Stay duration: July 8th - July 11th @ hotel Nova Goa
We got wet. "Panaji" translates to "the land that never floods." It is a bit inland and its close proximity to the river provides easy access for runoff. Despite its dry reputation - we where there during monsoon season and less than ten minutes after we stepped outside the safety of our hotel it began to rain elephants and the streets became saturated.
Baby steps. Large catholic churches and christian crosses lined the streets signifying a lasting portugese influence. No snake charmers, camels, or elephants here - Goa is known as a mild introduction to india... and i agree with that - its a great place to start from. Panaji proved to be the perfect hub to travel from - Plenty to see in the city and down along the river and we had a great day trip to the less trampled beaches of south goa.
Calangute (famous beach town) - Population 16, 000
Stay Duration: July 11th - July 12th
Just a short walk to the arabian sea from our hotel, Calangute was less busy and a bit abandoned during monsoon season. A thick concentration of resteraunts and busy shops (and more white people) signified a change from business capital to tourist destination. Only had a couple days here but i realy liked calangute beach.
Top Bits From Goa----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bring your flippy floppies - you will get wet in monsoon season. Big rain and big waves. It is impressive how hard it rains... It leaves bruises... fortunately it lasts but a few moments
Be a guest - When drenched with sweat/saltwater and miles away from your hostel - use the 5 star resorts shower - its very nice and you will feel much more refreshed when you are walking down their beautifully kept beaches and laying by their poolside.
Don't climb the trees - no matter how tempting - no matter how adventurous the picture will look. I'm just saying... there might be a swarm of ants inside the tree... and you don't want to anger them (not that that that happened)!
Paloala Beach - My favorite Beach located in southern Goa. We hiked down the beach and for miles saw abandoned shacks with palm leaf roofs... apparently during tourist season they fill up with restaurants and all other sorts of vendors.
I saw a flourescent blue striped bumble bee!
stray dogs and bold cows roam the streets, beaches, and just about everywhere else.
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