Go Goa

Begitu banyak sudah dikatakan di sekitar pantai sangat hebat Goa, bahwa satu-satunya hal yang saya harapkan untuk melihat, atas liburan saya, adalah bikini. Tetapi, saya untuk kejutan besar!

Sesudah penerbangan saya jatuh di Goa, saya berangkat untuk Goa Utara. Panaji, atau Panjim, ibu kota, tempat nongkrong pertama saya. Karena Goa sudah tinggal sebagai koloni Portugal selama hampir 450 tahun, pengaruh Portugal bisa terasa di mana-mana – dari gereja dan rumah sampai kebudayaan dan masakan.

BIKING TO THE FONTAINHAS

Panjim koktail kota – campuran tua dengan baru. “ The terbaik jauh untuk mondar-mandir di Goa lewat sewaan motorbikes,” hotel bersahabat Goan- pengawas menasehatkan, “but, berhati-hati, hanya sepeda dengan piring jumlah kuning disetujui oleh Pemerintah Goa untuk menyewa purposes”, katanya. Saya memperhatikan kata dan setnya ke luar di sewaan Activa ke Fontainhas District.

Fontainhas adalah Panjim’s Latin Quarter. Abad ke19 merah-ubin-mengatapi rumah dengan kaca jendela kerang tiram datar dan beranda besar memajukan bandul dunia tua. Susur tangga yang didesain secara ruwet di kayu, batu dan besi tempaan mempesonakan saya. Saya memasuki salah satu rumah makan tua dan menarik di sini dan menghirup di beberapa fenny, minuman keras keajaiban Goa itu.

Sewaktu malam berjalan terus, saya pergi ke pantai Dona Paulo, yang diperlengkapi dengan tangkai pancing. Saya menemukan pojok sunyi dan memancing yang dimulai. Menangkap ikan lele dan menonton matahari terbenam melakukan keajaiban ke syaraf saya yang dititikberatkan. Hanya Goa bisa menyediakan pengalaman bersantai seperti itu.

BASILIKA BOM JESUS

Keesokan harinya, saya berangkat untuk Goa Tua. Tempat peninggalan dunia UNESCO ini terkenal untuk it’s ke-16 abad gereja. Gereja Basilika Bom Jesus adalah sesuatu seperti itu arsitektur keajaiban. ‘Bom Jesus’ berarti ‘good Jesus’ atau ‘infant Jesus’, ke yang gereja didedikasikan. Gereja adalah peleburan lapisan yang berkilat dan perak dengan kekaburan melukis dan meremukkan gips. Bagian dalam membangkitkan rasa hormat gereja sepanjang 55,77 m, lebarnya 16,76 m dan tingginya 18,59 m. Mempunyai altar utama, empat altar sampingan, dua kapel, sacristy dan paduan suara.

Altar utama menguasai gereja utuh dan di pertengahan, sikap patung raksasa St Ignatius di jubah kependetaan. Mukanya dibelokkan ke atas di negara bagian kegembiraan luar biasa. Mukanya dipasang dengan segera medallion berisi orang Yunani menuliskan huruf-huruf pada ‘IHS’ yang adalah tiga surat yang pertama Nama Suci Jesus – IHSUS. Above monogram, di sana duduk Holy Trinity di kemuliaan. Gereja Goan ini adalah contoh baik persatuan semua kebudayaan, bahasa dan agama India. Banyak di tempat pengambilan gereja ini di berbagai bahasa seperti bahasa Inggris, Malayalam, orang Tamil, dll. Hindus dan orang Muslim juga kawanan ke gereja ini dan mentakzimkan dan rasa hormat itu.

THE SACRED RELICS OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER

The sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier (1506 – 1552), the founder of the Jesuit order, is also within this church. The tomb is carved in jasper and decorated by fine bronze plaques depicting the saint’s life. The rich silver casket containing his embalmed body, was wrought by Goan silver smith. The body of St. Francis Xavier has undergone several mutilations. One of the toes was bitten off by a Portuguese lady in 1554. It is said that the body bled when this took place which had stunned and shocked all around. In 1890, another toe fell off which is kept in a separate crystal case. Some portions of the body were removed and distributed as relics of the saint to various places.

