Charming Goa

---

I visited Goa between 24th Feb to 10th march. Went on a package tour by Thomsons/Lunpolly from Gatwick airport. Well, about my experience in Goa - it turned out to be a very pleasant holiday.

I was kind of very disappointed about the diving as I had plans for diving for 10 days. The water was so murkey and I got a closptophobic attack while under the water. It wasn't pleasant. So I cancelled all my diving.

My parents joined me next day after the Ingles visit. It was wonderful to see them after two years. I asked them to stay for one week instead of the planned 2 days visit. Got them rooms in Goa herritage hotel. Nice hotel.

We had generaly good time visiting places like old churchs and sunsets in the evening. We also visited spice plantaion near by and got some good introductions to spices. Elephant wash was a bonous on that visit. It was simple yet exhilarating experience to see the huge elephant go bonkers for a wash. They simpley enjoy being in the water and splashing arround.


Then another day, I took them for bird watching and crocodyle spotting !. A chap called 'Jake the snake' !!! took us on his boat. He is sort of a 'crocodile Dundee' figure. He took us on the back waters of Goa for 3 hours or so. Managed to spot quite a few beautiful birds and 3 really huge man eating crocs. They were about 3 meters long and so quiet and stealthy. I wondered what makes them to be so big - then I we came accross a fisherman standing neck deep in the croc infested swamp !!!. Jake pointed out thats what keeps the Crocs hale and healthy !!!!.

Another day we visited the St.Xavier's Basilica where his 400 years old body is kept. Still preserved with no artifical preservative !. But he was shielded and kept away at a distance. Apparently some woman got too exited during last year's exposition(they show the body to public for few days every year) - and bit his great toe off !!!!! Yak. But then you are in India - anything goes.

Next day, We went to Dhursagar water falls. Apparently its a mamoth falls during moonsoon season. But now it was just a simple skeleton of few streakes and cascades. We had to take a 3 hours jeep journey to and fro to the falls threw the dreadful forset road. The road was full of stones and boulders and never a smooth plain road untill the end ! It was truely a bone crunching and back breaking trip. I liked the falls and little swimming area and had a swim. It would have been worth all that bad roads if it were in moonsoon times. we saw few common monkeys grooming themselves.

On the way back, suddenly tour guide shouted LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK. When I looked I couldn't believe what I saw. It was two big grown up King Cobras engaged in matting dance !!!!. What a sight. They kept up their romance for quiet some time oblivious to our exited and daylight voyure. Well it was very much like the amorous Brazilian tango.

We kept going back to Souza Lobu for our dinners. Very nice restaurent in Calangute beech. My mom liked it very much. After dinner strolls on the beech will linger on in mind for long time.

Next day, went Dolphin watching. Fasinating to see the endless chase by the dolphins of the fleeing schools of fish. You can actually spot the dophins by locating the jumping fishes. One of the young one leaped out in the air and I managed to capture it in the vedio. Delighted.

Almost every day we went to watch the magnificent sunsets on the Arbian sea waters. A sumptous sunset to behold. The beechs dotted with coconut trees and the shore rock provide a perfect backdrop for the sunset. Intensely romantic an you we found lot young couple hugging and enjoying the view.

Then, we went to Bangalore which is a big city on their way back home. We spent two days there and then I flew back to Goa. They went back home.

Next 4 days I didn't know what to do. Went to bird watching again. Then, started to look for an appartment to buy. I am really hooked on the lazy and laid back goa. Visited few up comming appartments. Very nice indeed. Hopefuly I will be able to buy one soon.

Then, the taxi driver took me to a very old stately Portugese house which is in ruins now. The family had been extremely rich but lost out because of the land celing act brought on by the Indian govt. after the independence. The old lady who lives there now was fretting very much about the loss of lands. It wasn't anything comparable to English or French stately houses. But you kind of get the point. He also showed me some more old ordinary houses. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Goa/blog-5637.html


I must confess, had a good time in Goa.

---