Posts Tagged ‘Goa’

Awareness in Goa

Travel | Posted by admin
Jun 19 2009

The locals of Goa have an innate environmental awareness. There are many watchdog organizations today that ensure planted trees exceed cut trees; cut down due to booming construction activities. I was happy to see well taken care of inland waterways and mangroves . While driving inland through the hills, I purchased pineapples from the local roadside stalls and they were the best I’ve ever eaten, so sweet and succulent. The next day, while on the streets and markets of Pnajim, I saw old women hawking raw cashews and local Goan mangoes. I glances across the hills and saw the insistence of non-highrise of Goa Luxury Hotels. The coastal regulations prohibit construction within 500 meters of the coastline. I wish all of India’s coastlines had such rules in place. A true testament to Goa’s environmental awareness.

The older quarters in Panjim , now an historical site, has an amazing gully structure (small pathways), with even more amazing intricate carved and trellised houses marked with a clever way to annouce the owners name: a blue or dark blue plate fitted into the wall outside. Some are brick red that only add to the colors of the whiteness of the homes. This area is blessed with home-style restaurants serving Goan foods. A visiting friend of mine highly recommend that I treat myself to lunch in one of these restaurants. What a wonderful way to live in harmony with the land.

Given my first visit to Goa 30 years ago, one thing that reassures me is the effort being put in maintaining the greenery. Goa is still lush with mangroves, trees and individual riches that still counted in terms of how much land one has and how many mango, cashew and coconut tree crown it. I noticed that it was homes nestled amongst the trees and not the trees decorating the homes. I hope it will always stay this way.

Tags: , , , , ,
No Comments »

Beauty of Goa

Travel | Posted by admin
Jun 11 2009

Spend a couple of days wandering around Goa for a bit of culture to break up he days soaking up the sun on the beach or eating at any of the Four Star Hotels Goa restaurants. The streets of Goa are full of character without being hectic like other Indian towns. Goa is a tiny speck of sun-drenched, coconut palm tree and Hill locked spectacle surrounded by white topped sprays of salty blue waves. This little seaside state which has an identity which appears to be a seamless blend of Latino influence and Indian Heritage is crackling enough to be one of the Millennium destinations of the world.

The essence of Goa is the relaxed lifestyle, enlivened by the Goan love for music and dance, spiced up by its superb cuisine. Summers on the golden baked sands or winters floating in the warm waters is exciting and stimulating all year around. The scenic panoramic splendor of Goa simply dazzles as nature slowly reveals her treasures. Slowly unfolding miles of glorious water vistas of rivers and ponds, beckons one to enter the wooded hills and valleys. Dapples of whitewashed churches and temples only heighten the natural exquisite beauty. Then take the back roads to discover tiny villages hidden among spice plantations. Spot delicate birds in the wooded hills and become one with all that Goa’s nature offers.

Of course, there’s more than the Goan sun and natural beauty. The allure is quite distinct from the rest of India. It’s not just the familiar remnants of European colonialism or the exoticism that makes Goa so accessible, it’s the prevalence of a form of social and political progressiveness that any traveller feels they can understand and relate. Goans are very friendly and their joyousness of not being caught up in the rat race is contagious.

Tags: , , , ,
No Comments »

Goa’s Cultural Representations of Krishna

Travel | Posted by admin
Jun 08 2009

Krishna is a major deity from the ancient Sanskrit texts and is prevalent in many forms of Hinduism. Krishna’s significance varies, though he’s an extremely prominent God and is often associated with one of the incarnations of Vishnu. Other traditions consider Krishna to be the Supreme Being, or the svayam bhagavan. While Goa is an extremely diverse city, and is open and respectful of various religions and lifestyle orientations, it also has a major Hindu population and various aspects of the religion can be found throughout the city’s culture. Tourists who stay in the best hotels Goa are sure to take note of this in the many landmarks, and architectural aspects of the city.

Krishna is frequently depicted in paintings and other art as a small boy playing the flute. Other times he is depicted as a youthful prince who is giving spiritual guidance and support to others. These depictions are a reflection of Krishna’s representation in the texts Bhagavata Purana and the Bhagavad Gita. Various stories of this deity are found throughout history and the major Hindu sacred texts. Two other major sacred texts in which he appears are the Mahabharata and the Harivamsa . He has many archetypal characterizations, such as the prankster, the hero, and the model lover. The earliest manifestations of Krishna date back to the 4th century BCE. Devotion of him is not limited to Hinduism and is also found in Buddhism and Jainism. Krishna is easily recognized by his standard physical depictions. He is often portrayed as black or very dark in color and often in modern representations he is blue. Most often he is shown wearing a yellow silk dhoti with peacock headgear. When he is depicted playing the flute, he is often accompanied by cows, which reflects his status as the divine herdsman. When he is portrayed in temples, he is often depicted in a more formal pose standing upright. He may be portrayed alone, or with other figures.

Tags: , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Visiting Goa

Travel | Posted by admin
Feb 01 2009

Colonized by Portugal in the early sixteenth century, Goa is the only state in India that doesn’t reflect a strong British influence. Instead the area’s colonial architecture, customs, and heritage reflects Portuguese culture and style. Despite its previous strategic important, modern Goa is known mostly as a top Asian vacation spot due to its many beaches and its lively restaurants, bars, and night clubs.

Goan beaches offer a seemingly unlimited supply of sun, sand, and surf. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, visitors can enjoy scuba diving, snorkelling, and parasailing. The restaurants throughout the state offer fresh seafood served with the world famous feni to wash it down.

Visitors can find all sorts of accomodations from five star hotels in Goa to youth hostels, from camping to guest cottages, and, of course, there are numerous beach resorts that put you right on the water. The villages and cities in Goa offer a variety of markets and traditional stores for the tourist who must shop.

Some of the cultural and historic sites in Goa are worth investigating. Bom Jesus Basilica, the Goa State Museum, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception are popular with visitors. For a different experience, visit the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary or the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

Tags: , , ,
No Comments »