What is Goa washed with? The best resorts in India by the sea: review, photos and reviews of Goa, which sea is it located on?

The beaches and ocean are the treasure of Goa, for which hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world come here every year. Indeed, no matter how much you look for the best beaches and ocean for swimming on our planet, it is very difficult to find a better combination of many factors for a beach holiday than in Goa.

Let's start with the sea. By the way, whether to call the body of water near Goa an ocean or a sea is a mere convention. On the one hand, on the map the body of water near Goa is called the Arabian Sea; on the other hand, it is the open sea, part of the Indian Ocean. Therefore, I prefer to consider the body of water near Goa an ocean, but calling it a sea is also absolutely correct.

The sea is the most important thing for which most tourists from Russia go on vacation. Who and how well they had a rest is, first of all, judged by the quantity and quality of sea bathing, and only then by the intricacy of excursions, the beauty of architecture, low prices, the delights of national cuisine or the quality of service. For a tourist from Russia, tired of the cold and gloomy skies most of the year, the main thing is the sun, sea and beach. It is with this that everything is in the best possible way in Goa. All European seas pale in comparison with the ocean near Goa. And the point here is not at all about beauty; there are many much more colorful water surfaces. The most important thing is the water temperature in Goa, which never drops below +28, and for most of the year it is around +30 degrees. Anyone who has ever vacationed in Crimea or on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus is well aware that even in the hottest months - July and August, the water in the sea always remains cool, not rising above 25 degrees. As for other holiday months, in May it is still very cold in the Black Sea, in June it is simply cold, in September it is still tolerable, and from October it is only for “walruses”.

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The same applies to all European seas, even in the countries most visited by Russian tourists. Whether you are on the Canary Islands, on the coast of Spain, Greece, Cyprus or Turkey, the water in the seas near these countries is never truly warm; staying in it for more than 5-10 minutes is fraught with colds, especially for children. If you think otherwise, then most likely you have simply not yet swum in truly warm seas, which are found only in the tropics. Since childhood, I have adored swimming in the sea; a trip to the south with my parents was the main event of the year. But there was not a single trip during which I did not get a cold in the first days of my vacation due to being in cold sea water. I thought that with age my immunity would get stronger. But nothing changed either at 20 years old, when I was on vacation in Crimea, or at 25 years old, when I was vacationing in Sochi, or at 30 years old, when I was vacationing in Turkey and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, or at 40 years old, when I was vacationing in Montenegro and swam in the Adriatic Sea. The cold sea was always the cause of my colds, which poisoned my holidays. Everything changed when, at the age of 35, I visited Goa for the first time. From the very first swim, the ocean in Goa shocked me. It was so warm and tender that you didn’t want to get out of it at all. It was January 20th - during the period when the water temperature in Goa reaches its minimum levels, dropping to +28 degrees. When they told me that it is winter in Goa, I realized that people here simply do not understand what winter is because they live in paradise. Subsequently, my conclusions were completely confirmed.

We should especially talk about the waves in Goa, because there are a lot of rumors on this topic. The body of water off the coast of Goa is the open sea, part of the ocean, so there is almost no complete calm here; there are almost always waves. At the same time, there are never big waves in Goa. That is why, unlike, say, Bali, there are no surfers in Goa. There is simply nowhere to surf in Goa, because there are no waves suitable for surfers. Goa and surfing are two mutually exclusive concepts. The most you can find in Goa is a school for beginner surfers who need small, safe waves. These are the small and safe waves that exist in Goa. In some months they are a little more, in others - less, sometimes there are no waves at all.

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There is a reason for the lack of big waves off the coast in Goa. In Goa, by the way, a tsunami is in principle impossible. The fact is that a large wave requires depth to accelerate, while the Arabian Sea off the coast of Goa is shallow for many kilometers away from the coast. There is no space for the waves to accelerate, which would allow them to gain real power. Therefore, waves off the coast of Goa, even in the windiest weather, almost never reach dangerous levels for humans. Most of the time, the waves in Goa are completely harmless. It is important to note that the seabed in Goa is sandy. It is easy to enter the ocean, the sandy bottom is pleasant to feel with your feet. There are no cliffs or depressions, the entry into the water is smooth and gradual. You can clearly control the depth at which you feel comfortable swimming. Children in Goa can splash 5-10 meters from the shore, where the water, even for adults, only reaches up to their knees. Adults will be comfortable 50-100 meters from the shore, where the water reaches the chest or neck. More experienced swimmers can easily swim in Goa 300-500 meters away from the shore, where there are no waves at all, and the silent expanse of water gives absolute bliss.

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The combination of shallow waters, small waves and sandy bottoms off the coast of Goa provides another very important advantage for swimmers. There are no predators dangerous to people in the sea depths of Goa; this is not their habitat. Of course, in the ocean further away there are sharks, rays and large fish. But they all need a deep and food-rich environment to live. There is none of this off the coast of Goa. Even a kilometer from the coast of Goa, the depth rarely exceeds 15 meters, which is not suitable for large marine predators. Many tourists in Goa paid attention to the catch with which fishing boats return to the shore. As a rule, fishermen's nets contain only small mackerel, enough for one family's dinner, and nothing more. The sandy bottom and the absence of corals and plankton create unsuitable conditions for the existence of even small fish, not to mention those who hunt them. Therefore, off the coast of Goa, unlike most other warm, tropical seas, swimming is safe. The ocean in Goa is comfortable for swimming six months a year: from mid-October to mid-April. It is at this time that the tourist season in Goa lasts. But even within these six months of paradise there are nuances, and I will tell you about them. In October, the ocean in Goa is very warm, the water temperature is stable +30+32 degrees. It is impossible to imagine a more comfortable temperature for swimming. Water in October in Goa is associated with fresh milk - just as warm, tender and velvety.

