Goa Travel Guide
Tags: Christmas Alternatives / Winter Travel / Travel News / → All Tags
Go To Goa, But Don't Party On The Beach This Xmas
Since we mentioned the cool idea of a Christmas vacation in beautifully-decorated Goa, India, the local authorities have been making important decisions.
We're still keen on the idea but wanted to let you know that they have now banned beach parties from December 23 through to January 5, based on security fears. However, the authorities say that all the hotel-based functions will still go ahead, as will the local traditional celebrations we were swooning over.
So while you mightn't get your midnight swim in, the beach party ban probably makes it a bit safer for everyone. And we're really glad they haven't done anything really crazy like banning the cashew cakes and baklava-esque pastries. That'd make us revise our travel advice for sure.
Related Stories:
· Beach Parties Banned in Goa Over Terrorist Fears [The Age]
· Xmas in Goa: BYO Grinch [Jaunted]
· India Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Poo-tee-weet?]
Tags: Christmas Alternatives / Religious Enclave Travel / → All Tags
Xmas in Goa: BYO Grinch
If taking off for India means missing the yearly round-the-clock viewings of Christmas "classics" like "Miracle on 34th Street" and that horrible cartoon "Frosty The Snowman," we'll be packed and ready to go in 10 minutes. Instead, keep Christmas the Goan way, in honor of the west-coast state which maintains enough of its Portuguese roots to honor the holiday in the majority-Hindu country.
The streets are decorated with lights and elaborate paper stars, pictured. A Goa Christmas typically begins with Missa de Galo, late-night masses that bleed into the early morning hours, after which party-goers eat cashew cakes and a baklava-esque pastry with coconut called bebinca. Since there's no snow, your only worry is how long you'll have to wait after eating to hit the beach, although that's more of an adopted-tourist tradition than long-standing Indian rite.
Note: While the terrorist attacks in Mumbai have dampened tourism all over India, we're standing with Peter Greenberg and defending a visit to the country, on the grounds that common tourist haunts are on high alert. This could also translate into some mean last-minute deals on the ground. Still, travel at your own risk.
Related Stories:
· Super World Travelers Go to Goa [Jaunted]
· So, Just How Safe Is India? [Jaunted]
· Christmas in Goa [Travelblog.org]
· A Lovely Christmas in Goa [Seattle Times]
[Photo: pjhaveri]
