Monsoon trip to Goa

We have decided to visit Goa in Monsoon. So Naveen booked the train ticket for us well in advance. While going we went by Airavata club class.We got the bus at 8:30pm from Majestic and reached Panaji at 9:30am. When we reached it was drizzling, we got one omni to drop to resort. The cab guys charging more there. We got it for 300Rs. We didn't bargain since it was very cloudy morning. We have booked the resort near to Condolim called Ruffels resort. Naveen had full plan about beaches so we hired three activa and started our ride. First we went to Chopara fort, I have mentioned the series of places we visited on first day.

Chopara fort: Before this present fort build by Portuguese, there was a one fort way long before, even before the arrival of Portuguese in Goa.
In 1683, In order to put the end on Portugal’s rule in Goa, Prince Akbar joined the forces of Marathas, who were bitter enemies of his Father Aurangzeb at that time, revolting against his Father; he sought refuge with them and made this place as their base camp. However Portugal had a scary experience with Marathas, after a horrific recovery from Marathas, Portuguese strengthen harder their Northern Defenses, learning from the experience of Maratha they were required to give the shelter for the people of region, this was not before 1717, that this present fort was built.
An awesome site with all sides having steep slopes. The fort stands above the whole upland area having irregular outer plan, outline of the higher slopes, uses the natural contours to add defensive height to the fullest advantage instead of dry ditches being dug.
At the top of the steep approach track on the main gate, which is small and unpretentious for so large fort, is deep and narrow. Depending on their position of the defense requirement, the bastions with their enormous embrasures for cannon are irregularly spaced, each having the cylindrical turret that gives a special character.

Vagator beach: Vagator beach is one of the most scenic beaches in Goa that is situated immediately north of the Anjuna beach overlooked by steep hills.
The crescent shaped beach has become a favorite spot among tourists for midnight parties. The beach is also well known as the 500 Old Portuguese fort of Chapora is situated nearby.
Actually there are two beaches in Vagator known as Big Vagator and Small Vagator. Big Vagator lined with dense palm plantations and white sand is the main beach that is undeniably beautiful.

Anjuna beach: Besides the calm waters of the Arabian Sea lapping softly on the Indian shore, Anjuna comes alive with its ever-famous full-moon parties and the Wednesday flea market to take one onto a trip.


Baga beach: Baga beach is an option for those who want to be away from the hustle and bustle found on the other beaches.
Baga Beach in Goa looks as if it has come straight out of a painting… Majestic white waves rushing to wipe out the feet imprints left by you on the white sand while the wind continues to flirt with the palm trees.
Goa's Baga beach is a small but perfect beach located between its two more famous cousins, Anjuna on one side and Calangute on the other. It is a good place to enjoy some quite moments and dwell in peaceful contemplation with oneself.

Calangute beach: Calangute beach in Goa is also known as the Queen of Beaches. The period from November to February is the most pleasant to visit here. It's 15km from the capital city Panjim. The beach itself isn't anything special, with steeply shelving sand, however it's capacity is large enough to accommodate the huge number of high-season visitors.
The Calangute beach is usually crowded and the small resorts thrive in business during the holiday season. It is one of the most popular beach in Goa with a host of facilities to cater to visitors, including Golden sand along the beach and water sports.

Candolim beach: Candolim beach in Goa is well known as one can find some of the best seafood in Goa. The beach has quite a number of shacks and beach restaurants that serve tasty dishes and drinks. The long and straight Candolim beach is dotted with dunes that offer little shelter. Also offering comfortable accommodation at the Candolim beach in Goa are the many hotels, guest houses and beach resorts.

So we had covered maximum places in one day. We had dinner in hotel called Eric's Karaoke where many were singing a song for Karaoke music. One foreigner was very enthu and he sung Papa kehte hai song with his accent which was very nice...

The next day we decided to visit St. xavier church which is in old Goa. So we started at 10.00 and reached by 11:00.

