A Ride into Rome of the East...

This one is regarding my recent visit to Goa, also known as “Pearl of the Orient”. The name “Goa” is derived from Govearashtra which is the old name for the southern part of Konkan. With exotic beaches, famous churches and beautiful temples, this place definetly a tourist attraction throughout the year. They say that the tourist season never ends in Goa.

As I was on official visit, I could not explore much of this state. However putting down whatever I experienced during my stay there.

We stayed in Punjim the capital of Goa. We stayed very much near to the Church of Lady of Immaculate Conception. However did not get time to visit inside it. (actually everytime we thought that this ones is the nearest one and we can visit it anytime later. and we planned to leave in such a hurry that we missed the visit to inside of this church.)

When we reached Goa, we had half a day to explore the place. We hired a bike (you can get a good bike on rent for Rs. 300 per day) if you like riding bike then this is the most economic and convenient mode of transport within this state.

We started with our journey to Old Goa about 12 kms from Punjim, where the famous Basilica of Bom Jesus is situated. This church was built in 1605 (in Old Goa) is famous for containing the tomb and remains of St Francis Xavier. Beside it there is St Francis d’Assisi church, which hosts archaeological museum.

Then we headed to Miramar beach near to panjim. After spending some time we headed back to our workplace.

We got some time in the morning during one day when we paid visit to Dona Paula. The beach is named after Dona Paula de Menzes, daughter of a viceroy (in colonial India), who threw herself off the cliff, when refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias. The myth says that Dona Paula is entombed in the Cabo Chapel of the Raj Bhawan and is supposed to be seen emerging from the moonlit waves wearing only a pearl necklace. With the romance and myth attached to it—haunted by Dona Paula de Menzes—tourists come to Dona Paula Beach not only in search of the deceased beloved, but also to indulge in water sports on the clear waters.

While moving between our workplace (near dona paula) and hotel (at punjim) we had a good time taking a ride on the wide and clean roads along the sea. During our return at nights we could get a good view of the beautifully lighted cruise launches.

There are many beach resorts as well which offer various sports including para-gliding.

This short visit to the state has surely sown the seeds in my mind to make this my next personal travel destination. will come up with more on this state once I make a trip which would be in very near future for sure!