! Also, the description is quite tempting. 🙂
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Thank you Deeshani. The cat tried its best to be cute. 🙂
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One of the best posts on Goa I have read so far . The photographs are superb , particularly of the cat in the shack .
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Thank you for your kind words. The cat is still getting most of the attention. 🙂
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Hey love the post, Somali. Visited Aguada, Calangute, the amazing church, lady Immaculate near Panjim, Science Museum. I stayed in South Goa for 2 days and absolutely in love with the place. Palolem beach is so beautiful and serene. Yeah, we had a quick glance at Mallya palace, the KF man:)
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Thank you Vishal. I guess it is a place that most visitors fall in love with. Mallya palace – it does pique the interest of passersby. 🙂
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I always thought Goa is a party place but now I know its soul reading your writeup… the fort with great sea view, the greeneries around, the lunch in front of one of those beaches, the church thats haunted and a restuarant with the statue of tourist criminal and the catty!!… nice all dimensional place Goa…did you taste Feni?, Goan drink, how does it taste if you have tasted it?
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Goa certainly is an all dimensional place. Yes I did taste Feni at the spice garden. (ref my previous post: Goa in the Monsoon). It has a strong bitter sweet taste. In fact they even give a few drops to children as a cure for cold. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by Maria.
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One question, Somali. Do they have entry for fort? And I love that restaurant. You have made Goa so desirable. I just want to be there.
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There is no entry fee Saru, Now compare with the forts of UK or Europe. I haven’t been to any forts in the US, but I am sure they would be charging some entry fee. Since you want to be there, someday you would plan out a trip. 🙂
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Another wonderful post on Goa. Loved it, Beautiful pictures 🙂
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Thank you Purba. Have a very n8ce day.
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Beautiful clicks, Somali…and I so love the cat! ❤ It’s sooo adorable…
You have enjoyed to the fullest, your words here are exuding happiness… 🙂
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What a mind reader you are Maniparna. 🙂 The cat was trying its best to charm. 🙂
Have a lovely day.
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Lovely captures and narration but the cutest of them all was the cat!!
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Thank you Deepakji. The cat, it seens, is stealing the show. 🙂
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I love Goa 🙂 and I love the cat 😀
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Of course you’ll love the cat. 😀 Thanks Teny. 🙂
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loved the pics… 🙂
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Beautiful pictures.
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Thanks Arun. Have a nice day.
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Nice Post describing Goa Beaches and its surroundings.. Wonderful Post!
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Thanks a lot sir.
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A comprehensive post about Goa punctuated with stunning pictures!
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Thank you Uppal ji. Happy to know that you liked it. 🙂
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I visited that fort during the summer, and it did not look nearly half as green!
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Thank you Sreesha. The greenery all around made the view from the fort very refreshing. Otherwise there’s not much left inside the fort.
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Yet another super post on Goa Somali… loved the pictures & I badly miss it.. Wanna take a break from the mundane life and refresh myself with another spree there. Your post makes me fulfill that urge real soon! :’)
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Thank you Maitreni. Hope you soon get a chance to go. Meanwhile enjoy your weekend. 🙂
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बहुत बढ़िया वर्णन एवं चित्रांकन, सोमाली जी …
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Dhyanyavad Jyoti ji. Aapka din shubh ho.
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Oh! It is beautiful. The last time we went to Goa, the fort was closed! 😞
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Thank you Shruti. There’s nothing much left inside expect for going on top to see the view.
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You have covered the place, very nicely.
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Thank you Rajesh. Have a great weekend.
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The pictures are a feast to the eyes! Destination One seems to be popular! I have been there too.
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Thank you Mridula. Being right on the beach, the location of the restaurant is excellent. Food is pretty good too.
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Its a shame that I have always restricted myself in a resort and spent time there and never seen these places, max would go to the ShantaDurga and Mangeshi temples. the fort is awesome and the church looks eerie 🙂 you have put in a lot of hardwork in this post and it is a wonderful read 🙂
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Thank you Shweta. Whenever you get a chance to go to Goa next, try to explore the place. I am sure you will find the experience enriching. Have a lovely weekend. 🙂
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Great post with lovely pics. It refreshed my old memories.I had been to Goa twice long back last one being part of my honeymoon trip. Thanks
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Thank you. You may like to go there again to refresh the memories of your honeymoon trip. 🙂
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Thanks for your suggestion Somali
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Always consider it for the next anniversary.
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Nice post Somali. Quite informative indeed. Of all the above mentioned, I haven’t been to 3 kings church. Would love to go there during my next visit to Goa. I am scared of haunted places but equally curious to know more about them. Hope to have a less-scary sojourn here. 🙂
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Thank you Dipanwita. I too am curious to know more about haunted places, and scared as well. So, the moment I came to know about it wanted to see, of course in the broad daylight. 🙂
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I never been there in Goa but read a lot about it . There are so many posts related to Goa on different blog platforms but your post is really different . The pictures are very attractive and calling me to Goa as soon as possible. Very nice writeup Somali ji with very very nice pictures.
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Thank you so much Yogiji. Happy that you liked the pictures and the writeup. Have a nice weekend.
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That is a very elaborate coverage. Great pics with the rich text.
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Thanks a lot Indrani. Have a nice weekend.
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Beautiful pictures, here! I have seen most of these beaches when I went there during my college days. Awesome post 🙂
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I am sure you would have enjoyed a lot Jatin, particularly in the company of your friends.
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I loved it! 🙂
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most of these *places I mean
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Got it. Thank you Jatin.
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Good work and pictures though information
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Thank you Ritesh. Have a nice weekend. 🙂
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That’s a refreshing post on Goa, Somali. 🙂
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Thank you Divya. Have a nice weekend. 🙂
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Good post. The cat was actually smart and pretended to look lovable.
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Beautiful shots Somali. The cat looks so sweet and innocent 🙂
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Thank you Anjana. The cat may not have been all that innocent but all the while it tried to look so. 🙂
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Nice Somali :).. I hadn’t done the Marine acquarium and the three kings bit. Calengute beach looks much nicer than the time I visited. Looks like you had a nice time out there..
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Thanks Vinay. Calangute looks better fron the restaurant. 🙂
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Thank you for a vivid virtual tour of Goa. I think I will use it as my travel guide when I visit the place. 🙂
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Thanks Moon. If you plan a longer trip, you’ll need more guides. 🙂
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Been there at all places. It refreshed the memories, thank you.. 🙂 and photographs have come so lively.. 🙂
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Thank you Prakash. Happy to know that the post refreshed your memories of Goa. 🙂
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Reminded me of my Goa trips!
Yet to write a post 🙂
Nice pics, Somali!
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Goa is so much more than the crowded beaches. Wonderful post Somali.
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[…] by the beauty of the place in the monsoon, which shows up in my posts Goa in the Monsoon and Going around Goa, I couldn’t have agreed more with […]
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