Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Malaca Rd)
This beautiful early 20th-century affair is worth dropping into to see the pretty
blue-and-white
azulejos
(glazed ceramic-tile compositions) in the entrance hall.
Campal
The Campal neighbourhood, to the west of Panaji, is home to some green spaces that are
perfect for whiling away an afternoon. Goa's premier cultural centre, Kala Academy
(
Click here
)
has a lovely campus, with an art gallery, a lighthouse, pier and benches along
the water, and a library with great books on Indian arts. East of this is
Campal Gardens
(Bhagwan Mahaveer Bal Vihar), a peaceful, expansive park with playgrounds and river
views.
NEIGHBOURHOOD
Houses of Goa Museum
( 2410711;
www.archgoa.org
;
Torda; adult/child ?100/25; 10am-7.30pm Tue-Sun)
This little museum,
about 8km north of Panaji, was created by a well-known local architect, Gerard da Cunha,
to illuminate the history of Goan architecture. Interesting displays on building practices
and European and local design will change the way you see those old Goan homes. Next
door is the
Mario Gallery
( 2410711; admission free; 10am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, to 1pm Sat)
, with works
by one of India's favourite cartoonists, the late Mario Miranda (1926-2011). To get here,
take a Mapusa-bound bus and get off at Okukora Circle, also known as Kokeru; an
autorickshaw from here and back, including waiting time, costs ?150. From Panaji, a taxi
or autorickshaw will cost you about ?350 one-way.
MUSEUM
Courses
On the Menu
(
www.holidayonthemenu.com
;
courses from US$149)
This London-based outfit offers a variety of
Goan-cooking holidays (at a price), ranging from a Saturday 'Curry Morning' to a one-
week program (US$1599) that includes trips to a spice plantation and a local market.
COOKING
Tours
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC; Goa Tourism) operates a range of
popular boat trips along the Mandovi River, including hour-long sunset and evening
cruises
(?150; 6pm & 7.15pm)
and two-hour
dinner cruises
(?500; 8.45pm Wed & Sat)
aboard the
Santa
Monica
. All include a live band and dancers - sometimes lively, sometimes lacklustre -
