Five star hotels in Goa – Classic luxury abodes

Listed in this classic series of five star hotels in Goa are over 9 properties which are symbols of Goan luxury at affordable prices on the Goan landscape. In this post I am therefore enlisting all the properties which come under this category among the five star series of hotels. For the other two categories among the Super and the Premium class please refer to my other posts on this site. For 5 star hotels in Goa – super class click here . For five star hotels in Goa – premium class click here.

The hotels listed here are classic hotels with a range of facilities to pamper the holidaymakers and can easily be on the top of the block in terms of luxury.The hotels are listed as follows.

(1) The first hotel I am listing here is the Majorda Beach Resort located on the picturesque beach of Majorda in South Goa. The beach itself is reputed to be one among the best in Goa and the hotel has been one of its earliest tourist landmarks having set shop on this coastline in the early eighties. Built in old Portuguese style with high ceilings and large chandeliers the reception area can lead you down to an indoor pool with a large lawn by its side for lush green company. A short walk and in seconds you could reach the outdoor pool with its sun beds, the pool side restaurant, coconut trees etc. The Majorda beach resort has over 120 well furnished rooms which include  over 15 cottages and suites which are spread over a total hotel property area of over 20 acres.

For dining options at the Majorda beach resort you could choose from
the multi cuisine “Laguna” or opt for the seafood restaurant ideally labeled “seashell”. the “Garden café” could hold your interest for some seasonal stuff by the poolside serving buffet, breakfast and dinner. the tea lounge and bar could serve you tropical drinks and light snacks. The “coffee shop” overlooking the indoor swimming pool hosts the café del Mar.

To book the Majorda beach resort hotel click here.

(2) The Holiday Inn resort Goa is a part of the Holiday inn hotels chain and is their only resort in sun kissed Goa located at Mobor beach in south Goa. It is set in a tropical garden ambience and it extends its reach downwards towards the virgin sands of the Mobor beach. The design of the hotel can be easily identified as a blend of colonial majesty with exotic greenery. This five star resort is hardly at a distance of 15 kms from Margao city, over 40 kms from Dabolim airport and is the favorite of tourists who visit this place faithfully every year.

The Holiday Inn at Goa offers different categories of accommodation as they have over 130 standard and plaza rooms, 39 club rooms, a deluxe suite, a kids suite which makes it a total of 170 well groomed rooms, many of which have a good view of the sea, while a few others enjoy the garden view and some other rooms are beckoning the swimming pool from the balcony

Among the holiday Inn resorts dining options you could find yourself at the “Whispers of the orient” which is a Chinese and thai cuisine restaurant and is open only for dinner. The “Café Mardigras and terrace” is a multi cuisine restaurant and coffee shop. “The village Café” is a seasonal barbeque restaurant and “The sundowner bar” is open every day.

To make your booking of the “Holiday Inn Hotel" Click here.

(3) The Ramada Caravela beach resort Goa luxuriously occupies its space on the beach front of Goa at Varca in the southern beach strip of the state. It is amongst the finest international beach front resorts which offers many avenues for relaxation and allows for many excuses for you to make it your holiday haunt in Goa. Be it for romance, a daily routine escape, weekend getaway, solitary thrill, self serenity or simply for the joy of a relaxing holiday in Goa

With the white sands of the Varca beach as its home  its 202 room sprawling resort sits over 23 acres of green property and is an architectural marvel. Designed by world class designers who designed the famous sun city in South Africa, the delight of the open lobby at the Ramada Caravela is an enthralling feel. The open lobby invites you to seek more from the hospitable surroundings and the over 80 feet atrium lobby with hallowed arches and wooden beams simply reflect old Goan architecture and embellished with a mural by Goa’s famous ambassador of art and cartoon, Mario Miranda.

Every guest room, suite and villa at the resort is luxuriously designed with a private balcony offering some spectacular view of the sea and overlooking lush landscaped gardens and hosting Goa’s probably largest swimming pool to boast of.

