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A short guide to; Agonda beach, south Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:37:00 +0000

Fishingboats on Agonda beach, south Goa

Agonda beach

Agonda beach is located in Canacona taluka, south Goa. The beach at Agonda is a stretch of pristine white sand lined with palm trees, it’s wide and almost 3km’s long. With large headlands protruding into the sea, clearly defining it, on either end. The quaint little village lies just behind the beach. The centre of the villages, around the church, is located roughly at the middle of the beach. A small road runs through the village and continues to run parallel with the beach in both directions. Pretty much everything on Agonda beach is on either side of this road, most places to stay, eat or drink, more than a few little shops selling all the necessity's needed for a stay on the beach, a few beauty parlours, yoga places, scooters and motorbikes for rent, and of course shops and stalls selling the usual tourist trinkets, jewellery, clothes and what have you. At the very southern, less built-up, end of the beach is a space designated for overland travellers, usually you will find about a half dozen or so of these adventurers, in trucks of various sizes, camping out in the palm grove next to the beach. At the very northern end of the beach, at the river inlet, is the place where the local fishermen keep their boats and bring their fresh catch.

Shack, Agonda beach, south Goa

Places to stay, eat & drink

Agonda beach has seen a great deal of new developments over the last few years, beach huts and resorts now cover most of the beach front, in a pretty much uninterrupted row from one end of the beach to the other. Even so, it never feels over crowded. This said, the choice of places to stay, eat & drink on Agonda beach is becomming really good. You will find a wide range of accommodation, everything from basic backpacker places to very comfortable beach resort style places, and a good number of restaurants serving Goan, other Indian and European food. Agonda is not a spot for nightlife, quite the opposite actually. after 10pm the beach is quiet and the lights are off. Agonda is a very relaxed and silent place, perfect for a ‘get away from it all’ beach holiday or for families. If you need some more action, Palolem beach offer much more nightlife, and is only a short rickshaw ride away. There are many places to stay, eat & drink in Agonda, often the good places to stay will also be good places to eat & drink, and vice versa. Listed below are some of the more popular places.

(in no particular order)

Recommended by about goa

Agonda white sand

Other popular places

Jardim a mar Cuba Rama resort H2O Agonda Maria Paulo guest house Agonda paradise

Om Sai beach huts Madhu Beach Huts Romance beach huts

Getting there and away

Dabolim airport, the only airport in Goa, 65km’s, airport pick-up/drop-off is Rs 1000-1500.The nearest Train station, Canacona station, and the nearest Kadamba bus stand are both in Chaudi, 8 km’s away.

Getting around

Getting around in Goa is easy. Goa is a small state with relatively short distances, transportation is easy to find and inexpensive. The area around Agonda offers beautiful lush landscapes and off the beaten track beaches, it’s well worth exploring. The following options are the most common.

-By taxi: read more about taxi in Goa here

-By bus: read more about buses in Goa here

-By scooter or motorbike: read more about renting a scooter or motorbike in Goa here

Places near Agonda

Beaches

Palolem Patnem Talpona Galgibagh Cola Polem Xendrem

Towns

Chaudi Margao

Agonda beach photos

See all the photos from Agonda beach and all other Goa photos, in the about goa Picasa album.

Late afternoon on Agonda beach, south Goa

Local fishermen in the sunset, Agonda beach, south Goa

Rickshaw stand, beachroad, Agonda beach, south Goa

Beach road, Agonda beach, south Goa

Fishermen. off the beach, Agonda beach, south Goa

Fishingboat on the beach, Agonda beach, south Goa

Overlanders camp, Agonda beach, south Goa

Getting there and away; southeast Asia just a hop, skip and jump away

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:06:00 +0000

Flights to and from southeast Asia

Getting to India from South-east Asia has never been to much of a challenge and nowadays it is even less so. The overland trip through South-east Asia have been hugely popular with travellers since the 1970’s, and will more then often begin or end in India. The number of international holidaymakers, to both South-east Asia and the Indian subcontinent, has risen steadily for many years, and the regions are now among the most popular destinations in the world for holidaymakers and travellers alike. Over the last decade or so there has also been a big increase in the number of middle-class Indian Holiday makers going to South-east Asia, with Thailand being by far the most favourite destination.

All this considered it comes as no surprise that the number of flights to India from the Southeast Asian nations, and vice versa, is huge, and you will have no problems what so ever in finding a suitable flight to India from almost anywhere in South-east Asia. The major travel hubs in the region are Singapore, Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur and Penang) and of Course Thailand. Cheap flights to Thailand (Bangkok) are the most numerous and frequent. With several flights daily you will have no problems finding a good deal.

From Bangkok you will find direct flights to almost all major Indian airports, cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are served by many of the big Indian, Asian and international carriers. From Mumbai you will also find direct flights to the ‘holidaymaker heaven’ island of Phuket, and rumour has it that flights from New Delhi and Kolkata are in the pipeline and about to start soon.

Currently there are no direct flights from Thailand or anywhere else in Southeast Asia to Goa, but you will not struggle to find a connecting flight between the major Indian airports and Goa’s Dabolim international airport. Flights are frequent and reasonably priced.

Read more about domestic flights to Goa here.

India's New Anthem, togethter we will prevail

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:25:00 +0000

A short guide to; Talpona beach, south Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:50:00 +0000

Talpona beach, south Goa

Talpona beach

Talpona beach is located in Canacona taluka, south Goa. Its nearest neighbours are Galgibaga beach , just beyond the headland to the south, and Rajbaga beach across the Talpona river to the north. Talpona is a sleepy little fisherman's village centred around a small dock at the north end of the beach. The beach is a wide, 1 km stretch of unspoilt golden sand, back droped, at the north end, by the little village and scattered palm and pine trees, at the south end by bushes and a large open area. At both ends of the beach are wooded headlands sticking out into the sea. Except for two local bars that serve cold drinks, and a couple of shacks on the beach, the only activity on Talpona beach is relaxing at the beach. Even if chanses are you will not stay here, Talpona beach and neighbouring Galgibaga beach are good day trips from the more popular beaches in the area. Even if Talpona beach is beautiful, totally unspoilt, and close to all the more popular south Goa beaches, chances are that you will have it pretty much all to yourself.

