Beyond the Beaches

How can we bring back the best of Goa?

Updated On: August 28, 2024
8 min, Read

Goa's value is in the eye of the traveller. There are the party people who flock to the state for music festivals and wild binges; there are the foodies who treat Goa like their personal chef, demanding wider varieties and better quality food every time they visit, and then there are the beach bums, who want nothing more than to lounge on the sand and vegetate. These groups come in droves, take over the hotels, get comfortable at the beaches, and zip around the narrow lanes in their rented cars. We can hide behind the claim that Goa needs tourists to survive, but have we ever thought about how the locals feel about this 'invasion?' To educate myself, I approached my friend Chryselle, who moved to Panjim with her husband and son. Chryselle lives in the Old Post Office building in Fontainhas. Every day, she struggles with unruly tourists and the ill effects of unplanned tourism. Tourism can be the backbone of a state's economy. But in Goa, the unplanned and indiscriminate catering to tourists over local needs can destroy the state. We see it every day - whether it is in the handling of traffic, turning a blind eye to the nuisance created by casinos, their staff and customers, the litter on our doorsteps, the utter disregard for locals who have to put up with this 365 days a year,' she said. Her sentiment is shared with several others - locals and tourists alike. Fortunately, there is a rise in grassroots movements in Goa that aim to restore the age-old traditions and cultural customs of this beautiful state.

Soul Travelling

One of the organisations at the forefront of this movement is Soul Travelling. The guiding principle of Soul Travelling’s is summed up on their website: we've realised that today's youth are losing touch with their cities, villages, and towns. Our purpose is to connect places with people and to give them an experience they will never forget. The company specialises in curated itineraries and unforgettable tours that show you a Goa that only a few know of. The tours last 3 to 4 hours and showcase various facets of Goan life. Soul Travelling offers many ventures. In Nature Trail on the island of Chorao, a boat ride takes you deep into the mangroves. The tales of travellers and village lore go along the way. If you prefer something urban, the Latin Quarter Walk, in the capital city of Panjim, is your ticket. As you stroll around the candy-coloured houses of Fontainhas, listen to stories about Goa under Portuguese rule. You can also enjoy some of the best bakery snacks en route. My personal favourite is the Secret Food and Tavern Trail. As a chef and restauranteur, the opportunity to visit lesser-known dive bars and local eateries is unmissable. The well-informed and convivial tour guide adds to the lure of good food and drink. The guide peppered our evening with trivia and fun facts about the places we were visiting. Soul Travelling can also customise itineraries for groups and private events.

The Bicycle Trip

Instead of zipping around Goa on a two-wheeler, try The Bicycle Trip. Established in 2017, the company wants to introduce a sustainable and healthy medium of experiencing Goa. They aim to do this with their one-day cycling trips and weekend tours. Keeping their groups small and their packages affordable, the Bicycle Trip believes they are best positioned to show travellers the real Goa. By cycling around a place with local tour guides, you can dive deep into a culture and heritage. Their Vintage Goa tour combines history with adventure as you traverse over 40 km in six hours. The Weekend Bicycle Holidays, on the other hand, offer 2 to 4-day itineraries, limited to 4 to 5 riders. Now, I am ashamed to admit that I don’t cycle. So I couldn’t try any of these tours, but I hear only good things from those who have. And hey, you are doing your bit to save the environment. So, high fives all around!

Terra Conscious

In contrast to the barely controlled watersports and ‘dolphin’ boat rides up and down the Goan coastline, Terra Conscious advocates for responsible marine and coastal governance. The organisation was founded by Puja Mitra, a social entrepreneur and impact consultant and Roshan Gonsalves, an scuba diving instructor, conservationist, and nature enthusiast. Together they created Terra Conscious in 2017, and offer tours highlighting Goa's rich biodiversity. One of their most popular expeditions is the Ocean Biodiversity Experience. As you sail on local boats into the ocean, you learn about the delicate balance between coastal and marine lifeforms. This tour operates only between October to May, so plan accordingly.

Sounds from Goa

In a quiet corner of Benaulim in South Goa, stands a heritage home like no other. Known as Solar Loiola Pereira, this beautifully restored mansion is the ancestral home of Omar Loiola Pereira. Pereira is also the music director and co-founder of Sounds from Goa. Along with partner and producer, Schubert Fernandes, Loiola Pereira created the company with one mission - to provide space where people can feast with all senses. You can also stroll around and learn about its history during a specially curated musical concert that includes local folk dances and singing. The concert is held in the majestic grand ballroom of the house. It includes Goan folk music and Western fare like Portuguese fado. The evening culminates in a traditional Goan feast with a menu crafted by The Goan Kitchen. On the evening of my visit, we were treated to a table of delicacies. The pork pies, balchao toasties, and slices of glorious bebinca still haunt me in my dreams.

Urbanaut

On a trip to Beirut in 2015, Samyukta Ranganathan decided that there had to be a better way of planning a trip than the cut-and-paste approach she was using; a Tripadvisor post here, an Instagram recommendation there. It was all haphazard and chaotic. Three years later, she launched Urbanaut - an app that helps you find out where all the cool things are. Urbanaut also promotes a new breed of traveller. One who is willing to explore and take a chance. People who want to immerse themselves in a culture and learn, and most importantly, travellers who seek sustainable experiences. I downloaded the Urbanaut app and headed straight to the Goa page. A list of delectable choices unfurls. The Feast in the Fields Tour takes you on a unique experience of a multi-course meal celebrating the harvest. A riverside picnic is for lounging in a hidden spot by the river. There are also kayaking, surfing, and fishing trips to choose from for those more adventurously inclined. What I particularly loved about the app were the food and drink recommendations; names that don’t turn up in your average 'Must Eat in Goa' list.

Cultre.in

Cultre aims to inform and promote our country’s rich cultural heritage in many ways. They recently partnered with Goa Tourism and Airbnb and curated the Rediscover Goa Festival. This week-long festival offered over 20 unique Goan experiences. There were sunset walks, fado evenings, art trails, and adventure expeditions. So, there you have it — several ways to enjoy Goa and be responsible at the same time. Let's hope this year brings a more thoughtful and considerate way of travel and discovery. After all, it's high time we started giving back to the state we all claim to love so much.