The Complete Guide To Goa(India)

Most visitors – including those on charter flights from Britain – arrive at the busy and confusing airport of Dabolim. The nearest town is Vasco da Gama, named after the Portuguese explorer. But to start to make sense of Goa, you should begin in the state capital, Panaji. (Like most places in Goa, the “Indianised” name has taken precedence over the Portuguese rendition, Panjim.)Beside the broad, sluggish Mandovi River, all the paraphernalia of a Portuguese city has been established – and much of it has endured. The church is the most visible symbol: Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception perches on a hill, keeping a maternal eye on the once-splendid villas that clutch at her skirts. Their pastel colours fade deliciously in the hazy sunshine, while their residents ascend for services in English, Portuguese or Konkan – the local language, and also the name of the high-speed railway line from Mumbai that has helped put Goa on the map for Indian visitors.

Six miles upriver is the original Portuguese capital, now called Old Goa. In the 16th century it was one of the most opulent places on earth; today the wealth belongs to nature. The sight of a miraculously preserved Portuguese city rising from the jungle is remarkable. Take in the vision from the original church of Our Lady of the Mount. Dotted in the thick woodland below are some spectacular relics of the empire. On a far hill, the church of St Augustine has degenerated beyond the point of no return, but in the valley a selection of grand structures remains. The most haunting is St Cajetan’s church, which is a lofty imitation of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The dome may not be quite as vast as the one in Rome, but the Vatican cannot boast Islamic masonry outside the front door.The only evidence of the palace of Adil Shah, who ruled Goa before the Portuguese arrived, comprises a lonely arch propped up in the churchyard. The rest of the stone was taken to be used in the promulgation of Christianity.
The riches that the governors and merchants of Goa enjoyed are evident in the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a great ecclesiastical lump plonked right in the middle of Old Goa. It was built to house the remains of St Francis Xavier. He was the Portuguese missionary charged with evangelising the Indies, and became Goa’s patron saint. He died while spreading the gospel in China. He lies in a Florentine casket of solid silver.

Goa’s charm lies chiefly in the wealth of beautiful beaches lining the shores, each with its own appeal. Take your pick from about 30 beaches strung out along the coastline. Swimming in the sea is generally safe in designated areas but take care in the months of October and November when the seabed is still settling after the monsoon. While Goa’s reputation as one of the most liberal Indian states means that sunbathing in a bikini is entirely accepted, it is important to remember that topless sunbathing is illegal and wearing flimsy shorts or a bikini anywhere other than the beach is extremely disrespectful. The image of loose Western women has been circulated by the Indian media and as a result foreigners can sometimes experience pestering from local men asking for a photo or simply staring. These annoyances are less frequent on the northern beaches which are generally considered to be the most dynamic, developed and tourist populated. This also means that the best deals can often be found on packages to these areas. Calangute and Baga, for example, are prime destinations for tour operators. While lacking much authentic Indian charm, they do cater for all tastes and also house some of the most luxurious hotels.
Anjuna beach, the original hippy hangout, has changed dramatically since its original days but retains a touch of the unconventional. Try to get here on a Wednesday to see the extensive flea market. Here you will find hawkers selling jewellery, fabrics and trinkets from all over India, their wares spread out under the shade of palm trees. Head north and you’ll find peace again on the beaches of Mandrem, Asvem and Arambol – broad sweeps of fawn sand, backed by thickets of palm trees and casuarina pines.
Similarly unspoilt is Palolem, one of the state’s most southerly beaches. With postcard-perfect views, lazy beach life and a chilled-out nightlife this broad bay has little in common with the more commercialised northern beaches. For something even quieter, wander south to the next beach along, Patnem.

The best time to visit Goa is after the monsoon, which lasts from June until late September. The cooler tourist season begins in November and lasts until March. Even during the cool season temperatures can peak at 31C and drop down to around 23C. There is a massive influx of tourists over the holiday season from mid-December to late January, so prices rocket. The hottest months to visit are usually April and May when temperatures can reach 33C, but it is also very humid during this time.

Question by 20Gee13: Why dosen’t Arkansas have a international airport, travelers have to go to Memphis for direct flights?
Why dosen’t Arkansas have an international aiport. I know they have the Little Rock Nat’l Airport, Northwest Arkansas Regional airport, Texarkana regional airport, and Fort Smith regional airport I think.

Best answer:

Answer by Neil
To Memphis? No, more often to Chicago, or DFW, or New York. Or LAX, or DTW. Rarely to Memphis.

Even from many “international airports” one often has to take a domestic hop before continuing to one’s foreign destination. There are many international airports in the United States where “international” just means there are flights to Canada, or to Mexico, or to a few countries in the Americas. In some cases all “international” means is that the airport is certified to handle international flights – even though there currently aren’t any.

So why does’t Arkansas have internaional airports? No (sufficient) demand, pure and simple.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!