Places to stay, eat & drink

Options for accommodation in Talpona are limited to the riverside guesthouse, as the name implies it is by the river, just before you enter the village. There are two basic places on the beach itself (one of them being built this season might not be open for business yet), and a couple of houses on the beach to rent by the season. Options for eating and drinking are the above mentioned places and the local bars.

Getting there & away

Talpona is within easy reach of other Canacona beaches, such as Palolem, Patnem and Agonda. To get to Talpona beach just drive on the NH-17 south from Chaudi until you get to the exit for Galgibaga, follow the small road and, after 3-4 km’s, you’ll reach Talpona, it’s just before Galgibaga. The other, shorter, option is to find the small bridge crossing the Talpona river about halfway between the NH-17 and Talpona, to do this turn right in Chaudi, drive approximately 300 meters, and then turn left, right if you’re coming from Patnem, onto the small country lane that end at the bridge. This way is, shorter, but not obvious, and it is highly recommended to ask the locals for directions.

Things to do

Talpona beach is not an not an option if you are looking for activities, of any sort. Relaxing on the beach is the one and only avalible activity.

Places near Galjibaga beach

Beaches

Palolem Patnem Agonda Galgibaga Polem Xendrem

Towns

Chaudi

Talpona beach Photos

See all the photos from Talpona beach and all other Goa photos, in the about goa Picasa album.

The dock, Talpona beach, south Goa

Talpona beach, south Goa

The Talpona river, Talpona beach, south Goa

Talpona beach, south Goa

Talpona beach, south Goa, looking north

Talpona beach, south Goa, looking south

Who’s driving that red jeep; Lifeguards on all Goa beaches

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:19:00 +0000

Lifeguards on Cola beach, south Goa

Lifeguards on all Goa beaches

This season has seen a much increased number of lifeguards on the Goa beaches. The major beaches have been patrolled for a few years already, but this season all of the popular beaches, and even some ‘off the beaten track’ ones, are being patrolled as well. The force of lifeguards, more than 500 men strong, dressed in bright red and yellow outfits, with yellow surf rescue boards and red Mahindra lifeguard jeeps are a welcome and noticeable presence on the beaches.

In early December The Miramar beach lifeguard tower turned into a fortress of disgruntled lifeguards demanding the suspension of a senior officer who allegedly had hit one of the lifeguards at the annual party organized by their employer Drishti Special Response Service (DSRS), as well as a salary hike and reduced work hours. This conflict soon grew in to a full fledged strike, with some 300 lifeguards not turning up for work, and bringing lifeguard services on all Goa beaches to an abrupt halt. All of this happened just as the peak season was about to start, and it seemed for a while that the whole thing would come tumbling down just as hoards of tourists were arriving in Goa for the holiday seasons. In the end though, no surprise, the lifeguards surrendered and came back to work. Drishti’s response to their demands was simple, a full page add in the ‘times of India’ looking for 300 new lifeguard recruits.

The many popular Goa beaches attract millions of holiday makers and travellers every year, and each year a number of accidents, and unfortunately a few deaths, happen. Hopefully the presence of trained lifeguards will help a lot to keep this numbers to a minimum and make the Goa beaches as safe as possible. The lifeguards have done a good job so far and have probably saved a few lives this season. And if you ask me, I think they probably deserve that raise.

Lifeguards at work on Goa beaches

Photos of lifeguards at work, from various Goa beaches:

A short guide to; Palolem beach, south Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:02:00 +0000

Dawn at Palolem beach, south Goa

Palolem beach

Palolem beach is situated in the very south of Goa state, within the taluka (district) of Canacona, Canacona taluka stretches from the Karnataka border in the south to the beginning of the Colva bay, in the north. In this area you will find, except for Palolem, beaches like Polem, Galgibaga, Patnem, Agonda and Cola, the administrative centre of the area is the small market town of Chaudi where you will also find the districts main bus terminal and the Canacona train station. The area is not very big, and most places are within comfortable daytrip reach from Palolem. Palolem is the most popular tourist destination in the area and is visited by tourist from all over the world, including a growing number of domestic visitors. Being the most popular destination in south Goa, Palolem beach can be very crowded during high season. The peak season however is short, 2-3 weeks around the Christmas and new year holidays. Outside of this 'silly season' Palolem seldom gets overly crowded. The beach itself is a perfect crescent shape bay with fine grain golden sand at the south end and powdery white sand at the north end, the entire 1,6km stretch is fringed with large palm trees and an occasional banyan tree. The beach is where everything happens in Palolem, for tourists as well as locals, the beach is alive with people and animals, moving around at almost all hours of the day. Palolem has been voted to be among the 10 best beaches in the world, several times. More posts about Palolem beach.

Places to stay, eat & drink

Palolem beach has a large selection of places to stay, eat & drink, in Almost all accommodation on Palolem beach are in huts, plywood, palm tree wood and bamboo are the most common building materials, and, believe it or not, all of them are disassembled at the end of each season, only to be re-built again five months later. Buildings on the beach are regulated by the CRZ (coastal regulations zone) act of 1991, and as such are restricted to non-permanent, non-concrete buildings. The accommodation range from very simple huts with nothing but a fan, rock-hard mattress and a mosquito-net, to well built wooden huts with comfy beds, some other furniture, sea-views and attached bathrooms, a few places have a/c huts, but it’s not common, and not really needed for most of the season. Remember that even the best huts, are non-permanent huts, on the beach, and most of them can not compare with the luxuries of beach accommodation found other places in south-east Asia. Prices range from Rs500-5000, Rs1000 and up will get you a decent hut with attached bathroom in normal season, in the peak season, mid December to mid January, prices usually double. Eating and drinking at Palolem beach is usually a real treat, most places are good, and some are really good. Many of the places have new chefs and staff every year, so it’s a good idea to ask other travellers or the staff at your place which places are rumoured to be the best this season. Some places that seem to deliver at a constant high level are; Dropadi by the main road, Fernandes (both of them) and cosy nook at the north side of the beach, Ciarans and Marron at the south side of the beach. Often the good places to stay will also be good places to eat & drink, and vice versa. Listed below are some of the more popular places.

