Hello,

We are leaving for Goa on Saturday on a last minute trip booked just two days ago! Thus, we have no idea what to do when we get there. We already have accomodation, but I would be interested in some sort of Ayurveda treatments, snorkelling or scuba diving (if it is good), getting off the beaten track, boat trips, etc. Can anyone send any ideas? We are staying in Calanguate, which is not ideal, but it is a last minute trip. Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Sarah

Sarah,

For Ayurvedic treatments try the Park Hyatt Resort in Arossim, Goa.

Also, I don't mean to put a damper on your visit. But you may want to take a look at this "The Death of Goa" gallery of mine -

http://www.parrikar.org/images/deathofgoa/index.html

That's really sad, Rajan!

Sarah, you can read about my time in Goa in 2001 at www.wilhelmswords.com/asia2001 - you want the "Gorgeous Goa" piece. Summary - Old Goa, temples, spice plantations, waterfall a good piece inland, Panaji.

Nice website thursdaysd!!

Thanks Tracy! Now, if I could just get it together to finish up the RTW2004 pages... I developed a love/hate relationship with India, but mostly love. Still hope to go back.

Hi Sarah,

How many days do you have in Goa? Since you're staying in Calangute, you can spend some time exploring the beaches in the north. There's the mapusa market, wednesday flea market in anjuna, saturday night market in that area. I'm not sure about snorkelling and scuba diving (maybe I can find out) but there are lots of other watersports activities in that area.

Definitely spend some time in Panjim city (old city areas) and the churches of Old Goa. If you have time perhaps you could check out the temples in the Ponda area and/or beaches along the southern coast lines.

What kind of boat trips are you interested in? There's the Caravela you could check out, the floating casino on the Mandovi river. There's a buffet dinner package they offer. That might be interesting. Also, another one called Barcolento has started recently, also on the Mandovi.

For Ayurveda treatments, the spa at the Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa is good, as already mentioned.

Thanks for the initial suggestions. Is there anywhere else besides the Park Hyatt you would recommend for Ayurveda? perhaps somewhere more reasonably priced and closer to Calanguate? My husband is not interested in such treatments, so I need somewhere I can pop in while he does other things. Thanks in advance!

For boat trips, I would love to have a day trip where we visit islands, maybe have a fish barbeque, do some snorkeling etc. A sunset trip with drinks would also be nice.

We have one week in total.

Thanks again!

Write to Subodh Kerkar and ask him.

http://www.subodhkerkar.com/

He has an Art Gallery, a restaurant and a retreat in Calangute and will surely know of Ayurvedic places there.