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But in October you cannot be sure of the consistency of the weather in Goa. October marks the end of the monsoon season in Goa. At this time, cyclones are common, bringing with them heavy rains and rough seas. Waves can disrupt the idyll of swimming in Goa in October. In November, the cyclones go away, the ocean off the coast of Goa calms down, and conditions for swimming become ideal. The water temperature in November in Goa is still +30. But it should be borne in mind that in the first half of November the air in Goa is hotter and more humid, at this time you should not forget to use sunscreen. The most comfortable atmosphere in Goa begins in the second half of November. November in Goa smoothly turns into a fertile December. The ocean in Goa becomes more refreshing at this time. The water temperature in Goa in December drops just below +30, the waves become very small or disappear completely. Swimming turns into pure bliss.

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In January, the water temperature in Goa drops to its minimum of +28 degrees, i.e. approximately the same as in Russian heated swimming pools. Only, unlike swimming pools, the water in the ocean is free of chlorine and other poisons, rich in all natural elements. Swimming in the ocean near Goa fills you with such a feeling of joy and happiness that it can be compared to swimming in “living water” from fairy tales. By the way, boys and girls experience the best moments of their childhood in Goa. Children in Russia can only dream of such beaches and a sea like in Goa. Beaches are made of fine sand, which is so convenient for building castles. A smooth entrance into the shallow ocean, in the shallow waters of which you can splash around for hours. Warm sea water, from which you can stay in place from morning until evening, without any risk of catching a cold. It is the ocean in Goa that is the main holiday for children, which is impossible to forget for the rest of their lives.

Ideal weather in Goa lasts until February 6th. Strong winds usually come to Goa on this day. Winds bring with them disturbances on the surface of the ocean. The waves are small and harmless, but disturbing, which makes it difficult for some to relax in the water. For others, on the contrary, the waves in February in Goa give another reason to enjoy swimming in the ocean, because it is more interesting to swing on the waves, and to overcome them, it is more interesting to swim. To each his own. In February, the atmosphere in Goa is still wonderful, but not so stable. If from mid-November to early February the heavenly weather in Goa remains unchanged almost every day, then in February the climate can change much more often. Windy and cloudy days alternate with calm and clear days. Due to the changeability of celestial patterns, in February in Goa you can watch some of the most beautiful sunsets over the ocean, when the sun's rays pierce tunnels through the clouds and illuminate the surface of the ocean with bizarre “laser shows”.

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Indian summer comes to Goa in March. In India, the summer months are March, April, May. It is during the Russian spring that the hottest weather comes to Goa, which not everyone can comfortably endure. True, it should be clarified that in Goa it does not get +40, like in the summer in Turkey or Greece, and it doesn’t get +50, like in the summer in Egypt or the United Arab Emirates. The climate in Goa is much milder. Even during the hottest period in Goa, in May the temperature rarely rises above +35. But if you take into account the humidity that rises to 80% during this period, not everyone can comfortably tolerate such weather. In March, the Indian summer in Goa is just beginning. Many Russians who come to Goa on vacation at this time do not even notice that the sun has become very active. And yet this is exactly the case. Let's say, if in January you can tan in two weeks at best to the “Moscow region” level, then in March a few days will be enough to achieve a skin color of a dark bronze shade. The main thing in March and April in Goa is not to forget to use sunscreen.

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In March, ocean water in Goa heats up to October levels: temperatures of +32 become the norm. You don’t want to get out of the water in Goa in March at all. But sometimes this still has to be done, because in March, as in October, the ocean in Goa is not stable: calm days alternate with windy ones, calm gives way to disturbing waves. It is almost impossible to predict such changes in advance. The season in Goa ends in April. The heat in April, especially in the second half of the month, increases to +34 in the shade, and air humidity rises. The ocean in Goa at this time becomes even too warm, its temperature reaches +34 degrees. On calm days, swimming in Goa in April is a delight. But in April, the ocean in Goa is rarely calm, at this time the waves intensify, which sometimes do not even allow you to enter the water, knocking you off your feet. In May, the heat and roughness of the ocean in Goa intensify even more. In May, there are not so many favorable days for swimming in Goa; large waves roll in most of the time, and the water becomes so warm (about +36) that swimming in it is not very refreshing after being in equally hot air. However, I know people who claim that May is their favorite time in Goa, since there are very few tourists and you can fully feel like a serene native in a tropical Goan paradise. In June, the monsoon begins in Goa, that is, the rainy season. At this time, the sun is hidden behind a dense cover of clouds, and waterfalls of moisture fall from the sky. Streams of heavenly water flow down the Goan hills into the sea, flooding the beaches. During a monsoon, the ocean turns into a seething, dark brown mess with white crests of raging waves. Going into the ocean at this time is life-threatening; you may never get out again.

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If you have planned a vacation during the Russian summer, then there is no point in going to Goa at this time; most likely, you will only get disappointment. Goa is a winter resort. Moreover, one should not think that the weather in Goa during the monsoon, from June to the end of September, changes in a similar way to Russia. In Goa, everything happens completely differently. Rainfall hits Goa, as a rule, on June 6-7 and then lasts for four months, almost without interruption, flooding everything and everyone. In recent years, however, this tradition has begun to be disrupted by global climate change on earth: there is less and less rain in Goa during the monsoon period, and more and more sun. But, be that as it may, the monsoon is an unfavorable period for a holiday in Goa: the air humidity is too high, and it is impossible to swim in the ocean.