For dining options choose from among the “Lanai Lounge” serving Indian/ Goan/ Mediterranean cuisine, “Castaways” with barbeque and Goan delights, “Carnaval” with Mediterranean and multi cuisine, “Café Cascada” being the coffee shop and the “Sunset bar” for your choicest cocktail splurge.

The Ramada’s is located hardly at a distance of 35 kms from the Dabolim airport of Goa and over 10 km from the nearest railway station at Margao. For holiday options at the “Ramada Caravela beach resort” click here

(4) The Bogmallo beach resort is located at Bogmalo beach just off the port city of Vasco-da-Gama and has a legacy of a fan following being a resort which was one of the oldest hotel properties from Goa. The hotel has a charisma of its own, having been managed by the Oberoi chain of hotels for decades . the resort is located tight on the beach and the moment you are out of the  hotel you find yourself in the sandy moments of Bogmallo beach area. In the high tide the waves of the sea are known to lash against the walls of the parapets of the open air restaurant of the resort.

Being so close to the sea, this resort is often captivated the minds of travelers who want to visit it again and again to fully enjoy the thrill of allowing the breeze of the seas  to contain their senses. All 120 rooms of the Bogmallo beach resort overlook the beautiful Bogmallo beach

From the beach you can also see many islands on the coastline which can also be visited if you would like to explore them. Bogmallo is indeed a small fishing village which is bounded on all sides by palm fringed headlands at the northern end of the Colva beach bay.The presence of the sandy beach at the end of the cove makes it very alluring.

Bogmallo Beach being secluded from the other mainstream beaches is often less crowded and reasonably safe for swimming. It abounds in plenty of eateries in the form of beach shacks and other restaurants. It is hardly at a distance of 4 kms from the Dabolim airport and is a good place for a cool holiday.

The dining options at the Bogmallo beach resort include the “Coconut grove” which offers Italian and Goan cuisine, “Nautilus” which is a buffet restaurant, “Gazebo” for grilled seafood and the “Sunset bar for your cocktails and other indulgences of wines

To book the Bogmallo beach resort for your holiday click here

(5) The Club Mahindra beach resort Goa, belongs to the illustrious Mahindra Group of companies and is a hotel which belongs to their chain in the hospitality sector. It is constructed to reflect the characteristic Goan architectural influence and is a well known haven for lovers of luxury, being endowed with  exquisite decor, plush comfort and a breathtaking view of the Arabian sea.

Among the dining options at the Mahindra beach resort, check out the “Waterfields”, a  continental restaurant, “Tamara” which is an Indian cuisine restaurant and the “beach shack”

To get to the Mahindra beach resort you need to traverse through the typically sleepy Goan village of Varca to see the resort beautifully nested on the Varca beach in South Goa. It is indeed the perfect place to spend time on a holiday with family and people whom you love.

The Mahindra beach resort is hardly at a distance of around 10 kms form Margao railway station and hardly 35 kms from Goa’s airport at Dabolim

To book your holiday at the Mahindra Beach resort click here.

(6) The Kenilworth Beach resort and spa is a property earlier known as Goa Penta in the good old days and is a sprawling 5 star hotel sitting pretty on the beautiful white sands of the Utorda beach in South Goa. Encompassing over 14 acres of beach front space, one can take a short minute’s walk into the heart of the beach.

Kenilworth beach resort has over 104 well appointed rooms and are spaciously decorated while having their touch of class with many rooms offering a good view of the beach. The resort is located hardly at a distance of 13 minutes from the Dabolim airport and around 8 kms from the Margao railway station

The spa at the resort can help you soothen your senses and the water sports at the beach can rush your adrenalin to pump up your excitement of a holiday.

For dining options at the Kenilworth go to the “Lobby Bar” for the spirits, “ The Palms ” for the Coffee Shop serving multi-cuisine , “The Oriental Beach Shack for Seasonal delights, “The Goan Outdoor Restaurant “ for the Goan touch and “The Pastry Bar and Ice-Cream Parlour” for the desserts.

For booking “ The Kenilworth beach resort & Spa “click here.

(7) The Heritage Village Club another hot property in the south of Goa which is a clear favourite among holiday makers from UK who are loyal visitors to the hotel every year. Located on the Arossim beach in the south of Goa the Heritage village club is  hardly at a distance of 8 kms from the Dabolim airport and 15 minutes drive from Margao railway station.

