ItsGoa January 2022 Edition

People, Food, Travel, Hospitality

Goa has around six turtle nesting sites to spot the well-known Olive Ridley Turtles.

Festakar of Goa

HIT #1 TURTLE NESTING

Mazel

Faleiro

Many came up and told me that I won’t make it. Not because it’s hard, but because it’s hard for women to even have a vision.

Alexyz Fernandes

Alexyz Fernandes from Siolim is a wellknown Goa cartoonist who is fondly called, Cartoonist Alexyz”. Marius Fernandes is Festakar of Goa. That’s just one of his dual identities. He’s in fact a registered supporter of Leicester City Football Club.

Monty Sally

Oliver Sean Alvares is on a high. Christmas Day was special for him as his single ‘Everyday will be like a Holiday’ hit #1 on iTunesUK on the Blues Charts.

I would love to be an emblem to those who want to create a world that deviates from the conventional.

VILLAS IN GOA

ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS

Instagrammable Places in Goa Villas in Goa are a great alternative to hotels and resorts

Some of the fanciest and poshest romantic restaurants

Goa continues to stand out as the best vacation spot to make all your aesthetic desires come true!

Editorial

Happy New Year everybody!

Bye-bye 2021, welcome 2022. The old has gone, the new has come. New beginnings, firmer resolves, promises to keep, and the famous ‘new year resolutions!’ Despite the Omicron threat, the New Year began on a positive note. 2022, (despite it sounding like a repeat ‘2020 too’) failed to dampen the spirit of Christmas or New Year. Goa was abuzz with activity once again. The desire of coming together after a two-year ‘drought period’ in terms of community life increased to such an extent that Christmas 2021 saw family and friends from all over the world in Goa. Traditions of sweet making, star-making, crib-making, etc. came alive. Family dinners were possible on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Our family has a tradition of making kulkuls, neurios, baatika (coconut cake) etc. where the whole family gathers together on a given day with the children holding pride of place - sitting together around the table, chit-chatting over the rolling, stuffing and frying, everyone gets to take home a portion of the sweets with pride at their handiwork. The children get to do the first tasting too.

In today’s world, the intimacy that families share as in the good ol’ days has dwindled. Blame it on the influence of social media, technological advances, high standards of living, etc. These have ruined the once closely knit joint family concept the need of which was felt more during this Covid19 pandemic where families were separated for various reasons. People realized the importance of having family and friends close at hand. That would possibly have led to fewer deaths, depression and loneliness. The results of which were experienced in the last two years when children were separated from their parents, old people were helpless and alone, the sick had little or no help, the poor had no food - food was not available even with money. Wouldn't the situation have been different if families lived together?

India celebrates its 73rd Republic Day on 26th January after which Goa witnesses its Legislative Assembly Elections on 14th February to elect 40 members. So let’s be wise, not selfish and exercise utmost caution maintaining social distancing, wearing certified masks, washing and sanitizing, etc. to prevent the virus from spreading further.

Signing off and looking forward to your views,

Jessyl Fernandez

Nordic Intent HQ, Lane 4,

PDA Colony, Near Le Magnifique,

Index

01 Olive Ridley turtle nesting

02 Oliver Sean Alvares - HIT #1

03 Holiday Villas in Goa

04 Monty Sally - Fashion Designer

05 Romantic Restaurants in Goa

06 Mazel Faleiro - Disk Jockey

07 Instagrammable places in Goa

08 Cartoonist Alexyz

09 Best Budget Resorts in Goa

10 Goans in New Zealand

11 Marius Fernandes is Festakar of Goa

Introduction

Goa, the tiniest state on the western coast of India, boasts golden pristine beaches, palmfringed avenues, flavourful food, delicious Portuguese-influenced sweets, and warm, hospitable people. Also known as the Ibiza of India for its partying. A tropical paradise of flora and fauna, from the very famous almi (mushrooms) endemic to its forests, that grow only on the red mud anthills, to the solar prawns that are fished immediately after the monsoons, Goa is unique. Tourists are also attracted to Goa for its cultural heritage - from the famous old Portuguese churches like Se Cathedral in Old Goa, the 16th Century Safa Masjid in Ponda and Shree Mangesha Temple in Mardol, the legendary Arvalem or Pandava Caves where the Pandavas of the Mahabharat fame lived, to its two unique festivals - Carnival and Shigmo. Goa plays host to many festivals

- the International Film Festival of India that promotes cinema, the Serendipity Art Festival, Sunburn Music Festival, The Grape Escapade to name a few. To showcase this varied heritage of culture, art, tradition, food, and people, in 2015 ItsGoa was born. The main aim was to make it the premier portal for all things Goa. We were able to showcase Goa like never before. Soon our blog-based website transcended the virtual space, with the ItsGoa magazine a sought-after resource for visitors to Goa from countries like Norway, Germany, UK, USA, UAE, etc. The Covid Pandemic in 2020 brought everything to a standstill and printing of the magazine was put on hold. Now that life is almost back to normal in Goa, and to maintain the covid norms, we have decided to launch our very own ItsGoa magazine online.

A little about our Magazine

Think of Goa! Think ItsGoa! Our magazine is known for its business listings of basically anything and everything found in Goa. We also produce uniquely written articles in regard to Goa. Some of these folk tales you quite literally will not find anywhere else on the net. These rich in content stories are passed down from generation to generation in the villages of golden Goa. We also provide up-to-date news and information on travel, food, and events that are taking place in this beautiful State of Goa. The content on ItsGoa is written by people who are passionate about calling this tiny state their home. Our writers come from all walks of life, and through our social media handles on Facebook or Instagram, we re able to showcase Goa through many different lenses.

The ItsGoa magazine is a single point of reference for news, lifestyle, and culture in Goa.

Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting Guide For Goan Naturists

Currently under threat and deemed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List and listed as a ‘Schedule I Species’ in the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, the forest department and coast guard ensure their safety.

Photograph: David Troeger

OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLES

are one of the only species of turtles known to currently nest on the beaches of Goa out of the five species of Indian turtles.

There have been sparse records of the Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherback from the offshore waters off the Goa coast.

APPEARANCE

The Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea) gets its name from its olive/greyish-green carapace (outer shell) and greenish skin. Being one of the smallest of sea turtles, closely related to the Kemps Ridley, these turtles are found only in warmer waters. By nature solitary and preferring the open ocean, Olive Ridleys are rarely seen as they swim closer to the ocean bed and only come up to breathe. They are known to swim at a speed of 0.9 - 5.8 mph and up to 22 mph 935 km per hour) when frightened. The Olive Ridleys have smaller heads in comparison to their relative, the Kemps Ridley, growing up to 2 feet in shell length and weighing up to 100 pounds. Its cutes on the carapace are unique with 12-14 marginal ones and up to 9 lateral ones per side. Characteristic of the heart-shaped carapace are the 4 pairs of porebearing inframarginal scutes on the bridge and two pairs of prefrontal ones. Each of the four flippers has one or two visible claws with the front ones sometimes having an extra one.

LIFE SPAN

Maximum age for these turtles is upto 50 years.

HABITAT

Olive Ridley turtles are only found in warmer waters around the southern Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. They are known to frequent coastal bays, estuaries or the ocean for some part of their range.

FOOD

Mostly carnivorous, feeding on jellyfish, crabs, shrimp, and snails, these turtles may also eat algae and seaweed making them omnivores. The Olive Ridleys typically forage offshore in surface waters or dive to 150 m to feed on bottom dwelling crustaceans.

