FOOD/ TRAVEL SPECIAL ..............Goa’s secret beaches

Goa’s secret beaches 

Skip the crowds and indulge your taste buds here

    It’s true that Goa is now fussing over steady crowds of visitors. More and more visitors to Goa have already been to the popular beaches and while it’s fun for the average teenager or the many men ogling at sunbathing tourists, those looking for a slice of coastal heaven are left shortstrung.
    So, if you’re looking for a beach destination that isn’t commercial and yet offers good food and beach activities then here’s where you must head:
SOUTH GOA
Palolem Beach and Butterfly Island: Once upon a time, Palolem Beach used to be the respite for beach bums looking for some clean sands and isolation. Today, however, this strip has also turned pretty commercial with shop after shop selling tacky clothing and souvenirs at high prices. However, since the beach itself is small, on-sand crowding hasn’t increased that much. Sea kayaking is popular around this area and one can hire a kayak and set off for Butterfly Island, which is a short distance from the beach.
Galgibaga Beach: Resembling the beachscape of Goa from half a century ago, Galgibaga is a heaven for tourists looking for empty stretches of sand and plenty of privacy. The beachfront is fringed by a thick growth of palm trees and makes for a beautiful picnic spot. The area doesn’t have any restaurants but small fish curry-rice joints along the area serve up a tasty fare. The Talpona River meets the sea at the southern tip of Galgibaga Beach. This area is unsafe for swimming due to undercurrents.
Note: Galgibaga Beach is a turtle nesting area and is the primary reason why tourism is not prominent here.
NORTH GOA
Arambol Beach: I’ve often been asked if Goa still has nude beaches. Sadly those days are long gone. But Arambol Beach is still good enough to wear a skimpy suit to. The beach strip is famed for its lounge bars and award winning restaurants and come sunset, many tourists take to the cooling sands to practice yoga and fire dancing. The Wednesday drum circle is also a treat with visitors bringing their bongos and tambourines to the beach for an amateur music session. Must Try: Arambol’s Fellini’s pizza house is a ramshackle building that serves authentic Italian style thin crust pizzas.
Querim Beach and Tiracol Fort: Heading past Arambol, to the extreme north of Goa, Querim Beach is a strip of tree-shadowed beach front. Visitors are few and so are restaurant shacks. Do try a fish thali at a small eatery by the jetty. It has fresh fish, and simple yet delicious curry and rice. Querim Beach is also where the Tiracol River meets with the sea. Across the river banks, perched on the top of a hill is Tiracol Fort, which has been converted into a heritage hotel. Visitors can explore the region and enjoy a meal at their outdoor restaurant, which offers a panoramic view of the sea and the hills around.
 LARA REBELLO TR 130912