(in no particular order)

Recommended by about goa

Cosy nook Ordo Sounsar Ciarans Marron beach resort Fernandes no.2 Dropadi

Other popular places

Presley Brendon guest house Papillon Cuba Cafe del mar Palolem beach resort Dylan

Things to do

Palolem beach offer a lot of things to do, day and night. Daytime; Take a trip with the local fishermen, dolphin or/and fishing trips in the early morning and late afternoon, take a backwater trip (high tide is the best time), or rent a kayak and explore by yourself. rent a scooter or motorbike, there are lots of things to see and places to visit in the area around Palolem, all the beaches and sights in Canacona, from Polem beach in the very south of the taluka to Cananguinim beach in the north, and everything in between is within easy reach for a day trip. In the evening; explore the many places to eat & drink on Palolem beach, and later, if you feel up to it, try the Palolem nightlife. If you want to party on Palolem beach the obvious choice is ‘Silent noise’ at Neptune point (every Saturday night)on the far south side of the beach, other places that are known to put on a good party are Alpha bar (every Thursday night) and Cafe del mar. No loud music is allowed on the beach after 11pm and all the big parties ,except the new years eve party, are headphone parties.

Getting around

Getting around in Goa is easy. Goa is a small state with relatively short distances, transportation is easy to find and inexpensive. The area around Palolem offers beautiful lush landscapes and off the beaten track beaches, it’s well worth exploring. The following options are the most common.

-By taxi: read more about taxi in Goa here

-By bus: read more about buses in Goa here

-By scooter or motorbike: read more about renting a scooter or motorbike in Goa here

Getting there and away

Dabolim airport, the only airport in Goa, 61km’s, airport pick-up/drop-off is Rs 1000-1500.The nearest Train station, Canacona station, and the nearest Kadamba bus stand are both in Chaudi just a few km’s away.

Places near Palolem

Beaches

Patnem Rajbaga Agonda Galgibaga Cola Polem Talpona Xendrem

Towns

Margao Chaudi

Palolem beach Photos

See all the photos from Palolem beach and all other Goa photos, in the about goa Picasa album.

Dawn at Palolem beach, south Goa

Palolem beach, south Goa

Beach life at Palolem beach, south Goa

South end of Palolem beach, south Goa

North end of Palolem beach, south Goa

Crowded at Palolem beach, south Goa

Late afternoon at Palolem beach, south Goa

The sun sets at Palolem beach, south Goa

Afternoon drinks at Cozy nook, Palolem beach, south Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:35:00 +0000

Cozy nook, palolem beach, Goa

Cozy nook Palolem beach

At the very north end of Palolem beach, in south Goa, is Cozy nook, a Palolem beach classic. When Cozy nook opened in 1996, it was one the first places on the beach, and it is still one of the very best places around. The bar at Cozy nook is the perfect place to round of a long lazy day at the beach with a cold drink, or two, while waiting for the perfect Palolem beach sunset. The cool guys behind the bar, really good drinks, great music, and the mellow relaxed atmosphere of the place, will make you come back again and again, at least I do. Except for being one of the premier spots for sunset drinks, Cozy nook also have really good food and offer some of the best accommodation on Palolem beach, the huts are furnished and decorated in an eclectic and very personal style that makes them all different from each other, as well as from every other place on the beach. More info about Cozy nook on: www.cozynookgoa.com.

Agnelo, owner and creative mastermind of Cozy nook,
Palolem beach, south Goa

Cozy nook, Palolem beach, south Goa

On the beach, Cozy nook,
Palolem beach, south Goa

A short guide to; Ashvem beach, north Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:28:00 +0000

Ashvem beach, north Goa

Ashvem beach

Ashvem, or Ashwem, beach is located in Pernem taluka, north Goa. Situated on the stretch of beach that begins on the banks of river Chapora in the south and continues almost uninterrupted, for 13 km’s to the Querim beach on the banks of river Terekhol, and the Maharashtra border, in the north. Ashvem beach is the approximately 1,5km of beach between Morjim beach to the south and Mandrem beach to the north, a little further north is popular Arambol beach. The beach at Ashvem is fine white sand backdroped by tall palm and pine trees, resorts and huts are nestled in groves of palm trees just behind the beach. The mood at Ashvem beach is one many laid back and relaxed beaches in Goa, and it never gets really crowded.

Places to stay, eat & drink

There is a good selection of places to stay, eat & drink on Ashvem beach. Accommodation is mostly in basic beach huts, but there is also a growing number of more up-market beach resorts on the beach. All places to stay have restaurants, and just as every where else in Goa, the food, in most places, is very good. Currently the most popular place in Ashvem is the French restaurant ‘La Plage’ that comes highly recommended. Often the good places to stay will also be good places to eat & drink, and vice versa. Listed below are some of the more popular places.

(in no particular order)

Yab Yum resort Kaju Varo Amarya Shamiyana Mamagoa resort La plage Bedrock

Palm grove cottages Gopal restaurant The Meems

Things to do

Ashvem is a relaxed and laid back beach, and there is not much in the way of water sports activities, except for dolphin watching or fishing trips with the local fishermen. The area around Ashvem is, except for the neighbouring beaches, beautiful lush landscapes with quaint little villages surrounded by paddy fields and coconut groves, driving around the back roads is a good way to spend a day. There is not much nightlife on Ashvem beach, but Arambol beach is only a five-minute rickshaw ride away.

