Christmas in Goa 2021. A travelog

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 00:59:02 +0500 #1

Goa is cool. More so if you are young which is one of the top destinations for youth.it is like the Pensacola of India but also steeped in culture and ethnicity. The Portugese influence is one of the highlights along with the local culture. Enjoy the tour i hope.

Highlights

Beaches. Candolim, Calungute, Baja and Miramar are some of the well known beaches in Goa i visited.

Churches, Many famous basilicas are located in Goa , part of it;s colonial heritage.

Latin Quarter of Panjim the state capital known as 'Fontainhas'

Bars and Pubs. Goa has among the lowest alcohol tax in India and Feni is the local drink made from cashew

Waterfront. Cruises , Jet skis, Paragliding, Floating Casinos (gambling) are popular pastimes in Goa

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 01:10:29 +0500 #2

Waiting for my flight at Chennai Domestic Terminal to Dabolim Airport. Goa

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 01:13:04 +0500 #3

Walking down the ramp to my flight

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 01:16:02 +0500 #4

After an uneventful flight upon exiting airport waiting for my cab at Dabolim airport . Goa

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 01:21:42 +0500 #5

Arriving at our hotel. We are lucky we got room at short notice especially during the holiday season

Moderator (Moderator) 2022-01-01 10:34:43 +0500 #6

uzeemujeeb (MUZ) 2022-01-01 10:37:32 +0500 #7

@nickatnite is it true that a common Indian has to seek a permit or some kind of NOC to visit GOA. just curious to know that sir is it also true for Indian side of Kashmir tourism ?

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 18:25:57 +0500 #8

you can 'google' the answer too but the 'common indian' as you call him/her can go anywhere in India including Goa and Kashmir . The only requirement is the Covid vaccine 2-dose certificate and complying with individual state policies regarding Covid -19. For eg., some states have night curfews.Goa does not , atleast when i was there. In fact the party begins at night in Goa for sure. The young ones party at night sleep during daytime so old ones like me can go sightseeing.

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 18:27:23 +0500 #9

Why i like Goa. the bohemian vibe is everywhere...

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 18:35:10 +0500 #10

First stop on our 2nd day in Goa was a visit to Panjim , the state capital located in south Goa and separated by the Mandovi river.

The bridge that separates north and south Goa over the Mandovi river and which leads into Panjim

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 18:37:21 +0500 #11

Drivng in Panjim by the riverside into downtown. you can see a cruise boat in the left of pic , one of many there

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 18:41:55 +0500 #12

driving in Panjim, Goa

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 18:44:40 +0500 #13

Panjim, Goa. Sarkari buildings enroute to downtown.

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 18:49:21 +0500 #14

Panjim, Goa. nice looking buildings near the waterfront.

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 18:57:13 +0500 #15

Just before driving into the narrow streets of the old town

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 19:14:19 +0500 #16

Arriving in Altinho square in downtown Panjim or Panaji as it is also known, one of the oldest areas in that region at the footsteps of one of the oldest Portugese churches in Asia. More from here later tonight...

capsat (ومن شر حاسد إذا حسد) 2022-01-01 19:18:54 +0500 #17

Thank you @nickatnite for sharing GOA trip an amazing start of 2022.

GOA, Patiala, Shimla, Dibrugarh, Dehradun Military Academy are few places in India, I desire to visit some day in this lifetime. all these places have very high significance in my maternal & paternal ancestral families.

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 23:49:06 +0500 #18

Thank you Sir. I hope one day your wishes will be fulfilled. Appreciate.

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-01 23:56:19 +0500 #19

I really don't want to over hype anything but this is fact. The Portugese ruled Goa for over four hundred and fifty years and their influence in this region is undeniable. From faith to food and beyond. Goa is home to the Vindaloo, Xacuti and particular sausage that has made it's way to kitchens all over india and the world.

From post #16, we are standing at the footsteps of the 'Our Lady of Immaculate Conception' church built in 1541 and expanded in 1609 and is a working church with three services in Portugese, local language Konkani and English. This is an iconic building in the heart of downtown Panjim.

We will visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus , an UNESCO World Heritage site later on in this thread where the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier are preserved without any chemicals fresh as the day he was buried. It was a privilege to see the same

nickatnite (nickatnite) 2022-01-02 00:10:25 +0500 #20

Walking in Altino square after lunch at a local Goan bistro serving authentic fare.