Magical Monsoons in Goa - Jui Damle

Magical Mystical Magnificent Monsoons in Goa

“Rain clouds come floating in, not to muddy my days, but to make me calm, happy and peaceful,” said a wise person. It resonates so well with the rains in Goa. A great sense of cheer spreads as the intense summer heat magically dissipates. The landscape changes, the weather changes……in fact, there is a complete change in everything. While the beaches of Goa are undoubtedly a major attraction, they are off limits because of the rough seas during this season. Fewer shacks are open for business. But worry not. There are plenty of things to do in Goa in the monsoons.

The monsoons have now settled into Goa with much gusto, bringing in cheer and relief from the heat. The landscape is filled with such shades of green changing with the green cover in so many shades that will leave even the erudite artist surprised! The green rhapsody brings along gushing streams and robustly flowing rivers.

Try some of these offbeat activities to make the most of your monsoon holiday in Goa.

Go fishing or trekking!

If you go along the riverside to the Chapora jetty, you will find fishing enthusiasts sitting patiently with their fishing rods waiting for their big catch. Ask some of the fishermen and they can take you crab hunting. 

The gentle hills and vast expanses of greenery in Goa are a trekkers’ delight. Go for treks in the beautiful and gentle hills around Candolim, Arambhol and the lesser known places like Pomburpa and Aldona. The springs at Pomburpa are a delight in the monsoons. The natural wonders that this state offers have to be seen, to be truly enjoyed.

Enjoy a monsoon bike ride

Crazy as it may sound……take a bike and explore the unexplored in Goa. Drive along lush paddy fields, avenues lined with coconut trees, along the hills and along the rivers. Explore the real Goa on a bike. Try some authentic Goan snacks like the bhaji pav or the sumptuous Goan fish thali for lunch.

Join the festivities!

People in Goa love their festivals. And we are not just talking about the popular Ganesh Chaturthi or Christmas one enjoys in Goa. There are unique festivals celebrated only in the monsoons. The feasts of São João and Bonderam are celebrated during the peak of monsoons in the months of June and August respectively. Dedicated to St. John the Baptist and celebrated with much gusto, you will find people of all ages jumping into wells, ponds and rivers. There’s also a colourful boat race in Siolim in North Goa. Another unique festival is the Bonderam, celebrated on the fourth Saturday of August every year at Divar Island, situated at a distance of about 12 km from Panjim. There is a distinct carnival-ish flavour to this festival, with the Divar island filled with excitement on the day of the feast.

Check into the forts of Goa

There are some hauntingly beautiful forts in North Goa. Given its geographic significance in the past, most of the forts are located close to the sea. The much popular Aguada fort and the Chapora fort offer you a mesmerizing view of the magnificent Arabian Sea. And the cloudy skies, rains and the wind whipping your hair, a trek to these forts can be truly breathtaking. The lesser known Reis Magos fort is a marvel in itself. Located in the village by the same name, it offers a lovely view of the Mandovi river with the city of Panjim located on its banks. The village is famous for two of Goa’s famous structures; the Reis Magos Fort, and the Reis Magos Church – the first church in Bardez.

Eat and party away in the monsoons

Of course, it’s no fun without the food and the parties in Goa. But the party animals need not fear. A lot of the older and well known night clubs such as Tito’s and Mambo’s are open during this season. You can also catch the special nights at some of the other places like LPK (short for Love Passion Karma) or enjoy live music at the chilled out Cavala on its special Friday nights. There are also some special monsoon nights at the newly opened Soro in Assagao. With some Jazz, retro and other special nights planned, this is a great place to hang out with some heady cocktails and finger-licking barbeques.

And of course there are the amazingly delicious food options that Goa offers. Admittedly, fish is in short supply during this season, but do try the local flavors at Anand in Anjuna or Spice Goa in Mapusa.

There are few destinations around the world that can rival the year round charm that Goa possesses. Goa can offer you all the ingredients of a dreamy, green and peaceful vacation.  Contrary to popular opinion, a monsoon holiday in Goa is magical. So try something new and different and you won’t be disappointed.

