10 Unusual, Slightly Whacky, Entirely Stimulating Things To Do In Goa During The High Season!
You read the headline and sub-headlines (excuse the journo-jargon) to this story, right? âNuff said. Letâs get started.
A Goa Streets Guide
- Get Wild
In a wildlife sanctuary, that is. Itâs hard to know whatâs more exciting â Goaâs nightlife or its wildlife parks. Of course it depends on what sort of âwildâ youâre into, but for all those who prefer their thrills to come from critters rather than cocktails, check out the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats. Among the critters here are the mouse deer, the sloth bear, the panther and the barking deer (and you thought only dogs could do that!). The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, about 10 kilometres southeast of Palolem, has snakes, monkeys, birds and frogs, though some of its more exotic denizens, such as leopards, sambars and gaurs, are more difficult to spot. The forest department offers some cottages for those wishing to stay the night.
2.Let History Be Your Guide
At a museum! Look, if you think museums are boring, donât go to one. But if youâre an intellectually curious person who believes in cultural preservation and personal edification, Goa has some nice offerings in this regard. The Archaeological Museum of Old Goa, the Institute Menezes Braganza and the Naval Aviation Museum are particularly worthwhile. Come on, you can have your Kingfisher on the beach later!
- Snorkel, Lounge and Barbecue
Listen up, dear reader. If Monkey Island was good enough for the producers of the movie The Bourne Supremacy, it should be good enough for you. Itâs a South Goan adventure featuring snorkeling, swimming, lounging and barbecuing on the beach. Cruises take you from the Panjim jetty or Coco Beach to Monkey Island, where the dayâs delights take place.
- Yoga Mania
Goa is known for many things â beach, parties, heritage, shacks, churches, to name a few. In recent years, itâs also come into its own as a global centre for the practice of Yoga. The Oceanic Yoga School in Anjuna is one of the most popular and professional institutions of this kind in the state, and is definitely worth checking out. Oooohhhhhmmmm! Visit www.oceanicyoga.com.
- Heritage Tour
Private Portuguese heritage tours are available, guiding you through such sights as the Se Cathedral, the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Dona Paula Beach and Fontainhas. Lest we forget, the Portuguese ruled this land for all of 451 years that only ended in 1961, which, in historical terms, was practically just yesterday. Goa has two World Heritage sights, the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the churches and convents of Old Goa. A half-day tour will take you back in time and help you relive Portuguese rule â this time, fortunately, without an Inquisition.
- Be A Biker
One of the best ways to see Goa is to rent a motorbike. In a single day, you can drive from Palolem in the South to Arambol in the north, stopping along the way to soak in the sights and sounds. Be sure to wear a helmet. Youâll need to present a valid driverâs license to rent your bike.
- Cooking Classes
Itâs hard not to love Goan food. Itâs spicy, tangy, not too heavy and usually made with loads of love. In the northern village of Siolim, thereâs a wonderful cooking school called the Siolim Cooking School (please take our word for it, the creativity of the food and instruction exceeds the creativity of the schoolâs name). Located in a posh heritage hotel called the Siolim House, the school boasts very good teachers who reveal Goaâs culinary treasures. Check them out at www.cookingclassesgoa.com.
- Kayak
Goa is certainly no backwater, but that doesnât mean it doesnât have fantastic backwaters for you to go kayaking on! The Sal Backwaters, the Nerul River, the Zuari River and the Mandovi River are particularly well suited to this increasingly popular sport. Itâs not just the fun of rowing on the river. Itâs also the breathtaking array of flora, fauna and scenery you see along the way that will, yes, take your breath away.
- Gamble
Billy Joel said he would rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. Now you can, too, at a Goan casino! If you donât overdo it and lose all your money, then itâs all in good fun (notwithstanding opposition from a good number of Goans who despise their presence). There are casinos all over Goa, but the most popular and probably the best ones are floating on the Mandovi River.
- Sunset Cruise On The Mandovi
These cruises, run by Goa tourism authorities, take off every night around (you guessed it) sunset, and last about an hour. You can have drinks and snacks, listen to live music and enjoy Goan and Portuguese performances while watching the sun go down over the Mandovi River and Arabian Sea. Catch the boat at the Santa Monica Pier in Panjim, and float your worries away!