I AM PROUD TO BE A INDIAN

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL MY INDIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE WORLD. MAY GOD BLESS OUR RULERS AND GRANT THEM WISDOM. SALUTE OUR BRAVE SOLDIERS WHO HAVE MADE GREAT SACRIFICES.
HEARTFELT SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILIES WHO LOST THEIR NEAR AND DEAR ONES IN THE TRAGEDY THAT STRUCK THE SUBMARINE IN MUMBAI ON THE EVE OF INDEPENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS.

JAI HIND!!!

GOA'S SPLENDID WATERFALL--DUDHSAGAR

The Dhudsagar waterfalls in monsoons is awesome! The road drive is exhausting but the place is splendid, worth the watch. The natural surrounding with the lush green montains capped with natural water springs is a sight to behold. There are two ways to reach this place, one is by the train and the second is by the road. The train departs from Vasco station in the morning. It is advisable to check the train schedule prior to heading out to the Vasco station. During monsoons there are delays caused due to the landslides caused by heavy showers. But dont fret incase of delays or setbacks Vasco city has great attractions like the Bogmolo Beach and the Navy Musuem, just adjacent to the airport which is open to th public. Kids would love this place as the old air planes and helicopters now sit majestically having served the country faithfully during their prime stage. The drive to Dudhsagar too is good idea but it might get a bit exhausting as the train journey is much comfortable and better bet to chat and make friends along this wonderful South India route.

GOA PHOTO EXHIBITION

FACES & PLACES
A Photography Exhibition by Neil Rodrigues 
Date: 18 - 20, August 2013 
Time: 10:30am - 7:30pm 
 Venue: Art Gallery, Kala Academy, Campal, Panjim, Goa 
Preview and Opening: 17th August, 2013 @ 5:30 pm 
With 'Faces & Places' Neil Rodrigues gives character to a locality by juxtaposing it with the portraits of local people to their home environment. In doing so the viewer has the opportunity to see a space through the eyes of the person who visits it almost everyday. Neil is an Artist, Architect and Photographer from Goa, India and based currently in the Emirates. His affinity and ease in engaging and capturing people sets him apart. He is passionate in visually communicating his impressions of people, colour and texture to the world from a new perspective. He has photographed brides, musicians, crawling rural pace and urban chaos with the same passion. Above all he is a dreamer of design concepts and celebrates his journey on earth with his photography. Growing Old is a privilege enjoyed by a few Not all are fortunate to receive the same love they unconditionally gave... Not all are fortunate to be given the same time they willingly spent... Not all are fortunate to not be viewed as a 'burden' when they are financially unproductive If you feel their pain and want to reach out to them somehow, then consider buying a print at 'Faces & Places'. All proceeds from prints sold at this exhibition will go directly to the Bom Jesus Home for the Aged, an old aged home that hosts the elderly from all religions and regions. Alternatively you may send your donation at the below address: Superior Sr. Rennie Bom Jesus Home for the Aged Nachinola, P.O. Aldona, Bardez, Goa 403 508 Tel: (0832) 229-3319 Your contribution will better the lives of many who might temporarily forget their loneliness and ailments. Lastly, please tell everyone you know about this exhibition and the cause it is supporting.

GOA IN AUGUST

The weather now is perfect with patches of sunshine and rain. The hot beach  spots like Calangute, Anjuna, Baga, Vagator, Arambol, Ashviem, Keri and Tiracol in the North of Goa is perfect hunting ground for seclusion with nature this August.
Calangute is and always remain a favorite hot spot among tourists for its criss cross looks with Indian and western style pubs and restaurants standing tall in Goa's most prestigious area. The English, French and Russian tourists will surely find company in any of the dotted restaurants and shacks sprawled along the coastline. Live music and art galleries and not to mention shopping malls will surely get your attention along the well illuminated streets of Calangute. Police vigilance is 24x7 as tourists influx is always high throughout the season on this beach.

Calangute is changing. The beach users have changed, their requirements,demands and attitudes are different.  And so a new order takes over the old.  Earlier two strips of cemented road joined Betim
 ferry wharf to Calangute beach via the Saligao hill.  Then came the expansion of the last fifty meters to the beach, which ended into Rotunda. 
Meia Laranja (meaning half-an-orange in Portuguese) or the Rotunda structure has become an identification mark of Calangute beach.  This structure, recently renovated and enlarged, existed from pre-Liberation days.

The old Rotunda once contained a lot of sand in which children could run and play freely under the watchful eyes of the elders.  The Rotunda has become a part and parcel of Calangute beach.
Disco's, pure vegetarian, Chinese, Thai and Continental restaurants are all within a 5km radius in Calangute.
Vagator beach is best enjoyed at sunset . This beach is just along the coast of Calangute, so if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle dash to Vagator.
Looking for a lonely spot with your loved ones, then Ashviem or Morjim beach is a good bet. The beaches in North Goa has a unique charm with domestic as well as international tourist making the best of the place.
Hotels in various categories are available from Sinqurim, Candolim, Calangute, Vagator, Anjuna ,Morjim and Ashviem beach.
Five star hotels are more concentrated in Calangute and Candolim but South Goa has the world best chain of hotels standing in Margao,  Benaulim, and Varca.
But if given a choice head for south Goa beaches like Agonda , Cab De Ram, Cola and Paloliem. The view and untouched beaches will surely spruce up the holiday mood.
The festivals like Ganesh is largely celebrated by the Hindus in August. The strong Hindu pockets like Ponda, Pernem, Bicholim will wear a festive look.
The most interesting part is fish and meat prices normally dip during this period and so also the hotel tarrif plan rates. So its a win-win for all.

The Arambol beach is mostly dominated by the European tourist. They prefer to sing and dance and live in tents making new friends as the days pass by.

GOA HEALTH TOURISM

Those contemplating of shelfing their plan of visiting Goa due to medical reason need not fret as  monsoons is the best time to visit Goa for all health problems. Goa boast of having the best state of the art hospitals, with highly qualified doctors. All in all the amount  too is very less as one would pay in Europe or the Middle East. Treatment in a tourist infested State like Goa sounds good, but the fact is that many Europen tourist fly down to take treatment for various ailments at good hospitals in Goa.
Goa has reputed doctors who have won over their patient's confidence by their life saving acts. The Ayurveda hospital in Goa too has concessional rate during this period. Tackling obesity and other stress related problems in the proximity of the beach sounds good to the ear.
The things to do in Goa during monsoon are visit the springs and waterfalls, the Ganesh festival is just round the corner, so Goa would be wearing a festive mood. The Ganesh festival is celebrated in August with great fervour.
The churches and temples are the other attractions and not to forget the wild life at Bondla Zoo, in Ponda. The action will keep you going for a week leaving a nostalgic feeling.
So if the reason is health all the more the reason to pack your bags and head to Goa, India.