Yes, I am already on the west coast of India… But it is still unknown to me South India… I came to legendary Goa – former Portugeese colony – then cheap base for the hippies located on the beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean…
Just imagine: Goa is not one spot – it is now the state of India and it has more then 100 km of the shore line.
I decided to stay in Panjim – the capital of the state located inland – on bank of the huge river Mandavi. It is convenient transport hub if you want to visit several places around. i stay in the Republica Hotel paying just 200 rupees for the room with fan and shared bath. No nets in the windows, so mosquitos are extra and for free. I appreciate mosquito net I carry with me – it is malaria zone…
Panaji or Panajim has nice old town with narrow streets and old portugeese architecture. There are a lot of churches spread out around the whole state. The main one: wonderful Immaculate Concepcion is jest 5 min walk from my place.
I visited one by one famous beaches of north Goa: at first probably the most picturesque Vagator located in the coves. Then Anjuna – rocky spot – hippy hang-out for travellers who came for sex, drugs and rock and roll and finally: the “Queen Beach”- as they call it – Calangute – very long and wide but crowded, noisy, full of local tourists restautanst and souvenir shops. I definitely do not recommend to you this area – the village is no longer a quite retreat for the vacationers from abroad… Let me see what I’ll find for you in the South Goa…