In an innovative concept to give travellers a enjoyable holiday the heritage village club has launched  the "all-inclusive" holiday concept-where you pay one comprehensive price for all facilities. In this you get accommodation, unlimited food, snacks in-between meals, in house beverages and entertainment activities for the entire family.

For dining options at the Heritage village club,  check out “Chutney” which offers Multi-cuisine restaurant serving only buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.”The mango terrace” which is a multi cuisine restaurant and is open only for dinner. “Casa Rosa” is the bar to let your hair down from 11 am till 11 pm.

To book the Heritage village club click here

(8) Resort Rio Goa is the latest 5 star addition to Goa’s hospitality landscape and is a brand new resort with the modern amenities and is located on the banks of the river at Baga. A 15 minute drive from the Baga beach, Resort Rio is around 2 kms from Baga and is spread over 10 acres of space hosting over 102 well designed and modern rooms, suites, apartments and villas with good views of the Baga river, the swimming pool and natural greenery.The 77 spacious deluxe rooms at the resort Rio are around 550 sq ft each in size and the well furnished suites are about a 1000 sq ft in spacious luxury and its 15 apartments and 5 luxury villas are a symbol of sheer class.

For dining options choose from “Pickled Mango”, a  Multi Cuisine Restaurant or “Mamma Mia” serving Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine, “Cafe Rio” the 24 Hr Coffee Shop and “Bar Terrazzo” the Lounge Bar.

To book the Resort Rio hotel in Goa click here.

(9) The Vainguinim Valley resort Goa located on the Vainguinim beach in North Goa near Dona Paula is a 5 Star boutique property and a high class gaming resort in Goa located at the picturesque Vainguinim Valley of the Dona Paula beach. The Vainguinim Beach is at a walking distance of just two minutes from the resort and the Vainguinim resort is only about 30 kms from the Dabolim airport and  6 kms from Goa’s capital city of Panjim . This resort is in the neighbourhood of the Cidade de Goa resort which is hardly a stone’s throw away from here.

One of the major highlights of this resort is its casino named "Chances" which is incidentally India's largest, best equipped and most sophisticated on shore Casino located in this resort offering its guest a feeling of Las Vegas amidst the unmistakable Goan hospitality.

The Vainguinim Valley Resort offers various dining options which are served by  “the Pan Asian restaurant” which serves Chinese and Thai Cuisine, “The Gold rush” offering multi cuisine restaurant, the “Poolside deck”, a poolside restaurant and the “Chances Café” which is again a multi cuisine outlet.

To book the “Vainguinim valley resort” hotel Click here.

5 Star Hotels In Goa - Premium Class

Among the Premium class of 5 star hotels in Goa there are over 5 such properties abounding in the Goan hospitality sector and catering to tourism in the upper segment of the holiday industry of Goa. The five star hotels categorised in the premium class are classified according to various facilities and amenities available at the resort. These hotels are a bit distinct from the  5 star hotels in Goa – Super Class which have been enlisted in another post on this blog and which include hotels such as The intercontinental Lalit Goa beach resort, The Leela goa, The Goa Taj exotica Hotel, The Park Hyatt Goa resorts and spa, and the Alila Diwa resort.

In the 5 star hotels in Goa – premium class, I am enlisting the following hotels depending on their levels of luxury.

(1) The Zuri White sands Resort and casino Hotel Goa is a premium class property which is located in south Goa on Varca beach and indulges in hospitality with top services certain to please and pamper both business and leisure travelers to the state of Goa with the warmth  and the joyful atmosphere of fun loving Goa fusing with the well acclaimed international standards of the Radisson chain of hotels. The location is abounding in luxury, the facilities are world class and the service is top of the table.

Among the dining options at the Zuri are choices of the waterfalls café which is a all day dining restaurant serving multi cuisine, the NUTS lobby bar which is very convenient, “Flavors” takes you to a wholesome Indian experience in Indian specialty food and the beach shack bar called “Dhow and Rambooze” helps you to let your senses afloat with the waves.

