Feni Drink

One of the most famous and popular drinks that Goa is actually synonymous with is the Feni. Also known as the Fenny, this Goan drink can get a person drunk in no time. This Indian liquor is of two types - Cashew Feni and Coconut Feni. While coconut Feni is made by fermenting the fruit of the Cashew tree, coconut Feni is made from the juice of toddy plants. The Goan Fenny is usually considered to be superior compared to all other types of Fenny. The Feni drink of Goa is a must try if you are visiting Goa anytime.

The process of making the cashew Feni is quite tedious and involves quite some amount of effort. First, the cashew apples are crushed manually in a rock atop a hill that is in the shape of a basin. This natural basin has a separate for allowing the juice to flow out when the cashew apples are being crushed. This juice is collected in an earthen pot which is then buried deep inside the ground to allow fermentation. During fermentation, almost 4% of the juice is turned into alcohol. This juice is then collected and distilled in copper pots. Then the juice is heated and the alcohol vapors are collected in a cooling condenser.

The distillation process is repeated three times. The first distilled juice that is obtained is known as Urrack. This drink is of a very low strength and is not too heady. The second drink is known as Cazulo which is slightly stronger than Urrack. Cazulo is not that popular and is hardly sold in markets. The final juice that comes out is very powerful and highly intoxicating and is known as Feni. This product has a pretty long shelf life is liked much by people. Though it can be taken neat, people sometimes prefer to mix it with cola, soda and lemon juice.

The most unique characteristic of Feni is its distinct smell that can be detected from quite a distance when Feni is being distilled. The quality of genuine Feni is determined by its aroma. The Feni that is produced after the third distillation is a product that is known for its excellence and high quality. This Feni is quite strong and one gets carried away by the aroma itself when the bottle is opened and Feni is poured in a glass. Fenny can be enjoyed neat as well as a cocktail since it has a versatile base. So when you do visit Goa, make sure you enjoy the beauty of the place with this intoxicating drink in your hand to add to the fun.

Dudhsagar Waterfalls

Location: Sanguem district in Goa, near the Karnataka border 
Highlights: Listed as one of the highest waterfalls in the world and India's fifth highest waterfall
How to Reach: Dudhsagar waterfalls can be easily reached by hiring a taxi or taking a bus from Panaji or even Margao.

The Dudhsagar waterfalls are located in the Sanguem district of Goa near the Goa-Karnataka border. It is located at a distance of around 60 kilometers from Margao and can be reached easily by hiring a taxi or taking a bus from either Margao or Panaji. Dudhsagar waterfalls of Goa have the distinction of being ranked as the fifth highest waterfall in India and they list in the Top 100 highest waterfalls in the world.




The Dudh Sagar waterfalls have a milky white appearance which is why it is named as Dudhsagar which literally means "Ocean of Milk". The Dudhsagar waterfalls plunge down from a staggering height of 2000 feet. The waterfall is located amongst lush green surroundings of the forests of Western Ghats which is what makes it even more scenic and beautiful. During monsoons the Dudhsagar waterfall becomes very lively and attracts tourists in hordes.

Many tourists who visit Dudh Sagar prefer swimming in the calm waters. It is quite safe to swim there provided one is careful enough. The Dudhsagar waterfalls provide a breathtaking view from the top and they look scintillating during the crack of dawn. Those who love adventure and thrill can always try to climb to the head of the waterfalls though the rough path full of rocks, vegetation and water. It may take a couple of hours but it will definitely be worth it! So if you want to spend an entire day in serenity, come to Dudhsagar waterfalls of Goa.

Paraíso Tropical

Goa paraíso tropical

Goa es el paraíso tropical casi perfecto. Tiene todo el encanto y colorido, la espiritualidad y el misticismo, los olores y sabores de la grande India. Paisajes de palmeras y cultivos agrícolas, custodiados por familias de vacunos, de los cuales el más grande no te quita el ojo cuando entras en sus dominios. Inmediatamente, das un paso atrás.

Los templos hindúes, las ermitas e iglesias cristinas se reparten por los campos y las pequeñas poblaciones, y la tranquilidad y la paz fluye cuando estas cerca de ellos. Los contrastes son constantes y la época colonial portuguesa y su gran influencia marca estos territorios goenses.




A pocos kilómetros de Morjin, se encuentra Mapusa, una de las principales poblaciones de la zona. En ella , los viernes hay un mercadillo muy autentico y peculiar, lleno de colores, olores y sabores. A través de pasadizos, tenderetes, enormes almacenes habilitados como tienda y taller, puedes encontrar desde panaderías haciendo pan calentito hasta chorizo cocido y crudo.

