MY OFFBEAT GOA

Goa is one of the most favourite beach destinations across the world. With pristine beaches, unique Portuguese influenced culture and exotic food -Goa is like a big refrigerator & everybody comes here to chill. For most of the Indian tourists, Goa means a North Goa trip of Baga- Calangute- Candolim beaches, a short stint with churches of  Old Goa & a Panji city tour. I have been to Goa again & again. As the number of my trips increased, I started exploring the hidden Goa which is very rarely visited by the tourists. There are many hidden gems & many fascinating “Things to do” in this little state. So here is my off beat Goa guide.

1. Walk in the Fontainhas

A walk in the Fontainhas

The bright coloured old houses with narrow but neat lanes.

During my recent visit to Goa, I ticked off one of the long pending point from my travel bucket list. I walked in the Latin Old Quarter known as The Fontainhas in Panji. This walk transported me into the Portuguese era. I enjoyed the walk for its old & finest architecture. The bright coloured old houses with narrow but neat lanes make it a must do experience for everyone visiting Goa.

2. Tiracol Fort & Querim beach

Tiracol fort offers beautiful vistas of Querim beach

The fort houses century old church of San Anton

It has been converted into Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel

Tiracol Fort has got Portuguese influence on its architecture

Tiracol Fort also known as Terekhol Fort in Marathi & Konkani is a fort on the northernmost tip of Goa. It can be reached by a ferry from Querim beach or by entering into Maharashtra border by crossing a bridge on Terekhol River. The fort offers beautiful vistas of Arabian Sea, Querim beach & Terekhol River. It has got Portuguese influence on its architecture. It also houses century old church of San Anton or Saint Antony. Though it has been converted into Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel, it is still open for tourists.

3. Salaulim Dam

Salaulim Dam is one of the best kept secrets of Goa

Watching the overflow on duckbill spillway is a real stress buster

Salaulim Dam near Sanguem town is one of the best kept secrets of Goa. It is built in the Zuari Basin on Salaulim River. You can see the serene reservoir dam with few submerged islands & dense forest perched hills on the backdrop. There are no touristy attractions like boating here but you can spend hours just looking at the water. Watching the overflow on ‘duckbill spillway’ is a real stress buster. You can also visit a centuries old temple near the dam.

4. King’s Beer, Bebinca & Port Wine

Goa’s Port wine, King’s Beer, Bebinca and Feni

Goa is known for its exotic liquor Feni. A Feni bottle is very popular as a souvenir among the tourists but there is Goa beyond Feni. King’s Beer is for Goa what Guinness is for Ireland. King’s Beer is very popular among the Goans for it’s smoky, malt aroma & it will cost only few bucks to your pocket. Also don’t forget to taste the Bebinca which is rightly called as the queen of Goan sweets. It is a traditional 16 layered Goan pudding. The sweet taste of Goa’s Port wine will also linger in your memory for a long time.

5. Church of Saint Augustine Ruins

Church of Saint Augustine Ruins

St. Augustine Tower is one of the most spectacular monuments in Goa

Many people who visit The Basilica in Old Goa are unaware of this hidden gem just across the corner. St. Augustine Tower is one of the most spectacular monuments in Goa. One of the songs from the movie ‘Singham’ was shot in these ruins.  The tower & church were built in 1602 by the Augustine followers. The church was abandoned in 1835. The St. Augustine Tower is the remaining part of a building which once was one of the grandest in Goa.

6. Take a ferry ride

When in Goa, do as the Goans do

Every tourist takes the touristy Mandovi River Cruise with folk dances & other  attractions. When in Goa, do as the Goans do. Ferry is the local mode of transport to cross the rivers & creeks. This ferry is totally free for the people & bikes. Four wheeler owners have to pay Rs. 10-15.

7. Goa’s countryside

Goan countryside will surprise you in many ways

The real Susegad Goa

Goa is not all about the sun & sand. Wandering aimlessly in Goan countryside will surprise you in many ways. Lush green paddy fields, coconut trees, villages, old traditional houses, people doing their daily chores & much more. This is the real Susegad Goa. Recently released Hindi movies like Finding Fanny & Drishyam have beautifully portrayed this quaint side of Goa.

8. Beaches of South Goa

South Goa has some of the most beautiful beaches of India

Sit in a humble shack on Agonda beach drinking King’s beer with Pork Vindaloo.

Play football on Palolem

Take an evening walk on beach

Enjoy the Sun & sand minus the crowd

Just relax sitting in sand

Doing yoga on beach

The golden sunset on the Arabian Sea

Run away from the maddening crowd of Baga, Calangute, Candolim & head towards the South. South Goa has some of the most beautiful beaches of India. Agonda, Palolem & Benaulim are few of them. You can spend days at these beaches walking, swimming, playing football and doing yoga. Sit in sand enjoying the golden sunset on Arabian Sea or sit in a humble shack drinking King’s beer with Pork Vindaloo.

9. Cabo De Rama Fort

Cabo De Rama fort is housing a beautiful Saint Antony church which is still used by the local devotees

Cabo De Rama is having a mystique aura around it.

Breathtaking views of the cliffs and the Arabian Sea from Cabo De Rama

This place will awaken the photographer in you

This place will also awaken the model in you

Below these cliffs lies Cabo De Rama beach

Taking a break from the Aguad Fort & Chapora Fort, do a Fort Run with Cabo De Rama Fort. Cabo De Rama in Canacona is having a mystique aura around it. It is housing a beautiful Saint Antony church which is still used by the local devotees. The vantage points of the fort offer breathtaking views of the cliffs & Arabian Sea. You can also visit the untouched Cabo De Rama Beach. This place will awaken the photographer in you.

10. See the wild side of Goa

The wild side of Goa

Goa has many wild life sanctuaries

Many people don’t know that there is abundant wild life in Goa. Goa has many wild life sanctuaries like Bondla, Bhagwan Mahaveer, Mhadei, Mollem, Cotigao, Netravali etc. Most of them are situated on the eastern part of Goa & are a part of Western Ghats which are declared as the high biodiversity area with UNESCO World Heritage Site Status. These wildlife sanctuaries are very rich in flora & fauna. These are home to tigers, leopards, gaur, sambar, pythons, cobra, spotted deers & many species of birds. There are many waterfalls in these protected areas & help of forest department can be taken to explore these treasures of Goa.

11. Enjoy the monsoon of Goa

Wet Goa is a feast to eyes

Fifty shades of grey in Goan monsoon

During the high season hordes of tourists come from all over the world to Goa but Goa has its own charm during the monsoon.  Wet Goa is a feast to eyes with overflowing Mandovi , Zuari rivers & lush green hills around. The beaches are less populous & you can be at peace at any of the attractions. All the star hotels offer very lucrative schemes during this season & air fares are very cheap too. You can see the greenery everywhere & Susegad Goa becomes more Susegad during this season.