The resort is located at a distance of around 33 kms from the Dabolim airport and just 9 kms form the Margao Railway station. Should you wish to enjoy the hospitality of the Zuri white sands hotel Goa, click here and have some great fun.

(2) Next on my list is surely The Taj fort Aguada beach resort Goa which is a premium holiday destination set shop in Goa ages ago. It is ideally built with a colonial touch on the ramparts of a 16th century fortress, once manned by the Portuguese. The resort sits on a 73 acre property overlooking the gushing waves of the Arabian sea. Fort Aguada beach resort offers a range of spaciously built villas and cottages to give the homely holiday touch to your trip to Goa.

The exotic tropical beauty lends this hotel its much desirable charm and its nine restaurants tend to spoil you with excessive choice. It is nostalgic in the minds of travellers to Goa having been in Goa for a very long time and offers its guests unmatched hospitality ad various amenities including facilities for various sports activities,adventure mountaineering , tennis and even squash.

Among the dining options you have the “seashell” which serves Indian and continental cusine, “Ilcamno” serving Italian delicacies, “Morisco” for the famed Goan food, the Martini Bar is the poolside indulgence and the Poolside BBQ is your haunt for your seafood grills.

The Fort Aguada beach resort is one of the few five star hotels located in North Goa and as such is much in demand . Located on the Sinquerim beach it is at a distance of over 45 kms from the Dabolim airport and 30 kms away from the nearest railway station at Thivim. To enjoy a holiday at the The Taj fort Aguada beach resort Goa click here

(3) The third five star resort in Goa which comes to my mind is the Cidade de Goa hotel located on the famous Dona Paula Beach in Dona Paula.The hotel is one of the earliest hospitality ventures from Goa and has a nice earthly feel to it and done up in nice warm colours leaving you and the Arabian sea all alone to mingle in peace.

This beach side resort lets you forget the rat race of the world and allows you the privilege to be bonded with the thrill of the sea.The Cidade de Goa is built on over 40 acres of green land and designed to resemble a self contained Portuguese hilly hamlet which earned the resort an international R.I.B.A award for its unique architecture.

The resort has standard and superior rooms offering a separate living room space and a bedroom area.There are six room categories ranging from the Premium to the Superior and the Deluxe and Classic rooms besides the Junior Suites and Suites. The Premium rooms are classically furnished and are located in the Garden Wing. The Superior rooms are the sea-facing rooms meticulously designed, having balconies thereby ensuring a good presence of natural daylight for a bright and pleasantly breezy ambience. The Deluxe rooms are charmingly designed  heritage-chic rooms considered  ideal for honeymoon couples. They have private sit-outs for the occupants leading directly to the beach area. The Classic rooms are sea-facing and provide complete luxury to the guests who make this choice. The Junior Suites and Suites are the best in luxury and have leisurely befitting furniture, artifacts and wall paintings adorning the bedroom and the sitting areas. Most suites have large balconies, dining areas and offer a dream inspiring panoramic view of the sea. All rooms are pompously equipped with mini bar, satellite television, tea and coffee maker, central air conditioning system with individual controls, hairdryer, 24 hour room service and internet access on request.

The food at the Cidade de Goa is extremely good and always well prepared and my suggestion would be to try out all the restaurants that the resort houses in its property as each have a unique and distinct theme and delightful flavour to it. However like many I would also recommend all sea food lovers to head to the Beach barbeque which happens on Saturday evenings and the sea food there is simply amazing. You also have the Alfama restaurant serving contemporary world cuisine and is known as the chefs specialty restaurant, the Laranja – an international buffet restaurant of the Cidade, the Café Azul which is a poolside lip-smacker, the Docario which is open 24 hours serving breads, pastries, cookies, cakes, coffee and tea. The taverna is the lobby bar for all those who get caught in the majesty of the lobby area and the Bar Latino is the poolside bar for you

The Cidade is located at a distance of hardly seven kilometers from Goa’s capital city of Panjim, 14 kms from the heritage village of Old Goa and Karmali railway station and a 28 kms distance away from the Dabolim airport. To book the Cidade de Goa for your holiday, click here

