India
India - the birthplace of the most enduring civilization on earth. More than five thousand years ago on the banks of the Indus River originated country India. Since then it has ruled the various dynasties, a period which ranged from several tens to several hundreds of years.
Geographical location, nature:
India is located in South Asia and covers an area of more than 3 million square kilometers, bordered on the west by the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal in the east, and bordering Bangladesh, Burma, Bhutan, China, Nepal and Pakistan. The country also has thousands of islands. Across the country take place between two large rivers: the Indus and the Ganges.
The nature of India's exotic and varied. Lush green tropical forests, combined with a colorful variety of flora and fauna, white and golden beaches, high mountains and valleys of the Himalayas make a stunning impression on travelers from Europe.
Things to Do:
The Himalayas, the world's largest mountain range, is the pride of India. Here and in the highest point of the planet, and a famous Valley of Flowers, and evergreen hills and picturesque waterfalls.
In Rajasthan you will meet the silent world of the desert, dotted with marvelous palaces and temples, bustling prazniki and fabulous hotels.
Bombay - India's traditional gates, the energy that fills its busy streets amazes everyone who comes here for the first time.
The most popular place in the West India - Goa - spacious, inviting beaches of up to 100 km has it all to rest and are ready to accept you at any time of year.
Climate:
Due to the topographic heterogeneity and size of the territory of the climate in the country is divided into several natural zones: humid equatorial in the far south, continental - in the central part of the country, and quite cool - in the Himalayan region. The temperature difference ranged from 12 to 23 January-December 35 to 45 in June and September when the summer monsoon dominates bringing precipitation.
Language:
Official language - Hindi, hundreds of dialects, but it is possible to communicate in English, which is in Goa and cities all know.
Religion
83% of the population are Hindus, 12% - Islam and the rest - Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Christianity.
In Goa, 50% of the population - Catholics.
Currency
Indian rupee - currency is stable enough. Course it is ~ 48 rupees per U.S. $ 1. Import and export of Indian currency and exchange among individuals is prohibited.
Time
From late October to March + 2.5 hours from March to September + 1.5 hours
Customs control
Duty-free import into India may be:
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars
- 0.95 liters. alcohol;
- Inimalnoe number of personal items, like binoculars, camera, video camera, tape recorder, etc.
Professional equipment and expensive items should be included in the declaration or record them on arrival with a written commitment to remove them on the way back
The export of: skins of tigers, wild animals, birds, feathers, leather, rare reptiles and their products, live plants, gold and silver bullion, antiques and antiquities, made over a hundred years ago.
Kitchen
The trademark Indian cuisine - spices and seasonings. Especially important is the spice of "kari", but here it is not found in powder form, as in other countries. This mixture of spices such as turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coriander, nutmeg and poppy gives dishes sweet and pleasant taste.
Generally accepted in India, cooking vegetarian dishes with unusual combinations of flavors for us. Meat dishes are more common in the north: Rogan Josh (lamb curry), gushtaba (spicy meatballs in yogurt), biriyani (chicken or lamb with rice and orange sauce). From the northern regions there are famous tunduri (chicken, meat and fish, marinated with herbs and baked in clay oven) and kebabs. In the south, mainly in vegetable dishes, with the addition of a large number of spices and pepper. Often in South Indian cuisine uses coconut. On the west coast offers a wide variety of dishes from fish and seafood. Bombay duck (braised in curry or fried fish bomnlo) and licorice fish (Indian salmon).
Meals supplemented with rice and tortillas - puri, chappati, nan and others. Common to the whole of India is such a supplement to main dishes like dal (lentils sauce of crushed or peas with vegetables) and dhay (buttermilk or yogurt, served with curry).
Of sweets are served milk puddings, cakes and biscuits. Distributed throughout India kulfi (Indian ice cream), rassgulla (tvorozhennye balls, flavored with rose water), Gulab-Jamuna (flour, yoghurt and grated almonds), razmalay (made from milk foams with a sweet sauce) and dzhalebi (pancakes in syrup) it can be and Buffy (the sweetness of the milk powder with fillers). Chocolate is a treat for themselves Hindus (rather expensive).