The art gallery within the premises of this church is also a feast for all art lovers. This art gallery also houses life-size wax statues depicting ‘The Last Supper’ which is a must-see for everyone visiting this church. A museum is also situated near the art gallery which has pictures and relics of the St. Augustine Church before it’s ruin. There is also a portrait gallery of all the Viceroys and Governors of Goa at the top floor of the museum. Tourists, who flock to Goa for it’s world famous beaches, should definitely set aside a day to marvel at the splendor of this church.

FORT AGUADA AND A JOLLY CRUISE

Next, I decided to set off for Fort Aguada built by the Portuguese in the early 17th century. Just inside the main gateway is Aguada’s famous landmark, the 42ft high lighthouse built in 1864. The Church of St. Lawrence built in 1630 is also near this fort. There is also a prison situated in this fortress.

As the skies turned dusky, I joined a cruise down the River Mandovi. The next one hour passed in dancing and drinking on the ship. The people of Goa are a happy and friendly lot. They keep urging and guiding you to visit and witness all the Goan specialties. Upon hearing their entreaties, I set off next for the ‘Anjuna Saturday night Flea Market’. The vibrant colors, cool music and great bargains are still happy memories in my mind.

IT’S SHOPPING TIME

The next morning, I visited the Shri Baghavati temple dedicated to Parvati. Life-size stone elephants guard the entrance to this temple. A small and charming waterfall is also located near this temple. Next, I decided to visit Margao which is the commercial capital and second largest city of Goa. From Margao onwards, the rural and virgin parts of South Goa begin. The city has huge Portuguese style mansions and the bazaars buzz with activity. Goa’s most important railway station is also here.

I decided to spend the rest of the day in the shops here. The Goan fish curry and Chicken Xacuti had become my favorite delicacies. I bought the masala packets of both so that I don’t miss Goa too much, once I am back home. I also loved browsing through the antiques and handicrafts shops here.

SPICE FARMS AND ELEPHANT RIDES

After a good night’s sleep, I decided to visit the Sahakari Spice Farm in the morning. I was welcomed with a tikka, garland and a welcome drink brewed out of lemongrass, cardamom and ginger. As we formed groups, we were taken out on a expedition by a friendly and humorous guide. The guide showed and explained to us, the properties of palm, pepper, cardamom, turmeric, clove, ginger, curry leaves, cinnamon, nutmeg, basil – only to name a few! I learnt that while turmeric cures cough, pepper aids digestion and nutmeg has aphrodisiac properties – I am sure you wouldn’t have guessed that!

Suddenly, huge elephants loomed before me and upon my guide’s urging, I went in for an elephant ride. As my appetite built up, a tempting aroma wafted to me. A sumptuous lunch was waiting for all of us. We washed our hands and sat on the wooden benches to enjoy the simple and tasty food. After the meal, a gift packet of all the spices grown on the plantation was given to all of us. The Spice Farm was refreshing and educational.

Fort Cabo de Rama was next on my must-see list. This fort is named after Lord Rama, who is said to have lived here with Sita during his exile period. The view from this fort is breathtaking. I sat here for sometime and mused about the four wonderful days that I have spent at Goa. Even without stepping near the beaches, my entire four days were cramped with so much to see and do. In fact, there is still so many more forts, churches, temples wild life sanctuaries to see that I can spend the remaining three days too, without stepping on the waves.

The fifth day, however, a strange craving crept over me. I could hear the call of the waters. Nothing could keep me away from the water rides and beach shacks, any longer. I donned on my bikini, hit the seas and parasailed the skies. As I lay on the sands for a beautiful tan, the playful waves and swaying palms lulled me into a beauty sleep. Goa spells B-L-I-S-S.