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Published: March 5th 2010
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Last time I wrote, it was from Aurangabad where I visited the Ellora and Ajanta caves. Now this time I'm writing from heaven, it's one of India smallest states called Goa. Daphne and I took the train from Mumbai and got off at Karmali train station, about 20 minutes from Panaji, one of the oldest town in the state. Goa was under the Portuguese control instead of the British from 1512 to 1961, you really see the difference when you look at the colonial buildings still in place, more colorful than the British constructions that you see in Mumbai's colonial area.
First Panaji, it's a very good start for Goa, you can see and visit all the monument and museum related to the history of the state and then head to numerous beaches that are available to you. In Panaji we stayed at the Panjim Inn, www.panjiminn.com (Panjim is the original name of the town and most locals still refer to it). The hotel is very nice, all the furniture is made from authentic wood from the region, it add some spirit to the place. We got there right on time for the Goa Carnival that takes place every years mid-February.
it looks pretty much like the St-Jean festivity that we have back in Quebec, except the party that follow is just a huge rave....Apart of that the city is a lot of history and churches that look like each other after a few.
After Panaji, we hit Anjuna and used it has a base to visit the northern beaches. Anjuna and Vagator, anotherbeach located about 20 minutes north from Anjuna, are pretty much the part places of Goa. You may have heard about it, this is where the mega trance scene was back in the 90's. Now due to the pm noise law that has been applied in the early 2000, you have to struggle to find a beach party. No worries your super Travelmax friend still managed to find one in Anjuna at a place called Shiva Valley completely at the south end of the beach and it was completely crazy, fireworks, trance music with three differents deejays and expnsive beers (like to 2-3 times the regular price). They have those partys every tuesday, start at about 7 pm and last until sunrise. On Wensday it's market day in Anjuna, the biggest in Goa, if you have any
purchase to do like Alibaba pants for example (ver popular here, Daphne got some) it is the place to buy and you can bargain a lot. Theprices starts around 800 Rupees for a kit and you can deal them for 200-300 Rupees, don't be shy. Daphne has a secret talent for that stuff, she even deal my items... From Anjuna we visited Vagator, Arambol and Mandrem beaches. I simply recommend them all. They are not hidden beaches but are still worth the days you spent in those places. A lot of activities are offers from paragliding to kite surfing and prices varies around 1500 Rupees for a couples of hours. We than decided to haed towards the south of Goa and choose Palolem has a base there, of corse Daphne bargained us a taxi ride for 1200 Rupees instead 1500, not bad it's the cheapest we found.
In Palolem we rented a beach hut at Dreamcatcher completely at the north end of the beach. Huts are a bit expansive 1200 Rupees/ night, but they have electricity, attached bathroom and shower, they are very comfortable. You can book by email at dreamcatcherjack@yahoo.com . Unfortunately Daphne got really sick and we had
to changed our plans, we spent a day looking for a doctor to finnally find one in Chaudi, who confirmed us that she was suffering from a throat infection and put her under medication for 5 days.... We decided to stay in Palolem instead of going to all the southern beaches, the time for Daphne to recover from her infection and we had to cancel our dolphin spotting trip. the last day before we leave, Daphne was a lot better and we booked a tour to the Dudhsagar Falls, Elephant village and a spice farm. we got the tour for 3050 Rupees including taxi for the entire day, all entrance fees and the lunch. The falls are simply awesome second highest in India and you can swim at the bottom, be aware I never swam in water that cold and there is enormous fish in the water... Our favorite remains Elephant village, where we did an elephant ride and where we took what they call and elephant bathing. It consist to sit on the back of the elephant in the river and then the animal just spit water all over you... One of the best experience in India so far.
We also heard about the headphone partys, that were unfortunately cancelled out of respect for the victims of the terrorist attack that took place in Pune (couples of hours from Mumbai) on February 13th. The concept is really good, in order to respect the noise law of Goa, the company Silent Noise provide wireless headphone with 2 channels and 3 deejays that spins from 9 pm to 4 am at Neptune point (south end of Palolem beach), you can find all the informations on www.silentnoise.in and they also have a facebook page wich I am now fan.....
So that is it for Goa, we are leaving for Hampi in Kernataka, to see the famous ruins and take part to the Holy festival (one of the biggest in India). I think that will be just great.
See ya.
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