Exploring Goa: Must Do Activites

A tiny emerald land on the west coast of India, Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961 and became the 25th State in the Union of States of India in May 1987. With a vibrant nightlife, cruises, sandy beaches, numerous adventure sports, forts, museums and cathedrals, it is the ideal destination for travelling enthusiasts.

Some of the interesting activities in Goa include:

Gambling: When on a vacation, the idea is to indulge and for those wanting to try their luck, go gambling in Goa. From places like Casino Royale and Casino Caravela to going on a casino cruise, you can opt for any of these

options. And tourists needn’t worry as gambling is legal in Goa.

Go Biking: There is much to discover when you go away from the beaches. It is not easy to do that on foot, so hire a bike and go biking. Goa is full of intricate little roads and intriguing pathways. Ride on a bike and explore

Goa. See paddy fields and spot rows of quaint village cottages. Stop by something that interests you, experience it, and go biking again.

Visit Basilica De Bom Jesus in Old Goa: Located to the west of Panjim, this church situated in Old Goa is renowned for its architectural magnificence. Another popular church in this area is the Sé de Santa Catarina, which is

also the largest one here. Incidentally, Old Goa was known as the ‘Rome of the East’ earlier and is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Apart from the exciting nightlife, Goa is also home to some amazing wildlife experiences. Located in the foothills of the Western Ghats are the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. This peaceful

sanctuary provides shelter to a variety of fauna such as sloth bear, mouse deer and panthers. More than 200 species of birds which include Malabar pied hornbill, paradise flycatcher, fairy bluebird and Indian great black

woodpecker can also be spotted here. The sanctuary can be visited from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on all days.

Stay In A Floating Tent: Similar to a shikara experience, tourists can opt to stay in a one-bedroom floating tent. Bookings for the same can be done at the Champions Yacht Club, GTDC Residency on Mayem Lake near

Bicholim. There’s no need to step on the shore for even a second as facilities such as floating restaurants are available there.

Go crocodile watching: Cumbharjua canals, which happen to be one of the most amazing wetlands in Goa is home to crocodiles. What makes this crocodile watching different is the fact that unlike in a zoo, crocodiles here

live in their natural environment. Try looking around the marshy mangroves, they usually lurk around the rocks there. If you’re interested, there are plenty of tour operators in who can book you a trip.

Opt for Para Gliding: Available only on a couple of beaches like Anjuna, this one is certainly not for the faint-hearted. Unlike with para-sailing, in para-gliding you can go as high as you want and wherever you wish to go.

However, if you’re not a trained para-glider, then you will have to take a ride with a professional.

Go Goa to unwind yourself and experience a slice of India visibly different from the rest of the country !