Getting there and away

Dabolim airport, the only airport in Goa, 60km’s. The nearest Train station is Pernem or Tivim near Mapusa and the nearest Kadamba bus stand is in central Mapusa. To reach Ashvem from Mapusa

or Pernem you can continue by local bus or taxi.

Getting around

Getting around in Goa is easy. Goa is a small state with relatively short distances, transportation is easy to find and inexpensive. The area around Ashvem offers beautiful lush landscapes, beaches and good sights, it’s well worth exploring. The following options are the most common.

-By taxi: read more about taxi in Goa here

-By bus: read more about buses in Goa here

-By scooter or motorbike: read more about renting a scooter or motorbike in Goa here

Places around Ashvem

Beaches

Anjuna Morjim Vagator Arambol Querim

Towns

Panjim Mapusa Pernem

Ashvem beach photos

See all the photos from Ashvem beach and all other Goa photos, in the about goa Picasa album.

View of Ashvem beach, north Goa

Fishermen on Ashvem beach, north Goa

Ashvem beach, north Goa

The beachroad Ashvem beach, north Goa

Ashvem beach, north Goa

River inlet Ashvem beach, north Goa

Mackies Saturday nite bazaar, Baga, north Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:16:00 +0000

image from mackiesnitebazaar.com

Mackies Saturday night bazaar is located on the banks of river Baga, near Arpora, north Goa. If you are not staying in the area you taxi driver will know where it is. They are, as the name implies, open every Saturday from 6pm until late night. The vendors offer everything you would expect to find in a place like this, and probably some things you did not even know existed before you came here, but I am sure they will try to persuade that you need them anyway. Of course, most of the stuff is pretty much the same, as you would find anywhere else in Goan street stalls. If you go here for shopping, remember to haggle fiercely, this people are seasoned pros, and will overcharge you through the roof if you do not put up a fight. Except for shopping the bazaar also offers lots of different food, Goan, Indian, European, even sushi last time I was there, there is also a couple of bars that sell cold drinks, including alcohol.

In the middle of the grounds is a large bandstand with live music and all sorts of other performances. Sure, this is a tourist trap of the worst kind, but chances are you will have a good time, so why not. The other Saturday night bazaar in Goa is Ingo’s, but according to what I have heard, and from the information on their website, I think that they have had problems with their new location, and still have not opened for the season. Please correct me on this if I am wrong.

Ride the Bullet; The Indian dream

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:27:00 +0000

Ride the bullet

For a lot of people the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions India, is classic Enfield motorcycles, and especially the legendary ‘Bullet’. Bullets have been made in India since 1955, and not a lot have changed since then. Sure, some of the Enfield models have recently been fitted with disc brakes and other modernities, but for the classic Bullet, the 350. It’s still drum brakes and the 346 cc, single cylinder, four stroke, air cooled, twin spark engine producing 19,8 bhp, and it’s very characteristic sound. The Bullet is the longest running motorcycle model in constant production, and it’s more popular than ever. In Goa you see and hear them everywhere, for a lot of people riding the Bullet is the main reasons to come here, and you can’t blame them, cruising through the lush Goa country side on a Bullet is an experience not to be missed. In India at large these machines have become legendary and the myth around them is just growing. They represent personal freedom, independence and an alternative way of life. they are very much part of the emerging Indian dream.

For more info about the Bullet and other Royal Enfield motorcycles visit the official website. The very cool pictures below are from Royal Enfield's brand campaign - The Trip. “This campaign aspires to honour these timeless passions and the spirit of motorcycling in a world that’s increasingly dependant on virtual reality.” In short, keep it real.

More info about getting around in Goa.

From Royal Enfield's The Trip

Share the dream with your friends!

Great work guys; Animal Rescue Centre, Canacona, South Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:35:00 +0000

This guys really do a great job, the animal rescue centre in Canacona, south Goa, is an all volunteer, non profit, goodwill funded organization. They run a well working program that take care of sick or injured animals, animal birth control, vaccinations, and re housing of abandoned puppies and kittens. All the dogs you see on Palolem beach or Patnem beach with tagged ears, and it's actually most of them now, have been vaccinated and nurtured. This is all the work of the guys at the animal rescue centre.

To be able to continue doing this, they need all the help they can get. A good way of helping is to go and see a movie, movie night is arranged every Wednesday at Neptune point together with the guys from ‘Silent noise’. A big chunk of the entry, Rs150, goes directly to animals in need. Another good way to help and show your support, is to visit ARC on facebook and click the 'like' button. If you want to lend a helping hand, when you are in Goa, this is where you will find them:

LOCATION: IN FRONT OF THE RESERVOIR
DIRECTIONS: FROM PALOLEM.PATNEM BEACHES LEFT TURN-

OPP CANACONA RAILWAY STATION (UNDER THE BRIDGE)

TEL: +91 966 56 36 26 4

Help spread the word, tell your frinds!

Patnem beach, south Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:31:00 +0000

Patnem beach, south Goa

Patnem beach

Patnem beach is located in Canacona taluka, the southern most district in Goa. In this area you will also find other well known beaches like Palolem beach and Agonda beach, as well as several other less visited beaches, like polem beach and Cola beach, within easy reach for day trips. Patnem beach is a 900meter long, wide stretch of beautiful golden beach nestled between headlands to the north and south. At the north side is the tiny village of Colomb and beyond that rock strewn Colomb bay, beyond the headland at the south end is Rajbaga beach and the only five star resort this far south, the Lalit intercontinental resort. The beach at Patnem is lined with palm trees at the north side and pine trees in the south, behind the beach, roughly in the middle, is Patnem village. Patnem beach is often seen as the quiet and more relaxed little sister of the larger and more crowded Palolem beach, and essentially that is exactly what it is. Patnem never gets really crowded, not even for the peak season over Christmas and new year, and is a good place to just chill out and get away from it all. If you get bored or in the mood for a party, Palolem is only an easy walk or short rickshaw ride away.