NESTING

The Olive Ridleys have one of the most extraordinary nesting habits in the world. Both males and females travel thousands of miles, coming together during the mating ritual or ‘Arribada’ (meaning arrival in Spanish), which refers to synchronized nesting in mass numbers. Mating takes place offshore and males return to the ocean (their feeding grounds), while females swim ashore to the nesting site - the same place where they were hatched. Females nest every year and often more than once in a season as they have the ability to store sperm throughout the nesting season. Once onshore, they lumber along in the dead of night to their nesting spot. Individual females lay around 100 - 120 eggs, each measuring 4 cm in diameter. The nesting period in Goa usually occurs from November/December and goes upto March/April. Nesting is largely dependent on the amount of disturbance at the beaches owing to commercialisation and climatic change. India has several nesting sites but not much importance is given to them. Gahirmatha Beach in Odisha, on the western coast of India, is one of the largest and most important nesting sites in the world followed by Mexico and Costa Rica. Other places in India where these turtles nest are the Andamans and Lakshadweep Islands.

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HATCHLINGS

The eggs hatch 45 - 50 days after incubation. Hatchlings weigh less than 30g and measure 3.8 cm in length. Once the baby turtles emerge from the shells, they use cues to find the water including the slope of the beach, the white crest of the waves and the natural light of the ocean horizon. The sex of hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the sand. Lower temperature produces males while higher temperature produces females.

ENDANGERED

Currently under threat and deemed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List and listed as a ‘Schedule I Species’ in the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, the forest department and coast guard ensure their safety. The Olive Ridley is considered the most abundant among the turtles, but highly endangered due to decline in the adult population. Either the hatchlings do not make it to the ocean due to predators or the adults are taken by sharks. Besides, hundreds of turtles die along the eastern coastline of India every year, mostly due to fishing activities, habitat loss, pollution, unsustainable development in the coastal areas and climate change.

CONSERVATION IN GOA

Not much importance has been placed on conservation of these endangered species in Goa. Conservation is particularly required as the beaches are turning into noisy tourist hubs which are detrimental to nesting. Goa has declared five beaches - Galgibaga, Talpona, Agonda, Morjim and Mandrem as Turtle Nesting sites with Incubation and Interpretation centers set up and guards stationed to ensure the eggs are safe and hatchlings released into the ocean. Locals have also been taken into confidence (sometimes paid) to report egg locations and nesting sites. On an experimental basis, in the first week of March, 2021, in a collaborative effort between the Goa Forest Department (Government representative), WWF-India and Technology for Wildlife (private enterprise representative) drones were used to document aerial imagery to detect adult turtles on Morjim beach in the North. The footage included hatchlings being born and released into the sea by the forest department field workers. The media and footage collected will further enhance research on the Olive Ridley Turtles in Goa.

In March 2021, a total of 29 turtle nesting pits were reported at Agonda while 2 were reported at Galgibaga, bringing the total egg count to over 3000.

In January this year, the first solitary female reportedly showed up on Agonda beach laying 114 eggs with the breeding season kickstarting last December when another turtle laid 130 eggs at Morjim.

IMPORTANCE OF SEA TURTLES

Travelling thousands of miles across Oceans, various species of Sea Turtles help maintain healthy seagrass beds, provide important nutrients to nesting dunes, ensure our Coral Reefs remain strong and healthy and transport important organisms that live on them to and from seagrass beds, coral reefs etc. They also act as shelters for smaller creatures that take protection from predators.

Oliver Sean Alvares is on a high. Christmas Day was special for him as his single ‘Everyday will be like a Holiday’ hit #1 on iTunesUK on the Blues Charts.

Not to mention, his ‘Doing That (Time, Love, Happiness) won Best Music Video at the Swedish International Film Festival. Just a few feathers on this talented musician’s hat. Getting hold of Oliver Sean is a tough task considering the amount of shows he’s busy with. Nevertheless, the loving soul that he is, Oliver has shared some beautiful stories from his life exclusively for ItsGoa. Humans of Goa is our original and official series that shares inspirational stories from the lives of Goans. Let’s jump right in…

Tell us about yourself…

My name is Oliver Sean Alvares. I’m a musician. My loved ones call me Ollie. My official website is www.oliversean.com.

In Goa, I live at Loutolim and Dona Paula.

What was that one moment when you decided that, “That’s it! I want to become a singer/musician” As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a musician. I was singing at 4 and picked the guitar up at 8.

I don’t think I ever wanted to be anything else. Every time I’d hear a song I really liked, it would reaffirm my goal in life to be a musician. Every book I read about an artist inspired me. It would be a sin for the world to be denied this voice hahaha. I believe the voice is an instrument to perfect just like any other. If you are born with a good voice and a powerful one, you are naturally gifted and the more you practice and stretch that singing voice the better you get.

I was lucky enough to be born with a good voice and I believe I can express myself best with my voice. The guitar is a close second for me. Combined, these two instruments allow me to express myself perfectly through my songs.

A bit about your role models. People you look up to…

I look up to people who have overcome hardships in life and have made it in this world. People who have had a tough start in life but still made it to the top of their game on the basis of sheer perseverance and belief.

Especially people who haven’t lost their core beliefs of being kind and decent. One of those people is my Mom – I have been lucky to have had her as my role model in life and still do.

Any inspirational moment you remember in your life that changed everything…

There have been so many wonderful moments in my life. Little victories in life to me feel like the biggest win in the world (at that moment). I think this is one of the secrets to success.

Be grateful for the big things, but also for the little wins in life. Some of the big moments in my life have been getting my first music video on MTV, getting an MTV EMA nomination, my first #1 on iTunes, first Top 10 on the Billboard charts, and the list goes on, but I still remember when I got my scholarship in music at boarding school and the pride and joy I felt.

I still remember the time I won 1st place at a singing competition in school. Those were all big moments in my life – just as big as my countless #1’s on iTunes in the US, UK, Canada, the various Billboard Top 10 singles and Top 10 albums alongside the world's biggest artists, my MTV EMA nomination etc. Well you get it

What was the biggest challenge when pursuing this as a fulltime career? And how did you overcome it? A career in music is hard! There are no shortcuts. You may see an artist and all of his/her success and it may seem like it just fell into their lap – well, it hasn’t. The real musician who makes it big has been pushing all his life and is still working hard to keep his/her dreams alive.

The number of rejections and people taking advantage of a musician is more in this industry than any other. The sad part is that a true musician is a gentle soul and that gentle soul has to navigate through a world of horrible people that are part of the music industry. And some masquerade as musicians. Leeches is a word that comes to my mind. Which is why you should surround yourself with people who truly have your best interest at heart.

It takes a while to realize who those people are, but eventually you will get there. Don’t let anyone come before your immediate family – they will be your first and last REAL FANS.

Any memories as a kid you’d like to share? Maybe when you heard a song for the first time and the voice took you on a journey; or something from pop culture that influenced you?

The movie La Bamba was a big influence in my life as a 10-year-old kid. I watched that movie 5 times in one day and I probably messed up the video cassette (which I had rented from a video library). Name your favorite singer/artist or anyone in your industry that you want to emulate. Any fanboy moment you experienced or precious advice someone gave you? I have never wanted to sound like anyone or emulate anyone.

I have never understood some musicians who want to sound like a particular artist. I have been inspired by amazing singers and guitar players, but not once did I want to sound like them.

Some of the artists that I was a fan of and still am, are George Michael, ACDC, Michael Jackson, The Doors, Eric Clapton, Prince, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, BB King.

Who is the one person you’d like to meet from the past? And what would you ask him/her?

“Jimi Hendrix! Why did you have to burn that guitar on stage man”

Can you write a couple of lines for us here on the topic of “Music is Life”? True Story – the first song I ever wrote was called ‘Music is my life’.

I was 10 years old and writing songs. This was the first one I wrote and I still remember the time and place I was at when I was composing and coming up with the lyrics. It was a beautiful time when I wrote that song and come to think of it. I remember every moment I wrote every song of mine and each of those moments are precious to me. I’ll never forget those moments, because I created a song from thin air and today some of those songs are heard by millions of people and makes people happy for a brief moment in time. It’s part of their life now. But I couldn’t have imagined that when I was writing that song. Writing music from your heart is the key to being happy as a songwriter and composer, just like playing music that you really love is the key to being a satisfied musician.

That is what music should be – something from your heart, something that is created through your life experiences. And those life experiences can be any little thing.

