I'm going to Goa in October.... ideas?

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I've bought myself a guidebook to Goa with a view to finding some spectacular sights to photograph. Has anyone been before and if so do you have any insider tips that you could offer me in terms of locations and what to look out for?

Cheers.
 
Cheers Nigel. I'll take a look through that.
 
Take a taxi ride to Old Goa, there are fantastic temples nearby and a great cathedral.
Taxi's are very cheap but remember to wear long trousers as a sign of respect when you leave the coastal tourist areas. You'll see the taxi driver pull over to put his on as it can be prison for him if caught.

If your staying north of the river, Calangute etc, then take a taxi ride to Cocoa Beach, very much off the beaten track but a gorgeous sheltered area and the trip will give you an insight into the real Goa.

HTH

Gary :)
 
Thanks Gary. I'll be sure to remember my etiquette.
 
Dont bother with Calangut, or Baga really touristy crap. Although you do see some odd sights. I saw an elephant 'parked' outside a bar whilst a Liverpool game was on.

Also, the mid day sun is pretty bright and will wash out a lot of the colours, along with the smoky dusty haze that hangs in the air it can either be a benefit or a hinderance. Early morning the air is crisp and clear, sunsets are beautiful with some great light.
Watch the ocean, can be some farly strong rips. 95% of the time its fine. The people who suffer the most are the indian teenagers who come down from Bombay etc. They cant swim, get drunk and drown. Saw several bodies when I was there. They refuse to listen to local fisherman as they think they are superior bombayites.

head to
Arambol - (North of Anjuna). Very beautiful coast and along the way there are some quiet beaches, people on kite buggies, huge long stretches of sand, some bars and chai stops. Take random turnings towards the beach, follow the dirt patchs and you will come across little clusters of houses/huts that are for the shrimp fisherman. Reallly is amazing stuff.

Anjuna flea market - All sorts of weird and wonderfull people. Crusties, holy men, tourists, beggers, performers, street kids, amazing colours. Get there early whilst its all being set up, during the day just plot up at a bar or on the beach and watch the 'scene' then as eveing draws in the bars and beach front gets busy for the sunset. Fire jugglers, acrobats etc.

Chapora - Lovely little village along a sweeping coconut fringed bay. the centre gets quite busy with crusties and hippies etc. Great place for people watching. Pleanty of hippies on enfeild motorcycles to see. Follow on from Chapora following the road through the village and you will come to the old port where the ferry used to cross. Asklocals, they will point you in the right direction.

mapusa - main market town. Lots of street stuff old buildings.

If you get chance head for a Kerala backwater trip. Quite a distance from Goa but worth it.

Will post some of my goa photos tonight to give you a few ideas. Best thing I did was hire a scooter, get of the main roads and just get lost......amazing little shrines and temples. I spent three days lost.....in more ways than one!

Keep your main wallet and stuff in your sock and have a few rupees at hand incase the police decide to 'check your licence';). Dont let the coppers intimidate you, they can be a pain in the *rse.

Im heading to goa in Jan for a wedding...cant wait.

Have fun, it really is a magical place once you get away from the tourist track.:wave:
 
Excellent. Thanks. I really want to stay away from the overly touristy places because I think it's the hidden gems that are the most interesting. I think we'll be in Goa for 1 week before heading to the north east of India.
I especially like the idea of hiring a scooter. My wife knows how to ride one of those so I'll get her to do all the driving, although learning would be fun too. Would be great to see some of your pics.
 
Try and visit Dudhsagar waterfalls if you can...

You will have to do a bit of hiking to get there...

Goa1.jpg


But its worth the view :thumbs:

Goa2.jpg


Just be careful of the big poisonous spiders :lol:

Goa3.jpg


All photos taken with a Canon 350D and 18-55 kit lens
 
I read about those waterfalls. Supposedly the second highest in the whole of India. Would love to check it out. The spider on the other hand, perhaps a zoom lens for that lol. Thanks for the suggestions so far. Also batteries and CF cards are a must. Just waiting for the next pay check.
 
Try and get the fishing boats early morning, really colourfull and the sunsets :woot:. Baga, Calangute is very touristy, but the south really has the views with fewer people :love:
Or try and get the beach shots around Anjuna, some real characters there, also the markets are really colourfull :) Absolutely loads of opportunities, you'll love it :) and I wish I was going

Steve
 
it was a while ago when I went, but Anjuna market sticks in my mind like I was there yesterday. It would be a morning of fantastic photo opportunities. I recommend you go to it. iirc its on once a week, but like i said, it was a while ago.

you may want to look into it, but i think i remember that Goans might have religious beliefs that might mean they dont like having their picture taken. Cant remember the full story though
 
Cool. I better read up on that. According to the guide book I've bought it does suggest that I ask people before taking their pictures. A few candids would be good too because I think those really capture the essence of the subject.

Thanks!
 
I've been to Goa and it is a fantastic place. Very different from the rest of India as a result of it's Portuguese influence. My only regret about going there is not having had the chance to take many photos while there.
 
full auto said:
you may want to look into it, but i think i remember that Goans might have religious beliefs that might mean they dont like having their picture taken. Cant remember the full story though
Click to expand...

I know that they don't allow you to take pictures inside some churches as they didn't let me take any inside one. I suspect that it might be the case across all churches. The one I visited had a tomb of a well known and important Portuguese man (whose name I've now forgotton!).
 
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