Goa

Goa has been a mainstream destination for a very long time. It's place as hippy Mecca, which attracted all sorts of flotsam and jetsam from around the world. Has now been superceded by the younger backpackers doing their gap year trip, deadlocked neo hippies and package tourists, lured to her shores by glorious weather and cheap living. The dreamers and stoned visionaries are still to be found in pockets along the coast but they become rarer by the year as they judgementally pronounce Goa 'Finished" and move on.

Goa's beaches are of course the main attraction for visitors, short coast of Goa boasts some lovely beaches, most have now been colonised, but if you've a mind you can still find few spots away from the maddening crowd.

Starting in the north of the state you have Arambol, which is still a bit of a chilled out beach with a laid back approach to life, however the new bridge may change things, Heading south You have Chapora and Vagator, also beaches etched into hippy lore and of course Anjuna and it's famous Wednesday market.

South again and you are heading into what would be regarded as the package tourist area in Baga, Candolim and Calangute. These beaches are far more built up than elsewhere in Goa but offer all the facilities you would expect from an international tourist destination.

Heading now to South Goa we first hit Majorda with Colva and Benualim sharing the same bit of coast. Further south, through some stunning scenery you finally reach the most southern of Goa's beaches in Agonda and Palolem.

Of course you would be wrong to think Goa only offers, beaches, sharing its coast with the Western Ghats it also offers some stunning scenery such as the Dudhsagar Falls, or the Wildlife Sanctuary at Molem, forts are dotted along the coast, and every little cove flings up some surprises. Up in the Ghats themselves the area is fantastic for birdwatchers and there are caves to explore, rock carvings and both old and new temples to see. The Goan temple with it's bright painted colours are quite unique.

Old Goa and it's old Portugues churches are is well worth some time.

The coast is divided by great rivers like the Mandovi, Charpora, and Zuari which offer beautiful landscapes as the blue meanders through the green jungle and mangroves.

On Chorao Island, on the Mandovi river you'll find the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary which sees many rare birds

Because the island of Chorao is full of mangrove swamps, the region produces exceptional cover and vegetation for many different breeds of local coastal bird as well as the perfect resting ground for migrating birds from all around the world.

The reason the mangrove swamps are so popular with birds is that they are home to numerous small insects and fish that begin the food chain. The Goa wildlife reserve is a little less than 2 square kilometers in area and as well as the birds it is also possible to see jackals, flying squirrels and crocodiles.

Goa is so much more than delicious food and beach life.