Goa, India: The kayan celebratory trip

Hey!

So here we go again. The kayan is again on the move.

This time, targeted trip is to INDIA!!! Yay.

This trip was made as a tribute just right before i went in to report for duty! *celebratory dance*

Though some may not favor going for a trip to India over their other equally notable neighboring Asian countries, I for one say, if one never tried, one will never know!

I have decided to step into the Goan territory of India this time round. 

( No time to zoom throughout the whole Indian Peninsula) 

Goa, India- exquisite and unique as it's name. You can never find a place like Goa anywhere else in India.

Goa, known as "Rome in the East". Houses many interesting and delectable cultures, architectural  uniqueness, food, night life, shopping heaven and many MANY

 more.

Though the shopping excites me more than the other options. LOL. 

Matching up to it's nickname, Goa, accommodates many churches,museums,government buildings with a unique Portuguese-Indian touch that clearly shows that this part of India long ago had been a prime settlement of citizens from another land.

Scintillating with Portuguese culture perforated with the traditional Goan culture, Goa will be a unique trip to make by itself and will be remembered till the end of your days.

I decided to book the accommodation in the heart of Goa itself, Panjim! one of  the Party Zones in Goa. (unfortunately we went during off season- so no party for me T.T) and yes! IT WAS WHERE DIWALE WAS FILMED! PANJIM! -no worries, no spoilers here. :)

I AM GOING TO HOWEVER SAY THAT I HAVE PUT THE OSTs ON SHUFFLE AS AN INSPIRATION FOR ME WRITING THIS POST THOUGH. LOL

I recently just watched the newest HINDUSTANI blockbuster 'Dilwale' and it brought back memories of my trip to GOA. It was indeed interesting, immersing myself in someone else's culture and for the first time going somewhere I would be different then everyone else. Minority at it's finest. it was definitely new - the feeling- and a breath of fresh air.

People in general won't think traveling to India would be a place for luxury traveling. True. In my opinion, traveling to India, being that i'm not at all an Indian or origin or ancestral background, traveling to India means to learn and a chance for a new perspective-in someone else's backyard/country. This experience is rather different then all my other travel logs for obvious reasons. The locals this time would obviously know Im not from the area! I can't blend in! But however different I was, every local i met was nice enough to make me feel welcome. AWESOME! India (Goa in particular) is exquisite, unique and eccentric in her own light.

When i told friends/colleagues/family, that i was heading to GOA  for my next trip, FIRST REACTION: CRINGING and followed by the question: WHY? or the statement: WOW! SO ADVENTUROUS OF YOU!

*Stereotyping apparently is big amongst us Malaysians (people around me in particular) sad to say.ME INCLUDED. But i had these words repeating in my head:" You'll never know when you never tried"

So i decided to give India a try. Proof those stereotypes wrong. When I landed in Goa International Airport finally, I found out certain things they say about India to be true but ever so biasly exaggerated.  I actually liked it  the way it was, because i wasn't expecting or hopeful or  anything in the first place- so yeah, i saw it was way better then i expected.

Accommodations as usual was booked through: www.booking.com

                           

The view outside the hotel - a quaint little neighborhood with very friendly people too. We choose a hotel in DonaPaula area, PANJIM for easier commute between the North and South and the Airport transfer. Transportation fees here are considered cheap comparing it to the fees we have in Malaysia.

Transportation here: Tuktuk/buses/private cars/Taxis

Please refer to your lovely hotel receptionist for price inquiries and places to go to

Sunset Boat Cruise 

I went for two boat cruises during this trip. This Cruise in particular highlights and introduces tourists to the filming site of many previous famous Indian Cinematic Industry ( Though most f the narration was done in Tamil/Hindi - i got the hints of a few famous movie names made here in Goa)

A plus side though- i get to experience real life Hindustani dances like in the movies! LOL. They really do dance everywhere ( or maybe it was just that particular group)

 AGUADA FORT

                                 

                            

MAPUSA MARKET

Famous for being a huge market that sells everything from fruits and vegetables to things like watches, clothings and kitchen utensils. Be careful however, especially someone who does not look Indian at all- you'll be targeted by vendors by selling their items at a hefty price. Be smart about it - strongly and politely turn it down and walk away or make sure you get the best discounts you can get (exm: from 800 rupess to 200 rupees) - the usually up their prices by 200% minimum from the original prices.

However- when buy sarees/shawls/kitchen utensils - i can guarantee it is the best of quality! so i didn't mind at all when i bought a Kashmiri Shawl for RM80/piece

Bindi for blessings

Tibetan Silver bought for a whopping RM150! pfhhttt 

Anita - one of the local vendors I met and befriended during for short visit to Mapusa Market

CHURCH SQUARE

LOOKS PRETTY but In reality the Church external area wasn't kept clean- saw rubbish by the sides and weeds growing around the Church walls and grounds. Fortunately the insides of the church was kept clean. 

FONTAINNAS

MIRAMAR BEACH

local beach in my area - just 5 minutes drive away from the hotel - scorching hot however.