This said, Patnem beach is by no means a secluded little paradise beach, beach huts and restaurants cover most of the beach front all the way from one end the other. There is a good selection of places to stay, eat and drink, and on the beach road you will find most things needed for a stay on the beach, plus, of course, a lot of souvenirs and tourist stuff, that you don’t really need. Everyday life on Patnem beach is very mellow, hang on the beach, eat, drink and sleep. If that’s not enough there’s always yoga, several places on the beach offer classes for yoga’ers of all levels.

More articles about Patnem beach.

Places to stay, eat & drink in Patnem

There are many places to stay, eat & drink in Patnem, often the good places to stay will also be good places to eat & drink, and vice versa. Listed below are some of the more popular places.

(in no particular order)

Om Shanti	Tantra cafe	Papaya’s	Parvati huts	Home@Patnem
Seaview resort Patnem	Cuba beach huts

Getting around

Getting around in Goa is easy. Goa is a small state with relatively short distances, transportation is easy to find and inexpensive. The area around Patnem offers beautiful lush landscapes and off the beaten track beaches, it’s well worth exploring. The following options are the most common.

-By taxi: read more about taxi in Goa here

-By bus: read more about buses in Goa here

-By scooter or motorbike: read more about renting a scooter or motorbike in Goa here

Getting there and away

Dabolim airport, the only airport in Goa, 63km’s, airport pick-up/drop-off is Rs 1000-1500.The nearest Train station, Canacona station, and the nearest Kadamba bus stand are both in Chaudi just a few km’s away.

Places near Patnem

beaches	towns
Palolem	Chaudi
Agonda	Margao
Talpona
Galgibagh
Cola
Polem
Xendrem

View of Patnem beach, south Goa

The beach road, Patnem beach, south Goa

Fishingboats Colomb bay, near Patnem beach, south Goa

Lifeguards at work. Patnem beach, south Goa

View of Rajbaga and Patnem beach, south Goa

Sunset at Patnem beach, south Goa

Patnem beach, south Goa, looking south

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When to visit goa; the seasons

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:30:00 +0000

The climate seasons

Goa lies within the tropical zone and by the Arabian sea, this makes for a hot and humid climate. The climate in Goa is easily divided in two seasons, the monsoon season and the dry season. The monsoon usually arrives in late May and continues through to October. June, July, August and September sees cloudy skies, lower temperatures and heavy rainfall almost every day, May and October sees more clear skies and the temperatures are higher, May is the hottest month of the year, but there is still occasional rainfall. The dry season begins in November and continues through to April. From about mid December through February is winter time in Goa, this period sees slightly lower temperature, especially in the night time, and less humidity. The temperatures are high throughout the year, daytime temperatures constantly stays between 29°C and 33°C, with an yearly average of 31°C.

The tourist seasons

The tourist season in Goa starts in November and continues through to April. Mid December through February is the best season to visit, with pleasant day time temperatures, cool nights and low humidity. The absolut peak season is mid December to mid January, during this time all of the more popular beaches will be more or less crowded and prices for accommodation goes up, sometimes to the double or more. Early December, late January and February is still busy season, but it’s a lot less crowded and prices for accommodation are back to normal. November, March and April sees fewer visitors and prices for accommodation goes down, sometimes drastically. Late March and April gets very hot and humid.

More about climate in Goa

Getting around Goa; Renting a scooter or motorbike

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:36:00 +0000

My scooter guy Palolem

Renting a scooter or motorbike in Goa

Renting a scooter or motorbike in Goa is affordable, widely accessible and very easy. Scooters or motorbikes for rent are available in the main street on all popular Goa beach, and all you need to rent one is a photocopy of your passport. To drive one, legitimate anyway, you need a international driving permit (1949 version) and your national driving license. An international driving permit can be obtained from the automobile association or relevant authorities in your home country. Scooters or motorbikes that are legally registered for hire have Black/Yellow, tourist vehicle, number plates. All legal documents for the bike, such as, registration and insurance documents, should be carried at all time. Crash helmets are not required by law, except for when riding on national highways, but it’s a good idea to wear one anyway. Rental prices vary with the season, in peak season, 15 Dec. – 15 Jan., prices sometime double. In normal season expect to pay around, Rs200/day for a 110cc Scooter, Rs300/day for a 150cc motorbike and Rs500-/day for a classic Enfield motorbike. If you rent for a longer period, obviously, prices will be lower.

Riding a two wheeler is a very good way to see the Goa country side, it offers the freedom to go anywhere, stop anywhere and the views are totally unobstructed. Remember though, that driving in Goa is very different from driving at home, and it can be very dangerous, so keep your head up and be very careful.

More about driving and getting around in Goa.

A short guide to; Vagator beach, north Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:49:00 +0000

Small Vagator beach, north Goa

Vagator beach

Vagator beach is located at the northern edge of Bardez taluka in north Goa. To the north, on the opposite bank of river Chapora, in Pernem taluka, is Morjim beach, to the south is Anjuna beach. Vagator is dominated by a seaside headland of dramatic red laterite cliffs, on the top is a car park and numerous stalls selling all sorts of tourist trinkets, cold drinks and snacks. Looking north from the headland is Big Vagator beach, and to the south is Ozran Beach, commonly known as Little Vagator Beach. The golden sand beaches, below the cliffs, are strewn with big black rocks and lined with tall palm trees. Behind big Vagator the silhouette of Chapora fort dominating the ridge line behind the beach , is a very dramatic background. Vagator’s claim to fame came with the emergence of Goa trance in the early 1990’s. At the heights of the Goa trance movements popularity in the mid 1990’s, Vagator beach, together with neighbouring Anjuna beach, was renowned around the world for the spectacular outdoor trance parties. The scene is still alive and breathing at Places like Hill Top (party every Sunday) and Nine bar, especially around the big holidays, but at a much smaller scale now. The crowd at Vagator beach is mostly young European and domestic travellers, everywhere in Goa is seeing an increasing number of domestic visitors. The mood in Vagator is mellow and relaxed, and the beach seldom gets overly crowded.