// maharaja-house.livejournal.com

During the monsoon period there are very few tourists in Goa. Almost all restaurants and shops in Goa close during the monsoon period, their owners go home to different states of India and abroad, turning from those who provide tourist services to those who receive them. Goa is on vacation during the monsoon period. Stormy streams of water from the heavens clear the space of paradise so that in October they can reopen their doors to suffering holidaymakers from all over the world. In October, the sun peeks out of the clouds in the sky over Goa, and with it the first restaurants open and the first tourists arrive. A new season begins in the Goan paradise.

That's all I wanted to tell you about the seasons in Goa.

maharaja_house
29/01/2016 16:00

The opinions of tourists may not coincide with the opinions of the editors.

In India there is a small but very rich state of Goa. Goa is a popular holiday destination for tourists who appreciate the unusually beautiful nature of this resort.

Holidays for tourists in this beautiful place allow you to enjoy not only a comfortable stay, but also the opportunity to restore your spiritual and physical strength after a long working year. For many, a holiday abroad is an opportunity to enjoy the clean and warm sea that is so lacking in Russia. For many, the main criterion for choosing a particular place for a holiday is the presence of the sea. That is why those who want to relax in this fabulous place in India are interested in the question, what is the sea like in Goa?

The sea washes the shores of Goa

The waters of the Arabian Sea, which is an open part of the vast Indian Ocean, washes the paradise resorts of Goa. Every year, the beaches of North and South Goa receive a huge number of tourists of different ages for recreation.

Holiday opportunities in Goa

The sea temperature in Goa is the most favorable for swimming, 26-28 degrees all year round. One of the most popular types of recreation is yachting. All beaches belong to the state, so there are no restrictions, the beach is completely at the disposal of tourists. It is in Goa that there are still deserted beaches that anyone can find if they wish. The construction of any buildings is prohibited on the beaches of Goa, so it is impossible to rent a hotel room with windows overlooking the sea, which, of course, gives this place a special charm. You can enjoy the truly beautiful nature and architecture of the city right as you go to the beach.

India is a unique and distinctive country; it, like a big magnet, attracts travelers from all over the world. Tourists enjoy getting acquainted with the rich history, culture, architecture and amazing ancient traditions. But besides the attractions, the country welcomes guests with wonderful beaches. Many of India's seaside resorts are superior to the world's popular health resorts. The article talks about the best places where you should come to relax. You can go to India as a single tourist, with your significant other, a cheerful group or with children. Everyone here will find entertainment to their liking.

Amazing country

India is the largest country in South Asia. It ranks second in population in the world after China. It is the birthplace of the ancient Harappan civilization, as well as the cradle of the most ancient religions - Hinduism and Buddhism.

The country is washed from the southeast by the warm waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, and from the southwest by the Arabian Sea. Due to this, the length of the coastline is more than 7 thousand kilometers. Almost along the entire coastline there are resorts in India by the sea, where more and more vacationers from Russia and Europe come every year. What attracts tourists here? This is a favorable climate in the high season and a gentle sea that warms up to 25-28 degrees, unique culture and architecture, many attractions, original Indian cuisine and, of course, friendly local people.

Where to go, where to stay, which Indian resorts by the sea are the most popular? The following article provides a brief overview of the best Indian

Goa

It is the smallest state of India, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea. It has a reputation as a world class resort. Everything here is landscaped for the comfort of tourists. But the undeveloped infrastructure and local architectural beauty attract travelers from all over the world. The main attraction of Goa is the 100-kilometer long sea beaches with delicate and clean sand. Large diving centers, upscale hotels, chic restaurants, clubs, and discos are scattered along the shore. There are many interesting cultural places in the immediate vicinity. Those who stay in Goa, as a rule, do not look for another place to relax.

Kerala

This state is located near the Arabian Sea, south of Goa. It is decorated with coconut, mango and This place is called the capital of spices. It is also the center of Ayurveda, a world-famous healing system. Therefore, many come here not only to soak up the white sand by the sea, but also to improve their health. Kerala's rich cultural heritage and plethora of entertainment options provide...

Karnataka

The state is located in the south of Hindustan. Its territory is covered with dense forests, coffee and spice plantations, and there are many protected areas and cultural and historical monuments. But the main thing that attracts tourists to these places is the stunning beaches. Let's continue listing popular Indian resorts by the sea.

Maharashtra

It is a large state in the central part of the country. It has an extended shape from the coast of the Arabian Sea deep into the mainland, therefore it is known for its varied natural and climatic conditions and rich opportunities for varied recreation. Here the heritage of ancient civilization is intertwined with modern skyscrapers. The most popular resort city, especially among young people, is Bombay.

Tamil Nadu

The southernmost state is washed by the Indian Ocean. Its beaches are the longest in the country, and Marina Beach is the second longest in the world. The tropical climate prevails here; in the high season, the ocean waters are warm, gentle, and welcoming. In addition to swimming, you can rent a yacht or boat, scuba dive and admire the coral reefs, visit local colorful attractions or enjoy nightlife. One of the most famous cities in the state is Chennai, which Hindus call the “South Gate of India”.

Gujarat

The state in the west of the country is famous for its temple complexes, mosques, forts, and beautiful parks. The mountains of Gujarat are a popular destination among pilgrims. There are 10 temples on top of Girnar in Gujarat. To reach them, you need to climb a staircase of 5,000 steps. And of course, tourists love to spend time on the coast of the Arabian Sea.

The most popular beach is Mandvi, which is 6 kilometers long. It is distinguished by its fine white sand and azure colored coastal waters. Here you can watch sunrises and sunsets of unprecedented beauty. Fans of active recreation are offered to rent high-speed motor boats, surfboards, scooters, scuba skis, and fishing equipment. Tourists should be aware that some beaches in Gujarat are unsuitable for swimming due to strong tides and fast deep currents.

What are the best resorts in India by the sea? Reviews from travelers clearly indicate that they are located in the states of Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. The following will list the best beaches in these regions.