(4) The fourth five star resort in Goa Premium class has to be the Goa Marriott resort located on the Miramar Beach at Campal. Ideally designed to offer a breathtaking view of the Goan sunset and to provide stunning views of the sea, it is the perfect place to mix business with extreme pleasure and help yourself to a truly relaxing stay in Goa. it is one of the finest five star resorts in Goa offering a wonderful mix of fine dining, leisure activities and comprehensive business facilities. Located hardly 3 kms from the city of Panjim it is the favoured destination of the business class of the world and is also a preferred choice of the avid holiday maker to Goa.

The Goa Marriot sincerely embodies Goan charm in its appeal and is studded with 73 Bay View rooms offering exquisite views of the stunning Arabian sea . The other remaining Garden View rooms give a lush view of the green gardens

It has overhauled its lobby area studding it with modern amenities, functional seating and pampering it with options of food and beverage that are certain to inspire its customers to engage, relax , work or play. In short be yourself.

The Goa Marriot  hotel's has renovated its 180 rooms offering a  picturesque view of the extensive bay or the well-maintained gardens and is  designed to meet the needs of both the leisure or business traveler. The Marriot Goa dining facilities include a revolutionary transition lounge, outdoor dining can be availed at their specialty barbeque restaurant and there is the facility of 24-hour in-room dining.

With nearly 850 square metre of fully refurbished banqueting and conference spaces , celebrating weddings or hosting conferences is now a matter of pure convenience coupled with style at the Goa Marriot. The Goa Marriot has therefore embraced the Goan spirit to serve and extend the warm hospitality of Goa to its customers with its renewed resort property. To book your holiday at the Goa Marriot resort Click here

(5) The Taj Holiday Village, is among the best in the industry and easily classifies to be among the five top Premium 5 star resorts and hotels in Goa. Coming form the Taj group the Taj Holiday village delights its customers with the legendary Taj hospitality and is celebrating 25 glorious years in the business of enchanting travelers with its hospitality.

It currently revels in its new outlook with an entirely new landscaping and lobby area, well renovated cottages and restaurants, a spankingly striking new island bar, the indulgence filled Spa and a range of exciting indoor and outdoor recreational options which is bound to thrill its customers. This exotic beach resort in Goa is now exuding afresh demeanour.

Built in the year 1981, the Taj holiday village immerses you in the hospitality of the relaxed and fun loving ambience of the Taj hotels where the alluring terracotta cottages, the articulately laid pathways and the blossoming gardens unravel a holiday pace and style that is comfort laden for the traveler. A perfect combination of modernity with Goan elegance and Portuguese architecture, the resort is a picture postcard hamlet fringing on the Goa beaches. The vista has now been redesigned with the lovely Taj gardens styled to complement the essence of the Taj which offers a cute and beautiful home away from the worries of home.

To discover the charming holiday at the Taj Holiday village Goa, simply click here and select “Vivanta by Taj – Holiday village” and travel to the world of a lovely Goan holiday.

Now "Goencars" on hospitality list of Goa tourism

The "Goencar" or as some write the Indian way as  "Goenkar", or for some people who like to refer to the people of Goa as "Goanese", there seems to be a lot of attention pouring towards this typical Goan in the times of off-season for the tourism industry in Goa where the tourists have steadily dissappeared and currently the eye seems to have shifted to focus on local "Goencars" to come and indulge in some fun and playtime with a few perks here and there to urge them out from the comforts of their Goan homes into the fattened ambience of starred hotels in Goa.

So it is common these days to receive emails and sms over mobile tempting the Goan with a "much necessary" weekend recharge, a sumptuous buffet or a brunch( they call it breakfast and lunch put together), a swimming pool dip, some dancing and partying added with some games for the kids if you have them and a well-dressed-down tariff to suit the imaginations and make your decision ooze out a little faster.

In a way it has been a kind of stretching out to the local Goan community by the hotel fraternity in Goa who seem to be trying to cover their costs in the off-season with some bait for the locals to bite. It is also a good public relation(read PR) exercise for the hotel industry in Goa  as a means of reaching out to Goans by offering discounted packages as above and thereby instilling a sense of goodwill in the Goencars.