Places to stay, eat & drink

There are plenty of good places to stay in Vagator. Most places are in the village or on the cliffs overlooking the beach, very few are on the beach itself. Accommodation range from very basic backpacker places to posh resort style places. There are many places to eat and drink in Vagator, they offer a wide variety of mostly Indian and European cuisine. Often the good places to stay will also be good places to eat & drink, and vice versa. Listed below are some of the more popular places.

(in no particular order)

Casa Vagator Leoney resort La Gulls court Goan clove Julie Jolly Thalassa restaurant

Bethany inn Ozran heights Mezcal restaurant

Things to do

Vagator beach is among the more popular beaches in Goa, and as such it offers plenty of things to do, both day and night. In the daytime you can Relax on the beach, or keep your self occupied with water sports or maybe a fishing trip with a local fishingboat. Explore the area, take a trip to any of the north Goa beaches or other places to see in the area, they are all within easy day trip reach of Vagator. Every Wednesday is market day in nearby Anjuna, the flea market is one of the major attractions in Goa. In the night time, try one of the many good restaurants in the area, after dinner, hang out in one of the cool Vagator bars, or go looking the nearest party.

Getting around

Getting around in Goa is easy. Goa is a small state with relatively short distances, transportation is easy to find and inexpensive. The area around Vagator offers beautiful lush landscapes and many good sights, it’s well worth exploring. The following options are the most common.

-By taxi: read more about taxi in Goa here

-By bus: read more about buses in Goa here

-By scooter or motorbike: read more about renting a scooter or motorbike in Goa here

Getting there and away

Dabolim airport, the only airport in Goa, 51km’s. The nearest Train station is Tivim near Mapusa and the nearest Kadamba bus stand is in central Mapusa.

Places around Vagator

Beaches

Anjuna Calangute Baga Morjim Ashvem Arambol

Towns

Panjim Mapusa

Vagator beach photos

See all the photos from Vagator beach and all other Goa photos, in the about goa Picasa album.

View of small Vagator beach, Goa

view of north/big Vagator beach, north Goa

Near Vagator beach, north Goa

Afternoon on the beach Vagator beach, north Goa

Shree mahalaxmi Vagator beach, north Goa

Riding in style, Vagator beach, north Goa

Nightlife in Goa; Silent noise

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:03:00 +0000

When Goa authorities put a ban on noise and it seemed the golden era of Goa’s outdoor parties had come to an end, along came Silent noise. This project, the brainchild of DJ Justin Mason, started at Neptune Point in Palolem, south Goa, and has now found a second venue in Verem, north Goa. Parties are held every weekend, at both venues, Friday nights at Verem and Saturday nights at Palolem beach. Entrance is Rs500 and the party goes on all night. Learn more about the concept, as described by the DJ’s themselves, in the article below or read more at www.silentnoise.in

Silent Noise is a new concept in clubbing that is reviving the outdoor party vibe for which Goa is famous. Connected to the music with wireless headsets, hundreds of happy clubbers can dance the night away without disturbing the neighbours - or breaking the law. By using headphones, Silent Noise has sidestepped the 10pm sound ban and breathed new life into Goa’s nightlife.
With three international DJs playing live, partygoers can change club without changing venue: just switch the headphone channel to move from a techno rave to retro tunes to the latest in electro house, with the DJs competing to get the crowd to tune into their set.
The parties are set in two stunning outdoor locations in North and South Goa - complete with lasers, visuals, circus performers, massage chairs and tepees, transforming the club night into a mini-festival. Simply switch the headphones off to chillout and chat with your friends, before plunging back into the wireless world of Silent Noise. In difficult times for tourism, an inspired use of today's music technology is allowing visitors and locals to once again enjoy the golden Goa party days.

The DJs

Justin Mason

Justin started his DJ career during the late 80s playing throughout the infamous “summer of love” when the house music revolution started, with guest appearances on London’s first underground pirate radio station – Centre Force - and the unforgettable outdoor London’s M25 including the Sundance and Raindance parties.
Justin continued to play throughout the 90s building a reputation for his deep, very funky and electro vibe. Hosting, promoting and playing at events across the UK and Europe including Ibiza, his Groovaholix parties in London attracted an eclectic, vibrant and up for it crowd of thirty something party goers that really know and appreciate their music and Justin’s ability to mix it up.
Currently living in Goa, Justin is working on his Silent Noise project, which is attracting media attention for being the most original concept for outdoor parties in India… It looks like Silent Noise is here to stay and will grow to festival style productions.

www.mix.dj/justinmason

RebelRoyal

RebelRoyal is based in Goa and consists of one of UK's favourite producers, Braund Reynolds, and one of India's favourite DJs, Dan Booth.
Chuck in some of the world's best visual effects and a truck-load of cutting edge technology. Blend in some of the finest, most uplifting, most energetic House, Electro, Techno & Breaks. Mix with the combined energy of Woodstock, Glastonbury and a Holi Festival. Sprinkle with impromptu, on-the-fly decks and effects tricknology. Bake for 3 hours at 115 dB on a massive sound system in front of a crowd of thousands and you get…RebelRoyal!
“The freshest audio/visual act to come out of dance music in years. A real assault on the senses. Love them!!!” – Fat BoySlim.
“THE stand out act of the year!!” Pete Tong (BBC Radio 1)

www.indivibe.com

Source: www.silentnoise.in

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Getting around Goa; by bus

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:42:00 +0000

Drivers waiting, at Mapusa bus stand

Traveling by local bus in Goa

Going by bus is by far the most affordable way of getting around in Goa, and actually, it’s not that bad a way of traveling. The government bus service, Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) and a number of private companies, offers regular service to almost anywhere in the state, and at a fraction of what you would pay for a taxi. As elsewhere in India buses are generally crowded, uncomfortable and very slow, but in Goa, distances are usually short and people are more relaxed/friendly than other places in India. Unless you are in a hurry or carry a lot of luggage, going by bus is a good option. The main bus stands in Goa are Mapusa, Panaji and Margao, from here you will find buses going to most places in Goa, or long distance buses to other places in India. At these bus stands you will also find express buses going between the major centres, express buses stop at several predetermined stops along the way, but not whenever someone wants to get on or off.

