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 SALLY
INTERCONTINENTAL will cater to all
your needs and requirements. Whether
you wish to go Scuba diving, relax on
the beaches, swim in the sparkling
waters of the Indian Ocean or indulge in Goan culinary
delights, Goa will make you feel
you are really on holiday, a holiday
to remember.
Goan
cooking is famous throughout the world.
It is Indo-Portuguese cooking at its best,
it combines the spices of India
with the subtle blending and flavours
of Lusitania,. epitomising Goa’s
rich Portuguese heritage. Goan chefs are noted
for their gastronomic talents.
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R I V E R
B O A T G A M B L I N G
Cruising down the Mandovi on the floating Casino Goa is
the latest attraction. Cartoonist MARIO MIRANDA, who's never gambled
in his life,finds that Lady Luck has a different meaning here.
 WINE
MAKING IN GOA
Traditional wine-making is a dying art in Goa. It was an ancient
craft in Mespotamia. It looks like bread and wine making were
the forerunners of modern biotechnology. The Portuguese introduced
the fine Hispano-French art of making wine to Goa. Local wine-makers
improved their recipes and techniques. The 'vice-chancellor' of
Goa's 'university of home-made wine-making' Edwin (affectionately
called Eddy) Saldanha, is a reservoir of knowledge. From scouting,
horticulture, mushroom cultivation to taxidermy and wine making,
Eddy the wine maker spellbinds you with his rich practical experience.
BEACHES OF GOA
North Goa beyond the north of River Mandovi with
a long stretch of Beaches namely: Betim, Reis Magos, Sinquerim,
Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Chapora,Siolim, Chopdem,
Morgim, Mandarem, Asvem, Arambol, Querim, and Terekol.
South Goa is predominantly virgin countryside.
The beaches of South Goa are fantastic. Most of the beaches are
isolated from anything that might disturb the peace, all you have
to do here is enjoy the beaches, wonderful food and hospitality
of the locals. The long stretch of beaches are Miramar, Dona Paula,
Vainguinim, Bambolim, Vasco da Gama, Bogmalo, Velsao, Cansaulim,
Arrosim, Utorda, Majorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca,
Cavelossim, Mobor, Betul, Cabo Da Rama, Agonda, Palolem, Galjibag
& Polem.
Red tape: Visas are required — details available
from the Indian High Commission (0900-188 0800, 60p a minute).
Health: Goa has a full range of tropical diseases,
including malaria: most resort areas are well sprayed and the
tourist season (November to April) is not the wet season so the
risk is relatively low; cover up and use repellent at dawn and
dusk.
There is a risk of Hepatitis A, but in children this is generally
a mild disease and confers lifelong immunity, so vaccination is
not necessarily recommended. Ensure that child food and drink
is made up only with bottled water and treat their diet with care.
Travel tips: The flight takes 11 hours and the
time difference can disturb young sleep rhythms. Disposable nappies
can be bought in Goa.
Further information: India Tourist Office (020-7437
3677).
Lifestyle of Goa
People from Goa are known as 'Goans'. This identity is enough to tell the difference especially in their lifestyle. The 450 years' rule of the Portuguese has added a new dimension by introducing their religion, belief, customs, attire, festivals, education, literature, modes of entertainment, and behaviour. A lot was absorbed and moulded into tradition and incorporated into lifestyle. Thus Goans became unique in India. Goan lifestyle reflects a unique blend of East and West.
Goans live life in style. That is in short Goan life style. Rich or not so rich, they do not equate life with money. Goans work and earn and spend in dress, food, entertainment and festivals. Goans love rest and the afternoon "Siesta" from 1-4 pm. The shops are closed from 1 -5 pm. Their life is peaceful, not driven by modern day sentiments, anxieties, tensions and other ills of a fast life.
They are deeply religious. They follow family tradition and celebrate festivals with much religious fervour. Yet they are secular-minded. Goans share their joys and sorrows with others, cutting across religious barriers. In villages, during festivals, the whole village takes part irrespective of caste or religion and becomes a big family.