The cost per person at the above detailed 'weekend rechargers" is anything between 1,300 - 1800 per person inclusive of food and sometimes unlimited drinks. A weekend recharge normally also includes a room, high tea, dinner, breakfast, Goan lunch and drinks which may be unlimited in certain hotels in Goa.

The perception that the hotel industry is toying with is the fact that Goans hardly need to venture out of Goa since Goa itself is a beautiful place which many Goans have not enjoyed to the hilt. Also monsoons are considered as the best time to venture outside with family and friends besides being a cheaper option in the off-season. A getaway such as this often leads to a recharge of the mind and body and tends to keep you freshly charged for your next routine at the end of the weekend.

The short gasp of the holiday can also be a big boost for the children in Goa who have been typeset with holidays squeezed in only during the vacation period and then have to pour on their books in Goa before the next vacation troops in. Such a short weekend burst tends to soothe children as a pleasant surprise and gives them a short and much needed break from their studies and helps to keep them in a healthy state of mind to recharge their energies.

There are some hotels in Goa which come up with unique catchy captions to promote their weekend bouquets and added with a low cost, such offers become hard to resist. A hotel in north Goa offers a thrill in oriental cuisine at a bargain price of Rs 375/- per person and one has a choice to pick from a  variety in oriental food. The swimming pool is thrown in this package as an incentive and the response is reportedly astounding with families, friends and even the corporate clients pitching in to enjoy the short lived joy.

Another factor that urges people to go in for these short bursts of a holiday is the ease on the pocket which is an affordable deal in the off season. Also the kind of professional service, great food and lovely ambience along with some royal treatment makes these recharge packages very popular in Goa.

It is therefore evident that Goans are now changing in their attitude towards a holiday in Goa itself and many are opening their arms to some good offers from the hotel industry. Besides, Goans also realise that despite being in Goa since birth, most Goans have only ventured to the Goan beaches while most of Goa has not been seen or experienced. The hinterland of Goa is therefore a great attraction for Goans to explore and the tourism for Goans should therefore be directed in that area so that Goans know their Goa better  and enjoy it at the same time.

By Goacom

Tourist arrivals in India on the surge

After the double blow received unexpectedly in the form of world recession which was compounded further by the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the tourism industry in the country is finally showing signs of a steady recovery and the upturn is witnessed with tourist arrivals registering a healthy positive growth for the first time in over six months. While the increase may be a shade marginal over last year, the turnaround itself is raising sounds of cheers amongst the tourism fraternity and the tourism ministry is also upbeat since the foreign exchange earnings have also gone up by over Rs 400 crore.

According to data collected by the tourism ministry, the foreign tourist arrivals increased from 3.40 lakh in June 2008 to 3.41 lakh in June 2009 while foreign exchange has gone up from Rs 3,409 crore to Rs 3,801 crore for the same period. Although the growth in the number of tourists may be marginal, it has demonstrated that the Visit India campaign and the various roadshows have made a contribution to arrest the decline within a period of over six months

The last six months were however not very good for the tourism  sector. In January-June 2009, the number of tourist arrivals in the state was recorded ar 24.678 lakh, which is down from 27.19 lakh in 2008 for the same period. India has recorded a fall of over 10% in the flow of foreign nationals traveling to the country since the November 26 terror attacks in Mumbai last year.

Beating the summer in Goa

The scorching heat in the summer is nothing new for Goans or for tourists who visit Goa regularly this time of the year. And now towards end of April and early may it probably tests you near its all  time highs. While many Goans just escape to the water springs and the beaches in Goa there needs to be a regular survival kit to beat the summer.

Here are a few tips which could do just that

Control your diet

• Goan foods are normally hot and spicy. It is best to avoid such foods. Instead try some vegetable based foods such as dal, chapati and Goan vegetable such as ladyfingers etc. Eat moderately as stomach upsets in summer in Goa is not a new phenomenon. 
  
