| Mandrem Beach Goa |
By
its rustic ambience, Mandrem takes us back in time. The northern village of
Pernem has been surrounded by a hill-range covered with caju plantations and
a shoreline with a twin-beach buckle. It's known for fine Goan feni and
expert stonecarvers. However, in recent years it has been ruffled from its
cattle-driven pace by the tourism trail passing through it to the Arambol
beach.
After crossing the Chapora river either from the Chopdem-Siolim
ferry-crossing or the Colvale bridge, one lands in the Velhas Conquistas of
Pernem. From Colvale, the distance to Mandrem is slightly more than a
half-an-hour drive across undulating countryside. The road forks a little
less than a kilometre away from the Chopdem ferry-point. The route climbing
the hills offers an exhilarating view of land and sea. The coastal route via
Morjim village proves equally exhilarating. |
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| Morjim Beach Goa |
| Morjim is a picturesque portion of Goa's 103-square metre long shoreline in
the North. The swish and rustle of the waters of the Arabian sea and the
Chapora river bestow on it a bountiful catch of choice fish and coconuts as
well as beautiful vistas. Hedged by hillocks, which chase the habitated
plains and gently dissolve on the pristine beach, Morjim offers gorgeous
viewpoints from sea-level upwards Morjim interests different people for
different reasons. For sure, it's a rural place shrouded in quaint customs
and traditions like most Goan villages. It boasts about one of the loveliest
beaches. Moreover, it's the home of Goa's traditional folk-dance ghoddemodni
and maddachem godd (coconut jaggery). |
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| Vagator Beach Goa |
Barsely a couple of kilometres of cliff tops and parched grassland separate
Anjuna from the southern fringes of its nearest neighbour, Vagator. A
desultory collection of ramshackle farmhouses and picturesque old Portuguese
bungalows scattered around a network of leafy lanes, the village is entered
at the east via a branch off the Mapusa Road, which passes a few small
guesthouses and restaurants before running down to the sea
Dominated by the red ramparts of Chapora Fort, Vagator's broad white sandy
beach - Big Vagator Beach also known, as "Little Vagator" is
undeniably beautiful , just like a picture postcard.
For better, then, to head to the next cove south. Backed by a steep
wall of crumbling palm-fringed laterite, Ozran Vagator beach is more
secluded and much less accessible than either of its neighbours. To get
there, walk ten minutes from Big Vagator, or drive to the end of the lane
off the main Chapora-Anjuna Road, from where a footpath drops sharply down
to a wide stretch of level white sand.
Like Anjuna, Vagator is a relaxed, comparatively undeveloped resort
that appeals, in the main, to budget travellers with time on their hands.
Accommodation is limited, however, and visitors frequently find themselves
travelling to and from Baga every day to find a suitable place to stay.
Eating Places
Vagator's many cafes and restaurants are scattered along the main road and
the back lanes that lead to Ozran Beach. There are also several seafood
joints behind Big Vagator Beach, one or two of which serve Indian dishes in
addition to the usual fish rich Goan specialties. Nightlife focuses on the
Primrose café, out towards Anjuna, which boasts a beefier than
average sound system, and a later Bars. |
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| Agonda Beach Goa |
The Agonda beach is a small, picturesque and secluded beach 37 Kms from the town of Margao where nature lovers can find peace of mind. It is relatively deserted due to its distances from the main cities and is the next beach after Palolem when are driving towards Panaji.
Agonda Beach is a three-kilometer long and lonely beautiful cove of white sand that is fringed with palms and casuarinas. It is dominated by a large hill to its south. There are very few facilities available here with few tourists, no souvenir stalls, and no restaurants. It is also not safe to swim out too far on this beach. The fort of Cabo de Rama is not too far from Agonda beach. It is as yet undiscovered by most visitors. The fort is named afterLord Rama, the central figure of the Hindu epic Ramayana. According to local legend, Rama stayed here with his wife Sita during the period of his 12-year exile. The atmosphere of the fort creates a sense of history and drama that takes you back in time. |
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| Benaulim Beach Goa |
According to Hindu mythology Goa was created when the sage Shri Parasurama,
Lord Vishnu's sixth incarnation, fired an arrow into the sea from the top of
the Western Ghats and ordered the waters to recede. The spot where the shaft
fell to earth, known in Sanskrit as "Banali" and later distorted
by the Portuguese to Benaulim, lies in the centre of Colva Beach, 7-km west
of Margao.
Only a decade ago, this fishing and rice-farming village, scattered around
the coconut groves and paddy fields between the main Colva-Mobor Road and
the dunes, had Barsely made it onto the backpackers map. Now, the shady lane
leading through it is studded with guesthouses and souvenir stalls while the
paddy fields on the outskirts are gradually disappearing to give way for
luxury resorts and time-share apartment blocks. For the time being, however,
this remains a peaceful and welcoming place to unwind.
Either side of the sand blown beachfront, the gently shelving sands shimmer
away almost to the horizon, litered with photogenic wooden fishing boats
that provide welcome shade if the walk from the palm trees to the sea gets
too much. Hawkers, itinerant masseurs and fruit wallahs appear from time to
time, but one can easily escape them by heading south towards neighbouring
Varca, where tourism has thus far made little impact.
Moreover, the sea is safe for swimming, being generally jellyfish-free,
while the village itself boasts a few serviceable Bars and restaurants,
several telephone booths and a couple of stores. |
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| Betul Beach Goa |
| On most Goa Tourism brochures Betul is marked as a fishing port on the Goa
map, just south of Mobor across the Sal River. But it also possesses a
relatively secluded and picturesque beach overlooking the wide estuary,
delightfully shaded by coconut palms and fruit trees. Headlands from the
slopes of the Western Ghats protrude into the shore giving the whole area an
imposing backdrop. Regular ferries and boats-on-hire take you across from
Mobor. A walk along the ‘jetty’ is an interesting experience where
you can watch the colorful mechanized boats bring-in their catch. River Sal
Restaurant on the riverbank specializes in delicious river fish dishes and
offers a few cheap rooms. |
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| Betalbatim Beach Goa |
| Betalbatim is situated around 8 Kms. from Margao. Betalbatim beach
popularly know as the sunset beach. Most of the beaches in Goa are palm
fringed beaches but this beach has more of cold pine trees. Betalbatim has
some fine restaurants and accommodations and also a church of St. Tomas. |
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