Goa: The state of Abundant Variety

I was just having a chat with a colleague, who has her roots in Goa, today morning… I was astonished to hear that “Goa” for her is just a place for a vacation! Isn’t it strange? “Let me find a job in Goa” hasn’t this thought struck your mind sometimes? But then she also said something with which I could relate..Her point of view was that never work in a place u like..the things u like about that palce will get routine and u will start hating the place..so true!! And so theres a place on the map of India that I like..GOA.

Of all the places I have been to, till date, Goa is a state with most variety. I guess most will agree with that..but what does this variety mean? Is it variety of beaches? Or food? Or spirits? Most people will also agree to this too. But there is much more to Goa than this. The crowded beach shacks, pubs n discos, cheap alcohol, watersports, beaches and some beautiful sights on the beaches ;) are just a small part of what Goa is.

Apart from the “chill out” beaches of North Goa, with colourful markets, buzzing café’s, relaxing shacks..ultimate food experience..a vibrant nightlife, Goa has a silent southern side. This part of goa does offer you all the services like shacks and beaches etc..but the things are much less noisy here..beaches are not thronged with shacks, neither they are crowded with tourists..they are peaceful too..you can easily spend a few hours sipping your beer on a beach bed without being disturbed by hawkers selling stuff and offering massages n tattoo’s etc

Central Goa mostly has the Local beaches like Miramar and Colva and the huge Mandovi River and the boat ferries and casinos. It also is a home to the most famous of Goa’s churches and cathedrals and temples. Old Goa offers you glimpses of the rich Indo-Portuguese past of Goa.

 

 

On one side of Goa you can get world cuisine, whereas, as you go towards the eastern side, finding a decent place to have breakfast is difficult..(I was searching for a hotel for almost 15-20 kms and all I could see were small bars). The original goan cuisine in itself is a mélange of Konkani/malvani,  Portuguese and Mughal cuisines. The xacuti, cafreal and vindaloo each leave a mark on ur taste buds. So does the freshly baked “Unde” (brown bread) and Paav-Patal Bhaaji (Yellow Chana gravy with paav). I was once roaming through the Mapusa market and was astounded by the variety of spices available there.

Travelling is fun in Goa. Beautiful roads, ferries and mesmerizing landscapes all make the drives very exciting. Whether you are driving a car or a 2 wheeler, its always fun.

 

If an outsider comes to Goa for the first time, he would say that the native goans will be very open minded and fun loving. But surprisingly they are not. The native goans, though fun loving and warm, are also very conservative.

 

Destination Vijaydurg!!

And I am back...

With a few unfinished posts from the past (i am trying to remember and write now..will take some time)..its been a long time since I have updated all of you about our next adventure..

This time we ride to Vijay Durga, a small but historically important village nestled on the Arabian sea coast.
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Some information about Vijay Durga:
(Courtesy: Wikipedia, Photo's by Wanderer)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijaydurg_Fort

Vijaydurg (sometimes written as Viziadrug), the oldest fort on the Sindhudurg coast, was constructed during the regime of Raja Bhoja II of the Shilahar dynasty (construction period 1193-1205). The fort was earlier known as "Gheria", as it is situated close to the village of "Girye". Shivaji captured this fort from Adil Shah of Bijapur in 1653 and renamed it as "Vijay Durg" as the then Hindu solar year's name was "Vijay" (Victory).

Earlier, the fort encompassed an area of 5 acres (1 acre = 4840 square yards or 4047 square metres) and was surrounded by sea on all four sides. Over the years the eastern trench was reclaimed and a road constructed thereon. Presently the area of fort is about 17 acres and is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides. Shivaji extended the area of the fort by constructing three walls on the eastern side, each 36 metres high. He also constructed 20 bastions.

According to legend, this is one of only two Maratha forts where Shivaji personally hoisted the saffron flag. The other fort is "Torana".

Vijaydurg Fort was called the "Eastern Gibraltar", as it was virtually impregnable. Its locational advantages include the 40 km long Waghotan/Kharepatan creek. Large vessels cannot enter the shallow water of this creek. Also, Maratha warships could be anchored in this creek and yet remain invisible from the sea. It is a protected monument.

Vijay Durga Fort from Vijaydurga Port (Photo By Wanderer)

Mighty Bastions of the Fort (Photo By Wanderer)

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The route is a long one...as always we will NOT be heading straight to the destination but will take a nice longer and much scenic route.