A good rule when traveling by bus, is to always get on at the starting point, this way you will always get a seat. Another good rule is to not give your seat up, to anyone, unless you want to stand up for the rest of the journey, you will never get it back. You will soon realize that, traveling standing up with luggage everywhere and people constantly getting on and off the bus, is not something you want to do. A typical bus fare on a local bus in Goa will be from Rs5, for a short ride to the next village, up to Rs30 for a longer ride.

For a more detailed description of a bus ride in Goa, read my post about the buses.

For more about driving and getting around in Goa.

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Getting around Goa; by taxi

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:40:00 +0000

Grab a cab in Goa

Taxi, or hired car with driver, is the most comfortable way of getting around in Goa. For obvious reasons it’s not the cheapest, but considering that a taxi will accommodate at least four people, it actually turns out to be very affordable. Despite the fact that most taxis and Rickshaws are equipped with meters, and the Goa tourist administration publish the meter rates they are supposed to charge, none of them actually use the meter. To avoid arguments and hassle when you get to your destination, It’s a good idea to agree on the fare before you go. The going rate for taxis is about Rs12/km. For most longer trips like, airport pick-up/drop-off, major tourist attractions, beach-beach, bigger towns etc. there are a fixed rates. At the airport you can get your taxi, at the correct rate, from the pre-paid taxi counter, on the beach, ask the staff in the place where you are staying to arrange a taxi for you, or ask a fellow traveller for the correct price before you set out to find a ride by yourself. For longer trips and day trips it’s also a good idea to book your taxi a day in advance.

Most taxi drivers speak English, and if you take the time to talk to your driver, you will find, that most of them are very friendly and just as knowledgeable about the local area as any tour guides. You can also hire a car with driver for the whole day, or longer periods. Depending on the car, size, a/c or not, expect to pay from Rs1000/day and up.

For more about driving and getting around in Goa.

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One of the best blogs about India

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:07:00 +0000

Here is a recommendation for a great blog about India, you will find it on my blog list or on, www.per-j-andersson.blogspot.com ‘Indien online’. This blog by well known Swedish journalist Per J Andersson is filled with interesting and knowledgeable insights about India, the culture, the people, the society and of course travel.

Per J Andersson is a real India authority with vast experience from traveling, living and working in India, he also the author of several books about India and one of the founders of Vagabond magazine, the leading Scandinavian travel magazine. The blog is in Swedish, but there’s always Google translate. Much enjoyment.

Yet another cunning plan

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 14:35:00 +0000

This time from Goa tourism director Swapnil Naik and the other guys at the tourist department. The plan is to put up bamboo tourist information booths. Apparently the design of the booths have been all figured out, lets hope they have the actual assistance bit figured as well. We will see how it goes. The below article is from yesterdays TOI Goa edition.

PANAJI: Eco-friendly tourist assistance booths made of bamboo at 14 prominent places in Goa will soon assist tourists, with the tourism department calling for interested parties to execute the project.

The tourism department on Friday issued an expression of interest calling quotations for the project. "We have already created the design. The material to be used will be bamboo and PVC bricks, which are removable. All we are looking out for is a party to erect the booths. The lowest bidder will get the contract," tourism director Swapnil Naik said. The tourism department will also allow the party to use the walls of the bamboo hut as advertising space. "It will help in subsidising the costs of running the place and aid revenue generation to the party. After setting up the booth, the party will have to maintain it for five years," he added.

Prominent places in Goa such as the Panaji bus stand, and beaches will be used for setting up the tourist assistance booths.

Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tourist-assistance-booths-of-bamboo-soon/articleshow/7479181.cms#ixzz1Dqf19viY

Stand up and ROAAAAAR!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:47:00 +0000

A radio collared Bengal tiger

Here's your chance to help WWF India in their relentless work to save the Indian tigers. All you have to do is to let out a roar. Please do! they really need your support.

Tigers are in deep trouble and they need your help!

In the last 10 years we have lost nearly half of all our wild tigers. Shot, trapped, poisoned, skinned, crushed and ultimately sold.

The royal stare

The scientists in the field are telling us we are very close to losing the most iconic species on our planet from the dwindling forests of their native lands.

Get involved now!

Are we going to sit by and let this happen?

Not a chance.

Are we going to stand up and shout?

Not quite. We are going to stand up and ROAAAAAR!!!

On the road; driving in Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:10:00 +0000

Cruising along on the small roads, from beach to beach, through lush scenic landscape and quaint little villages, is one of the best ways to see Goa, and also a very good way to spend a day. Renting a scooter or a classic Enfield is easy, very affordable and available almost anywhere. Renting a car to drive yourself is possible, but most people opt to rent cars with driver, for many reasons this is probably a good idea. Before you rent your own ride, and I really think you should, there is one thing you need to remember, THIS IS INDIA! Driving anywhere in the world is potentially dangerous, driving in India is a lot more so than in most other places. Statistics from Goa state 2010 shows that an average of six people was killed in 84 reported accidents, and most minor accidents are not reported, every week on Goa roads. In a state with approx. 1.6 million people, of which relatively few own their own vehicle, these numbers are no less than appalling. There are many reasons for these depressing statistics, bad roads, unsafe and badly maintained vehicles, lack of driver education, speeding, rash and drunk driving are a few of these.