• Water based fruits from Goa are a great escape to beat the heat in Goa and the water melon probably tops the list. Apart for the water melon, cucumber, oranges, carrots and spinach help on the water addition to the body since the humidity in Goa makes the body  lose a fair amount of water. 
  
  
• The Goan coconut water is another source of rich content for the body and although some may prefer to rely on the 'eight glasses a day' theory, it is important that one has enough of water as much as one feels. Goa tender coconut water or lime juice in water ( without sugar preferably) helps to balance the water levels in the body

Hold your temptations

• It is best to avoid food with excessive fat and sodium content. Sodium causes water retention thereby further dehydrating the body. Salty peanuts, chips and oily foods are bad as well. Instead a bowl of fresh fruit or a cup of Yogurt could do wonders

Kid management

• Loss of appetite in kids at this time of the year in Goa is a regular phenomenon and if the kids complain, provide them with compact meals - stuffed parathas, vegetables -sabhji wrapped in Goan chapatis, curd-rice or raitha khichdi
  
• Instead of water, Goan tender coconut water is the best option besides lime juice water or mixed fruit juice.

Caring for your skin

• During the summer in Goa, prickly heat, fungal skin infections and sun burns are the common complaints. In order to avoid these problems, preventive action is a must.
• Prickly heat is caused by an itchy infection mainly due to blockage of sweat glands. The best recourse to combating prickly heat in Goa is by taking a shower twice a day. If more prone, take thrice if possible.
  
• Fungal Skin infection is caused due to excessive perspiration and lack of air circulation. Avoid fabrics which are synthetic and do not wear tight clothes. Also use comfortable footwear and avoid closed shoes.
  
• Sun Burns in Goa are quite a bother for some people in the summer. To beat sun burns it is best to avoid over exposure to the sun which can tan you skin and even burn it. The result is that you develop black skin patches that peel off. Moisturise this affected area and do not pull the peeling skin. General hygiene is the basic requirement and diligent skin care can go a long way in avoiding sun burns. Preventive measures are

1. Taking a shower immediately after any exertion or any exercise
2. Wearing open shoes to allow proper circulation
3. Always wearing a sunblock lotion

Summer ailments

• Summer ailments are also a common feature and you can also get affected in Goa like anywhere else. Summer ailments are mainly caused by poor hygiene, water infections and dehydration. common ailments are
  
• Gastroenteritis : This is mostly common among those who consume pre-cooked meals. During summer, the foods tend to get spoilt faster owing to the heat than in the other seasons in Goa, and consumption of such deteriorated foods can lead to vomiting and food poisoning. The Solution to this ia to have freshly cooked meals and boiled water as also well washed fruits such as oranges, bananas and sweet limes.
  
• Coughs and Colds : During summer due to the fluctuating temperatures in Goa, often due to the difference in temperatures in the street against the temperature of the bedroom or office AC often results in coughs and colds. Excessive consumption of iced water and cold foods are also responsible for this trend. The Solution to this is to maintain a nice transitional AC temperature which could hover between 22-25 degrees. Consume lesser cold foods and beverages in correct measures.

Dehydration Blues

• Over exposure to the summer can be severely dehydrating by snuffing away the essential hydration from the body which then needs to be replenished with water. Giddiness, headaches, fainting and fever are some of the symptoms.
  
  The Solution to this problem is to regularly have an intake of liquids during the day and ear a cap or a hat while you are outdoors in the sun. A shower in between the day is also bound to be a great soother.

Sea bathing soothes people in Goa every summer

Come March-April every year, Goans head for the beaches. The summer seems to be a wake up call for Goans reminding them that there exists a beach which is calling. For the rest of the year, Goans are lost in their busy schedules and do not even think about the beach too often like the rest of the world does. But if its summer, it has to be Goa's beaches.

The healing powers of the beach waters have been part of traditional folklore for Goans who sincerely believe that the waters of the ocean offer the much needed relief in the scorching heat of the summer while inducing the healing touch to a variety of ailments.  

So it is a common sight to watch Goans submerged waist deep in the waters of the beach for hours in the testing heat, with their brown skins gleaming as if they were soaking up a tan. On the contrary, this is a typical Goan practice of a rejuvenating sea bath in the summer.