 DONA PAULA JETTY 

Went to on of Filming site for Diwale :) (i didn't know then ) it was nearby my hotel- so we decided to walk from our hotel to this  Dona Paula JETTY to see what the hallooballoo is all about.

En route to Dona Paula Jetty

OLD GOA 

or also known as Velha Goa located in the North of Goa - was built by the then existing government serving as the capital of the city (Portuguese India) in the 16th century until it was abandanoned in the 18th century because of a plague.

 The Basilica of Bom Jesus

Bishop's Palace

 Se Cathedral

Shantadurga Temple - en route

Yet another cow~! careful where you step :)

 Didn;t get a pic of the temple- i was so out of it because the heat i didn't even bother to go up towards the temple anymore. 

SPICE PLANTATION

Tourists have the option to take a bath with the Resident Elephants for a price ( i personally do not agree to keeping elephants and resident anything and rather they be released wild and free) 

 Sri Manguesh Temple / Mangueshi Temple

Excuse the distorted figure. lol. the cameraman was a little out of it

Bogmalo Beach 

favourite beach for it's calmness unlike other beaches we visited

SUNSET CRUISE

This cruise brings in a larger scale of tourist- hence the bigger boat

  Sunset Cruise : Kingfisher Beer and Music and the Arabic Seas 

Sunset Cruise - Minority at it's finest

SAREE SHOPPING

Saree we found has the price rage starting from RM189/set - i bet there were better prices set a other places- we didnt have much time to explore around to look or sarees since it wasn't in our itinerary in the first place. This was impromptu. I mean, WHEN EXACTLY AM I GOING TO USE A SAREE ANYWAY?? but being a girl that I am. I SIMPLY CANNOT RESIST!

   

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 

and also the belly :)

Tips on food in GOA:

Mum's Kitchen for the exquisite Goan Cuisine

 

 

The traditional Goan Rice - Good for those with diabetes

Lamb Xacuti, King fish Xacuti, Beed Xacuti, Breaded Prawns, traditional Goan Rice and Goan Roti

Peep's Kitchen

 

FAVORITE DISHES SO FAR 

 King Fish Fried with Rawa (semolina)

Hot Malvita, 

, Dhal and a Semoline Substance for breaky

 (sorry i forgot the names-but it was so good , it feel you're getting a hug)

Servings for rice based dishes here are BIG!: Briyani for one shared for three

Prawn fried with Rawa

Briyani for 1 pax ~ more like 5 pax (portions here are HUGE)

Roti

Colourful sugar coated fennel seeds for a fresh minty breath after a meal :)

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TRIP BUDGET BREAKDOWN

DAY ONE: CITY TOUR/ 1200 INDIAN RUPEES (DRIVER&CAR)

Hotel -- Miramar Beach --- Church Square -- Fontainnas -- Maruti Temple -- Bishop Palace -- 18th June Road (Shopping) -- Boat Cruise (630PM) -- Hotel

DAY TWO : NORTH GOA TOUR/ 1600 INDIAN RUPEES (DRIVER&CAR)

Hotel -- Reis Magos Fort -- Aguada Fort -- Sinquerim Beach -- Calangute Beach -- Baga Beach -- Amjuna Beach -- Vagator Beach -- Hotel

DAY THREE : SOUTH GOA TOUR/ 1800 INDIAN RUPEES (DRIVER&CAR)

Hotel -- Old Goa Church -- Manguesgi Temple -- Spice Plantation -- Shantadurga Temple -- Big Foot (Museum) -- Abees Aquarium (optional) -- Bogmalo Beach -- Hotel

DAY FOUR: MAPUSA MARKET/2000 INDIAN RUPEES (DRIVER & CAR)

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OTHER TRIP OPTIONS

HINDERLAND TOUR (ONLY DURING MONSOON SEASON)

 Hotel -- Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary -- Aravalem Waterfall & Cave -- Dalta Maudir -- Mayem Lake -- Hotel

 *this tour wasn't available when I was in Goa since everything in this package was closed for the time being.*

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RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. If you are a party goer. THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO. -make sure to check when during the year is the peak season. Peak seasons are when all the parties are WILD.

2. However- if you are looking for a quiet adventure, cultural dipping of some sort, don't fret! It can be done to! JUST LOOK OUT FOR MONSOON SEASON. This is when Goa is at it's most beautiful. Plus all the bird parks and waterfalls are at their full swing!

3. Being a Malaysian~ we are familiar with all our beloved Chapatis, rotis, dhals and not forgetting out chicken tikkas. These are available here in ABUNDANCE!

4. SLIPPERS/FLIP FLOPS! A must when coming here- is cheap to replace and easy to wash when anything goes wrong. Plus, weather in Goa allows every one to dress for summer everyday for the whole year.

5. SUNBLOCK PLEASE!! SUNBLOCK DURING THE DAY BECAUSE YOU WILL BE GUARANTEED A TANNING WHETHER YOU INTENDED TO HAVE A TAN OR NOT WILL BE INEVITABLE.

NEXT-MUMBAI?