I wrote my first song at 10, my life experience was close to nothing at that point, but the little experience I had in life at age 10 gave me that beautiful song and many more after that. Music, Love, God – it’s all one… Music is Life!

What role did family and friends play in becoming Oliver Sean from Ollie? Any incident you recall that helped you overcome a hurdle or challenge in life with help from fam?

It’s always been just my mom and me. She has helped me overcome every hurdle in my life. She still does till today. And is my manager in the music business – how lucky am I to have the one person that truly believes in me since I was a kid, be my professional artist manager in the music business at this stage. I call her “Momager” :))

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Oh, I have amazing fans. I have lifetime fans ever since they got bitten by my music or my live gig. Most musicians yearn to have fans like mine. These are the people who stand by me always and I love them all. Without my fans I wouldn’t be successful. I never let a major label push me around or dictate terms to me. I was confident that my music would touch people and those people would be all that I needed to be successful.

My Army! I was so right. I have hit mainstream major charts around the world just because of these amazing people. You call them fans – I call them Family, because the love I feel from them and for them is real. It’s a relationship sealed with real music (not commercial manufactured music).

After years of making music and writing songs, the one thing that keeps coming up at interviews, radio shows, and TV shows is that my music is so positive and it leaves people feeling happy. I have also heard songwriters talk about wanting to write songs like “Oliver Sean”. I guess that has become my trademark so to speak. I never intended that to be something in my music. It just is. I want that to be my legacy – I want people to want to listen to my songs when they want to hear something positive and feel happy and inspired.

I want my songs to put a smile on the listeners face. And I hope that a major part of the proceeds of all my music will go towards helping animals forever.

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Villas in Goa That Are Perfect For Hiring During Holidays

Villas in Goa are a great alternative to hotels and resorts; it is like your own private home with complete privacy.

Photograph: Anmol Maggon

There you will find amenities like a private swimming pool, sun decks, manicured lawns, trees, flowers, butler and maid services, security staff, and a parking area. The rooms are more spacious than in hotels and have all modern comforts and amenities. Many have attached a sea-view terrace or balcony. There is a modular kitchen, refrigerator, coffee maker, DVD player, free Wi-Fi, and complete privacy.

Villas in Goa provide dedicated housekeeping staff at your disposal. You can request meals, shopping & cleaning amongst other services to suit your needs. Use the kitchen or ask for chef services. Homecooked food is better for the aged and kids. In most of the luxury villas, breakfast is included. Try villas in Goa for rent for your next vacation at India’s most favourite beach holiday destination.

On The Hill

Perfect for a romantic Goa escape, this one-bedroom villa, as its title suggests is perched on the hill. Surrounded with the aid of lush greenery through and through, this lodging in itself is an intimate affair. With its facade reminding us of Goa’s heritage, the interiors are accomplished tastefully pacing up with the modern-day standards, barring taking away the basic charm. Coming with a personal garden, nonpublic terrace and non-public swimming pool, this has to be in this listing of pinnacle luxurious villas in Goa. With all this coming your way for the duration of the stay, On The Hill will guarantee your romance blooms a thousand instances more. It is one of the most luxurious personal pool villas in Goa for couples.

Location: Saipem

Number of bedrooms: 1

Facilities: Private pool, garden, terrace, housekeeping staff, complimentary breakfast, air conditioning

Nearby attractions: Candolim Beach, Calangute Beach, Baga Beach, Newtons Market

Nearby restaurants and clubs: Cantare Restaurant, Fat Fish Restaurant, SinQ Club, LPK

Tariff per night: INR 15,000 (2 adults, excluding taxes and security charges)

AltoWave

It is one of the best luxury villas in Candolim Goa. With floor to ceiling glass door framed with wood, you can look upon the azure ocean right from the comfort of your cosy bed.

Step outside and retire on your sunbed in the patio or take a dip in the swimming pool, while glancing at the magnificent views of the Arabian Sea fringed with palm and coconut groves. Let the breeze caress your hair, clink your wine glass with your beloved when in AltoWave, one of the best luxury beach villas in Goa. The villa is a heaven, inside and out, with plush decor screaming class and modernity. Comfort here is nonpareil, you’ll feel at home.

Location: Reis Magos

Number of bedrooms: 2

Facilities: Swimming pool, outdoor lounge, wifi, parking, caretakers, air conditioning, sea view

Nearby attractions: Candolim Beach, Calangute

Beach, Fort and Church of Reis Magos, Aguada Fort

Nearby restaurants and clubs: Fisherman’s Cove, Babazin, Voltaire, SinQ Club and LPK Lounge

Tariff per night: INR 50,000 (4 adults, excluding taxes and security charges)

Villa Domus

If you wish to have a relaxing, rejuvenating, and lavish holiday, you should definitely book your stay at this exotic villa. It welcomes you to a world where man-made grandeur combines with nature’s wonder and abundance. Extending to a sprawling six thousand five hundred square feet, this villa is not less than a paradise on Earth. This premium villa will add up to the glamor quotient of your Goan holiday with its modern facilities such as a living room, kitchenette, and dining area.

Location: Candolim Beach, North Goa

Price: Rs 4500 per night

Villa Summertime

This is one of the best luxury villas in Goa, perched on a hilltop outside Calangute overlooking a lush tropical garden and paddy fields. It has two acres of private garden where you can spot beautiful birds and colourful butterflies.

The three grandmaster suites –individual in character and identical in size- have palatial bathrooms, large dressing areas, and furniture sourced from Bali. It also features a huge infinity pool that overlooks the valley and a koi pond. You can grab delicious treats and refreshing drinks at the restaurant or the small bar area.

Location: 286 Boa Viagem Road, Calangute, Goa 403516, India

Price: Rs 30000 for entire villa

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Monty Sally needs no introduction. He specializes in corsets, complex gowns and other types of outfits. The ambience in his Porvorim studio reflects his artistic nature.

One room in the studio is based on a water theme. The curtains are waterfalls coupled with starfish décor. Monty’s numerous artworks adorn the walls. There's no doubt he’s a fun loving guy with no shortage of creativity. Monty Sally doesn’t refer to books or magazines for inspiration and never repeats designs or a style. So how did ‘Monty’ become ‘Monty Sally’? Let’s find out Humans of Goa is our original and official series that shares inspirational stories from the lives of Goans. Let’s get started.

Tell us a bit about yourself…

My name is Praveen Mario Rudolph Saldanha. Loved ones call me Monty. I live at Defense Colony, Porvorim. I created Monty Sally to design everything. My inspiration comes from various things such as visuals, a new place I visited, a painting I admired, music I felt connected with, somebody’s beautiful words, a riveting poem, or from life’s experiences. I specialize in corsets, complex gowns and other types of outfits. I also use laser cut acrylics and jewelry to give a 3D effect for uniqueness.

When was that moment that you decided that I want to become a fashion designer?

It all started when I first saw Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista and Yasmeen Ghauri walk the ramp. The combination of beauty, craft, ideas, and style was too much to miss out on.

Who are your fashion role models? Any fanboy moments you experienced in your life?

Thierry Mugler, John Galliano are two of my favorites. I did not have a fanboy moment because I don’t believe I can love anyone and idolize anyone more than God and Family. I love their work, that's all.

What was the biggest challenge when making this your full time career? How did you overcome it? The biggest challenge I faced was investment. But I took that challenge head-on and decided to create a more visual rather than practical brand to build visibility. This way there would be a brand recall and also make people invest in that brand with more trust.

Any funny or inspiring childhood story or memory you want to share that shaped your life…

Being an army kid is a blessing. The people you meet, the culture you experience, and the character that it builds within you, can’t be matched. You tend to see lots of amazing things and places, so that’s a lot of inspiration there. My childhood as an Army kid was an India tour.

Who is the one person you would want to meet from the past?

When it comes to meeting somebody from the past, Friedrich Nietzsche was someone who shaped modern thought.

What role did family and friends play? Any incidents you remember that helped you overcome a challenge?

My friends invested heavily in Monty Sally. Be it financially or with their constant emotional support, my fashion label lives because of them.

