Hi! Not too much to write this time, because my vacation in Goa was rather hurried, but I did manage to fit in a visit to two really beautiful places, one of which is soon becoming my favorite.
Cabo de Rama: This ancient fort in South Goa has witnessed different rules and bloody battles. Today it stands in ruins but it is a popular tourist destination because of the panoramic views provided from atop the fort.
The fort also houses the very pretty chapel of St.Anthony that draws many worshipers on a regular basis.
Before entering Cabo de Rama, you can, like us, spend some time in one of the eateries outside the fort and enjoy some crisp goan sausages with cold beer.
Saavri Waterfall (Sanguem taluka, East Goa) is a place known only to the locals and foreign tourists. Remote and secluded for most part, this beautiful waterfall is a place you must visit. The drive to Saavri is fairly long but very enjoyable as it takes you through betel-nut plantations and quaint, colorful villages. Go by car, but if, like me, you don't mind braving the sun, use a bike. It's much more fun that way. Don't worry about losing your way, there are clear signs pointing the direction all along the way.
Once you get to netravali, you have to park your vehicles in the village (Rs.40 parking fee) and then it's a 45 minute trek across streams, plantations and through a forest . You will be charged a small fee by the forest officers who are stationed there.
While driving to both, Cabo de Rama and Saavri, you will pass many little houses which advertise meals. It would be wise to book your meals with the locals after deciding on a tentative time for lunch. Meals are simple and cheaper than the many fancy restaurants that claim to serve authentic goan food. According to me, if you want to really eat like the locals, you must eat with them.
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| Our meal on our way back from Cabo de Rama |
A traditional meal will include steamed rice, fish curry, fried fish, a veg-dish and, sometimes, the tangy kokum kadi to aid digestion. It might not seem like much but it's delicious. And trust me, once you're done with exploring Cabo de Rama and Saavri, not only are you going to wipe your platter clean, you're most certainly going to ask for second helpings.
This is the place we ordered our lunch at on our way back from Saavri
And this is what we feasted on.....rice, fish curry, fried fish, salad, pickle, vegetable & kokum curry...all for a little over Rs.300 (inclusive of soft drinks and an added order of fried fish)
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| Our lunch......as it was served to us |
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| Our lunch......at the end of the meal |
A last observation before I end this very short account of my Christmas vacation. Winters are getting colder in Goa and it's beautiful to watch the fog and early morning mist. I'm an early riser and also a creature of the night. This ensures that I get the best of both, the dawn and the dusk. Here's the early morning view from my window...
Beautiful, isn't it? (That's my Grandpa trying to ward of the chill by soaking in the morning sun :-)
Pics by Misha
