[Tjax]

I was in Goa today on work and as I finished work quicker than expected, I had a couple of hours to kill before I had to be at the airport.. Immediately I whipped out the team bhp app and pulled out this thread. Figured out that the three kings church is close to the airport and well before I knew it, I was there..

I can totally understand why it's rumoured to be haunted.. I went there around say 12 noon and there was not a soul about. Surprisingly not even a caretaker was about. Few of the window grills were rusting and I observed a plastic sheet covering a window or two. I can definitely imagine it being a spooky place at night by the moonlight.

The church itself is beautiful and views are enough to make anyone go down the path of introspection on life and other things..

I hung about for some twenty mins or so and didn't see anyone (except a couple who I caught a glimpse of behind a tree- well I hope they were a couple of humans!).. But as I was about to leave a group of say 4-5 ppl came and left after taking a few pictures.

Just a heads up to ppl wanting to visit.. If you come from verna and take the left after queenys then don't pay head to an old stone direction board which is placed after the left which needs to be taken. I followed the route marker and had to retrace my steps before finding the right path.

Thanks dhanushmenon! Hoping to cover the other places on my next visit..

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by jacs

Better late than never. Pulled out time to enjoy the clicks and write up. A different perspective of Goa, loved it. Keep writing Dhanushbhai.

Thanks Jacs.

Originally Posted by Tjax

Thanks dhanushmenon! Hoping to cover the other places on my next visit..

Thanks Tjax.
Glad that the thread was of help to you.
Some of the other places mentioned in the thread, namely the Naval Aviation Museum, Bogmalo beach and the Japanese Gardens which has the Grandmother hole beach are all near to the airport.
You can definitely pool in these places in your next visit.

However, except for the Naval Aviation Museum, all other places are best visited close to sunset for the lovely view it offers.

[dhanushmenon]

I was in Goa recently and I paid a little visit to some of the places mentioned on the first page. Additionally, I visited some new places too.
Well, the refresher turned out to be quite a surprise.
The monsoons have brought out the greens, blooms and the accentuated beauty of this state.
All the brown barren lands have been carpeted in lush green and was quite a sight.

So, I thought it was only prudent that I update the thread with the refreshed sight for the benefit of those who want to venture into the not so popular innards of Goa.

I will start with Chapora Fort, (as mentioned earlier, my favourite place in North Goa)

Chapora Fort

The ascent to the fort itself gave me a glimpse of the change which I was going to see within. The green shoots were already peeking out.



I walked inside and was welcomed to green all around with some shards of dark brown rocks jutting out in between



The honey moon couples snapped away with the back drop so luscious and some 'solitary reapers' enjoyed the loneliness like the person sitting on the rock in the back ground.



The extension was even majestic...



This was how it looked before the onset of monsoons...



Another look at the contrast.
After monsoons....



And before monsoons...



The view, as usual was nothing short of AWESOME!!!





And then as I was returning back, this beautiful flower waved me good bye.

[dhanushmenon]

Bogmalo Beach

The water in the beach had encroached into the shore from what I had seen a few months back.
Generally, its always sad when the sea eats up the shore.
However, here the sight turned out to be better presenting reflections on glassy stretches of water of the stupendous sky.

The pictures would explain further.

[fusionbang]

I was wondering how did I miss this travelogue. Beautiful travelogue dhanushmenon, wish we had a option to rate more than 5 stars My next visit to Goa will surely be to visit these places mentioned in your travelogue

And I was thinking you went with your XUV during this trip, why not XUV was given a chance to rule these roads??

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by fusionbang

I was wondering how did I miss this travelogue. Beautiful travelogue dhanushmenon, wish we had a option to rate more than 5 stars My next visit to Goa will surely be to visit these places mentioned in your travelogue



And I was thinking you went with your XUV during this trip, why not XUV was given a chance to rule these roads??

Thanks fusionbang for your kind words.
This visit, I did go in the XUV.

The update on the thread is not complete.
Terakhol fort, Arvalem caves and Tambdi Surla temple is remaining

Shall update soon.
Complete with the snaps of XUV too

[dhanushmenon]

The Three King's Church or The Haunted Church

Greenery had taken over here too, needless to say.

The dark skies above, deep blue seas away and luscious green in between.
Interesting contrast indeed.



And then it rained......



Then the sky cleared up to a stupendous view all around.



Well, my ride deserved a showing right?

[fusionbang]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

Well, my ride deserved a showing right?

Yes dhanush, IMO the travelogue is incomplete without showing the ride, until and unless the trip is without the ride

[Ddrive]

Pictures of Bogmalo beach and Three Kings Church are superb.
I liked photo no 3834 especially, Nice capture.

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by Ddrive

Pictures of Bogmalo beach and Three Kings Church are superb.
I liked photo no 3834 especially, Nice capture.

Thanks Ddrive. Will be sharing a few more places soon.
Paucity of time is the excuse I give now

Originally Posted by fusionbang

Yes dhanush, IMO the travelogue is incomplete without showing the ride, until and unless the trip is without the ride

Yes fusionbang.
This time I had gone with the XUV.
However, the previous time I did not.
I was using my friend's bike to roam around then.