When is the best time to go on holiday to India?

Tourists advise going on vacation to Indian resorts by the sea from October to March. In October the rainy season ends and the season for diving, surfing and, of course, swimming opens. In November, the tops of the Himalayas are covered with snow caps, and in Goa and Kerala, aquamarine waters attract travelers. Peak tourist activity occurs in the winter months - December, January and February. This is the so-called high season. At this time, the optimal air and water temperatures are established, the humidity level decreases significantly, and the amount of precipitation drops sharply.

The Arabian coast of Hindustan is hundreds of kilometers of wonderful sandy beaches, among which there are pristine, almost untouched by human hands, and ultra-modern ones with first-class comfortable hotels and developed infrastructure. Resorts in India by the sea, photos of which are presented in the article, promise their guests a wonderful holiday surrounded by exotic nature.

Apart from the beach season, the period from November to March is considered the best for excursions and sightseeing in India. The tropical rainy season begins in April and lasts until early October. The thermometer rarely drops below 40 degrees, the humidity indicator reaches 90-100%. Together, this creates very uncomfortable weather conditions for Europeans, so few tourists come to India at this time (low season).

Indian resorts by the sea: Kerala

This state is called a tropical paradise for tourists. It stretches for almost 600 kilometers along the Arabian Sea. The beaches here are small, but municipal. They are recognized as the cleanest and most comfortable in the country. The best of them are located in the vicinity of cities such as Alleppey (another name is Alappuzha), Varkala, Kovalam, Kannur, and near the village of Muzhappilangad.

What tourists say:

• Allepi is a very picturesque place with palm groves among rivers, lakes and lagoons. There is an excellent Vijaya Beach park with picnic areas and playgrounds.
• Varkala is famous for its healing springs. For a small fee, local healers will give you a special body massage.
• Kovelam is located in a bay with coral reefs. It seems to be created for fans of active pastime - divers, surfers, kayakers and water skiers.
• Kannur is ideal for a family holiday.
• Muzhappilangad is unique in that its beaches can be driven by car.

The listed seaside resorts in India are equipped with budget guest houses, as well as 4 and 5 star hotels with excellent service. It is not possible to get to Kerala directly from Russia. First you need to get to Delhi or Bombay, from where it will not be difficult to get/fly to your destination.

Beaches in Goa

According to many, the best seaside resorts in India are located in Goa. The state is divided into North and North Goa. It is designed for budget tourists; there are many budget hotels and inexpensive cafes; young people enjoy having fun at discos. The beaches here are covered with darker sand and have high banks. In the most remote part of North Goa is the wild Tiracol Beach. Anjuna is also deserted. But Baga, Calangute and Vagator are well-groomed places where tourists relax in an organized and inexpensive manner. The most respectable beach is Candolim.

South Goa is chosen by wealthy Europeans and wealthy Indians. This is a comfortable area, quiet and peaceful. The most picturesque place here is called Om. Bogmalo is a very small corner with an excellent sandy coast, surrounded by tall palm trees. In principle, all local beaches - Aguada, Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Cavelossim - are clean and well-groomed, with good hotels, excellent restaurants, and developed infrastructure.

If you are planning a trip to Indian seaside resorts, Goa is a great option. The sea here is safe, the bottom is good, there are no steep rocks or pitfalls, and the waves are weak during the season. Getting here is very easy, there are many direct flights and trains.

Wonderful beaches in Tamil Nadu

In the state of Tamil Nadu there are wonderful resorts of India by the sea. Covelong is a beautiful beach, the best in the state, located 40 kilometers from the bustling metropolis of Chennai. It is very picturesque and calm here. Tourists can practice any water sport. One of the interesting attractions is the canal system between Covelong and Alleppey.

Marina Beach is 12 kilometers of golden sand and a clear azure sea. Even locals come here specifically to admire the magnificent sunrises and sunsets. But you need to swim here with caution because of the strong current. The exotic corner of Rameswaram Beach on a small island is connected to land by an engineering miracle - the Indira Gandhi Bridge.

Beach holidays in Maharashta

Ganapatipule is one of the best beaches in the state. It is very clean, with snow-white sand, surrounded by picturesque natural beauty. The area called Dahanu Bordi is famous for its fruit and flower gardens. The luxurious Junu beach is well-maintained and crowded. Walking along the coast, it is easy to meet a Bollywood celebrity. The beach with the complex name Shrivardhan Harihareshwar is known for its peaceful, calm atmosphere. It is great for families with children and for those who love silence and meditation. The beautiful places on the shore - Mandva and Kihim - are also cozy.

In general, there are a lot of beaches in Maharashta. All of them are clean and well-kept, have excellent infrastructure and many attractions nearby, which makes this seaside resort attractive to millions of tourists. You can get to Maharashta from anywhere in the country. Almost all the hotels here are high class and have excellent service. Not all popular Indian resorts by the sea are listed (see photo above). There are still a lot of them - wonderful places for swimming and relaxing.

India is a unique country, full of contrasts, with its ancient traditions. Before you go here, you need to familiarize yourself with a few rules:

• It is best to come on vacation to Indian resorts by the sea, the photos of which are simply mesmerizing, in November-March.
• Tourists need a visa to visit the country. All details need to be clarified with the tour operator.
• You must not enter the water in unauthorized places. This is dangerous to health and life.
• You can travel around the country by plane (this is the most convenient), train (there are special quotas for tourists), bus or car.
• Girls should not walk on the streets of India in too revealing outfits, in short skirts and shorts, with bare shoulders.
• You need to communicate with Indians calmly and friendly. You should not point at objects with your index finger.
• When entering a temple or mosque, be sure to take off your shoes.
• In many states, the issue of hygiene is acute, so you should always carry wet wipes with you, do not drink raw water, wash fruits with soap, and do not eat salads made from raw vegetables.