What were people’s feedback (positive and negative) and who stood by you the most?

Once my label became a recognizable brand, many individuals chose to ignore innovations in design and allowed their myopic mindsets to confuse my styling and design aspects. These POVs overlap but are mostly diverse. But there were also those who helped impart positivity to my brand, mostly my clients.

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If you were to travel back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?

If I could go back in time, I would give myself courage and confidence to take chances and not to ever question my own potential.

What fashion advice would you give us?

I feel that confidence makes a difference in fashion. I have noticed that even when people wear clothes that don’t suit them, their confidence makes it look good. My fashion advice is to always be confident in whatever you wear. Website:

What is the legacy you want to leave behind, and for whom?

My future plans involve making this label known nationally. My journey as a designer should always be a source of inspiration and a tangible example that professional careers in creative industries are also possible.

I want to be remembered as someone who suffered for his art. People should and will remember me for doing what I always loved. I would love to be an emblem to those who want to create a world that deviates from the conventional.

Romantic Restaurants in Goa

Whoever says that Goa is known for its seashores and party places, hasn’t been to these nice romantic restaurants in Goa.

Photograph: Jamie Street

These romantic restaurants in Goa are graced by celebrities and politicians from around the world. Scan through this list of some must-visit romantic eating places in Goa!

Here’s a lowdown on the best fantastic romantic eating places in Goa for all financial types. These restaurants serve a variety of world cuisines.

Fiesta

With a gorgeous environment set amidst a cosy garden, this is one of the best eating places in Goa that you should keep on your list. Everything from its appetizers to the main course and drinks is a deal with the taste buds. Not simply that, the European touch in the meals soothes your soul and takes you back to the European era. Comfort and privacy are two matters that come complimentary with this place for your romantic dinner date. Head up and head out to one of the most romantic eating places in Goa.

Cost For Two: INR 1,000 for two.

Where: 7/35, Saunta Vaddo, Baga Beach, Baga, Goa

Timings: 7 PM to 12 AM

Tuscany Gardens

If you two gel up over good conversations and have a heart for good Italian food, look no further! This restaurant in Goa has got your dinner date plan sorted. Set amidst a garden, under the stars, this is the most idyllic place for a romantic evening. This place puts in the best efforts to win over your heart with its food and hospitality and helps you in winning each other too. Step in here any time of the year, but don’t forget to reserve a table in advance at one of the most romantic restaurants in Goa.

Cost For Two: INR 1,000 for two.

Where: Near Kingfisher Villa, Candolim, Goa

Timings: 4 PM to 11 PM

Riverside

The moment you walk in, the ambiance of this restaurant will make you fall head over heels for it. Riverside is one of the many best romantic restaurants in Goa that has got the utmost perfect setting for romantic couples like you. The restaurant overlooks the Sal River and serves the finest Italian around. You two wouldn’t only have the dreamiest evening here, but also the most memorable one together at one of the most romantic restaurants in Goa.

Cost For Two: INR 3,000 for two.

Where: The Leela, Mobor, Cavelossim, Goa

Timings: 7 PM to 10:30 PM

Antares

Set on the shores of Vagator, this beach club is one of Antares’ prime gathering places. Lavish day beds, wood fired pizzas, tasty share plates and refreshing cocktails are enough to make you stay. But there’s more… sunset rituals and live music played by internationally renowned artists. The cuisine is quite simple really: fresh ingredients, exotic flavours, and classic cooking techniques inspired by a charcoal grill. But if you have enough time, take a quick gander at both, because Antares and Thalassa are two completely different and exquisite places that you and your loved one will enjoy to the fullest. Antares restaurant in Goa perfectly fits into the category of the best and romantic restaurants to have candlelight dinner in Goa.

Cost For Two – ₹2000 for two

Timing: 12:00 pm – 11:59 pm

Address: 214/5 Small Vagator Beach, Vagator, Goa

Thalassa

Now shifted to Siolim – Thalassa is not just a Greek taverna in Goa, but a place where the warmth and sheer happiness of Greek hospitality amalgamate instinctively with the laid back, free and tranquil atmosphere and vibe of Goa. It boasts of having the best sunset view in all of Goa which by default makes this an amazing place to relish a candlelight dinner in Goa with your significant other. The entire setup is very picturesque and it’s also one of the best places to have a romantic date in Goa.

Cost For Two – ₹2750 for two

Timing: 9:00 am – 11:59 pm

Address: Small Vagator, Vagator, Goa

Martini at Sunset Point

Purple Martini at Sunset Point will transport you to Santorini with its Mediterranean vibes. This place makes for an utterly romantic spot, situated on a cliff facing the sea and some insta-worthy photo spots! Try their kebabs and fusion cocktails – Basil Garden and Goan Style Mojito!

Address: Poonam Resort Road St. Anthony Praise Vaddo, Anjuna, Bardez

Cost: Rs. 2,800 for two people (approx.)

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Mazel Faleiro

Mazel Faleiro is a class act. She’s jumpy at work for a Sports Management Company during the day but at night, she’s making club goers jump all night long.

Being a “female artist” before being an “artist”, I had to face a lot of taunts spilled by my own friends and colleagues.

So how did a young girl from Margao go on to become one of Goa’s top DJs? Let’s find out!

Tell us about yourself…

Hey everyone, my name is Mazel Boneiface Faleiro. My loved ones call me Maezu. My instagram handle is @dj_curly_m. I live in Margao and I am a DJ by profession but also doubling as an influencer by demand. I am currently also interning at a Sports Management Company in Business Development.

What was that one moment when you decided that, “That’s it! I want to become one of the top DJs of Goa”

I always had my heart set on being unique. I wanted to be my own boss, It’s not just being passionate about music, but also expressing myself through what I do and what I love. I joined the great list of DJs of Goa at the age of 16. DJing gives me the opportunity to make people happy through my music. DJing is not just about mixing songs, it’s more about mixing the blissful emotions of people and forcing them to set their soul free! I feel privileged when I get accoladed by listeners and club-goers after my set.

A bit about your role models. People you look up to…any inspirational moment you remember in your life that changed everything… My failures changed everything. I fear ‘not making mistakes’ than ‘making mistakes’. Every time I commit a mistake, it compels me to correct it and to be better the next time. My failures have been my biggest inspiration and motivation. I just don’t “strive” to be better but I “work” to be better than yesterday. I do this for me and my mother.

What was the biggest challenge when pursuing this as a fulltime career? And how did you overcome it? “After all, she’s a girl. What can we expect from her?” “After all, you are a female artist. Your journey is simpler and sorted, you don’t have to work hard at all” “Why did you allow your daughter to become a DJ? That’s only meant for boys not girls” Being a “female artist” before being an “artist”, I had to face a lot of taunts spilled by my own friends and colleagues.

Some people forget that female artists can also be industrious, dedicated, consistent, zealous, and be their own boss. I didn’t have a godfather in the industry. My performance was always tested or observed not just because female disk jockeys are rare but also because they wanted to check my DJing ability. Many came up and told me that I won’t make it. Not because it’s hard, but because it’s hard for women to even have a vision.

What are some memories as a kid? Maybe when you saw a DJ do his thing on the turntable or something from pop culture that influenced you? Back then when I was a child (approximately around 7th or 8th grade), I watched a DJ at a corporate gig. Watching him mix songs lighted a spark in me that was full of curiosity. I innocently asked him, “Can I do this too??” And he replied “Yes yes! Why not?” I basically forgot about it but soon I made it my dream – become one of the top DJs in Goa.

Name your favorite DJ (or musician) or anyone in your industry that you want to be like. Any fanboy moment you experienced or precious advice someone gave you?

Yes I do admire a lot of DJs. There are too many favorites of mine to name. Not exactly fanboy moments, but I do feel honored to receive praise from people who want to learn from me.

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

I get told by a lot of men that I have achieved something they always wanted to achieve i.e. play music on a stage.