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On the Goan food trail- Amazing fish thalis in Goa #very_goan #goaunlimited #goavillarentals #goaholiday

On the Goan food trail – Amazing fish thalis in Goa

by Jui Damle

Thali at Konkani Kanteen, Panjim

If you thought Goa was about fish, fish and more fish, you wouldn’t be so wrong! Fish is eaten with gusto across India or for that matter, across the globe. But the sheer variety, taste and preparations with fish in Goa are unparalleled.

The unique fish thalis have become something of an iconic symbol of Goa.It’s almost a sacrilege to leave without trying the fish thali at least once during your trip. As a relatively new resident of Goa, I crave for this fish thali at least once a week.

So what is this fishthali all about? It’s a simple, hearty but extremely tasty and balanced meal. Across the length and the breadth of the state, you will find the same constituents in a fish thali – the rice, fish curry and a piece of fried fish. To cut down the spiciness, the soul soothing and stomach cooling solkadi (the version with coconut milk) or the ‘tival’ (without the coconut milk added) are usually an essential part of the thali. Depending on where you are eating, the type of fish in the curry and the fried version differ. The taste of the curry differs too – sometimes spicy and piquant or mellow with the flavours of fresh coconut. As you traverse from the North to the South or the East to the West, there are some classic joints serving up these delectable meals.

In the north, there is Anand. Set amidst lush green fields (at least in this season), Anand serves up a delectable thali with fresh fish, some absolutely ravishing curry along with clams or tisryo in a coconut gravy, served with steaming rice and a vegetable. There are some joints like Copperleaf in Porvorim that serve a huge fish thali – served with all the standard dishes but with the addition of kismoor, a sort of salad with dry shrimps, along with an interesting addition like a crab sukka or some other special of the day. Another place that serves a great tasting thali is Sanil, also in Porvorim. It’s a small joint, very popular among the locals. Another place that deserves a special mention is Spice Goa in Mapusa, with their legendray fish thali. There are several eateries in Panjim that are famous for their fish thalis – Ritz Classic, Anandashram, Vinanti and the newly opened Konkani Kanteen. Down South, you will find the famous and popular Mardol, Sharda in Bambolim and Sheela’s on the way to the airport.

Whichever the place, however big or small, be sure to try the fish thali and you won’t be disappointed. In fact, you will be coming back for more!

Enjoy a meal under Rs. 100

Savour the true taste of Goa - Enjoy a meal in Goa under Rs. 100

When it comes to Goan food, fish is the first thing that comes to mind. While it’s true that Goan fish preparations are epic, there is a lot more to this cuisine. And it’s cheap if you kmow the right eating joints spread across Goa!

Here are a few of our food recommendations from Goa Unlimited, of the
food one can savor while in Goa...

A morning breakfast in Goa is sumptuous, starting your day with the energy and the carbs. One can enjoy the Goan bread, actually available in several different shapes and taste – poi, katre and the legendary pav to name a few. This healthy and organic Goan bread is eaten with either ros, a coconut based chicken gravy which is poured over an omelette. The dish called as ros omelette is one of the tastiest innovations in egg preparations. It offers a great taste of all that is Goa and is filling as well. For the vegetarians, there is bhaji pav, mostly made of white peas and potatoes. You can have that with the tasty mirchi bhajis. A tasty treat indeed!

You will find these delicacies at every small and big eatery along the way. Drive around one of the small village roads and you will find a small café – most are very clean and hygienic, serving up these preparations.

And there is a lot more to choose from. You can savour some more Goan snacks such as the chops – made with chicken, beef, or egg. They make for a delicious tea time snack or a starter on your dinner menu.

Goa has so many gastronomic delights, enough to write a book about. Travel is as much about food as sightseeing and enjoying. Come and enjoy the tasty treats Goa has to offer!

3 bhk vacation Rental villa in Baga

Goa in Rains!

5 off beat activities to do in Goa during the rains

Enjoy the magic, mania and masti of Goa during the rains

The advent of rains in Goa turns this quintessential party capital of India into nature’s delight. The rains have arrived as if the sweltering summer heat was never there. The rivers are gushing with the fresh rain water and the sea is swelling with the pride of the monsoon. The flora and the fauna looks as fresh as ever and it’s a delight to be in Goa at this time, particularly when the rest of the country is still fervently praying to the rain gods!

