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     

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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

Churches,Temples and Monuments

There are several Churches built in 16 th century in Goa. Basilica Bom Jesus is one of them. The Church contains relics of saint Francis Xavier. More ancient Churches, Mosques and Temples are also valuable sights of Goa.

                              

                                          Basilica Bom Jesus
          Old Goa, believed to be built in 1585.

Old Goa, Built in 1585

The statue of St. Francis Xavier can be seen here. It is in Old Goa, built in 1885

                   Chapel of Saint Catherine Church
     In Panjim, Old Goa. It was built in 1884.

                   The Church of St. Francis Assisi

Old Goa. Built in 1661

                           Santa Durga Temple

                            Lotus pond of the Temple

Goa Beaches

Goa is a land of beaches. All along its 100 kilometer coastal line we can see a number of beaches. Some of the beaches are crowed, some are not so crowded and others isolated. Crowded beaches are great commercial places also. The tourists get sun shades and mats on payment. Food is also served in some of the beaches. In beaches like Dona Paula there are conveniences of various water sports like water skiing, wind surfing, sports fishing, toboggan ski-biscuit etc.In all beaches luxury, deluxe and economy hotels are there for the convenience of the tourists

                                Crowded Calangute Beach

                                    My daughter near a beach

                                                    Mithi

Inside an old Museum

Goa has a good number of museums. It is difficult to visit all in a single day. Kudos to the Government of Goa who maintain these museums in good condition. We had time only to visit a few museums. Our children really enjoyed the museums. In some of them the walls are made of mud and peculiar shells which the Portuguese brought from Europe. The tiles are of ancient types imported from Europe. The terracotta artifacts and antique furniture will attract the attention of everybody.

                                         

               An ancient Portuguese museum building in margoa

                              Parimalendu and his wife

                                      Inside views of the museum                                   

A boat journey

Passenger cruises are operated from several parts of Goa. They take you through the Arabian sea for a 1 hour journey. It is one of Goa's memorable experiences. Its better to book in advance for ensure your seats. These cruises are comparatively cheaper. The passengers are served with food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) on payment. I took two pegs Fenny (It is an alcoholic liquid peculiar to Goa. This thing is prepared from Cashew fruits) during the journey. The journey was a memorable one. They had arranged dance and singing for children over the boat deck.  Chairs were also arranged for the spectators. My daughters and my friend's little son and daughter participated in the dancing foray. For the food and drinks you have to make additional payments.

            My daughter singing in the boat

Goa Car Rental

Goa Hotels and Tours have made the car rental easy. They arrange cars for you to see the various sites and locations. You can book well in advance through the site. (click the link) It is reliable and of moderate charges. if you rent a car the sight seeing becomes easier for you. You can take your own time at each and every locations. Otherwise you may depend upon the the Goa Tourism Development Corporation's luxury tourist buses. Only thing is that here they have stipulated time for each destinations and a guide to explain each and every locations.