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Backwater Cruise
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From the mythical times of its creation when, to quote the legend, "all the world was water", Goa had been the envy of kings and emperors (Portuguese, British, French and Dutch…), of bankers and merchants (Arabs, Venetians and Jew…), and a meeting place for travel writers (Baldeaus Philippus, Sir Richard Burton, Michael Edwards, Linchhosten, Ibn Batutta, Pietro della Valle, Hieun Tsang…), saints (Vivekanand, St. Francis Xavier) and none-too few sinners.

Goa has also been the land of lovers since time immemorial. A Brazilian adventuress (Maria Ursula de Abreu de Alem castro) came to Goa disguised as a man (Baltazar de Couto Cardozo), when she was 18 years old, in 1700, fought for the Portuguese against the Marathas, and was found out only when she was seriously wounded in combat while defending the Fort of Amona, near Old Goa. She married the captain of the Fort who made the astounding discovery of her identity and fell head over heels in love with her!

Goa's 105 km long coastline (with 40 beaches), is a delight for swimmers, anglers, water sport buffs, and sun-bathers. But less than 50 km across is a whole new cosmos waiting to be discovered: some of the best preserved mangroves in South East Asia, yet unspoilt eco-systems, waterfalls cascading from the Western Ghas. And, probably the largest king cobra habitat (at Caranzol, on Goa's border with Karnataka), more than one hundred species of birds (some of them rare, and a few endangered), wildlife at its best (burly bisons, fleet-footed antelopes, apes mimicking human beings) and a lone elephant keeping watch from a distant peak over the Tambdi Surla temple, one of Goa's oldest.

Shopping Local
Local handicrafts include excellent brassware, terracotta, shell work, crochet, carved furniture, bamboo work, papier-mache, etc. These are available in the government emporia and at tourist spots. Little stalls along the beaches sell handicrafts from all over the country. Recently Goa has featured on the designer map and up market outlets like Wendell Rodrique's boutique in Panaji, Camelot at Ribandar selling stylish home accessories, Luisa by the Sea, a modern shopping mall at Cavelossim (South Goa) and boutiques at the plush hotels are evidence of this trend.

How To Get There :
Air
Well connected by air. Dabolim Airport, 30 km from the state capital Panaji, has coach services operating to and from the airport. All the major hotels also arrange transport for the guests. A Prepaid taxi service is also available.

Rail
The Konkan Railway makes Goa easily accessible by rail from cities all big cities.

Road
Well connected by National Highways to all major cities of India