Travel Eye on Calangute (Goa, India)

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Overview:

Calangute became a traveler's cliché in the '60s and early'70s. It was the hippies who discovered the pristine surroundings and blissful serenity and golden sands. The hippies also spread the word around and brought hordes of European tourists. Decades later, tourists still trudge down the dusty, weather-beaten roads in search of that idyllic coastal Goa. On this lovely beach, Goans and tourists spend summers, bathing in the quiet solitude of the sea, sun and sand. This small, bustling working town is also one of Goa's busiest resorts, with a prominent Hindu temple and a main street bursting with shops, stalls, traffic and pedestrians. Many tourist stalls are found at the far end. Calangute is an appealing place, where tourists mingle with local people going about their business, although it also has a fair share of touts and persistent vendors. Farther to the N, the resort merges with the neighbouring resort village Baga.

Locality:

Calangute is halfway down the W coast of India, in the N part of the state of Goa, 10 mls NW of Panjim, 30 mls NW of Dabolim airport. It is situated on a long, W-facing beach backed by rolling farmland; adjoins the village of Baga to the N.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Calangute generally provides something for everyone, but not at the luxury end of the scale. It may be too bustling and commercialised for some. Popular with package tourists in peak season (October/April); at this time, most of the hotels are full and at their most expensive.

There is a wide range of accommodation available, generally smaller lower to middle-grade hotels spread around town, with concentrations off the main shopping street and to the S of the village. Some beachside properties and larger, well-equipped, secluded resort-type accommodation.

Calangute Beach extends more than a mile in either direction. Traditional fishing catamarans are drawn up in some places, while "shacks", bars and beach restaurants occupy much of the beach above the high-tide line. There are often large waves and a strong undertow, although careful swimming is possible.

The town is virtually a bazaar, with everyday shops as well as hundreds of stalls offering tourist goods ? fabrics, silks, weavings, carved wood and an array of local products. Some international chain stores, including the likes of Benetton and Lacoste.

Entertainment consists of some water sports, Kerkar Art Gallery, Colonial-era churches, Football pitches. Some hotels offer tennis and badminton courts. Boat and fishing trips are popular. By night there are the occasional informal beach parties, where fireworks are on sale. The hotels lay on entertainments usually at least a couple of nights per week during peak season (October?April). The town is quite lively at night, with many bars, but often shuts down by about 10pm. More nightlife offered in nearby lively Baga, with its many bars and a nightclub.

Mapusa (a large town to the N) holds a market Monday-Saturday, with the big day on Friday: everything from clothes and everyday goods to a vast array of flowers and local produce. Wednesday flea market at Anjuna. Sightseeing and shopping in the capital, Panjim. Magnificent Portuguese colonial churches at Old Goa. Historic Hindu and Muslim temples throughout the district of Ponda. Dudhsagar waterfalls in the interior. Crocodile Dundee river trip; Sinbad voyage; spice plantation; jeep safaris. 3-day trips to some of India's main sights, including Taj Mahal, Delhi and Mumbai; these can cost as much as the package holiday itself.