There are a huge number of attractions in India. It's simply impossible to visit them all. But you definitely need to visit the main treasure of the country, its symbol - the snow-white marble palace of the Taj Mahal. It is located in the city of Agra, 200 km from Delhi. Tourists will be hospitably greeted by the beautiful resorts of India by the sea. In February in Russia there is winter, snow, cold, but here there is warm sun, excellent weather, azure sea.

India, drowning in ocean waves, attracts tourists from all over the world. Goa is especially attractive to vacationers. Tour operators promise a lot of impressions and completely different beaches. To get the most out of swimming, you need to know what Goa is surrounded by. Then the waves and sand will make you come back more than once.

What Goa washes

When wondering what kind of sea awaits on the coast, be prepared to receive different answers. Most often called the Arabian Sea. However, its currents are an integral part of the ocean in Goa.

Hindustan, on which India is located, gave its name to the third largest water area on Earth. This is why inexperienced travelers get lost and cannot decide whether the Arabian Sea or the Indian Ocean washes the tourist paradise.

Some features of a sea holiday in Goa

The majestic and diverse Indian Ocean occupies a huge space and is the largest attraction of the state. Here it has its own characteristics:

1. You can swim all year round. The sea warms up to 28 degrees, deviations of a couple of degrees do not play a role in the weather. Despite this, you should not swim after sunset at any time of the year; stingrays and sea snakes become more active;
2. You can enjoy the Indian Ocean completely free of charge. The coast is completely free and is under the care of the municipality. No hotel has the right to block access to the beach. The buildings are located no closer than 200 m;
3. The Arabian Sea is excellent for diving, especially in the bays and bays. Although the underwater world is significantly inferior to the diversity of other recognized water areas. The Indian Ocean washing the resort creates a lot of waves. The water is often cloudy due to strong currents. The Red or Mediterranean Seas are much richer in flora and fauna and more transparent;
4. The coastline, which is always washed by a warm current, leaves much to be desired in terms of cleanliness. But this is a characteristic feature of India. The water here is designed not only to wash the shores, but also to wash away garbage from them.

In fact, India attracts tourists with its authentic culture, tropical nature, the opportunity to touch thousands of years of history and original philosophy, especially in Goa. The sea or the ocean washes the coast - it doesn’t matter at all. The main thing is the sun and nature in the heart of an oriental fairy tale.