La playa es el principal motivo de Goa, y la nuestra se llama Morjin. Esta al norte de Goa, entre dos de las poblaciones costeras más importantes, Arambol y Anjuna, focos de turismo hippie y rusos con ganas de fiesta.
Mide unos 9 kilómetros y es 100 % caminable. Por la mañana la marea esta alta y el mar es una balsa. La playa despierta poco a poco desde el amanecer hasta la llegada de los vigilantes, y entre medias, los paseantes madrugadores, hippies, rastas, gente mayor haciendo ejercicio, turistas con cara de resaca… También son protagonistas los perros aún revueltos de la noche anterior, y de repente, algunas vacas acosadas y desbandadas por culpa de los chuchos… corriendo por la playa, estoy en India.

En el vídeo cuando enfoco hacia los chiringuitos con las vacas pasando en primer plano, unos de ellos es la exclusiva tienda del la hija de Mick Jagger, Jade Jagger. Le seguimos el rastro musical a unos de los mas grandes de todos los tiempo, primero en Rajasthan y ahora en Goa, y sabemos que le gusta mucho India.

http://jadejagger.co.uk/shop-locations/


 

El atardecer es el momento del día de mayor intensidad en la playa, las familias enteras pasean, los 
niños juegan con las olas, y la mayoría contempla con misticismo la espectacular puesta de sol.

Las cabañas con rana incluida están en medio de un frondoso y exuberante jardín tropical. La energía del lugar es especial y sólo está a cuatro pasos de la playa.

Y como siempre lo mejor de todo es la gente...

Fuente: Reviveparty.com   Aventura en India

Goa 1955 invasion

5000 Indians march against Portuguese at Goa, guards fire guns killing 22

Goa News Aug 2014

Wearing helmets must from Oct

Rule also applicable to pillion rider and on all roads

By TEAM HERALD | 29 Aug, 2014, 07:50PM IST

PANJIM: With the alarming rise in fatalities involving two wheeler riders, the transport department has enforced the wearing of helmets for both riders and pillions from October.

This will be preceded by a combined awareness campaign by the transport and traffic officials during the State Road Safety Week commencing September 8. 

Addressing a press briefing in the capital on Thursday, Transport Director Arun Desai said the exercise will help save lives and reduce safety risks. This decision comes nearly a month after the government announced that it would implement the compulsory helmet rule after an extensive awareness programme spread across two months, in the recently concluded monsoon session of the legislative assembly.

“Wearing of helmets will be compulsory on all roads in Goa. Both rider and pillion rider will have to wear helmets failing which they will be challaned,” Desai said. Citing Section 129 of the Central Motor Vehicle Act, Desai said that helmet rule for rider and pillion is compulsory with an exemption only to persons belonging to the Sikh community. 

The theme for the State Road Safety Week is "Use your head. Wear helmet". Desai said the awareness will also sensitize people to wear helmet and not carry them as the latter poses further danger to one’s life. 

The number of casualties this year doubled compared to those of last year with 49 riders having lost their lives in 2014 compared to 28 during the same period last year. While accidents involving two wheelers increased from 753 (from January to April 2013, to 852 during the same period this year, prompting transport department to crack down on reckless driving in a special drive from May.  

In June 2012, government had taken a decision on compulsory helmet rule but subsequently amended after opposition from various quarters. Goa currently enforces compulsory wearing of helmets for two-wheeler riders only on highways, whereas within the city it is not compulsory.

Goa, India insólita

Destinos tropicales hay cientos, pero en Goa, situado en el país más enigmático de Asia, las cosas tienen el gusto y el ritmo portugués, una exótica mezcla que se ve en el rostro de sus gentes, en su cocina y en sus paisajes de película.

En los años 70 hippies europeos y americanos peregrinaban hasta las playas vírgenes de Goa para vivir del amor libre y de los generosos cocoteros que crecen a orillas del Mar de Arabia. Con un poco de hierba y mucha voluntad, eso era suficiente para sobrevivir mientras escapaban de los problemas en casa. De los hippies ya no queda apenas rastro y con el tiempo algunas partes de la costa de este Estado, uno de los más pequeños y menos poblados de la India, se han convertido en destino de turistas procedentes del norte de Europa que ya no huyen sino de las gélidas temperaturas de Moscú, Manchester o Estocolmo.

