Goa

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Coastline of Anjuna, Goa

Introducing Goa

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Swaying palms, white sands and sparkling waters: the three essential elements that attract 2 million visitors annually to Goa’s balmy shores are plentiful in this tiny, glorious slice of India hugging the country’s western coastline and bounded by the Arabian Sea.

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A solitary Portuguese outpost in India for almost 500 years, the influence of colonial rule can still be seen everywhere: in the exquisite, crumbling architecture; in the East-meets-West cuisine which combines coconut milk, palm vinegar and chillies with the refined flavours of Lisbon; in the melancholy strains of fado that still waft occasionally on the bougainvillea-scented breeze; and in the siesta-saturated joie de vivre that Goans themselves call susegad.

Nowhere else in India will you find the laid-back languidness of a Goan lunchtime, the easy charms of its people or the soothing serenity of a day on its beaches. Here in Goa, a herd of water buffalo will greet you at breakfast; a lily-covered lake might provide the scenery for your morning walk; a sea eagle will be your afternoon companion along a deserted stretch of pristine beach; a gorgeously spice-laden vindalho (vindaloo) might make your evening repast and a fiery glass of cashew-palm feni liquor your bedtime tonic.

But there's far more to discover here than the exquisite pleasure of warm sand between your toes. Pep up your stay with a wander around a vanilla-scented spice plantation, stroll the bird-filled banks of the state's gentle rivers, poke around centuries-old cathedrals, and venture out to white-water waterfalls.

All is not perfect in paradise, however, and Goa has problems aplenty – the state's environment, in particular, is sorely taxed. Nevertheless, with a slowly growing group of environmentalists and ecofriendly individuals on the scene, the picture remains relatively rosy for this most magical of miniature states. So, come, minimise your impact as much as possible, and unwind to the swaying palms and Portuguese rhythms of Goa's still-irresistible charms.

Last updated: Jan 12, 2011

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Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. laketraveller avatar
    RE: India for 16 days

    by laketraveller 16 May 2012

    Sixteen days? Sorry, in sixteen days you don't have time to visit Mumbai, travel around the "Golden Triangle", Goa and Kerela. Fly to…
  2. Pirate_at_50 avatar
    RE: India for 16 days

    by Pirate_at_50 16 May 2012

    Don't go to Goa then, unless you DON'T want to see a beach. The tide will not have turned back quite yet.
  3. Nicklaszam avatar
    India for 16 days

    by Nicklaszam 16 May 2012

    Hey guys, Me and 4 of my friends are going to be in India from August the 18th till September the 3rd and was hoping if anyone can help…

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