One of the favorite Indian drink is tea, which is prepared with milk, sugar and spices. A pleasant drink is tea with lemon, ginger and honey. Very refreshing lemon drink - halo-pani, lassi (a drink Kefir with Fruit) and coconut milk straight from the coconut.
Alcoholic beverages are available in major cities. Using them is not accepted tradition, and in some states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat even require a special permit for alcohol.
Beaches of Goa
In the north and south of Panaji are numerous beach towns, among which are the Fort Aguada, Calangute, Anjuna (North) and Dona Paula, Marmugao, Betula (south).
Fort Aguada (Fort Aguada)
Once the Portuguese fort built in 1612 and defended the entrance to the mouth of the river Mandovi. It was stored drinking water destined for the Portuguese sailors. At the top of the hill are a lighthouse and a church. On the other side of the hill is a prison: most prisoners (including Western tourists) are serving sentences on charges related to drugs.
Calangute (Calangute)
This sandy beach stretches for seven miles, has a crescent shape. Gone are the days when in Calangute, this "paradise on earth", gathered from all over the hippies. The current Calangute is increasingly becoming a center of gravity "organized" tourists. This beach of Goa can not be called the best, and perhaps many will find it too crowded and noisy. However, there will be no problems with accommodation and meals. For many years, Calangute enjoys very popular during the hot months - April and May.
High Church of St. Alex White with a fake dome stands at the entrance to Calangute. Stretching before him the green fields surrounding both sides of coconut groves, stretching behind the serene sea beckons travelers to itself.
Baga (Baga)
This beach is more beautiful than Calangute, it is located closer to the more northern beaches of Goa Anjuna and Vagator, famous for its nightlife.
Anjuna (Anjuna)
This beach-town is famous for the whole of Goa 'flea' market, which takes place every Wednesday, and where you can find great articles of Tibetan and Kashmiri weavers and embroiderers and artisans of Gujarat and Rajasthan. This is a paradise for lovers of the exotic. Here, East meets West, and all for sale.
Candolim (Candolim)
Attractive because of its respectability and quieter than Calangute beach, the atmosphere. On the road from Calangute in Calangute is the chapel of St. Anthony. Houses on both sides of the road belong to different architectural styles. One of the oldest buildings - a well-preserved mansion, palace Costa Frias. The road leading to Calangute by the pond with water lilies and red swamp unusual dragonflies.
In the south-west coast of the province near the beach Tisvadi Dona Paula is a small, cozy bay, called Kurlavangni or Kullavaynkinim. This is a place in a setting of azure waters of the river Zouari and the Arabian Sea, was an idyllic "Quinta" or blooming orchard Jesuits who settled here in the late 16th century. It supplied with fresh water from two sources. Not far away in the middle of tall trees, shrubs and flowers was a thriving farm. When in bloom creeping plant "kevda" air on the coast was filled with sweet flavor. The Jesuits were brought here exotic plants from his trips abroad. On the shore in abundance Kurlavangni grew coconuts, mangoes, cashew nuts, oranges, lemons, limes sweet, guava, papaya, etc. During the season there on the market Toleygao sold melons, watermelons, sweet potatoes, etc. Gulf Coast is also renowned for the richness of fauna. In addition to cows, goats, buffalo here were carried out foxes, monkeys, porcupines, a variety of birds and insects, including the magnificent butterflies and dragonflies. The fishermen brought a good catch of mullet, crabs, turtles, ranging in size from 40 to 60 cm in the bay was the name the locals ate delicious crab "kulleo" and seeded rice fields, called "vayngon." In the middle of an orchard was a summer house of Jesuits, whose appearance was distinguished by a modest and stable sense of style. To the east a short distance away is the chapel of Our Lady Lorettskoy. It is there in the summer of Jesuits sang religious songs, performed the service, inviting listeners to Christian meditation. September 10 is celebrated festival of the Virgin Mary. Nearby still stands a cross.
