The Susegad Beaches of Bardez, Goa...!!

Goa is not all about beaches. This is what I have been preaching in my previous posts. But, can we ignore those magnificent beaches? Is there any traveller or tourist who has been to Goa, visited the churches, the wildlife, the rivers and gone back without visiting at least a single beach? I doubt. So here comes a list of beaches from my last visit to Bardez region (one of the sub-districts) of Goa.

1. Vagator beach

There are many beaches in Goa that spreads out below a cliff. Vagator beach falls into this geographical category. With sparsely spread  out rocks jutting from the sands and tiny green hills surrounding it, the beach in Vagator showcases a gorgeous landscape. It also has close proximity to Chapora fort from where one can have an aerial view of the beach across the green canopy. River Chapora disgorges itself into the Arabian sea next to Vagator beach. The beach is not over crowded most of the time and with few cafes and restaurants, the beach is well recommended. There ae three beaches here namely- north Vagator beach, Ozrant beach and middle Vgator beach. When on top of the cliff, the beach to your right is north Vagator beach and to your left is Ozrant beach.

2. Anjuna beach

The beach at Anjuna has a rocky front and is also below a laterite cliff. The reddish cliff, brown rocks, azure waters and green trees form a beautiful frame. The slippery rocks are not quite inviting but the vistas from the top of the cliff are spectacular. The waves thrashing on to those rocks is indeed a beautiful sight.  Anjuna has been known for its flea markets for ages. There is also a small colourful flea market on top of the cliff along with a lot of cafes and restaurants facing the beach front. Anjuna is also supposedly well known for its hippie culture.

3. Baga beach

Apart from being one of the most prominent beaches in the whole of Goa, Baga beach is also a popular one with travellers and tourists. The golden sands of this long beach look beautiful when the sun blazes over them and with numerous cafes on the sidelines, the beach is definitely an inviting one. There is no shortage of action on Baga beach with vendors selling from anything to everything, acrobatic children, water sports and crowded shacks. As the sun sets, the ambiance turns into a party mode. If you find it tough to get a table inside one of those cafes, there are beach umbrellas and tables outside to make it a memorable evening. Gulp a beer right on the beach! For trek lovers there is a narrow path across the Baga hill that takes you to the southern part of Anjuna beach.

4. Calangute beach

Calangute beach is definitely one of the most frequented beaches in Goa and people from across the country head here. You are sure to rub shoulders with a Kanyakumari fisherman, smile at a Ladhaki monk or even click a photo for a Mumbai dweller. There is also no dearth for foreign travellers and locals on the most famous beach of Goa. There are numerous water sports activities and beach shacks on the beach to keep the visitors busy. The road that leads to the beach from the Calangute- Baga road is filled with numerous eateries and shops. From where the road ends it is a nice little walk over the brown sands to reach the tides. It can get quite hot and humid during the day and the blazing sun is not going to help either. It is best advised to visit Calangute beach in the morning or evening.

5. Candolim beach

This is one of the quieter beaches of the region. The wide swathe of openness makes the beach look surreal.  The beach which is to the south of Calangute beach is definitely recommended for visitors who love serenity. The blend of golden sands and blue waters is an enchanting sight. There are very few shacks and cafes on the beach and this is one reason for it to remain less crowded. Most of the shacks on the beach remain closed during off season.

6. Sinquerim beach

This beach has gained prominence after the Taj resort came up facing it. One of the bastions of Fort Aguada also extends in to the Arabian sea next to it. The beach is devoid of crowd and with swaying coconut trees and azure waters, it looks quite similar to one of those beautiful tropical islands. One can get a magnificent panoramic view of Sinquerim beach from the bastion of Aguada

There are also a few less explored beaches in Bardez like Coco beach and Chapora beach that can be equally enchanting and encapsulating.

Signing Note- These spectacular beaches truly emblazon Goa...!!

Fort Aguada- The Watering Hole in Goa...!!

The most famous and prominent fort in Goa, the Aguada fort rests peacefully near the Sinquerim beach over looking the Arabian sea. The fort is huge with its ramparts well spread out enveloping a lot of land space. It is situated close to Candolim beach and mouth of Mandovi river. On to its right lies the beautiful Sinquerim beach with tall coconut trees in the background.