What a sea in Goa
In the last article we started the topic of holidays in India. Several questions were asked, let's start with simple ones. What is the sea like in Goa?
Well, in general, a few general impressions of Goan roads, transport and traffic rules. The roads there are so narrow that sometimes it seems that only two motorcyclists can pass on them, but they managed to pass each other even on buses. In my opinion, there is only one rule of the road - a horn, but at the same time, in the entire two weeks, and we drove through Goa both far and wide, I did not see a single accident. I had a chance to observe one conflict; the way it was resolved was especially interesting. Our excursion bus did not share the road with the motorcycle in some way; probably no one wanted to give way, although our bus’s horn was clearly louder. Then they went out to talk, and then, word for word, the motorcyclist started to fight. The bus driver immediately had a huge stick in his hands, which he, it turns out, constantly carries with him and with which he began to chase the offender. After which he put the stick in place, got on the bus and, as if nothing had happened, drove on. So, as I understand it, the horn is a horn, and the stick under the seat is a necessary attribute of the car’s equipment.
Hotel and surroundings
The hotel turned out to be very average, if not worse, even compared to ours; I did not yet understand that Russian standards for India, and even Goa, are unattainable, like, for example, American standards for us. But the main thing is that they are not going to achieve them, they go their own way, but more on that later. True, our hotel did not claim to be a multi-star hotel; in principle, there are good hotels in Goa, and if this aspect is a priority, you should immediately, without a doubt, take only a five-star hotel. Our “Old Enker” was an old hotel with a reception desk in the form of a long-anchored ship and two-story cottages scattered throughout a rather nice green area abundantly planted with palm trees. Our attempt to move from the first floor to the second was successful only after several attempts. We indulged in this activity “enthusiastically” on the second day, from lunch until late in the evening with some breaks. On the first evening, Tomorrow promised to move us to the second floor. But the next day we heard the same thing, “come back tomorrow,” but by this time we already had even more solid reasons to change the room, the fact is that behind the thin partition of the cottage, in which there was also a window, the whole night, however a diesel generator worked intermittently, supplying the hotel with electricity during network failures, and in the morning, around five o’clock, under the same window, the “Indians” from the service staff, as I understand it, came to work, gathered and made such a fuss that I was simply amazed, they were all tiny and puny, and they made so much noise that the operation of a diesel engine against this background seemed to us like the gentle whisper of a mother putting her child to bed. True, we must pay tribute to the hotel managers, they fought to the last, assuring us that there were no other rooms, but we finished them off, and a room was found on the second floor. We moved in, but after some time we discovered that the hot water did not want to flow in it. At the “reception” we were reassured that this was a small problem that would be fixed in half an hour, but when we returned to our room in the evening, we discovered the same situation with the water. At the “reception” we were kindly offered to bring a “pack of hot water” to our room and our refusal clearly perplexed them, these Russians were strange, too dirty, a package of water was not enough for them to wash themselves. However, out of delicacy, they did not show it, but showed us another room in which there was hot water, although they immediately warned that it was only at certain hours, which for some reason did not suit us either. Then they showed us another room, in which everything seemed to be in order with the water, but fortunately, we decided to look into the closet and found all the shelves in it broken and stacked on the floor. But it turned out that this was not the last room, there was still a free one, with hot water, and with a whole closet, and on the second floor. We did not understand until the end of our stay there what exactly was the catch. True, there was a lizard living there, but we quickly got used to it and it got used to us, so in India we had a cute, albeit a little timid, little pet.
The surrounding area turned out to be very nice; on the one hand, the village fully corresponds to its resort image, that is, with many souvenir shops, small private hotels, restaurants and cafes. And with a couple of large hotels, perhaps cooler than ours. To the west of the hotel (well, where else) was the sea, and on the contrary, a fairly wide river adjoined directly to the hotel. And although in this place there was at most 200 meters between the river and the hotel, it flowed into it less than two kilometers away. Later we went, of course, to the mouth of the river. It was precisely both banks of the river, in contrast to the ocean shore, that were literally a palm sea, which went into the distance and disappeared along with the river behind its bend. Our hotel also had such a feature that it was especially popular among wealthy Indians. There were very few foreign tourists, including Russians, but large businesses regularly held their congresses and conferences there. During our stay, we witnessed gatherings of oil workers, railway workers and some other large national company. Each time, all this was very reminiscent of our similar events, banners were hung with greetings to the delegates, packages with gifts were prepared for everyone, and wild parties were held in the evenings. One of the evenings we ended up in Oele at an Indian party, at which, according to popular belief, it turns out that not only we The custom was karaoke. At first it was just interesting to watch their version of this entertainment, and then the DJ invited us to participate, it turns out that they have a Russian-language repertoire that is also widely represented, although the video sequence accompanying the music was simply indescribable, so I won’t pass it on, that’s all it still won't work. And we tore throats with pleasure. But in general, there was practically no entertainment in the hotel; it seemed to be from a different category and was more suitable for a quiet, relaxing family vacation.
Nutrition
The issue of nutrition is, of course, the most important on any trip and in any journey, and therefore I will pay special attention to it, especially since from previous experience I was convinced that having breakfast at the hotel is quite sufficient for me, it is completely pointless to pay for everything else, since practically you can’t use it, or you have to be tied to the hotel, or rather to its restaurant. First, I will make a small digression and say what I myself heard from our guide, a very pleasant and erudite woman who has been working in India for more than 30 years - an impressive experience. So she said that an Indian woman doesn’t have to rack her brain every day about what to feed her family, she cooks the same dish all her life, day after day, and in general the basis of their diet is peas and rice, with a lot of spices, of course. Hindus or Indians in general are very unpretentious, they practice moderation in everyday life and vegetarianism in food. Moreover, rice, as well as palm oil, can be purchased at discounted prices in special government stores by anyone, even the poorest family. But poor people cannot afford everything else - meat, fish, and especially vegetables. The only abundance I saw was of coconuts and papaya, and even then on palm trees. I saw fruits at the market, oranges, grapes, tangerines, apples, bananas, and several other unfamiliar types, but not in the same variety and quantity as in any of our markets. Moreover, all this in Goa, which is not India, the Portuguese thoroughly spoiled the Goans for 500 years, converted them to Christianity, taught them to eat meat and fish, drink wine and beer, they even produce local moonshine here - fenny from coconuts and cashews. But nevertheless, I didn’t see an abundance of products here either. What then is being done in India itself, if Goa is the state with the highest standard of living and education.
