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Visit Olive Ridley Nesting Site

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Visit Olive Ridley Nesting Site Olive Ridley sea turtles visit a few Goan shores during the months of October to March to lay their eggs. (Picture of an Olive Ridley Turtle) The Olive Ridley turtles have a broad, heart shaped carapace with a flat top and are olive green in colour. They feed on marine life such as fish, crab, jellyfish and oysters. Having a strong homing instinct, these turtles travel a long distance to nest at the site of their birth. Morjim beach is one of the most favorite beaches the turtles choose to nest. (An Olive Ridley turtle laying it’s eggs in a nest) Once hatched, the baby turtles make their way to the sea, to return years later to lay their eggs! (A sign board at Morjim Beach, Goa)
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Strike a deal at the flea market

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Strike a Deal at the Flea Market (The flea market at Anjuna) A few years ago the flea market at Anjuna was a gathering of needy hippies who would sell of their meager belongings to survive a few more days in Goa Their wares mostly consisted of old jeans, cassettes, cameras, walkmen, watches and other gear. Those days, swanky college students were in urgent need of such rare imported stuff. (A stall at the Anjuna flea market) Today though the stuff is local (Indian), the crowd is mostly foreign. The flea market is so immensely popular with the foreigners that other tourist attractions in the state expect a low turnout on Wednesday’s, the day of the flea market at Anjuna
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Call on the Naval Aviation Museum

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The Naval Aviation Museum The only Naval Aviation Museum in India is situated in the vicinity of Vasco city, on the Bogmalo road and adjoining INS Hansa, the Naval Air Station. It houses a collection of memorabilia from Indian Aviation history. A Superconstellation aircraft welcomes visitors heading to the entrance of the outdoor museum where one can view the display of vintage aircrafts like the Sealand, Dove, Alize, Seahawk, the Vampire and Hughes Helicopter. The indoor section of the museum displays items of armaments, various equipment and an archive section. An aircraft simulator provides a virtual experience of flying in a Sea Harrier cockpit model. A section of the museum is dedicated to the display of uniforms and flying apparel worn by Aviation personnel. Adjoining this section is a model of an aircraft carrier. Visitors can learn of the history of Naval Aviation from the pictorial layout in the main gallery.
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The Mausoleum of St. Francis Xavier

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The Mausoleum of St. Francis Xavier  Enter the Basicilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa. It was designed in Florence by Giovanni Battista Foggini and gifted by a devotee of the Saint, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III. (A picture of the Basicilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa) On this Mausoleum is set the silver casket, designed by the Italian Jesuit Marcello Masteilli And executed by Gon goldsmiths. There within the silver casket, in crystal urn lie the Relics of the Body of St. Francis Xavier, who died on December 3,  1552. (A picture of the Silver Casket at the Basicilica of Bom Jesus , Old Goa) The Saint affectionately addressed as ‘Goencho Saib’, in the local language is believed to grant the petitions of the devout who pray at his Mausoleum. The day of his feast, the 3rd of December attracts crowds from all over the world.
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Cool Off at Dudhsagar Waterfalls

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Cool Off at Dudhsagar Waterfalls The river Khadepar originated in Karnataka and cascades down the lush Sahyadris as the most beautiful Dudhsagar Waterfalls. Dudhsagar which literally means ‘sea of milk’  leaves the onlookers spell bound and speechless. (This picture was taken by me while traveling from Goa to Tamil Nadu by train) Any train that exits Goa along the Southwestern Railway line passesby the Waterfalls. It does not halt there though so alight at Collem and board a Jeep (inquire at the railway station). It takes you to the waterfall while traveling over  rough terrain while passing through thick forests.
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Goan Weddings

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Goan Weddings  Culture and tradition run deep in Goan blood. Goan weddings aren’t just a day’s celebration, they spread over 4-5 days. Goans definitely take every celebration especially weddings very seriously!  The months of April, May and December witness a number of weddings in Goa. A Goan wedding is a big celebration. Here are some of the traditions that are followed during a big fat Goan wedding. The first tradition that is a must for a Goan wedding is ‘Chuddo’ In the Goan wedding culture, bangles are an important bridal accessory. It is a custom where the Goan bride has to wear the best bangles possible. These bangles of a particular colour and design are called ‘chuddo’. They are usually purchased from the regular/local bangle-seller of the village, known as the  volar  or  kankonkar  who is often invited over to the home. The bangles are made of glass and very delicate. This ceremony is usually performed at the...
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The Goan Fish Thali

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                 The Goan Fish Thali                               (Fish Thali at Peeps Kitchen (Caranzalem, Goa) The Goan cuisine mainly consists of ingredients in Goa mainly, Rice, Coconut and Seafood. The staple foods are Rice and Fish, Kingfish is the most common delicacy. The cuisine of Goa is influenced by its Hindu origins, the four hundred years of Portuguese colonialisation and the Muslim rule that preceded the Portuguese The Goan fish Thali is every seafood lovers dream which consists of Rice, Fish, Fish curry, vegetable ( Bhaji ), pickle, a salad, kokum and ‘ papad ’. Some of the popular restaurants in North Goa are: 1) Spice Goa (Fish Thali at Spice Goa) 2) Copperleaf (Fish Thali at Copperleaf, Porvorim) 3) Ritz Classic (Fish Thali at Ritz Classic, Panjim) So if you happen to visit Goa...
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