Who is the one person you’d like to meet from the past? And what would you ask him/her? If I had a chance to meet anyone from the past it would be my Father. I lost my father this January 2021. Every single time I achieve something special, I wish he was here to see me achieve it.

What role did family and friends play? Any quick incident you recall that helped you overcome a hurdle or challenge in life with help from fam? My parents played a massive role in building my career. Their constant support and sacrifices encouraged me to win many victories. I am incessantly grateful to both of them for believing, supporting, and trusting in me. Hats off to my super papa and super mama. Also, not forgetting my close buddies who have always encouraged me.

What were the learnings that shaped you to become one of the top DJs of Goa? Besides being intense about music I am very fascinated about football and have taken a small step towards that by interning at a Sports Management Company. I feel honored to receive a huge demand by brands I always admired.

What were people’s feedback (negative and positive), and who stood by you the most?

It’s never the “negative feedbacks” but a lot of “lessons”. Yes I do receive hell lotta love from people after my set ,when they tell me they grooved to my performance and would love to attend more of my gigs, it’s a pleasure!

the All About Alcohol (AAA) museum

Located in the beach village of Candolim, the All About Alcohol (AAA) museum, aims to be the first of its kind “encyclopedia of alcohol” and has been getting a stream of visitors since it opened two months ago.

8 days from its opening, the Museum caught the attention of renowned newspapers across the country, calling it the “Louvre of Goa”.

Goa conjures up images of sun, surf & sand for the millions of tourists that throng it's coast. The hippies, decades ago, discovered this utopian sunshine state and declared their love for it unabashedly with music drugs and a gay abandon.

But for an unassuming Goan, attached to the land of his blood and sweat, more often than not, Fish, Feni & Football is his idea of Shang-ri La, his heaven on earth. A typical tourist to Goa rarely gets to glance behind the gawdy curtain of beach shacks, loud clubs, jet skis and the occasional carnival experience and the ecclesiastical milieu of churces and chapels that also define Goa in the eyes of the tourist.

But behind the moss covered walls of old Portueguese styled homes, skirting past the ubiquitous tulsi plant in the front yards of hindu households, slipping into the quotidien details of village life, there emerges another Goa. And Feni. Almost entwined with each other, travelling as they have, through the annals of history together. Finding Feni - a story told as the journey unfolds.

The sepia toned dust of time and memories that settles on history are rarely cleared as away meticulously as the All About Alcohol museum has endeavoured to do. The Portugal annexation of Goa has filled enough history books with tales of war and liberation, of culture and heritage, of traditions and trade but what stands out towering above all is the contribution of this influence over 400 years which has left an indelible stamp on the Goa we see today. And so it is with Feni.

To trace the origins of Feni ( made from both cashew apple fruit and cocunut palm) and Urak, a similar liquor made from the first distillation of the cashew apple, the second of course being its more popular and potent sibling, Feni.

If the G.I ( Geographical Indication) tag awarded to the cashew feni is a matter of pride to Goans and to the cashew feni distillers, the seed of this historic journey was indeed sown with the actual seed of the cashew plant brought all the way from Brazil by the Portuguese traders and planted on the hills of hard terrains of Goa as a means to stop the top soil erosion. It soon became clear that the Goan soil was ideal for cashew plantation, even more so than Brazil ; perhaps explaining why even today India is one of the latgest cashew producers in the world.

There is an ambiguous debate about who actually distilled the first ever feni, but knowing the ingenious Goenkar spirit of hospitality and using alcohol as a social lubricant it does not stretch the imagination to believe that in any case, an abundance of cashew apple fruits not wanted by the Portuguese meant that it had started to be used to create the local tipple Feni by 1740 CE .

As apparent by some records of Portuguese settlers, this may have led to a few unpleasant skirmishes with the ruling administration as this local tipple trade may have eaten into their revenues and taxes imposed on regular alcohol.

But who can blame anyone for demanding a supply of this quaint spirit that defines the drinking spirit of Goa much as a tequila would define Mexico's. Feni, an exotic naturally fermented drink is hard to replicate anywhere else in the globe as it is an unmatched blend of amchi maati, our goan soil , amchi udak, our waters flowing in from the western ghats, amchi varo, our air and the efforts through the centures of amchi manis, the proud sons of soil.

All About Alcohol - A modern museum of historic proportions.

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As much as susegad , the term ascribed to the laid back relaxed attitude or spirit of Goans is a reality, so is the fact that Goan society has been built upon by a myriad of communities. Traders, farmers, fishermen, artists, missionaries, rulers and the ruled.

One can only imagine what tales of travels and trade, of poltical upheavels, of society scandals and gossip reverberated off the walls of the local tavernas, those old-world watering holes where the working class and sometimes the elite or ruling class would find solace in shots of feni accompanied by ambli, sour slices of raw mango or khatichem, Goan bread stuffed with pork rind.

The tavernas are long gone and modern tourism has reduced much of the spirited identity of Feni to little more than country liquor or toddy. Anyone attempting to trace the history and journey of Feni is by default paying a deserving tribute to it. Because Feni is not just an indigenous local liquor but an ethos that's unique to the state of Goa, evoking myriad emotions among a Goan diaspora here or abroad.

​To trace the origins of Feni through the annals of history, All About Alcohol, India's first ever museum dedicated to local liquors and its historical significance has opened its door to a wonderful journey, a pilgrimage almost, traveling back in time to discover the foundations of Feni from when Goa was Estado da India with its golden years or Goa Dourado.

Goa continues to stand out as the best vacation spot to make all your aesthetic desires come true!

As a technology of millennials continuously on an appearance for faucets and likes, Instagram comes through as one of the most famous social media systems to do simply that! While on a hunt for the most Instagram pleasant places, Goa continues to stand out as the best vacation spot to make all your aesthetic desires come true! Although Goa is a tiny state, there are excessive probabilities that you can also no longer have come throughout all its lovely locations due to its region or reviews. Lucky for you, we have right here a listing of some awesome instagrammable places to go to in Goa! Go beforehand, examine via and graph your journey time table accordingly!

The Mangrove Walk, Patto, Goa

Built to serve as a leisure area, the Mangrove walkway in Patto is the location your Instagram feed is searching for! Installed above a marshy land alongside the Ourem creek by way of the facet of the Mandovi river, this timber walkway is aimed at growing an open-air museum. Whether it’s sitting on the teakwood benches outfitted alongside the boardwalk to enable site visitors to loosen up and experience the splendour of the mangroves, or standing on the water-resistant Jamba timber walkway, this location is the ideal place to click on snapshots with a built-in moody filter!

Arambol Sweet Water Lake

Officially acknowledged as ‘Vagkolam’, the Arambol Lake is first-class recognised as the Sweet Water Lake by the way of the nearby residents and travellers travelling it. The candy water lake is placed on a small stretch of shoreline recognised as the Kalacha beach. It’s a quick stroll north of Arambol beach. Bordered with the aid of hills of greenery and coconut groves, this lake appears mystic in particular in the mornings, when the inexperienced and blur hues of clear water and complemented through the mist gracefully hovering above it! While on your rigorous pictures spree, don’t neglect to dip your toes in the heat clean water, experience the warmth of the sand which comes from the warm springs, revel in serenity underneath the banyan trees.

Galgibaga Beach, South Goa

Known to be one of the cleanest beaches in Goa, the Galgibaga beach is quite a treat for your eyes and soul! Located just a few meters away from the shore are long pine trees which stand tall in silence. The only sounds you hear are either of the chirping birds or the roaring waves hitting the shore. Since the beach is secluded, it’s a perfect getaway to spend time away from all the chaos. The dead pine needles which blanket the ground ignite a countryside feeling. This beach is also known as the Turtle Beach for its turtle protection work.

Sarzora Lake, Goa

Next on the list of instagrammable places in Goa is Sarzora Lake. Located away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Sarzora lake is a perfect evening getaway. Located in South Goa, the lake is mostly visited by the local Goans. The calm waters accompanied by the cool breeze are both therapeutic and aesthetic. For a secluded place with a nice little view to calm all your senses, the Sarzora lake is a must for your Instagram content.

