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North Goa Beaches
CALANGUTE : A 45
mints. bus ride from the state capital, Calangute is Goa's busiest and most
commercialised resort of the state. The Charter boom, combined with a huge
increase in the number of Indian visitors, is burden on Calangut's
infrastructure. Buses from Mapusa and Panjim pull in the market at the centre
of Calangute. The beach is walkable distance from here. The road from the town
to the beach is lined with Kashmiri -run handicraft, boutiques and Tibetian
stalls selling Himalayan curios and jewelry. The quality is high and so are the
prices. The beach itself is nothing special - its sand shelves steeply but is
more than large enough to accommodate the large number of high season visitors.
To escape the muddle, head fifteen minutes or so south of the main beachfront
towards the row of old wooden boats moored below the dunes. This is virtually
hawker- free zone, you will only come across team of villagers hauling in hand-
nets at high tide or fishermen fixing their bamboo sunshades. Night life here
is mostly restricted to Tito's which is in Baga Beach, open until 11 p.m.,
other popular hangouts are Pete's bar and Bob's Inn.
BAGA : 10 km
west of Mapusa is basically an extension of Calangute, you can't find out where
Calangute ends and Baga begins. Lying in the lee of a rocky, wooded headland,
the only real difference between the two is that the scenery here is marginally
more varied and picturesque. A small river flows in the sea at the top of the
village. Most of the action revolves around the sandy square and the bus park
close to the river mouth, below a broad spur of white sand. Baga has developed
more rapidly than anywhere else in the state and now the main road running
across the village is lined with gaudily lit bars, tandoori terrace and
handicraft shops. One of the few developments of Baga's burgeoning tourist
scene has been the emergence of the flea market, held here on Saturday on the
headland beyond the box bridge, it kicks around 4 p.m and lasts till the cool
hours till 11 pm. All the usual handicrafts, jewellery and snacks stalls are
represented and there's temporary stage for the visiting local musician. Baga's
nightlife is the liveliest in Goa. Here you will find the perfect blend of
Western and Goan culture.
ANJUNA : With its fluorescent painted
palm trees and infamous full-moon parties, Anjuna 8 km west of Mapusa is Goa's
most alternative". Designer leather and Lycra may have superseded cotton
kaftans but most people's reason for coming here are same as they were in 1970:
drugs, dancing and lying on the beach. One of the main reason of Anjuna
enduring popularity as a hippy hangout is the beach. Bathing is generally safer
than at most of the nearby resort especially at the southern end. The season in
Anjuna starts in early November when most of the long staying regulars show up.
Anjuna's Wednesday flea market is the hub of Goa's alternative scene and the
place to indulge in souvenir shopping. Buses from Panjim & Mapusa drop
passengers at various point s along the tarmac road across the top of the
village. The cross roads have couple of small stores and a taxi
stand.
VAGATOR : Barely a couple of Kilometers of cliff tops and
parched grassland separate Anjuna from the southern fringes of its nearest
neighbour, Vagator. Dominated by the red ramparts of Chapora fort, Vagator's
broad white sandy beach known as Big Vagator is undeniably beautiful. Far
better to head down to the next cove south. Backed by a steep wall is Little
Vagator beach is more secluded and much less accessible than either of its
neighbourAt the southern end of the beach, a row of makeshift cafes provides
shade and sustenance for the predominantly Israeli crowd. Nearby, a sculpted
Shiva face stares contemplatively out of a rock, and a fresh water spring
trickles through a lush tangle of vegetation into a shady pool at the foot of
the cliff which is ideal for washing off the salt after swimming. Like Anjuna,
Vagator is relaxed, undeveloped resort that appeals to the travellers on tight
budget. Buses from Panjim and Mapusa, 9 k.m east pull in here every fifteen
minutes near the main road near Chapora. From here one kilometre walk over the
hill and down the side of the beach you'll find most of the villages
accommodation and restaurants.
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