Vinny’s Blog

October - 2008

Idea of going on a vacation while on vacation is interesting. I am on vacation visiting India, 3^rd largest economy in ASIA, 2nd largest consumer in the world, watching, learning how things are in ASIA. Then I decide to take a short break to go and see Goa. And it’s truly like going on a vacation while on vacation.

Goa is unique it was visited by Bizarre Food host - Andrew Zimmern

Goa was also featured in film

The Bourne Supremacy

If there is a sea beach vacation spot in India that does not damage your wallet as much it’s Goa. Goa has almost everything Jet ski, Para Sailing, fishing, snorkeling, sand castle building or beach volleyball. It has something for everybody. When there are so many tourists, shopping comes naturally, so does food. Because Goa is by sea side sea food is obviously good here.

Since I have a habit of noticing things differently while in Goa I realized one things that not many people have either thought or even if they did, they probably never wrote about it. Alcohol ! almost every country in the world has some wine culture, Japan has Sake (rice wine), China has their own domestic rice wine (I don’t know it’s name but if you have seen those kung-fu movies - you know), western countries have their own wines or beers, Germans drink a lot of beer they make some very good ones. Irish have good tasting beers and whiskey…south America makes some very good wines…you get the point.

Probably India and may be a few surrounding countries dominated or influenced by Hinduism are exceptions where food does not have a culture with wine. You can travel anywhere in India have food but there is no wine. If you ask anyone which wine goes well with which Indian curry…….you are faced with complete silence. Not until you reach Goa….since this province was rules by Portuguese ( till 1961) they left behind wine culture. Wines made from cashews nuts and coconuts are good cheap and probably goes well with sea food, I don’t know, I did not try. Anyway now you know the difference I observed while traveling.

Goa also has a red wine (which I did try) it’s called port wine very cheap but if you’re coming from abroad I won’t recommend this port wine to you. It’s not so fine tasting and does not have that velvety texture like many European wines you might have had before. However, since it’s very cheap I would say give it a try…..and if you like it…go for it…and no matter how much you drink, it won’t damage your pocket as much as any European wine would.

Goa's red wine specially packaged for a hotel

With 1$ = 50 Indian Rupees and 1Euro = 63 Indian Rupees travel bargains could not get any cheaper. Since fuel prices have dropped recently and air travel has slowed down you might get a good deal on air tickets as well. Ours were free (for the family) bought on frequent flier miles, we earned traveling so much in last couple of years. So don’t give up that idea of beach vacation so soon…there are plenty of opportunities still.

Now enough said…check out these pictures….compare them with other beach vacation spots and see if you can spot a difference, If you can’t, let me tell you the difference you don’t see in these pictures is – MONEY. I have been to Mexico and I have been to Bahamas they both have things to offer which are different than Goa but if you’re looking to spend time on Beach near or on water mostly Goa has everything you need.

And this is in October when you’re either freezing already in the west or are about to. Weather in Goa remains like this through out the year so it’s a vacation spot every day…………though I will not recommend those who don’t like heat too much (me including) to visit Goa in October. It was hot…and since it’s by sea side humidity was high..that made it worse…in the afternoon I felt like I was sitting in a sauna. I was told by the hotel staff that temperatures in Goa this year October were recorded highest in past 10 years. November and December months bring much more comfortable weather.

Russians have found a way to enjoy Goa in a style I haven’t seen anywhere else. They hire a charted flight, come to Goa directly from Russia, they enjoy beach, drink a lot, eat a lot and party whole week long then return flight takes them back to Russia. One restaurant on the beach decided to publish everything in Russian Language though the restaurant is in India it’s a typical Russian beach hangout.

What you may like in Goa besides the beach and water activities are the people of Goa. Since Goa’s main income is due to visitors ( tourists ) from outside and has been for so long being polite and helpful has become their second nature. I admired them and they kept me very happy through out my stay in Goa.

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