Parra Road or Dear Zindagi Road

Last but not least on the instagrammable places in Goa is the Parra road has been made famous after it was featured in the bollywood movie Dear Zindagi. But there are so many roads in Goa that look exactly the same. But there can’t be a guide on Instagrammable places in Goa that doesn’t include this famous spot.

Website: www.itsgoa.com

Cartoonist Alexyz

Alexyz was an athlete who played football before entering the realm of cartoons. “While playing football, I damaged my knee and had to be helped off the field.”

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

Alexyz Fernandes from Siolim is a wellknown Goa cartoonist who is fondly called, “Cartoonist Alexyz”.

Alexyz was an athlete who played football before entering the realm of cartoons. “While playing football, I damaged my knee and had to be helped off the field.”

I began cartooning, and my debut book, ‘Sportoons,’ was India’s first collection of sports cartoons. The book was produced by India Book House and sold for just Rs 7.50 when it was first released in 1982. ‘Howzzat! – Century of Cricket Cartoons, published in 1987, was Alexyz’s second collection of cartoons and the first on cricket cartoons in India.

Alexyz was a daily cartoonist for newspapers in Mumbai, including The Indian Express, Mid-Day, Free Press Journal, Sunday Observers, and Readers Digest, as well as Goan dailies.

“There are numerous cartoonists in Goa, but there is very little space that can be given to a cartoon on a daily basis.” A newspaper’s space is valuable, and the cartoon should not be obstructed by advertisements.

“In Mumbai, I used to do sports cartoons and a comic strip for Sportsweek, a weekly magazine,” Alexyz explains.

The famed Goan coconut tree will be the inspiration for his future effort. “I am keen on doing something with cartoons on the coconut tree.

He reveals, “I have a lot of cartoons that I’ve drawn throughout the years that I’d like to collect together.”

Now, 76, he’s a content guy who lives in his house in the North Goan village of Siolim with his wife, who works as a teacher in the local school.

Despite the fact that she retired several years ago, she still goes to school every day, providing Alexyz Cartoonist with the time to work on his cartooning projects.

Recently, his exhibition, Sacred Spaces – Moments in Time, opened at Quadro Art Gallery.

The event was attended by Fr Ceotano Fernandes, Vicar Holy Family Church and Fr Alfi D’Cruz, Parish Priest, Holy Family Church along with Cartoonist Alexyz Fernandes, syringe painter Clarice Vaz, architect Rita Modi Joshi, drummer Rajat Kakkar of Mrigya fusion band, Adelino Fernandes of Lorenz Imaging and Geovanni Fernandes, owner of Quadro Art Gallery. He’s busy compiling his memoirs, visiting events, and meeting with students at various institutions across the state when he’s not working on his daily cartoons. The Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa, has presented him with the Goa State Cultural Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the art of painting.

His home is surrounded by art on every wall –cartoons, drawings, caricatures, doodles, and so on. You’re only getting younger and happier with each passing day! In a world when too many people are stressed, what is the secret to your happiness? His secret of happiness lies in being himself. He’s blessed with a positive attitude about people and things. He enjoys meeting new folks and sharing what he’s created with my talent because he gets something in return in a thousand different ways. Cartooning for him is a serious business, not a pastime.

A cartoonist is constantly attempting to draw attention to negative aspects of society. He considers himself really fortunate to be able to grin and laugh all of the time and enjoy life. He says he’s desperate for a good laugh! He says there’s something to do every morning. But, before he goes to work, he goes for a morning walk to stay in shape. That’s a standard procedure. Aside from that, each day is unique, he says. He loves creating cartoons on current events.

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

During the day, he works on the balcony or patio, and at night, the couch. He used to finish his comics in a garden or café in Panaji. He can work from anywhere because he doesn’t need much space or equipment. Cartooning is not only a terrific method to make others laugh, but it’s also a great opportunity to make social criticism and express yourself

Cartooning is a visual medium. The cartoon pops out even in a 10-column newspaper. He highlights whatever comes up in the paper, which is mostly Goa-related stuff. If you look closely at his cartoons, you’ll notice that they’re more than just cartoons; they’re works of art. He utilizes a lot of colors, and it looks like a vibrant painting. Cartoonist Alexyz and Mario Miranda attended the same college, St. Xavier’s College, and the Times of India, where Mario worked as a cartoonist, was right next door. He’s always been a fan of cartoons. Mario Miranda’s work piqued his interest to the point where he considered pursuing a PhD in it. He was also acquainted with him.

He walked inside his cubicle first and introduced himself as ‘Goenkar’ in Konkani, as well as showing him his drawings. He viewed Alexyz’ work and suggested he speak with a newspaper editor, and he was able to get his comic strip published in that very publication. Mario Miranda was a great assistance to Cartoonist Alexyz. Instead of seeing him as a competitor, he saw him as a mentor. He was quite pleasant, which set him apart from the other successful cartoonists Alexyz knew.

For Alexyz, Mario Miranda was one of the most talented illustrators in the world. He frequently stated that he was an illustrator rather than a cartoonist. His mannerisms were distinct and amusing. His style of work has always appealed to Alexyz. Somewhere along the way, a little piece of Mario finds its way into Alexyz’s work as well. He adds that there should be no censorship of what we want to say in a democracy, as long as it isn’t yellow journalism. Why should people be subjected to censorship because politicians get away with anything? On social media, there are more cartoonists than in the newspapers! The type of cartoons that appear on social media differs significantly from those that appear in newspapers.

Many publications will not allow you the kind of independence that social media does. Many cartoonists ask Alexyz how much money he would make if he went into cartooning? He has met a few committed young people; most are looking for a high-paying job. They appreciate the concept of being the centre of attention, but they need money to make it happen. Before he got into cartooning, he worked in advertising, where the pay was high and there was a lot of glitz. When it comes to cartooning, however, it’s all about passion.

Alexyz’s life is never dull since he finds humor in every event and portrays it in his brilliantly colored cartoons. For example, he frankly captures a basic everyday experience of buying fish and having a double-take when hearing the price in his latest book, ‘O To Be In Goa… Today,’. The book, which is published by Broadway Publishing House, contains approximately 200 cartoons on topics such as tourism, the environment, mining, politics, and wildlife.

“The cartoons are largely from my two years working for a Goan daily, and they centered around Goa. They were topical so that the readers could relate to them.” Cartoons, in my opinion, are a documentary or a visual history. It’s simple to get a sense of the scenario from a cartoon from the time period. I consider my cartoons to be works of art, and I chose my colors with great care. Previously, there were only two colors: a reddish brown and a white background, but for this book, we used brilliant colours,” Alexyz explains of his first coloured book. The book contains over three years’ worth of labour, bringing back recollections of events at the period. “History repeats itself, thus the same topics recur, albeit from fresh and new viewpoints.” “It’s the same tourist, corruption, and drug problems that are afflicting Goa,” Alexyz adds, dedicating ‘O To Be In Goa… Today’ to his beloved friends ‘Mario de Miranda, Emiliano Da Cruz, and Joel D’Souza.’

Excerpts taken from Times of India & Herald Goa

Photograph: Raja Sen

Constantina Huts, Agonda –

Starting the list of best budget resorts in Goa is Constantina Huts. This accommodation, located on the seaside in Agonda, offers well-maintained huts with stunning and airy rooms. It is situated away from the crowds, making it an ideal place to unwind and get away from the city’s hustle and bustle. AC and non-AC huts are provided at affordable prices. The place offers good facilities and services and has well-trained and friendly staff. Many people recommend this place because of its cleanliness and guest-friendly atmosphere.

Shawnel’s Beach Resort

If you’re visiting Goa and want to stay close to Palolem Beach, this resort is a good choice, because it’s only 150 metres from the beach and 1 kilometre from Patnem Beach, where guests can enjoy activities like boat rides, swimming, parasailing and jet skiing. The resort offers spacious rooms which are very clean and well maintained. Different types of rooms are available depending on one’s needs and budget. The cheapest rooms available over here are made of plywood. They are nice and comfortable despite their simplicity. There are also rooms made of bricks which cost slightly more than the plywood rooms.