The fort walls as seen from outside

The fort walls

Entrance 

Built in AD 1612, this Portuguese fort had multiple purposes. It served as a chamber for storing fresh water and also was a guard against the Dutch and the Marathas. The storage helped the travelling ships to re-fill fresh water from the fort during their journeys.  The fort also gets its name due to the fresh water storing system. Aguada in Portuguese means 'water'. The fort also holds a mid 19th century lighthouse which is not in use anymore. The light house served as a reference point for the ships. Besides the lighthouse and the water storage chamber, the fort also boasts of well designed bastions, gun powder storage room and a small chapel. 

Inside of the fort

The light house and walls

One of the bastions

The light house

As you enter the fort a wide swathe of yellow-green grass invites you along with the mighty four-storey lighthouse. One can walk along the walls of this huge fort and take in the magnificent views that are on offer. The beaches in the distance, the swaying trees and boats out in the sea, all showcase beautiful vistas. It also has a circular bastion closer to the Sinquerim beach and Taj resort. The fort which was one of the most important ones of Portuguese rulers has been well preserved and maintained by the authorities.

Views from the fort

A circular bastion near Sinquerim beach

Signing Note- A Portuguese creation not to be missed in Goa...!!

Route- Panaji- Verem- Candolim- Fort Aguada
Distance- 15 Kms

Fort Chapora...!!

A ten minute ride from Vagator beach and I am staring at the hill and the trek path to reach the Chapora fort. The trek is tough not due to the steepness but because of the gravel which forms the path. It makes it slippery and is tough to get a footing. As I near the fort entrance, the landscape behind has turned into a magnificent green. With the foliage spreading itself the vistas are breathtakingly beautiful. Just before entering the fort one can see the Vagator beach way below on the left and Chapora river joining the Arabian sea onto the right. Brilliant views!

The path and the fort atop

Green landscape from near the entrance

Vagator beach

Chapora river

The present fort was built in 1717 AD over the then existing fort. The fort had been possessed by various dynasties including the Mughals, The Marathas and finally the Portuguese. It was once the northern most point of Goa and hence was used as a military outpost. Situated on a highland with expansive views, the fort was the ideal place to lookout for the attacking enemies. The fort gained prominence on the tourist map after the Hindi movie 'Dil Chahtha Hai' was shot here.

Enter the fort and all that I can see is a  spread out field, with less than knee high green grasses in some places and red gravel all over. It is a wide swathe of openness inside the fort with small rocks jutting out in some corners of the uneven land. The fort walls and the entrance door shows symptoms of dilapidation but has somehow been kept intact. It looks like a huge playground with so much of vastness. Visitors seem to be keen on the vistas from the fort walls and happily climb them to get better views. 

Fort entrance

Inside the fort

Another inner view of the fort

Not to be left behind, I too rush to the fort walls to have a glimpse of the green slopes sliding down to the shores below. The rays of the blazing sun on the calm tides has made the sea gorgeous. The reflection of the sun has given it a tinge of orange hue. Vagator beach seems quiet with very less visitors. The aerial view of the beach is gorgeous with protruding rocks and swaying coconut trees forming the background.

Aerial view of Vagator beach from the fort

Walls of the fort

I languorously move forward along the fort walls capturing the brilliant vistas of the green slopes and then the Chapora river disgorging itself into the Arabian sea. The view of the mouth of the river is a photographer's delight. With the Morjim beach forming the background in the distance, the frame is definitely a very scenic one. There are a couple of exit doors along the walls. I get through one and I am on the beautiful green slopes bringing me closer to the sea. The sun has further slanted and the landscape has turned a touch dark.

Mouth of River Chapora with Morjim beach in the background

Green slopes 

An exit door

  

Fort walls

Even though am in a hurry to reach Vagator beach before the sun calls it a day, I spend a considerable amount of time on the fort taking in the picturesque views. It definitely is one mesmerising sight to witness the setting sun over the Arabian sea from the Chapora fort. I leave the fort with memorable vistas floating in my mind and in my camera.

Signing Note- One of the best places to witness sunset in Goa...!!

Route- Easily reachable and close to main hubs like Calangute, Baga, Anjuna.

Distance- 2 Kms from Vagator beach.