Goa Unlimited and Goa Villa Rentals recommend the 5 best offbeat activities one can do in Goa during the monsoons –

1.       Refresh your history and stamina with a tour of the forts of Goa

Goa has some of the most scenic forts in India. Mostly located on the expansive Arabian Sea, these forts offer a magnificent view of the ocean. And in the monsoons, when the sea is roaring with its energy and the clouds fill up the sky, a walk around these forts is exhilarating. Fort Aguada is located in Sinquerim and is closest to the Baga Calangute belt. The Reis Magos fort offers a marvellous view of the Mandovi river with the picturesque city of Panjim across the river. There is a church and one can also avail of the guided tour there. The Chapora fort, made famous by the movie, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, offers a grand view of the majesty of the Arabian Sea. The Tiracol fort is located further north and is a much smaller fort. With a heritage hotel and a pretty chapel inside the premises, this fort too gives an intriguing view of the surrounding countryside and the sea. Cabo de Rama is one of the more well-known forts located in South Goa near the Cola beach. There are some ruins of old structures and the Santo Antonio church inside the fort. Call us for an exclusive tour of the forts of Goa.

2.       Go wild with the sanctuaries and waterfalls in Goa

The sanctuaries and waterfalls in Goa amply demonstrate how the monsoons bring out the best in nature. The access to the very popular Dudhsagar waterfalls is limited in the monsoons, but there are so many others one can visit and enjoy. Visit the Arvalem, Sada, Netravali, Kuskem and the Tambdi Surla waterfalls. In fact, at Tambdi Surla you will also find a 15^th century temple of Lord Shiva. Make sure that you have your trekking gear and that it’s safe to visit any of the falls during this time. The Dr. Salim Ali bird sanctuary is a delight. Not more than 20 minutes away from Panjim city and a short but interesting ferry ride to the Chorao Island, the bird sanctuary is a bird watchers’ paradise.

3.       Have fun at the monsoon time festivals of Goa

Much like the rest of India, Goans love their festivals too. And you will find some interesting ones during the monsoons. Starting in June, the Sao Joao festival has been gaining popularity. Celebrated as the feast of St John the Baptist, this festival is celebrated at the beginning of monsoon and you will find people of all ages jumping into wells, streams and ponds. There is also a colourful boat race in Siolim in North Goa. The feast of Bonderam is celebrated on the 4^th Saturday in August every year at Divar Island, located at a distance of about 12 kilometres from Panjim city. And there is the Ganesh festival later in September. There is an atmosphere of joy and merry making to mark these festivals and one cannot help but enjoy and join the fun.

4.       Go cruising down the river

Even if the water sports activities are closed during this time, you can take a cruise down one of Goa’s many rivers. Take a leisure cruise on a 50 seater catamaran or yacht with music, kayaking, fishing and stand-up paddle boats. There are several vendors that offer you a cruise down the river with some interesting activities such as kayaking, fishing and even crab catching. Feel the luxury of the river and enjoy the beautiful vistas in the Goan backwaters!

5.       Chill out at one of our villas to truly enjoy the Goan experience

Lastly, stay at one of our villas to truly enjoy your vacation. Visit our website, Goa Villa Rentals (www.goavillarentals.in) to check out our many options. Get your family and friends together and rent out one of our villas. The rains, the cool weather and the warmth and cosiness of our comfortable villas will make you come back for more. Rent out any of our 3, 4, 5 and 6 bedroom villas depending on the size of your group and experience the magic of monsoons in Goa. Stay at our comfortable 3 bedroom villa in Baga and be close to the action packed adventure that is Goa. Or stay at our deluxe 5 bedroom villa, also in Baga, close to the beach and enjoy a dip in our plunge pool on top of the villa. Rent out the beautiful and tranquilOm Kairos villa in Corgao, Pernem to truly stay in the lap of nature and rejuvenate your soul.

So pack up your rain gear and head to Goa to enjoy a different, yet unique experience of the masti, magic and mania of monsoons in Goa!

To enjoy all these activities and many more, call us at +91 9822188818 or +91 8007688818 or email us at info@goavillarentals.com/holidays@goavillarentals.in