 

Estos buscadores de grados centígrados solo pueden verse en el norte de Goa, alrededor de los resorts de todo incluido de Sinquerim Beach. Fuera de esta zona aún se puede vivir una aventura tropical en la que la estética portuguesa se mezcla con la exuberancia de los dioses hinduistas y los rituales musulmanes, todo ello inmerso en un escenario donde el verde y el azul turquesa se van combinando según hacia dónde se mire.
Si ya conoces la India, sabrás que todo en este potente país (algunos lo llaman subcontinente...) es un caos, especialmente las ciudades. Por eso, lo que más llama la atención cuando uno entra en Goa es el orden que impera a simple vista; las carreteras correctamente asfaltadas; las casas casi sin desconchones...

Probablemente la presencia de los colonos portugueses hasta 1961 tenga algo que ver con todo esto. Las consecuencias de 500 años de colonización lusa se puede ver en la nomenclatura de las calles, en la gastronomía y en la arquitectura de ciudades como Panjim (o Panaji), la actual capital, y especialmente en la Vieja Goa (Old Goa), la ciudad desde la que se apuntalaron los principios sobre los que se asentó la carrera colonial portuguesa: el lucrativo comercio de especias y la imposición de la religión católica.

Solo la peste logró reducir a ruinas a la Vieja Goa, que llegó a tener 200.000 habitantes, más que la propia Lisboa o Londres, y que fue conocida como la Roma del Este por la cantidad de imponentes iglesias barrocas que levantaron allí órdenes poderosas como la de los Jesuitas. La Vieja Goa está, con razón, en la lista de lugares Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO. De la gloria pasada apenas solo quedan las imponentes iglesias y la puerta del Virrey, entrada a la ciudad desde el embarcadero del río Mandovi, coronada por la silueta del gran conquistador portugués, Vasco da Gama. La peste obligó a abandonar la ciudad en el siglo XVII. Desde entonces por aquí solo se acercan turistas y peregrinos devotos del misionero navarro San Francisco Javier, cuyo cuerpo incorrupto se puede adorar u observar, según te dé, en la Basílica del Buen Jesús, la más popular de la ciudad fantasma. Cada 10 años, el 3 de diciembre, se celebra en esta ruina una procesión entre la Basílica y la Catedral en la que se portan los restos del jesuita para solaz de miles de peregrinos procedentes de toda la India. Si te gustan este tipo de eventos, debes saber que la próxima cita será en 2014. 

2013 Fuente: dtlux.com

Goa needs special status

'Goa needs special status to protect its land, culture'

 

Panaji, August 6, 2014

Goa Minister for environment Alina Saldanha who is spearheading ‘Goa’s Movement For Special Status (GMFSS)’ on Wednesday said that the recent written reply given to Goa Rajya Sabha MP by Minister of State for Home ruling out special status to Goa was “more of a routine, conventional position of the Central Government and not a conclusive statement of policy by the Modi Government on this matter.”

Addressing a press conference along with other members of the movement on Wednesday, she said that the special status of the type the GMFSS was demanding had earlier been granted to States such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Mizoram and other north eastern States, without conflict whatsoever with Article 19 or any other provision of the Constitution.

The Minister's recent written reply in Rajya Sabha had said that special status for Goa was untenable in the light of the rights under Article 19.

GMFSS led by Minister Saldanha had even presented a memorandum to Mr. Narendra Modi during his Goa public meeting ahead of Lok Sabha polls 2014 eliciting a public response that he was happy to know that people of Goa were not asking for any financial package but protection to their precious land and culture. This had raised hopes of the demand being considered favourably by BJP-led government at the Centre.

For protection

Minister Saldanha reiterated that the tiny State of Goa wants special status to protect its scarce land and its resources which are under tremendous pressure from mindless influx of migrants taking place disregarding the State's carrying capacity. The movement is also expressing concern over threat to dilution of Goa's culture and identity.

Ms. Saldanha, who is presently under pressure from people supporting the demand as she had prior to elections publicly stated that she will not hesitate to resign if the demand was rejected, has now said that the movement will work more hard to convince Centre to accept the demand.

Last week when this issue was raised as a calling attention motion in the State Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had reiterated his firm resolve to successfully approach the present Central Government once again in October with an unambiguous proposal seeking special status for Goa to protect its scarce land, its identity and culture from dilution owing to mindless influx.

Admitting that the State government did not send a very clear proposal in this regard, he tried to play down the “rejection of demand” stating that the reply given in Rajya Sabha for a question on the issue was obviously based on “an ambiguous proposal sent earlier from our side.” 

Source: Thehindu.com