Going around Goa

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.

View from Fort Aguada
Fort Aguada

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.

Sea view from Fort Aguada
Sea view from Fort Aguada

 

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.

Sinquerim Beach, Goa
Sinquerim Beach

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.

Calangute Beach, Goa
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.

Calangute Beach
View of Calangute Beach from Destination One

 

Anjuna and Vagatore are rocky beaches, where the waves come crashing against the rocks making a delightful view.

20150720_154603

 

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.

Baga Beach, Goa
Baga Beach

 

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.

 

Marine fish aquarium, Goa
Statue of a Goan fisherwoman

 

Marine Fish Aquarium , Goa
Star Fish

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

Three Kings Church, Goa
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.

View from 3 Kings Church, Goa
View from 3 Kings Church

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.

Cat in the shack
Cat in the shack

By the evening we were heading back to Mumbai, recharged after going around Goa on the short trip.

Please like, share and/or leave feedback in comments below! :P

 

If you like the post, please consider following the blog for email updates.

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

91 thoughts on “Going around Goa”

  9. 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.
    😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 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.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. 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!!!
        😀

        Liked by 1 person

  12. 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:)

    Liked by 1 person

  13. 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?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. 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.

      Like

    1. 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. 🙂

      Like

  29. 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 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  31. 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. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  32. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to gc1963 Cancel reply