The place has got a lovely garden, where guests can sit and watch the birds sing and play. There are numerous restaurants within a 10-minute walking distance from the resort. The service provided over here is simply too good. If you require anything, you only need to ask the friendly staff and they will arrange it for you immediately.

Lamour Beach Resort, Benaulim

Next on the list of budget resorts in Goa is Lamour Beach Resort. This lovely resort is a stone’s throw away from Benaulim Beach and is nestled among a quaint downtown neighborhood with low-rise buildings, classy pubs and cafes. Each of their sylvan suites has an exterior door, airy decor, and patios with beach views. The property also features a casual open-air café, a common lounge, and tropical gardens.

Galgibaga Beach, South Goa

Known to be one of the cleanest beaches in Goa, the Galgibaga beach is quite a treat for your eyes and soul! Located just a few meters away from the shore are long pine trees which stand tall in silence. The only sounds you hear are either of the chirping birds or the roaring waves hitting the shore. Since the beach is secluded, it’s a perfect getaway to spend time away from all the chaos. The dead pine needles which blanket the ground ignite a countryside feeling. This beach is also known as the Turtle Beach for its turtle protection work.

Sarzora Lake, Goa

Next on the list of instagrammable places in Goa is Sarzora Lake. Located away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Sarzora lake is a perfect evening getaway. Located in South Goa, the lake is mostly visited by the local Goans. The calm waters accompanied by the cool breeze are both therapeutic and aesthetic. For a secluded place with a nice little view to calm all your senses, the Sarzora lake is a must for your Instagram content.

Parra Road or Dear Zindagi Road

Last but not least on the instagrammable places in Goa is the Parra road has been made famous after it was featured in the bollywood movie Dear Zindagi. But there are so many roads in Goa that look exactly the same. But there can’t be a guide on Instagrammable places in Goa that doesn’t include this famous spot.

Morjim Queen Beach Resort

This resort consists of multiple villas painted in various colors. The array of colours put up together looks very attractive. Each villa has got a set of spacious and well designed rooms, along with a balcony. This property is appropriate for all types of visitors, whether you are with your family, friends, spouse, or on a solo trip. The on-site restaurant serves delectable food from various cuisines. Visitors can enjoy the pleasant weather of Morjim by participating in sports in the garden or taking a walk along the pathway. Website: www.itsgoa.com

Molly’s Nest, Mandrem

Molly’s Nest is one of the best budget-friendly resorts in Goa. The place is just a stone throw away from Mandrem beach and is ideal for groups of friends, families, couples, and lone travellers. Guests can choose from duplex garden-view cottages with two luxury bedrooms and a living area, or rooftop cottages with terraces overlooking the Arabian Sea. The in-house restaurant at the resort serves appetizers, seafood, Indo-Chinese, and continental cuisine. The north Indian, Italian, and omelette dishes are simply too good. The parathas, lassie, and pizza are all must-tries. The staff is very friendly and is always there to assist you with all your needs.

Sonho do Mar, Agonda

This property, which is located in Agonda, has a great view of the beach. It offers pleasant and clean accommodations at affordable prices. Guests can enjoy the breathtaking view of the sun setting from their balconies.

The resort has amenities such as a bar, a restaurant, a garden, and a patio. This resort is surrounded by vegetation and warm sand. It has direct access to the beach and is a beach lover’s dream come true.

Wigwam, Mandrem

Last on the list of budget resorts in Goa is Wigwam Resort. Wigwam is a peaceful haven in the middle of Goa, complete with a hamlet sanctuary, lush tropics, and bird watching opportunities. A variety of polished concealed jungle lodges, wooden cottages, and contemporary apartments with garden views are available to guests. Their restaurant serves expertly prepared Indian, Chinese, and continental cuisine.

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

goans in new zealand

Today there are several Indians of Goan descent who live across both the main islands that make up New Zealand though most of them are based in Auckland. Bringing with them the rich cultural heritage, flavour and zest for life that only a Goan can portray with their cuisine, music and religious approach to the church calendar -The famous Carnival.

Photograph: Audrey Cooper

Legend states that one of the first known Indians who arrived in New Zealand was Edward Peter of Goa..

New Zealand which is also known by its Maori name Aotearoa roughly translates into the “Land of the Long White Cloud” is largely a country made up of migrants so its only logical that being the daring seafarers that Goans were known for, that one would turn up in New Zealand.

Legend states that one of the first known Indians who arrived in New Zealand was Edward Peter of Goa who turned up in 1853 even though various Indians had been arriving from the early 1800s.

Today there are several Indians of Goan descent who live across both the main islands that make up New Zealand though most of them are based in Auckland. Bringing with them the rich cultural heritage, flavour and zest for life that only a Goan can portray with their cuisine, music and religious approach to the church calendar -The famous Carnival.

Though small in numbers compared to the overall Indian migrant population, there is no doubt that the Goans in New Zealand want to ensure their language, their recipes as well as their culture lives on.

On December 3, 2005, Catholic Goans in Auckland, New Zealand celebrated the Feast of St Francis Xavier with a mass in Konkani, the first time such an event had been held in New Zealand.

This tradition now continues as there is a regular Goan Mass with a full-fledged Goan Choir doing a full rendition of the traditional Goan hymns that is well attended by Goans and non-Goans alike.

A couple of Goans have started a radio programme called Susegaad Danpaar where they reach out to their community with interviews, teachings, songs, and topics of Goan interests.

Another highlight of the year is the Tiatr which is an evening of drama (in Konkani naturally) accompanied by food stalls where the best of Goan cuisine is on sale and is well frequented by Indians as well as a few Pakehas (Gorras as known in India).

One can’t go past talking about Goa or Goans without mentioning their cuisine and in New Zealand this is no different with multiple avenues for people to buy homemade Goa Sausages, Sorportel and Pork Vindaloo etc.

Of course, as Indian’s are innovative by nature, the lack of traditional ingredients is quickly overcome with the art of substituting Snapper (a local fish) for Pomfret, Idlis for Sanaas, Malt vinegar for Goa vinegar and ‘pretend’ Vodka for Feni; though one can’t ever mistake the flavour, so a large bit of imagination is needed here.

Christmas is the best time to savour the traditional Goan sweets like kulkuls, milk cream and nevries which grace every Goan household’s Christmas plate though what is dreadfully missed is the Pyramid jaggery, Karma masala, Sourrack and the tasty Goan fish curry.

What is treasured when gifted by visiting relatives from Goa is bottles of Feni, Goa vinegar, tinned Goa sausages (to get past Bio-Security NZ) and Goan masalas which used on special occasions permeate the air, tantalise the taste buds and cause mouthwatering anticipation.

Life in Goa is certainly missed for one can never replicate the hospitality of the Goan people, the countryside nor the food but life in New Zealand comes a close second; for every Goan who has migrated here continues to flavour the community with the very best of Goa.

Audrey Cooper

Website:

Marius Fernandes is Festakar of Goa.

That’s just one of his dual identities. He’s in fact a registered supporter of Leicester City Football Club. That’s a 45 year-old association.

Till date I have curated 49 festivals in places all over Goa celebrating Goa’s Culture, Tradition, Food, Dance, Theatre and everything,

As part of our Humans of Goa series, we caught up with Marius to understand how he juggles both Festakar and being one of Leicester City’s biggest fans.

How many in your family, Marius?

I was born on 24th of May 1959 and I am the eldest of six children, my name is Marius Fernandes. My younger brother, Mathias, is the only family member to be born here in St. Mathias, Divar. I stay with my mother Antoinette who is 90 years old and my father, Bernard Fernandes, who spent his life in Kenya and London. I am happily married to Sheela Fernandes and have two children – Gemma Fernandes and Ashely Fernandes.

Where do you live in Goa & what is your profession?