However, with food, everything worked out just fine for us. On the coast, on the first day we discovered a number of small cafes - restaurants, which, however, were somewhat alarming with their very unpresentable appearance. Well, what can you think about a “restaurant” with a “thatched” roof made of palm leaves supported by thin poles stuck directly into the sand, and tables and chairs are placed on the same sand. True, “our” cafe, which we chose, even had a floor made of large tiles laid on sand, a sign “Peculiarities of National Cuisine” and a menu in Russian, left over from some of our predecessors. But when checked, everything turned out to be not at all scary, much better than one might think looking at these buildings: always cold beer and drinks, always clean dishes, always fresh food and very high quality and tasty prepared dishes from a fairly extensive menu. Let me make a reservation right away that all this has nothing to do with Indian cuisine; rather, it is the legacy of the former colonialists - the Portuguese.
At the same time, at your request, they can bring you what you want to order in raw form and you can, for example, choose a fish of the appropriate size so that they bake it whole, or select the lobsters you like. Once their wife (a lover of exotic things) asked them about oysters, which for some reason. (this is some kind of nightmare and disgrace) is not on the menu. Our knowledge of English, as a language of international communication, leaves much to be desired, however, they are not very experienced in it, but in the end the explanation is that these are “sea animals that live in shells (at the same time, I actively depicted these same shells with my palms) “, they were satisfied, and they said that now was not the season, that this delicacy would be in abundance during the rainy season (but we wouldn’t be there then), but for us, as dear and honored guests, they would be able to fulfill our order tomorrow. Well, tomorrow, then tomorrow, especially since we didn’t have any daytime excursions planned for tomorrow. But I must say that we have already encountered several times that the local service is not particularly memorized; they generally do everything slowly and often “forget”. However, the next day, when we went to lunch, the restaurant owner, as soon as he saw us, rushed into the kitchen and brought out a huge dish with the top filled with fresh, obviously only recently caught, no, not oysters, of course, but rather large mussels, which in my opinion one damn thing. My wife almost got sick of it, she loves exotic things, but doesn’t know what to do with it. It’s good that he hastened to reassure her that she won’t have to eat “this” raw, they will now prepare everything “what spices do you want?” However, even when cooked, the mussels did not look much more appetizing, but they were still quite edible and even tasty, if not for the sand that sometimes creaked on the teeth.
Lunch at such a restaurant easily cost 2-3 dollars, and we were very glad that we had not signed up in Moscow, when we booked tickets, for dinner at the hotel, which would have cost us $11 per person every day. Their “buffet” was enough for us for breakfast, where we had the opportunity to get acquainted with the local cuisine - it’s some kind of brownish-brown or yellow soup, very similar to what housewives in our villages cook for pigs, but our pigs wouldn’t eat it, because in addition to boiled peas or beans, it was all thickly flavored with pepper and God knows what else, which completely ruined all taste sensations. We were saved by the fact that for breakfast we always had sausages of very questionable quality and preparation, and scrambled eggs, which soon began to get stuck in our throats. There was also tea, coffee and the standard fruit set: pineapples, papaya and watermelon. But the watermelons were tasteless, or they had been cut up the night before, papaya is clearly not my fruit at all, let monkeys continue to eat it, I don’t pretend, pineapples are nothing, but the ones we bought ourselves were much juicier and sweeter. And also about the features of beach restaurants, some of them once a week (at “our” cafe this day was Wednesday) in the evenings they hold dance parties, the so-called “parties”, during which they arrange fireworks and salutes right by the sea, launching burning lanterns are something like a small balloon glowing from the inside, which flickers for a long time over the sea in the black sky, rising higher and higher and moving away from the shore, driven by the night breeze.
Shanta Durga, Old Goa and Panaji
We started our cultural excursion program in Goa with a classic route that included a visit to a Hindu temple, a Catholic center in Old Goa (this is the name of a place - a small town) and the state capital - Panaji. I won’t describe in detail the architectural merits of the temples; I still don’t understand anything about it. The Catholic ones didn’t make much of an impression; there are temples of which there are plenty all over Europe; I have even less understanding of Hinduism to evaluate the merits or demerits of what I saw. In general, it was interesting, but nothing more. Just a few nuances: you must enter a Hindu temple without shoes, which naturally presupposes the cleanliness of the floor. Right now. My white socks turned brick red after visiting him. And in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, the relics of St. Francis Xavier are kept, which are probably 500 years old - an object of worship for the suffering masses. In general, I treat all these holy relics not so much with prejudice, but without much reverence, well, someone worships them, it’s their business, but somehow I don’t need it at all, and it’s unpleasant to watch. But the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Panaji immediately impressed with its snow-whiteness against the gray background of the surrounding buildings, with its seeming hovering over the squat streets fanning out from the hill on which it stands, and with a huge staircase balustrade descending directly onto the roadway and as if being a continuation of the rather a wide boulevard, according to local standards of course.
And from the very top the view opens up, not that wonderful, but a very unique one, as from any high place. True, I kept trying to look out for the sea from there; they say this church once served as a lighthouse for Portuguese sailors, but alas, the sea was hidden behind blocks of houses. And the most interesting thing is that this particular church was not included in the excursion program; we discovered it ourselves when the guide took our group to the boulevard and led the people in the opposite direction from the church to show the shops. But we made a 180-degree turn and moved along the boulevard to the stairs leading up. It was cool in the church itself, but I don’t think there’s any need to explain what it’s like to be over 30 in the bright sun in a stuffy town, and we were happy to just sit there. Still, Catholic churches have one great advantage: benches for parishioners. And there were no relics in this yet. We still managed to walk around the city a little before the bus departed and even bought some tea at a tea shop we discovered. In the same shop we found about half of our group, which naturally, it would be completely nonsense not to bring Indian tea from India. As we found out at home, the tea indeed turned out to be real, but it does not grow in Goa itself; it is brought from other states of India. In general, all our purchases in Goa were very unique, we brought with us to Moscow tea, spices, an Indian drum, a bell, shells, among them there is one “singing” one, from which you can blow a low, drawn-out, rather loud sound. Yes, and we also bought a sari, which in Russia, as I understand it, is the most necessary and irreplaceable thing. What kind of saris are in fashion now?
Classical dances
