RCI EV Issue 8 Spring 2013
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FRESH FISH TO FIREWORKS: (clockwise from left) Fresh fish and cocktails on the beach. The view over the verdant surrounds of Old Goa. Handcrafted jewellery at one of<br />
Goa’s many markets. Fire-twirling is a common yet striking sight on the beaches of Goa. Say goodbye to your white t-shirt and show your true colours at the Festival of Colour.<br />
You can enjoy a brief ride on an elephant<br />
but the best fun is the elephant bath. The<br />
elephants are in the water and you get<br />
to wade in and climb on their backs and<br />
soon you will be enjoying a bath with the<br />
elephants. Be prepared to have lots of<br />
laughter and get drenched. You can spend as<br />
much time as you want with the elephants<br />
and feed them as well. It will no doubt be<br />
a memorable experience and a highlight of<br />
your holiday.<br />
SHOPPING SPREE<br />
Ingo’s Saturday Night Bazaar in Apara is a<br />
must. Here you will find hundreds of vendor<br />
stalls selling beads and jewelry, clothing,<br />
stoner paraphernalia and music. Even if you<br />
are not a big shopper, this is a fun place to go,<br />
as there is plenty of nightlife entertainment<br />
including jugglers, live musicians and plenty<br />
of food. The street shops are also popular,<br />
situated in the cities of Baga and Calangute.<br />
You can expect to find souvenirs, sarongs,<br />
swimwear, jholas (colourful trendy bags),<br />
and beads. Plus most beaches have vendors<br />
touting their wares, but stay firm with what<br />
you want and your price as they are known to<br />
be a bit pushy.<br />
RELAX<br />
While in Goa take time out and enjoy some<br />
pampering. There are many Ayurvedic/<br />
Ayurveda centres in Goa, which allow the<br />
ancient healing and medicines to distress<br />
and reenergize. Ayu means life and Veda<br />
means knowledge, and so Ayurveda is often<br />
referred to as the “Science of Life”. Treat<br />
your senses to a transcendent atmosphere<br />
with a perfect balance of physical and<br />
spiritual wellness. The Balinese Massage at<br />
Snip Salon and Spa is located on the main<br />
road between Calangute and Candolim.<br />
Try their aromatic massage where you will<br />
drift away as you blissfully retreat from the<br />
cares of the world. www.snip.co.in<br />
HOW TO GET THERE<br />
Dabolim Airport, the sole airport of Goa is<br />
the nearest airport to the state. This civilian<br />
cum military airport connects the place<br />
to both national as well as international<br />
destinations. Flights to Goa are frequent<br />
and well connected to all the corners of<br />
India. The airport is owned by the Indian<br />
Navy and is 30 kms away from Panaji.<br />
GETTING AROUND<br />
Travelling around Goa is fairly easy. There is<br />
an extensive road network, which connects<br />
most places in Goa.<br />
By Bus: There are private as well as<br />
state transport corporation run bus<br />
services which service all the major<br />
locations.Despite the overcrowding, noise<br />
and off-schedule service, there is a special<br />
charm in travelling in the private buses<br />
which are brightly painted and filled with<br />
colourful local characters.<br />
By Car: A number of companies offer<br />
rental cars, both self and chauffeur-driven.<br />
Besides rented cars, there are the ubiquitous<br />
tourist taxis, which are available near most<br />
hotels and resorts and at all the tourist<br />
ENDLESS VACATION 29
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