I reside here in my ancestral house in St. Mathias, one of the two villages in Divar Island. Talking about my profession, I don’t have a profession. I came back here to Goa 20 years ago as my social responsibility. In this world, everyone works differently, some work for others, whereas, some have their own business. But I thought of doing something different. In this world 95% of the population are always taking and just 5% are giving and I was determined to join these 5%. I was having a very good job in England in British Telecom, but 20 years back, in the year 2000, I left the job so that I could do something different and came here to Goa to do something different and to do my social responsibility. So when people ask me about my profession, I just say that there is no such profession as what I do no one has ever tried and done before – it is something out of the box. When I put forward my idea of celebrating the traditional Goan festivals with no funds, no sponsors, no chief guest and no alcohol, people find it really difficult to find it difficult to celebrate all these festivals without all these things. We have ruined the spirit of the festivals by involving the ministers.

Tell us about Festakar. How did that happen?

When I first came here in Goa in the year 2000, for months together I went around to see different festivals in Goa being celebrated, and was surprised to see that festivals in Goa are celebrated only with the help of the politician and their sponsors, which was really sad to see. I was here for 6 months and later I was inducted as the sports secretary in St. Mathias Sports Club and in the month of August the club got ready to organise the famous festival of Bonderam. That year I saw that the festival didn’t start at 4 not at 5 and was delayed because of the politician who was supposed to come as the chief guest. Thousands of people were waiting on the streets for the chief guest to come. People were afraid to start the festival because they had taken sponsors from this politician. At around 5:30 PM the minister sends a message saying he can’t make it and I was really shocked looking at what was happening. And this is the time when I decided to change the way of celebrating festivals.

Which are the festivals that you have participated in?

I have not participated in any of these festivals, but these are all my festivals. Till date I have curated 49 festivals in places all over Goa celebrating Goa’s Culture, Tradition, Food, Dance, Theatre and everything, I have celebrated all kinds of festivals in different Villages of Goa. When we go out to celebrate, I have a different way of celebrating festivals. We have free food; people get together keeping aside all the grudges’ people have among them. We try to innovate all the festivals. Take for example we celebrate Cashew Festival, we just know Cashew Fenni, but we innovated a new dish from cashew called as Cashewtel for which we use sorpatel masala and half raw cashew. Make pieces of the Cashew, mix it in the sorpatel masala, marinate it overnight and keep it in the fridge and cook it the next day.

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It tastes really good and is a purely vegan dish. So, I try to innovate every different festival. Similarly for the Jackfruit Festival we collected many jackfruit seeds, dried it, roasted it, took it to the mill and made powder of it which is used as caffeine-free coffee. So, these things are not just restricted to the festivals but we can even make business out of it. When we started with the idea, I faced a lot of difficulties. Different Villages in Goa have different mindset. I had to deal with different kinds of people. When I told them about my way of celebrating the festivals with no alcohol, no funds, no chief guest, for them it was difficult to understand the concept but later when it was done people actually loved it.

Which is your favorite festival and why?

I first celebrated Patoleanche Fest in Soccoro and hence it is my favourite festival. I was fortunate enough that I knew Fr. Santana Carvahlo who was the Parish Priest of the Soccer Church, who helped and supported my idea, unfortunately Fr. Santana passed away last year. Fr. Helped me a lot to gather people, to encourage them to get the food done, organise some traditional folk dance and everything. It took me 2 months to get everything done. Every ward was given some responsibility of either performing a dance or maybe some food item. This created a bond and feeling of love among the villagers. We had to hunt for around 2000 leaves which are used to prepare the Patoleos. On the day of the festival all the villagers gathered and happily celebrated the festival. The villagers were also given Patoleos for free as well as the plant saplings which are used for preparing Patoleos were distributed. Today Soccoro village is full of Patoleo leaves. When I and Fr. First, they spoke to the villagers and they thought it would be difficult to organize a festival without funds and help from politicians. But later when we spoke to them about contributing things all were ready. We made sure no plastic was used. We served the food in plates made out of leaves. Since we were having less days, we took help from a local who was dealing with leave plates and taught the villagers as well to do the plates. Everything was prepared by the villagers. And I thank the media as well who covered the entire festival.

What’s the plan for 2022?

The future is uncertain. We don’t know what’s going to happen in the next year. But we will be having the golden jubilee festival – the 50th festival next year, but when it will I can’t say because of the ongoing situation as we are already having a new variant of the virus. The festival will happen in front of my house and will be dedicated to my mother who has always helped and supported me with my ideas. I always consult my mother to know how the festivals were being celebrated 80 years back. So the next Festival will be called as Sonsarache Fest in English it will be called the World Festival. For this festival everything will be round, since the world is round. In music we will have Ghumot, which is round, then in food we will have Watermelon, which is also round and in sports there will be Football which is also round. So on this day everything that is round will be celebrated that day. According to me, during this difficult time of the pandemic, the rich have become more rich and poor people have become more poor. So for me on this day of festival it will be Year 0, a new beginning. I will invite everyone to come along with various kinds of vegetable seeds and during the time of the festival everyone will exchange the seeds and go back home and cultivate the seeds. The main motive behind this activity is that people should learn to cultivate on their own and not depend on someone else.

How did the pandemic affect your organizing of feasts?

Since the planning for the entire festival is done by me all alone and knowing people dying of the virus it has been my responsibility to look forward to the fact that there should be no spread of the virus. Since I don’t require any permission from the panchayat or the government body and as my festivals are done either under a tree, open area or maybe some beach I am taking precautions that there should be no spread of virus through my festivals. It is the day when the government will raise the restriction on celebrating festivals . At that point of time I’ll go ahead with my festivals. One thing which I miss about this festival is the number of people that used to come for this festival.

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When did the love affair with Leicester City start? 1976 was the first year when I went for the first match and it is till today, I support Leicester City. It has been almost 50 years now that I support Leicester City and it makes me the only supporter of Leicester City in the whole of India because here in India, we usually support only the winning teams such as Real Madrid, Manchester United or Barcelona. But I have been loyal to just one club all over these years now.

Why Leicester City only? Why not Arsenal or Villa even?

As I have said that I have been supporting Leicester City for so many years now, and as I have lived in Leicester for almost 25 years, I will definitely support a team where I have been so long. Staying in Leicester and supporting some other club would have been betrayal from my side to Leicester. So for so many years I have not just supported Leicester City but also helped them in community work.

Tell us about your son’s story of becoming the youngest member of a club?

As a loyal supporter of Leicester City. I loved the name Ashely who was the striker of the team. So me and my wife thought of naming our son after the Leicester City team striker Ashely Ward. As a soccer fanatic, Ashley was just 70 minutes old when I rushed to register his name in my favorite club, making him the youngest registered member.

How did you feel when Leicester won the title in 2015? What did you do?

Leicester City was formed in the 1880s it has been there now for almost 150 years but were never recognized but it was in the year 2015 when they won the league the got a proper recognition.

We had an interesting manager named Claudio Ranieri who had brought some interesting players from Europe – England, France and Italy. I was really optimistic. I was here in Goa. I called up my kids in England and told them to put a bet as they were 5000 – 1. But they did not know how to bet and they didn’t do it. Not many people knew about this club, but when they won the title it was the time of celebration. They won many matches throughout the year.

People from Leicester celebrate the victory even today. Claudio Ranieri had a tough time the next season as all the players were sold out.

How do you like Leicester’s football under Rodgers?

How’s it different from Ranieri’s?

When Rodgers came in I was really happy as he was ex Liverpool manager and was having a really good records. So now under Rodgers Leicester has won some titles in the past 2 years. Rodgers is brilliant coach and motivator and I hope he be there for some more years.

What will you do if Leicester win the Champions League?

To win the champions league you have to be In the top four of the league, so that’s not going to happen this year probably.

Whoever wins the league automatically comes into the champions league, and wining the champions league is ultimate.

In the UEFA champions league one has to compete with the top teams and if Leicester win the league it’s the ultimate. But I still think winning the English Premier League is the most difficult, because it is highly competitive.