I will add on a few more places soon to this travelogue.
And then probably request the mods to shift these posts to the first page or so to retain continuity.

[dhanushmenon]

Terekol Fort

Distance- 43 Kms (to the ferry point, Terekol beach)
Lat Long- 15.718764, 73.692744 (of the ferry point)



Terekol Fort and Terekol Beach lies on either side of Terekol River.
Terekhol beach is the north most beach of Goa and Terekol river is the boundary of Goa.
Therefore technically, the Terekhol Fort is part of Maharashtra.



The easiest way to reach the fort is by a ferry from the point near Terekol beach.

View of the other bank from the ferry.



The fort was originally built by the Raja of Sawantwadi in 17th century.
It had 12 guns, a barrack and a chapel.
Later on, the Portuguese acceded the fort to their territory and was further revamped.







A Church for the Holy Trinity was constructed in the fort courtyard by the Portuguese after its capture.



The church is not open to the general public except on certain occasions, such as the annual feast that is usually held in May.





The fort was converted into a heritage hotel later.
However, this is all that remains of the hotel now.



The fort though is maintained quite well, speck and clean.
The fort provides a majestic view of the Terekol river, the Terekol beach across the bank and also the unending stretch of white sand which stretches beyond.





View of the river, and Terekol beach from the Fort side ferry point.



The view of fort from Terekol beach.



The beach itself is a wonderful picnic spot with soft sand, clean environs, shallow waters and trees lining the coast providing ample shade.
This beach is one of the secluded ones in Goa and have figured in many movies.

[dhanushmenon]

Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple

Lat Long- 15.494225, 74.060472
Distance from Panjim- 36.8 Kms



The drive is simply awesome.
Winding roads and finely laid tarmac. Waving trees and lush green envelope.
We couldn't ask for more.





In between, there were interesting sign boards like these which kept on reminding us that we are inside a wild life sanctuary.



Soothing streams flowed along the road with the clatter which was so welcoming.



A pit stop in between.
A lovely place for a picnic.





The water was crystal clear and chilling cold.
Not always do you chance upon places which are not yet polluted and strewn off.
This was one such place; untouched, pristine and pure.





After the short break, we continued forward to the temple and soon we reached Tambdi Surla temple.
This paved pathway welcomed us which gave us the first hint that the temple is not completely worn down.



The first sight of the temple. Well, amidst the colourful ambience, the temple had a stance of grandeure; cut in black and shades of grey.
This temple is the oldest temple in Goa, built in the 12th Century.



There was a stream which flowed next to the temple which presented a soothing music to the air around.



Description:



Snap talk:











Architecture was top class.







I re iterate, the work of art in stone was one which inspired awe and dropped jaws.





The customary "We were here" snap.



I found the colour combo interesting.



Speaking of colour combo, I found this bullet parked outside.
PINK bullet!!
Seriously??
Well, I am lost for words!!



The last shot is a tribute to my ride.

[dhanushmenon]

Arvalem Caves

Lat Long- 15.552475, 74.023056
Distance from Panjim- 32 Kms



The caves are called Pandava caves.
I wouldn't rate this very high in the list of must see places in Goa.
People interested in mythology and excavation will definitely find this worth a visit.
I am neither. So, I didn't find it much interesting.



Very nearby the caves is a waterfall. I didn't visit this and therefore, I do not have any pictures or data of this.
However, the caves are thought inspiring if you put your mind to its origin and the method of its constructions.
Well, my friends always shy me down saying that I do not apply much mind to inspire thoughts within me. I didn't want to break their expectations and so, didn't bother much to apply thoughts on these caves too.



The cave cellars, with its iron bars do give a "Jailed" outlook.







Within the cave:



Time to dry my quill

When you hear "Goa", I bet the first figure which comes to your mind would be a lazy laid back beach, with soft sand and sand castles, clear surfs and some colourful dots in the corner of the eye.
But, over the many visits I had to this wonderful state, I have realised that Goa is not only about beaches and late night parties.
There are many places which are worth a visit, time and time again.

The sadder part was though that many who venture to Goa are unaware of these.
My motive was to string a parallel thought process about Goa.

Explore and thou shalt be rewarded.

And special thanks to my ride who took me to all the places on the second half of this report.

[vnabhi]

Amazing TL with mind-blowing pictures! I look forward to visiting those places, though I did visit Tiracol Fort and couple of other places you've posted about.

By the way, is that beach near Tiracol Fort not called Kerry Beach or Querim Beach?

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Amazing TL with mind-blowing pictures! I look forward to visiting those places, though I did visit Tiracol Fort and couple of other places you've posted about.

By the way, is that beach near Tiracol Fort not called Kerry Beach or Querim Beach?

No, the beach adjacent to Terakol river is Terakol beach. I am very very sure of it.
Kerry beach is I think further South, beyond the hillock which you can see in the background on one of the pictures.

There is a small lagoon kind of extension also there if I am not wrong.
Probably some local Goans can throw some light