Goa

Goa is part of India, this tiny, gentle Indian state is a far cry from the usual notion of what India is all about. Indeed, may first time visitors believe Goa to be an island. An understandable mistake, as this small state is encircled by mountains, rivers and estuaries which effectively separate it from the rest of India.

It's not just the geography that makes Goa different. Life for the animals is different too. Water buffaloes and cows wander around freely on a never-ending eating mission and most Goan village households have their own pigs, chickens and goats scratching around in their yards. The wild bird life is unbelievable.

Goan food is truly wonderful. 'Curry' does not begin to describe the fragrant and delicately spiced dishes on offer. And then there's the renowned seafood. The ocean in this part of the world is still fished the traditional way, resulting in prolific fishstocks. Plump lobsters, giant tiger prawns, pomfret and kingfish, generally barbecued in tandoori ovens only hours after leaving the sea, are just a small sample of what can arrive at your table. The local wines have improved greatly over the last few years and particularly red wines such as Chantilli are very pleasant, There is also a wide range of beers available as well as the full range of Bacardi breezers which served ice-cold certainly hit the spot. Wherever you dine, from a pool-side hotel restaurant to a humble beach shack, the bill is another nice surprise. Even though prices have risen over the last few years and there are now some very chic and sophisticated eateries, eating out is still excellent value for money and a fraction of what you would pay at home.

What absolutely amazes us about Goa is the friendliness of the people, which continues to remain true with every visit. So many people just like to say hello, ask your name and where you're from! Even the fishermen appreciate a helping hand to push their boats back up the beach, a labour often rewarded with a smile.