Squeezed against the West Coast by the Ghats (Hills), Goa is drained by several rivers. As if that were not enthough, it is swept by the South-East Monsoons and the 'wet' is from mid-June to end-August. The land is quenched and gives up it's Green!

Rice, a Goan staple, comes into it's own as Emerald Green Paddy fields flash everywhere, and one marvels ! Coconuts, Breadfruit, Limes, Melons, Bananas, Pineapples, 'Chikoos', Papaya, several types of Mango, the Cashew Fruit and its nut, and the famous Indian Beetelnut are all found locally !

Fishing is a traditional Goan occupation - there is no better fish than a fresh one! Walk down to the beach, or the local 'bazaarr' and choose your catch-of-the-day !

The local language is Konkani, with its regional flavours. Portuguese is now spoken in only a few pockets of society while English is widely spoken and understood.

With a long history of religous tolerance, Goans have dotted the state with signs of devotion - wayside crosses, chapels, Churches, Hindu Deity niches and grand Temples; Mosques and other Muslim holy places are relatively few. Interestingly, the earlier Government House was the old waterfront Palace of Adil Shah, an earlier Muslim ruler of Goa.

The nearest Metropolis is Mumbai (Bombay) and is well connected by Bus, Train and Plane. Communication is excellent and all corners of the world are reachable by phone. Additionally, Internet-Cafes are easily accesible. Goa offers, for the adventurous, lots of places which are off the beaten track. Why not rent a motorbike and be different ! Winter (Nov-Mar) is a cooler 21 C but summers (Apr-Jun) are scorchers while July to September is the DownPour Season!

Goa sees changes everyday - some good, some bad. People however are now realizing that Heritage is a gift, and every effort is being made to bring in the new, but retain that part of the old which makes Goa so different !