Food is their love. Pao, the bread, is ubiquitous throughout Goa. A gift of the Portuguese, Pao has become an essential part of food habit. Fish is another favourite and a must in a Goan's plate. Sea-food is a speciality.
Another Portuguese connection is that there is no prohibition in Goa. Goa's famous contribution is fenny, the drink prepared from the cashew apple. Fenny preparation is in fact a cottage industry in Goa. In villages, fenny is prepared in many a house. Drink is also cheaper than in other parts of India. Yet Goans drink within control.
Dance and Music is in their blood and tradition. Goans dance to the maddening lilting tune of Latino music and sing together. At the same time Indian classical music is so dear to the Goans that theirs is the land that produced some of the most revered names of Indian classical music.
Goans are hard working too. Their ancestors tilled this salty, barren land and made it fertile. Goans are everywhere in the world. For livelihood, Goans have migrated in large numbers, but they always retain the connection with their motherland. At least once in five years they surely go back to their motherland.
Goans love cleanliness, spaciousness and nature. Their houses reflect their nature the best way. Come and stay in Goa as a dear guest. You will never know when you have become a member of a family.
Goans trust in the eternal Indian tradition of
"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the whole world is a family. "
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Fairs & Festivals of Goa
Throughout the year, every month, you will find fair and festival of one kind or the other. These are mainly religious and social in nature. But purely artistic festivals are also organized such as Kala Academy's annual festivals, which draw artists and art lovers from all over India.
The dates of religious festivals are decided according to respective religious calendars. Some festivals like Shigmo and Carnival though have religious origin, but with mass appeal have become the festivals of the whole state and society. Some festivals are celebrated all over Goa, while some take place at particular places. They are deeply religious. They follow family tradition and celebrate festivals with much religious fervour.
The Portuguese introduced the Carnival not only in Brazil but also in Goa, namely in February, before Lent. During the carnival the Konkani concerts called "Tiatre" were held and became popular to this day. Now for every festival there are one or two Konkani concerts called "Tiatre".
The Hindu festivals celebrated all over Goa include Makarsankranti, Maha Shivaratri (worship of Lord Shiva), Holi or Shigmo (the Festival of Colours), Gudi Parva ( Hindu New Year), Ramnavami (Birthday of Lord Rama), Nagapanchami, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami (Birthday of Lord Krishna), Ganesh Chaturthi (worship of Ganesha, the God of omen), Dussera (the victory celebration of Lord Rama over Ravana, the King of Lanka), Narakasur and Diwali (the Festival of Light).
Other Hindu festivals relate to annual worship and celebration of various temple deities at different Hindu temples spread all over Goa. These are marked by colourful palanquin processions (jatra) and known after the name of the place where it occurs. Examples include Bodegeshwar Jatra, Marcela Jatra, Kavalem Jatra, Shri Hanuman Jatra at Kavalem, Manguesh jatra, Mardol Jatra, Santeri Jatra at Pale, Fatorpa Gulal, Zambaulin Gulal, Lairai Jatra at Shirgao, Vasco Saptaha, Dindi at Margao, Borim Jatra, Nagueshi Jatra, Madkai Jatra and Shri Datta Jayanti at Sankhali.
The major Christian Festivals are the Feast of Three Kings (Quelim, Chandor and Reis Magos), Procession of All Saints ( Goa Velha), Feast of Our Lady of Miracles (Mapusa), Sao Joao (all over Goa), Feast of Assumption of Our Lady (Panaji), Novidades (all over Goa), Fama de Minino Jesus ( Colva), Feast of St. Francis Xavier (Old Goa), Feast of the Lady of Immaculate Conception (Panaji, Margao) and Christmas.
The Muslim festivals include Idul Fitra and Muharam .
The most popular public festivals are Carnival , Shigmo and Food Festival
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CHURCHES AND TEMPLES IN GOA
FORTS AND MONUMENTS
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Where
else can you spend 2 hours over breakfast and not think twice
about it? What other country is so easily accessible, so cheap
and yet so beautiful, and where else are the locals like good
friends you've yet to acquaint? There is no doubt about it, you
will be hooked on Goa and would dream of returning again and again.