Basilica Of BomJesus, Old Goa
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is the most august and famous of all the churches in Old Goa. It contains the relics of St. Francis Xavier, Patron saint of Goa, Apostle of the Indies. He was known as Goencho Saib by most of the people of Goa. The construction of the church began on the 24th November 1594 AD from the funds bequeathed for this purpose by Dom Jeronimos Mascarenhas. It was blessed by the Archbishop Dom Fr Aleixo de Menezes on the15th May1605 AD. It became the first church in India to be elevated to the status of a minor basilica in 1946.

We saw the museum which is other side of the church, took some pics and headed towards Dona paula beach.

Dona Paula beach: Dona Paula beach is located just about 7-km from Panaji. This place is called the Lovers Paradise in Goa, named after Dona Paula de Menezes. A myth has been attached to this place and according one legend the Viceroy's daughter after facing objections from her family about her love affair with a poor fisherman jumped of the cliff.
The enticing story is about a girl named Dona Paula de Menzes, after whom the Goa beach has been named. She was the daughter of a viceroy in colonial India, who threw herself off the cliff, when refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias.
The place where two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea is the bay of Dona Paula with a very good view of the Marmagao Harbour. 7-km from Panjim, situated on the south side of the, hammer-shaped headland that divides the Zuari and Mandovi, is a Fishing Village. This is a spot to sunbathe and relax.

Miramar beach: Miramar beach is situated 3 kms from Panaji in North Goa. A lovely Golden beach of soft sand girdled with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea, is the nearest to Panaji. Miramar is an urban beach where the Mandovi River meets the Arabian Sea. It is not a safe beach to swim as there is a strong undercurrent.

It was almost 3:00pm when we finished visiting above places and it was raining also. So we decided to have lunch. We went to Delhi darbar and had nice lunch. The food was really awesome. We came back to our place Candolim and from there went towards Auguda fort.

Auguda Fort: The Fort Aguada is one of the largest and impressive forts preserved as one of the best known landmarks in Goan history. Its prominence has grown from the fact that its headland on which it is built offers a wonderful site for military architects due to its shielding of the vital sea access from the heart of the Portuguese territory thereby making it an ideal site for seaward as well as landward defense.
The elimination of the Maratha threat and the acquisition of the New Conquest added more glory to its importance right upto the end of the 18th century when Goa's future borders were established. The most vital part of it was its impregnability to survive attacks by enemies through land or sea or simultaneously from both sides which often happened.
The largest of all springs, the Mother of Water or Mae de Agua is also found here. This part of the fort is closed for visitors as it is utilized as a prison. At the new gates to the prison area, there is a statue of a man and a woman, the man holding the body of a child in his arms while the woman has her arms raised to show the breaking of chain bondage in front of the national emblem of India, the Ashoka Pillar which has an inscription which is dedicated to the memory of people, dead and alive, known and unknown and who have laid down their life for the cause of freedom from foreign powers.

Sinquerim beach: The Sinquerim beach is a beautiful beach that has a spectacular stretch of sand. It is located at the south of the famous beaches like Baga, Calangute and Candolim. It is an ideal place for swimming and one should not miss visiting this beach when on their travel to Goa for beach holidays.
The beach at Sinquerim lies adjacent to the Aguada beach. Near the beach one can see the famous historical Fort Aguada that was built by the Portuguese to defend them from any attack from the sea route.

So we almost finished visiting north Goa. While coming back from the beach we went to the cafe called Charcoal and had beer and onion pakoda with finger chips.

Next day morning we left to Mudgaon and our train was at 3:30. We had lunch at hotel Raviraj. Our train was on time but it stopped in Launda station for more than 1:30hrs.

It was really a wonderful and memorable journey and I am not sure whether we can make the plan to Goa in monsoon again. Its totally different experience. One more thing is most of the restaurants and cafe are closed in monsoon season and we have to search for food.