September 3, 1759, the Marquis de Pombal, Portuguese Prime Minister, banned the Jesuit Order. All of their churches, monasteries and houses became the property of the government, which did not pay them much attention. When the chapel began to break down, the image of the Virgin solemnly carried to the church in Toleygao.
Since 1980, over the bay stands an imposing building of the hotel "Cidade de Goa Beach Resort", designed by Charles Correr, a significant figure in modern architecture. The modern name of the place - a valley and beach Vaynginim. And though "vayngon" are no longer growing, rich flora and fauna on the beach of Goa still impresses tourists.
Dona Paula (Dona Paula)
A small beach, 7 km from Panaji, the capital of Goa.
Mormugao (Mormugao)
One of the most beautiful natural harbors in India. In this great commercial port preserved Catholic churches and the ruins of a Portuguese fort.
Bogmalo (Bogmalo)
This small cove with a sandy beach is 8 km from Vasco da Gama and just 4 km from the airport.
Colva (Colva)
Colva - the main tourist resort in South Goa. However, compared with Calangute, this part of the coast is less developed and, accordingly, is not so crowded. Enough to leave a kilometer or two from the vibrant heart of the beach to be in a very lonely place. In the late '60s and '70s hippies flocked here. There are many inexpensive hotels, in restaurants offering fish, which supply the fishermen go to sea in a colorful boats. In September, Colva says "Famu" festival dedicated to the baby Jesus. At this time, around the church arranged a festive fair.
Benaulim (Benaulim)
Located less than two kilometers from the Kolva, Benaulim beach is even more quiet than its northern neighbor. According to legend, Parasurama God let an arrow from a bow, which fell in Benaulime, and he ordered his subjects - Saraswat settle here. Benaulim village is situated between the River Sal and the Arabian Sea. It is a quiet, shady place with mansions and country roads truly exudes the true spirit of Goa. Except for the fishermen dressed in traditional clothes - a red loincloth, supported by a waist belt with silver, this secluded beach is almost deserted. When fishermen go to sea, they sit in a circle on the shore, to clean up your network, or "Ramppon." In their large canoes fitted with a wooden one hand balancer, and the other composed of a high stack of gear. Rowing oars are wooden unusual shape. This is a traditional occupation is rapidly disappearing in our time.
Majordomo and Betalbatim (Majorda & Betalbatim)
Majordomo - a 30 kilometer strip of villages stretching along the beaches of continuous Velsao to Cavelossim Beach Mobora in South Goa. The local population lives in the midst of coconut palms and fruit trees. Stately homes have been built here the descendants of the rulers of ancient times. Sal River flows south through vast fields, which in the rainy season rice is grown, and in the dry season - watermelon. The railway connects the village with Vasco da Gama and Margao. Also, between the villages there is a bus service (the coast). Walking through this wonderful beach, you can stumble upon a variety of marine life: sea urchins, sea stars, etc.
Varga and Cavelossim (Varga & Cavelossim)
10 km long strip of pristine coastline to the south of the beach Benaulima was the highest category. There is at least half a dozen luxury hotels of varying degrees of comfort.
Mobor (Mobor)
A meandering river flows into the lagoon Sal in Betula and Mobor separates from land, which lies behind it. On the river are many amazing islands around them in great numbers are found oysters. Mobor Cavelossim and to visit all those who travel on Goa. Guests are greeted with white lilies pond and sand dunes, which stretch for miles along the sea. The road goes away from the houses, palm trees cover the strip of land surrounded by water on three sides.
Betula (Betul)
The picturesque beach of Goa, which rarely encountered by tourists. It is located in the southern part of the state, and you can reach it by motor boat. In the local restaurants you can try a lot of seafood dishes, but especially delicious local mussels, the largest in Goa.