All of the above and the fact that you will probably be wearing nothing but a t-shirt, shorts, flip-flops and possibly a pair of sunglasses, could spell disaster if you are not careful. A few easy to follow pointers to avoid inflicting harm, to yourself or others, would be to; keep your speed down, wear a helmet, avoid the national highway, do not drive in the dark, and of course do not drink and drive. On a much brighter point, the scenic route and roads to most beaches and other places to see usually are small coastal roads. Most of these roads are in relatively good condition and traffic is not that bad. However bleak this may sound, if you bring your common sense and keep your head up, as you would anywhere else, driving in Goa is actually a very pleasant experience.

For more info about: driving and getting around in Goa.

The following article on road safety is from the Goa edition of the times of India:

2010 saw over 12 accidents daily on Goa's roads

TNN, Feb 8, 2011, 05.12am IST

PANAJI: Despite several traffic safety drives and an increase in the number of persons being booked for traffic violations in Goa, the state's roads witnessed more than 12 accidents per day and six fatalities every week in the year 2010.

While from January 1 to December 31, 2009, there were 4,164 accidents and 310 fatalities on Goa's roads, about 4572 accidents and 327 fatalities were registered in 2010. The year 2008 saw 318 fatalities and 4,178 accidents on Goan roads, while 2007 witnessed 322 road fatalities.

Incidentally, while the number of accidents in 2010 has increased in North Goa, the number of fatalities have reduced. However, in South Goa, the number of accidents and fatalities have both increased, said sources.

Sources in the Goa police traffic department said that motorcyclists accounted for the maximum number of fatalities, with most of the victims belonging to the productive age group of 20 to 35 years. Moreover, the highest number of accidents took place on national highways and on straight roads, with a majority of the mishaps occurring due to the driver's fault, followed by dangerous or rash driving, over-speeding, bad condition of the vehicle and drunken driving, the sources added.

Data obtained under the Right to Information ( RTI) Act from the Goa police traffic department reveals that the number of persons booked for traffic violations was 2,63,911 in 2010, an increase from 2009, where 2,60,911 traffic violators were booked and 2008 where about 2,47,455 persons were caught.

Though the traffic police admit that drunken driving is a cause of worry on Goan roads and have invested in alcoholmeters to keep a check on the menace, the number of persons booked for drunken driving in Goa in the year 2010 was just 1141. Meanwhile, 5901 people were booked for rash and negligent driving last year.

When contacted, superintendent of police (traffic) Arvind Gawas said, "We are making every possible effort to reduce accidents and fatalities on Goan roads. However, the conduct of drivers must improve and road safety must be accepted as the collective responsibility of all road users to reduce accidents."

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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The great royal circus is in town

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:07:00 +0000

The great royal circus is in town
Margao, south Goa

The great royal circus is in town, Margao south Goa, and of course with a name like that, this was an opportunity not to be missed. The entrance to this great spectacle was from Rs40-150, we splashed out and got the Rs150 front row, with fan, seats. Most acts seems to be facing the entrance, so try to get the seats directly to the right or left as you walk in to the tent. The show included, one Elephant, camels, dogs, crazy motor biking, the strongest man in all India, roller skating dancers, clowns and all kinds of other acts, a little for everyone. It did not quite live up to it’s somewhat pretentious name, which would be difficult in anyone's book, but it still was a great, if slightly bizarre, performance. I always found the circus to be a little unnerving, especially the animals and clowns, and this one was no different at that, there always seems to be a little bit of that special circus sadness around. As far as i understand the great royal circus is traveling around Goa, giving shows for most of the season. Soon in a town near you.

'the sphere of death'
The great royal circus is in Margao, south Goa

'playing with knives'
The great royal circus is in Margao, south Goa

'the elephant'
The great royal circus is in Margao, south Goa

'girls on bikes'
The great royal circus is in Margao, south Goa

'the show is over'
The great royal circus is in Margao, south Goa

See all images from the great royal circus

Dinner at Ordo sounsar, Palolem beach, south Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 08:03:00 +0000

'way to ordo sounsar'
Palolem beach, south Goa

Ordo sounsar is at the very north end of Palolem beach. Technically speaking the place is not on the beach, it’s located at the foot of the small hill across the inlet to the backwater area at the northern end of Palolem beach, and reached by crossing a rickety bridge over the small stream. The place itself is very chilled-out and is a nice refuge from the, sometimes, very busy beach just a stone throw away. Ordo sounsar is one of surprisingly few places that specialize in the local Goan cuisine. On the menu you will find a nice selection of appetizing Goan dishes, and on the blackboard is the chefs recommendations and todays catch of fresh fish, delivered by local fishermen. All is prepared in traditional Goan style by the female head-chef who is also the owners sister. The food that i have had at Ordo sounsar, have all been delicious and very nicely presented. Everything is served on stylish porcelaen, and beer is even served in chilled glases, very nice!. The dining area is very pleasant, with nice furniture and stylish decorations. Except for good food and drinks in a very nice, and relaxed, environment, Ordo sounsar also offer accommodation in nice, if basic, huts. See more at: www.ordosounsar.com.

'the rickety bridge to ordo sounsar'
Palolem beach, south Goa

'bar ordo sounsar'
Palolem beach, south Goa

'dining area ordo sounsar'
Palolem beach, south Goa

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Goa hotels not represented on list of shame; 2011 Dirtiest hotels in India

noreply@blogger.com (Henrik) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:52:00 +0000

www.tripadvisor.com

No surprise! India managed to get a few places on the top 8 dirtiest hotels in The world. Follow the link to view Trip advisors 2011 dirtiest hotels, in India and the world, to find out ‘where not to stay’. Luckily there are no places in Goa represented on this list of shame.