The Hindu Business Line : Go, go... Goa!

Four thousand years of history, the Portuguese legions, the architectural heritage, white washed Baroque churches, a typical `creole' character, the sleepy villages, crime free, hassle free, beautiful sandy beaches, lovely country sides, abundant seafood, tempting Feni... that's Goa for you — the land of the sun, surf, sea and sand.

If you thought Goa was only about sun bathing in winters, virgin beaches and blue sea, you haven't explored Goa yet. Because it is only during the monsoon that this place glitters at its best. The paddy fields are a lush green, natural lagoons flow here and there, Goan women take to the fields where they sow seeds in a perfect row, and, in the midst of all this, a sense of calm. There are less tourists, hence no confusion and no crowd; all that is left to be done is just walk on the beach and get wet.

The place allows you to freak out in minimum clothes and bathroom slippers. No need to get dressed up; shorts and doing nothing more than lounging on the beach are enough to put you on a high. Hire a car and hit the long, winding picturesque roads, you will end up reaching a new place, definitely not where you wanted to go, but a new discovery which you won't regret. Good macadam roads as against our familiar bumpy (kacha) ones. No honking, no traffic jam and not a single red light. Sounds abnormal?

A two-day stay at four beautiful properties of Goa — The Leela, Park Hyatt, Ramada Caravela Beach Resort and Heritage Village — gives you a wonderful experience in terms of ambience, service and cuisine. The Leela Resort has one of the most amazing architecture and interiors. The private lagoons with rooms and a private swimming pool with a villa give you a `non-hotel' like living experience in elegant, soothing, natural environs. The new property of Hyatt is worth seeing. The youthful, motivated staff here, never seem to be tired of smiling. And the hotel's stylish spa is its USP.

The stay at Ramada can be very comfortable and enjoyable, and the Caravela cruise, India's only live gaming casino, very memorable. And the Heritage Village is somewhat like a homecoming.

There is plenty to do in Goa, provided you want to leave the beach. For the real feel, wander around, pause to admire the magnificent pieces of architecture and you are bound to fall in love with the real Goa.

Old Goa is home to some of the most famous, richest and most ornate churches. The massive Portuguese-Gothic Cathedral of St Catherine da Se, called `Se Cathedral', is worth seeing. It is famous for its `Golden Bell'. Across Old Goa's main square is the Basilica de Bom Jesu, the Jesuit Church that houses the remains of St Francis Xavier, Goa's patron saint.

Fort Aguada, better known as the location of the Taj Group's luxurious North Goa resorts, is a must on the tourist's itinerary. Walk along the keyhole-shaped jetty for a superb view of the coast from Sinquerim almost up to Baga, and then walk up the hill to see the citadel and the 1864-built lighthouse. The Fort still functions as a prison as well.

In South Goa, three temples are popular — Shri Mangueshi temple, Mahalsa temple and Shantadurga temple. The Shri Mangueshi Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, built in 1567, is a colourful mixture of Hindu, Muslim and Portuguese influence, and has a distinctive seven-tiered lamp-tower in the courtyard. It is a breathtaking sight when lit up during festivals.

If you want to see a rich collection of rare valuable items, then go to the 17th-century mansion of Menezes Braganza. You will be astonished to see 500-year-old pottery from Macau, ikat from Timor, carvings and baskets from Mozambique and tapestries from Ormuz.

If you want to step into Goa's past, then you must see `Ancestral Goa' at Loutulim, 10 km from Margao. It is a mock Goan village dating back a century, and shows the lifestyle, traditions and customs of the people back then, including their clothes, food and some rare plants and herbs. While you are here, look for `Natural Harmony', the longest laterite monolithic sculpture that finds a mention in the Limca Book Of Records. There is also `Big Foot', Goa's largest designer dance floor.

Ramada Caravela is a major attraction, with smooth croupiers manning the blackjack, American roulette and baccarat tables at the casino. It sails from the Fisheries Jetty opposite Hotel Mandovi at Panjim at 8 p.m. and returns by 3 a.m. Besides lavish dinner and unlimited booze, there is an on deck swimming pool to freshen you up.

While partying, shopping, dancing and generally strolling around are all at their best in Goa, eating too can be real fun, here. Goa is certainly a paradise for seafood aficionados, but it isn't all about fish curry and rice. You could try out exciting new cuisines at a variety of smart restaurants and enjoy the diversity of of the local cuisine.

There is no good holiday without good liquor, and the good news is that booze is very cheap in Goa. There are all kinds of eateries, ranging from five-star hotel speciality restaurants to beach shacks, to cafes to really simple holes-in-the-walls serving every possible cuisine on earth: Thai, Continental, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Indian and, of course, the local cuisine.

Savoi Plantation, along the banks of the river Mandovi, is the most amazing spice farm of Goa, where you can take an hour-visit inside the farm to see traditional Goan organic methods of farming. It is a pleasure to see such an exotic variety of spices and tropical plants grown in abundance.

After the educational walk in the farm, you will be served the most delicious lunch with farm-fresh ingredients, in the verandah overlooking a natural lake. The platter comes on a banana leaf placed inside a bamboo plate. The starters are served in coconut shells. And, the meal is not without the drink — the famous Feni and `cokam cola'. You can even stay at the farm on prior notice.

Tourists thronging a flea market in Goa.

Shopping is a delight in Goa. Pick up a psychedelic sarong, some halter-tops and may be a couple of souvenirs. While there are a few flea markets for some interesting gifts, there are also upmarket boutique showrooms, most prominent being Ritu Nanda's Camelot and Sangolda in a 200-year-old Portuguese mansion.

So, if you want to de-stress yourself without looking at the watch, and let the day just flow over you without a ripple, go to Goa. The cares of the world be damned!

Pictures by Paul Noronha

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