When one hears the name Goa, the first thing that pops up in the mind are blue blue seas and swaying coconut palms on pristine beaches. The imagination is not really far from reality. Goa is all this and much more than Beach, Babes and Beer. The culture, the rich Portuguese heritage, worn with more than a grain of pride on the collars by the Goans reflects the inclusivity and the open ness of the people of this amazing coastal state to embrace different cultures and merge it with their own. The people of Goa are proud of their culture, their heritage and their state. They have an opinion on everything, whether it is weather, politics, tourism and the poison a.k.a drugs. They do not shy away from speaking their minds. The cuisine, well words can’t explain the mouth watering, delicious, scrumptious and wide variety of the Goan cuisine, which majorly comprises of Non vegetarian staples. The breads, especially the poie, never found such delicious, wood fired bread outside of the state. The vibrant and colorful houses that dot the narrow lanes and the swaying palms that dot many a winding road bring a kind of much needed calm and peace to the overtaxed mind and soul, is beyond words.
Unfortunately, most of the visitors to this seaside state, only visit for the cheap alcohol and to drool at the bikini clad athithis from saat samundar paar. I say, get off the blinkers of such vulgarity and explore this beautiful state and you just might find some hidden gems of nature, hidden to be found by true treasure hunters.