From shopping and recreation to sightseeing and architecture, Goa has it all, writes Sylvia Looi
GOA is India’s land of fun, with pristine beaches that run along the Arabian Sea and a unique mix of Indian and Portuguese cultures and architectures.
The former Portuguese colony was liberated in 1961 and divided into two — North and South Goa. While there is more shopping and entertainment in North Goa, hotels and recreation activities are mostly located in the south.
But Goa is not that big. Local guide Narayan Volvoicar says it can be covered in three hours if traffic is clear.
True to its Portuguese background, chapels and churches can be found in every nook and corner of the state. Volvoicar says that in a stretch of 1.5km alone, there are nine churches. Nevertheless, there’s no shortage of places of interest in Goa.
FORT AGUADA
This 17th-century lighthouse in Sinquerim Beach overlooking the Arabian Sea is located in North Goa. It was constructed in 1612 to guard against the Dutch and the Marathas. It was also a reference point for vessels coming from Europe at that time. It was initially tasked to defend ships.
A freshwater spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships. That is how the fort got its name: Aguada, meaning “water”. Crews of passing ships would often visit to replenish their fresh water stores.
The fort houses a four-storey Portuguese lighthouse, erected in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia. Fort Aguada was once the grandstand of 79 cannons. It has a capacity to store nearly nine million litres of water, one of the biggest freshwater storages of the time in Asia.
This fort is divided into two segments. The upper part acted as a fort and watering station, while the lower served as a safe berth for Portuguese ships. The upper part has a moat, underground water storage chamber, gunpowder room, light house and bastions, as well as a secret escape passage for use in times of war and emergency. The lighthouse initially used to emit light once in seven minutes. In 1834, it was changed to emit light every 30 seconds. It was abandoned in 1976.
Aside as a setting for movies, Fort Aguada is also a prison now. Some 200 prisoners are said to be held there. Entrance to Fort Aguada is free.
Hop on to a boat to see some friendly dolphins but be ready for a choppy ride. If you want to capture the dolphins with your camera, be ready at all times as they will not pose for pictures.
The charge for an hour’s trip is 300Rp (RM18.90) per person
BASILICA OF BOM JESUS
The church, built by three different architects (Greek, Roman and Italian), is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Construction began in 1594 and it was completed in 1604. It is home to the remains of St. Francis Xavier. Kept in a well-decorated casket, the body is said to be as fresh today as it was the day he was buried. The remains attract a large number of worshippers during the public viewing every 10 years (last held in 2014).
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is more than 408 years old and is open to the public every day.
CHURCH OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
The Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is located in Panjim. The church conducts mass in English, Konkani, and Portuguese. The colonial Portuguese Baroque style church, built in 1541 as a chapel by the Portuguese was replaced by a larger church in the 1600s.
The site was the location of a colonial port landing, where ships sailing from Lisbon made first call and where sailors disembarked, before proceeding further inland to Ela (now Old Goa), which was the capital of Goa until the 19th century.
During the Festival of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, held every year on Dec 8, the church is colourfully illuminated. A fair is also part of this festival.
WHERE TO STAY
Goa offers a wide choice of lodgings from high-end hotels and resorts to budget-friendly guest houses. For those wanting to experience local culture and lifestyle, guesthouses make a better choice.
HOW TO GET THERE
The best time to visit Goa is from mid-November to mid-February when the weather is dry and pleasant. Air Asia flies to Goa three times weekly: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Details at www.airasia.com.my.
Note: The writer’s trip was organised by Matta and sponsored by Air Asia and Love India Travel.