Goa Cities
Canacona
Canacona was just a disdained Goan backwater. Palolem and Agonda beaches
and the desolete Cabo de Rama Fort remained the only places where one could
ever think of a holiday. Over the decade, the thirst to unveil the virgin
beauty of nature led many travellers to the green hills of Canacona.
Mapusa
Perhaps no other town in India enjoys the weekend as does Mapusa. Come Friday
and the sluggish land will spring up to its feet, ready to let its hair
down for the whole day. The city is said to have grown with the blessings
of its own God, Lord Bodhgeshwar, whose beautiful temple nestles under a
banyan tree.
Margao
Margao is built in the sweeping curves the Portuguese opted for, especially
around the Holy Spirit Church. Today, you can find buildings mushroomed
everywhere, all smiling derisively at dusty, tightly shut but still graciously
portraying an architecture from a different era. For a serene escape, cross
the Abade Faria Road in front of the Main Bus Stand to find a haven in the
two gardens - the Municipal Garden and the Agha Khan Park - separated by
a walkway at the heart of Margao.
Panaji
Near the end of the road from Mumbai to Goa lies a golden city, fought over
for centuries by kings of many colours. Today it has lost a little of its
shine, but this Rome of the East continues to draw admirers from across
the world. And why so? Because Panjim is Emerging! The old giving way to
the new, art deco structures next to charming vivendas, a bustling market
place and suddenly an old church. And all these add to the beauty. No Doubt,
every angle in Panjim affords a different view.
Ponda
Start your itinerary in Ponda from the famous mosque of Safa Shahouri, nestling
in the old but greener quarter of the city. Touch the laterite walls blackened
with the pastel of time, and you can feel an imaginable peace existing around
the mosque, in the shimmering waters of its tank and in the whisper of the
holy spirits that dwell in the trees.
Vasco Da
Gama
It is all about a solitary cross that stands on the sun-kissed sands of
Mormugao Harbour, the signature of Vasco da Gama. Despite perfect leisure
options augmented by lots of water, swaying palms, sunshine and sea breeze,
the city doesnot laze around and sip it all in. Because it is home to Dabolim
Airport, Mormugao Port and Goa's biggest naval base, this slender strip
of land is home to people from across India. Overlooking the Zuari river,
it's a city that is named after the famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco da
Gama. Vasco, today is as busy as Old Goa might have been at its height of
commercial activity.