Page 31 - FlipBook

fund their stay, this diverse, lively market now sprawls from beach to paddy fields. It’s a big, bustling day out with live music, food and a resplendent array of sarongs, jewellery, spices, tea, coffee, souvenirs and beautiful handicrafts from all over India. Open November-April.
8am till after sunset. Best early morning or late afternoon.
FOOD FUSION
The rich legacy of Goan, Portuguese and Hindu traditions is headily mixed in Goan food. One modest eatery in an unassuming corner of Fontainhas in Panjim – where locals and tourists from India and abroad gather for authentic fare – is Viva Panjim in the converted 150-year-old Portuguese ancestral home of Linda and Michael de Sousa. Spilling onto a narrow lane of tables and lively chatter in a mix of Konkani and Portuguese, Viva Panjim is reminiscent
of side-street restaurants of old Goa. For reasonable prices, try food not featured in other eateries. Alongside old favourites
Prawn Curry, Fish Balchao, Chicken Cafreal, Caldin, you can try rare Goan specialties like Stuffed Karela, Feijoida, Piexe Portuguese, Torradine, Pork Cabidela and Arroz de Chourico. Ask for the rava- fried catch of the day. And for dessert try the traditional Indo-Portuguese dessert babinca, a rich, egg-based, layered sweet with coconut milk and ghee.
NATURAL HAVENS
With three wildlife sanctuaries, there’s more to Goa than beaches. The 240sqkm Mollem National Park and Bhagvan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven
for diverse flora and fauna, and one of
the best unexplored places in Goa with numerous hiking and trekking trails. The Mormugao–Londa railway line also passes through the thick jungles of the national park. Visitors may sight leopard, gaur, sloth bear, mouse deer, wild boar, civet, flying squirrel, pangolin and more. Open every day 8-5. But if you only have a short time, you can take a guided jeep tour
through the national park. Picnic and swim at Dudhsagar Falls; visit a spice village to learn about traditional farming of herbs, fruits and spices; and enjoy a Goan buffet lunch - all with hotel pickup and drop-off. For details, enquire at local hotels.
For a peaceful journey through rivers, tributaries and backwaters, kayaking with a local guide is a good option. Weave your way along narrow, gentle waterways for 2 to 3 hours with a Goa Kayaking Excursion of Sal Backwaters; spot and photograph birds and shy otters if you’re lucky; glide past lush green vegetation and rice fields; slip through tranquil red and white lotus and water lily ponds; find shade under overhanging mango, cashew, bamboo and mangroves. Goa Kayaking offers daily kayaking trips in several different places
in Goa. The tours are popular so book in advance, especially on long weekends and public holidays. Book early in the morning to avoid the heat.
Available November to April www.goakayaking.com
STAY
HERE’S A SAMPLING OF OUR 36 RESORTS IN GOA.
Karma Royal Benaulim 3726 Karma Royal Haathi Mahal 4129 Palmarinha Resort & Suites C908
The Pride Sun Village Resort & Spa-Goa 4891 Club Mahindra Emerald Palms D554 Club Mahindra Varca Beach 4883 For additional resort listings, visit RCI.com or call your country’s local toll-free number
ENDLESS VACATION 31