We devoted one of the evenings to getting acquainted with such a specific and, as it seemed to me, very interesting side of “their” life, like Indian classical dances. It was a performance in one of the neighboring hotels combined with dinner. I see that this is already a widespread phenomenon; it is believed that without plenty of food and drink, art is not perceived, like “an empty belly is deaf to art.” All this took place in a large open clearing, again surrounded by palm trees. At first, I generally had concerns about the success of this event, because as soon as we appeared there and took a place at the most comfortable table, we were immediately attacked by squadrons of local, some small, but quite annoying mosquitoes. But the problem was solved so easily and elegantly that I was simply amazed; pots were placed around the entire clearing, from which smoke was smoking, and the entire “auditorium”, along with the stage, was covered in the aroma of some kind of incense. The mosquitoes, unable to withstand such violence to their sense of smell, instantly disappeared. People survived. Now about the dancing itself, if you think, as I thought before, that this is something like what is shown in Indian films, then I am afraid that I will disappoint you, as I was disappointed myself, but only slightly. Everything that happened on stage was something between the ritual dances of African wild tribes and the jumps of the shamans of the North around the fire. The similarity was further aggravated by the fact that masks were widely used, and that there was a lot of fire. I generally got the impression that the Indians were big fire worshipers, there was fire on the stage, around the clearing, it was coming out of their mouths, etc. But the most interesting thing is that they showed us REAL Indian dances from various provinces. But what about those dances that we are accustomed to consider Indian? Beautiful Indian women in gilded saris with jewelry wherever possible, to the rhythmic music of their bells, captivate the audience with their smooth body movements. I saw these dances there too. on TV. And in general there was an impression that on the screen it was one India, but on the street outside the walls of the cottage it was another. On the screen there is beautiful rhythmic music and smooth movements, and in life there are ritual dances, on the screen they are all, well, if not completely pale-faced, but outwardly still more similar to Europeans than to Asians, and around I see faces that also bear little resemblance to Japanese with Chinese, but in terms of dark complexion they are no different from the blacks of central Africa. So it’s not just Russia that can’t be understood with the mind!
Night market in Arpora
One of the most interesting evening and night events was a trip to the “Saturday night market” in Arpora - this is a small village in the north of Goa. There were two reasons why we wanted to go there, the first was to heed the numerous recommendations of those who had already been there, to feel the special atmosphere of a real “Indian” market with fakirs, snake charmers, half-naked dancers, fountains of fire, and so on. The second reason is more banal, I wanted to buy colonial goods “cheaply”: souvenirs, spices, fabrics, T-shirts and so on, so on, so on. Because of this, we spent the whole week chasing beach vendors, postponing native shopping until Saturday. Of course, we were wrong on all counts and especially naive on the second. No, of course there was a market there, but firstly, the starting price on it was the same as on our beach, but it was simply a pity to spend time there, which suddenly turned out to be precious, on endless trading. There really was a special atmosphere there, but everything that happened there had a very distant relation to India. Music was playing, but not Indian, but exotic-looking musicians (however, the audience was not much different from them), they turned out to be a national team from all over the world, a guitarist from Germany, a drummer from America, and so on. There was a half-naked dancer with some kind of fiery ropes, but for some reason her name was Tatyana, and this tall, slender blonde looked least like an Indian. In general, it was the atmosphere of a kind of mystery, a booth, a student skit, a Sorochinsky fair, Maslenitsa, a Brazilian carnival, and the smell of marijuana hovered over all this. And of course a sea of ​​fire. It must be said that out of everything we initially planned back in Moscow, the only thing we didn’t manage to do was get to the trans party, but here at this market we managed to get a little glimpse of this phenomenon, the music was thundering “ trance”, and most of the visitors and sellers, as I understood it, were regulars at these same trance parties. Actually, trading at the market itself was of little interest to anyone, except for poor souls like us, who decided that the market is a place where they sell something and, alas, initially spent the lion’s share of time on some stupid purchases. Most of the sellers here had the same hippie look as the rest of the crowd, some were openly sleeping at their “workplaces”, apparently having smoked weed. Only trade in beer and other related products was going on briskly. When we figured out the true essence of this phenomenon called “Night Market in Arpora”, there was already little time left, we arrived so late, and besides, we planned very little time for the market itself, and our friends with whom we went there together we went, asked to go home, they felt sick from the smells, from the music and in general. Since all this action took place very far from our hotel, and it was already quite late, we decided not to leave them alone and left too. In general, we kind of looked at everything, and kind of felt the atmosphere, but we left with the feeling of a child who was taken away from the New Year tree in the middle of it, like Santa Claus had already looked, there was a round dance around the tree, they gave you a gift, and there’s more here nothing to do.
Margao - Carnival in Goa
The capital of the state of Goa is the city of Panaji (Panjim), located 30 kilometers from Dabolim airport. Vasco da Gama is considered the largest city in the state.
Thanks to its many kilometers of beaches, Goa has become a world famous resort. In our guide to Goa we tell you a little about why it became like this.
Geographically, the state is divided into North Goa and South Goa.
South Goa Beach
The part of the state called North Goa has a higher population density and fewer hotels, mostly 2-3 star.” Since the beaches in these places consist of gray sand, far from the snow-white shade, and the sea water near the shore is opaque, holidays in Goa (as many say) in its northern part are inexpensive, low-income Indians, foreign students come here, as well as supporters of budget holidays and lovers of so-called trans parties. It’s no secret that it was in the North Goa resort that the world-famous Goa-trance musical style arose today.” So if you are a fan of this style of music, then consider that a visa to Goa is provided to you and you will easily integrate into the local atmosphere. Therefore, the northern sea in Goa Goa is famous for its democratic views, the diversity of the vacationing public and incendiary trance parties on the beaches. Vagator beach with the Titos and Mambo discos located in the vicinity, as well as Anjuna beach, have gained particular popularity among fans of Goa-trance electronic music. famous for its flea market of the same name" - a real paradise for lovers of Indian exotica.
South Goa, where the sand on the beaches ranges from golden to snow-white shades, has more expensive hotels and a slightly different philosophy of relaxation. Hotels located in the resort of South Goa are quite expensive - 4-5 stars, surrounded by emerald green gardens. Tropical thickets in the South Goa region begin just beyond the sandy border. The beaches here are often deserted; you won’t see a cow here, an untouchable Indian animal, standing knee-deep in the water among bathing tourists, as in the north of the state. Holidays in South Goa are respectable and relatively expensive, especially by Indian standards. Among the regular guests of local hotels are wealthy Indians and foreign bourgeoisie, who do not at all consider the prices in this paradise of India to be exorbitant.
However, in fairness, it must be said that no matter what area of ​​such a fabulous place as the resort of Goa you would choose as a place to relax, you are always guaranteed to find accommodation in accordance with your own needs and the amount of money in your wallet - from a private house for rent for 200 dollars per month to a palm leaf hut for 80 rupees per day. And you can choose any time for your trip - there is no such thing as a tourist season in Goa; high and low seasons are important for spoiled clients of travel agencies, who are unlikely to enjoy a holiday in Goa. So, whether it’s the party-oriented North Goa or the relaxed South Goa, you will enjoy your holiday and will probably have a wonderful time in Goa.
Goa is famous not only for its beaches. The nature of the foothills of this amazing place is amazingly diverse: lakes, waterfalls, islands, palm groves and mangroves with a huge amount of exotic wildlife, and, of course, unique spice plantations. All this is not the last reason why a holiday in Goa becomes a golden dream for tourists from different countries. And after reading the guide to Goa, your holiday in this corner of India will become even more interesting for you. By the way, don’t forget to change your watch - the time in Goa is different from many regions of Russia, the state’s time zone is +5:30 to world time.