Dona Paula

The girl was daughter of the Viceroy. She was pretty and luscious with her dark  blue eyes as beautiful as lotus petals. She fell in love with a poor fisherman's son! The boy was dark, strong and muscular with broad chest.

Will any Viceroy give his daughter to a fisherman?

Here also that happened.  Here the Viceroy went a step ahead. He threatened to kill the boy. The lovers decided to die together. They climbed on a huge cliff near the bank, jumped into the sea and died. This happened in Dona Paula years back! The beach is named after the girl. The ocean, it seemed to me, telling the sad story of the girl!

Dona Paula is a fisherman's village. All around the beach a number of stalls are there mostly selling textile items. They are very cheap. You may bargain the prize. But the items of course are of poor quality. Conveniences are there in the beach for various types of water sports.

                                      Views of Dona Paula beach     

Share

Goa, the smallest State

Goa, the smallest State of India, is one of the important tourist destination of the country. People go to Goa for sun, sand and beaches. But Goa has in fact a lot more to offer to the tourist. Its monuments mostly built by the Portuguese, museums, churches etc. are interesting items to enjoy.  Besides there are a lot more.
 
    

   Sa-de-santa-caterina-An ancient Portuguese Cathedral in Goa (see the architecture) 

A memorable journey

Our journey to Goa stated from Mumbai. Myself, wife and  our two daughters and my friend Parimalendu with his wife,his small son and daughter. Our train started sharp at 10.30 P.M. All along the way the children were merry-making even without sleep. We had carried along home-cooked food, but the children demanded train food in a single tone. There was no other way but to buy! Morning at 9.30 A.M we reached the beautiful, picturesque Goa

Our Hotel

We arranged a taxi to our destination, Hotel Miramar Residency. The hotel is owned by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation. Its situated near the famous Miramar Beach. This hotel is arranged by the Bank for  the stay of its employees who visit Goa. Outsiders are also admitted as well.

The Hotel is eco-friendly, constructed within a large coconut plantation. Its in the form of individual cottages, each cottage meant for a family; over and above they are constructed in the tiled, traditional way. The rooms are well furnished, neat and tidy. Air coming from the the sea traversing the coconut farm was very cool and refreshing. AC, though provided, is not so   necessary in such situations. Luckily we two families got adjacent cottages!

 

                       Miramar Residency---Reception

Recipes

Miramar Residency is an economy hotel.  Only the food is a bit costly; all typical, spicy Goan items. Dining places are small thatched, open sheds. We can enjoy the recipes in the  soft touch of  cool sea breeze. I liked an item made out of shrimp. I don' know by what name they call it. Children liked chicken recipes. Parimalendu, who is a lover of good food tried all items during our one week stay. (I must say his wife is a wonderful cook, as a matter of fact!) 

                                               Shrimp recipe

                                                      Sorpotel

                                                       Sannas