Some Goans believe that this kind of a soaking bath has its effects only in the summer and not during other seasons in the year. So as the summer picks up itself, Goan families get together  along with neighbouring friends and relatives to spend at least a day or two on the sand, soaking in the ocean before winding back home towards dusk time.

Across the state of Goa it is a familiar sight to see residents near the beach especially around the beaches of Colva, Benaulim, Calangute, Baga, Arambol and Miramar where there is a sudden rush flocking for an energising bath. So from the inner villages, towns, nooks and corners of Goa the doddering Goan oldies, grannies, mothers and toddlers all come for their traditional date with the sea, equipped with towels, lunches and tasty snacks for a bath with all the comforts at hand.

Many Goans swear by the waters of the sea claiming that the body remains fighting fit for the rest of the year with an annual bath. Some others opine that a sea bath is not only refreshing during summer time but also keeps away pains and aches from bones and keeps the skin disease free.

There are other Goans who believe that a sea bath for a couple of days can ward off degenerative ailments like arthritis and keep swelling of joints and bones at bay. In fact bathing in the sea in Goa during the months of March, April and May is a faithful ritual that envelopes all communities and classes.

There is a strong belief that a dip in the summer is more helpful due to the high salinity believed to be in the sea water and the duration of the soak is considered very important. The older generation feels that a person needs a dip in the sea at least thrice a day with no cleansing with fresh water for  a period of 24 hours after bathing to get maximum benefit

Goa to witness the Rickshaw Run spring 2009!

The adventurists run by the league of adventurists international Ltd., UK organises various events for charity and the Rickshaw run is another of them. The teams participating in the a rickshaw run do so at their own risk while raising funds for a cause. The Rickshaw run spring 2009 event starts from Shillong on Sunday the 12th of April and ends in Goa on Sunday 26 April 2009.

The Adventurists are raising  good money for awesome charities through this venture which started in December 2006 with an aim to mix adventure with fund raising. All participating teams raise funds for their favourite charities through this drive. The rickshaw run is headed for Goa for the first time this year.

The Rickshaw run is all about raising huge amounts of wedge for a great cause or two, so each team has to raise 1000 pounds (Rs 73,000) for charity. The Adventurists aim to being the worlds best adventure enthusiasts fighting to make the world less boring.

The Rickshaw run is pretty simple. With no preparation and less luggage, one flies to the Indian subcontinent and forces 150cc of Indian engineering over thousands of miles of questionable terrain in around two weeks. Upon arrival the teams pause briefly for a game of cricket followed by tea and cakes before reviving the engines and setting off.

The Rickshaw run was initially organised twice a year. However due to massive demand from this year, 2009, it will be thrice. Slotted neatly in between the Winter run starting on New Years day and September's Monsoon run, the extra event is taking place in the Spring.

The teams are expected to use the Rickshaw for travelling a distance of 300 kms along some of the country's most precarious highways and bone-jarring back-roads. However the teams have to navigate their route on their own and no formal one is mapped for them. They can expect to average nine to ten hours on the  road a day. Along the way the teams can perform tasks to gain extra points that could help their final position.

Route of the Rickshaw run
The route of the Rickshaw run changes every time to make sure that it remains a challenge. Once the odd team survives one route, the next route is moved to somewhere harder. Huge mountains, dirt tracks, tropical jungle, monsoons are just some of the things sought to make the adventure truly real.

The organisers roughly plan the routes to take two weeks but no one can blame them if it take the team two years  and half a limb. There are no specific route plans because it is an adventure and  so there is no back up support.

The Machines
Three wheels , half a horse power and more fun than any other vehicle on planet earth, the humble Rickshaw is undoubtedly the ultimate long distance off road machine despite being designed for short distances on road.

The Finish Line
Once the  finish line is reached by all, a winner will be decided by arbitrary means and much pomp and hand shaking commences. After the wondrous occasion, the closing game of cricket is played followed by tea ad cakes. All teams then wend their merry ways back from whence we have come.

This trip ends on the glorious beaches of Goa.