18 things to do in Goa.

• Goa is in West India with the Arabian sea along its western coast.
• Panaji is the capital of Goa and Vasko da gama (Mormugao) is the largest city.
• Goa is divided into North Goa and South Goa.
• North Goa consists of Bicholim, Mapusa, Panaji and Ponda with Panaji being the headquarters in this region.
• South Goa comprises Margao, Quepem and Vasko da gama with Margao as the headquarters.

1. If you are a beach bum, popular beaches are those of Anjuna, Baga and Calangute in the North as well as Uturda and Arossim beaches in the South.
2. Get spa or Ayurveda beach massages.
3. Admire the Portuguese architecture in bungalows,churches,buildings and galleries.
4. Indulge in swimming and sea fishing and hire water scooters.
5. Get a bikini wax, learn juggling, go sunbathing and even wine trailing.
6. Certain beaches offer you the chance to watch Turtle hatching.
7. Little less known than the beaches are the spice gardens or plantations, home to periperi, the hottest among the lot of chillies.
8. Go for an "elephant shower".
9. Polem beach is a comparatively less crowded and serene beach in extreme south of Goa perfect for lazing and watching fishermen without being disturbed, if you are one of those who crave peace and quiet.You can also hire a Dolphin cruise ship and do some dolphin spotting.
10. Try your luck in the casino.
11. Check out the Rice fieds in rural Goa if you have time.
12. Go on one of the sunset cruises, on one of the boats with lights and goan dancing.
13. Go to one of the flea or night markets.
14. Kala academy is the cutural academy showcasing what the state has to offer so if you have time, do pay a visit.
15. Sample the great and mindboggling variety of Goan and Portuguese food.
16. Try the coconut or cashew fermented feni local drink.
17. The beaches offer a wide variety of water sports in all kinds of surfing and skiing.
18. Visit the cafes and nightclubs or attend the Goan carnival if you have time.

Night life in Goa:

• Goa never sleeps! Colva and calangute beaches are best for night life if you are a party person.
• Live bands are always playing at many of the local bars/karoke bars and cafes and add to your mood.
• Bars and music are everywhere, Goa is also home to many singers and performers, both national and international.
• Goa trance music is very popular and music and movie festivals are organised here.
• There is a goan carnival too.

1. Scuba diving to explore the marvels of the sea with a crash course for those who have never done it before.
2. There are bananaboat, ringo and bump rides available at different times of the year in Goa.
3. Parasailing/paragliding with a parachute attached to a motorboat which soars you into the sky to a view from the top, wind surfing is balancing yourself and keeping afloat on the boat and is a test of human skill and balancing.
4. Jet/water skiing on the goan waters where the speed boats double up for sightseeing too.
5. Microlite flying is similar to handgliding and is motorised and can be done only on 1 or 2 beaches.
6. Dinghly sailing on a smaller boat with less speed and action.
7. Knee and wake boarding where you can strap yourself up to the knees and get in the water.
8. Catamaran/hobie cat sailing can be done with four people at a time on a boat with twin hulls.

• The ancient name for Goa was Revti Dweep, though it has been referred as Govapuri and Govarashtra in ancient times and the Greeks referred to it as Nelkinda in the writings of Ptolemy.
• It is the richest Indian state which was ruled by the Portuguese for over 4 centuries till it became free in 1961 but the portuguese influence is very obvious in terms of food and architecture.
• Goa covers an area of 1429 miles.
• Goa has a tropical monsoon climate being close to the Arabian sea and is hot and humid with rain during the monsoons and a short winter. But this very combination of sun and sand is what makes it so popular.

• Mollem National park and Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife sanctuary unusual species of deer, panther and birds.
• Naval aviation museum , Science centre and Institute Menezes braganza have unusual and exciting models and relics which might excite the museum lovers.

Panjim or old Goa is the Rome of the eastern world with breathtaking architectural delights listed on the Unesco world heritage sights including the Bom Jesus Basilica ,holding the remains of St.Francis Xavier and some convents and churches.

Goan feni:

Feni is a very popular goan drink.The coconut Feni is produced from the sap of the coconut plant and the cashew Feni is made by fermenting the cashewnuts.

There are lots of flea markets and night markets and shopping is dirt cheap sometimes.Some articles available are:

• artefacts,
• t-shirts,
• beachwear,
• beach jewellery,
• footwear
• trinkets .
• One can also feast on food from all over the world since people from different continents come here.

• Konkani is the official language though English and hindi is understood and spoken.
• Football is played here with great gusto.It is probably one of the few cities (in cricket obsessed India) where cricket is not a craze.
• Rice with Goan fish curry is very popular here.
• There is liberal use of coconut and spices in most cooking involving pork vindaloo,stews and king prawns.
• You can be served every variety of steamed,grilled and fried seafood over here.
• If you wan't to do some good while in Goa and give back to the world,volunteer at Children walking tall, a centre for slum children where one can volunteer and help around abit.
• Literacy rate in Goa is around 87% with men being 90% literate and females being 84% literate, which is one of the highest in India.
• Apart from its beaches and nightlife, Goa is known for its cuisine,fisheries, marine engineering colleges, medical colleges,law ,pharmaceutical courses, science and management courses.
• Most football players from Goa have represented india in football matches and tournaments abroad.

1. The Goa international Airport is the main one(with a second airport in the pipeline) and is served by most airlines and one can book chartered flights if so desired.
2. Government run and privately operated buses are available.
3. There are 2 rail lines connecting Goa to other places.
4. There are harbours with steamers.
5. You can take two wheelers and motorbikes on hire to cruise around at your own pace.