A
visitor can be given free entry into Addu Atoll
without the proof of having sufficient funds and a
return ticket, if a written letter is submitted to
the Immigration by a local sponsor, prior to the
arrival.
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GLOBAL TERRORISM WARNING
You should be aware of the risk
of indiscriminate terrorist attacks in
public places anywhere in the world. Be
vigilant, and take sensible precautions.
Location: 8-km West Of Mapusa, North
Goa Main Attraction: Anjuna Flea Market,
Chapora Fort Best Time To Visit: November To March
With its fluorescent
painted palm trees and infamous full moon parties,
ANJUNA, 8-km west of Mapusa, is Goa at its
most "alternative". Designer leather and lycra may
have superseded cotton Kaftans, but most people's
reasons for coming are the same as they were in the
1970s: dancing and lying on the beach slurping
tropical fruit. While browsing in the area have a
day trip to the famous flea market.
Visiting Season:
The season in Anjuna starts in early November, when
most of the long staying regulars show up, and
peters out in late March, when they drift off again.
During the Christmas and New Year rush, the village
is inundated with a mixed crowd of round the world
backpackers, refugees from the British club scene
and revellers from all over India, lured by the
promise of the big beach parties.
Outside peak season, however, Anjuna has a
surprisingly simple unhurried atmosphere- due, in no
small part, to the shortage of places to stay. Most
visitors who come here on market day or for the
raves travel in from other resorts. That said, a
couple of large package tour hotels have appeared
over the past couple of years, and this is bound to
radically alter the mix of visitors here.
The Beach:
One of the main sources of Anjuna's enduring
popularity as a hippy hang out is its superb beach.
Fringed by groves of swaying coconut palms, the
curve of soft white sand conforms more closely to
the archetypal vision of paradise than any other
beach on the north coast. Bathing is generally safer
than at most of the nearby resorts, too, especially
at the more peaceful southern end, where a rocky
headland keeps the sea calm and the undertow to a
minimum.
North of the market ground, the beach broadens,
running in an uninterrupted kilometre long stretch
of steeply shelving sand to a low red cliff. The
village bus park lies on top of this high ground,
near a crop of small cafes, bars and Kashmiri
handicraft stalls. Every lunch hour, tour parties
from Panjim pull in here for a beer, before heading
home again, leaving the ragged army of sun weary
westerners to enjoy the sunset.
where to
Shop
The
Anjuna Flea Market is on
Wednesdays and is a must do! You have a
cooking session that morning, so keep the
afternoon free, as the market, crammed with
clothes, jewellery, artifacts, is not to be
missed. Our advice is to walk through the
market without stopping for the first 10
minutes, otherwise you will be either worn
out or shopped out before you get to the
meaty middle of the fair. There are bars
right at the end and to the left on the
beach, where you can cool off with a drink
and examine your purchases.
The
Saturday Night Bazaar on the
road to Anjuna,which opens at sunset and
carries on till about midnight,is
fun.Similar to the flea market,but
smaller,with food stalls and a bar, and
cooler of course without the blazing sun.
Your chef will of
course be taking you around
Mapusa market, where you can
shop for spices and utensils for your
kitchen.
Road:
Buses from Mapusa and Panjim drop passengers at
various points along the Tarmac Road across the top
of the village, which turns right towards Chapora at
the Main Starco's crossroads. The Starco's
crossroads has a couple of small stores, a
motorcycle taxi rank, and functions as a de facto
village square and bus stand.
Tip: To
avoid Bombay
going north
'Poona' is the
quickest bypass
route as Bombay
is best avoided
for travelling
through
Places to
Stay:
Most of Anjuna's very limited accommodation consists
of small-unfurnished houses. Some of the resorts and
guesthouse can be found at the main Starco's
crossroads area. But the best choice for
accommodation is available in Calangute, Baga or
nearby Vagator or Chapora.
Eating Out:
Both the beachfront and village at Anjuna are awash
with good places to eat and drink. Most are simple
semi open air, thatched palm leaf affairs,
specializing in fish and western food. All serve
cold beer, invariably with thumping techno music in
the background. On the beach, one'll also be
approached every ten minutes by women selling fresh
fruit, including watermelons, pineapples and locally
grown coconuts.
Musical Amusements:
When it eventually gets it act together, The Alcove,
over looking Ozran Vagator Beach, will be another
worthwhile nightspot. More mainstream musical
entertainment is on offer at Temptations, in the Red
Cab Inn just below Starco's crossroads, where Indian
classical recitals and guitar based cover bands
feature with fire dancers on Mondays, starting at
7.00 pm.
Night Life:
Thanks to the kill-joy attitude reputation, Anjuna
is a rave-venue for big parties that take place over
here from time to time, especially around the
Christmas-New Year full moon period. Smaller events
may also happen whenever some occasion or
celebration comes up.
At other times, nightlife centres on the Shore Bar,
in the middle of the beach, which has a pounding
sound system. The biggest crowds show up accompanied
by the latest ambient trance mixes from London. The
music gains pace as the evening wears on winding up
around 11.00 pm, when there's an exodus over to the
Guru Bar, further up the beach, or to the Primrose
Café in Vagator, both of which stay open until after
midnight.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Exchange: The Bank Of
Baroda on the Mapusa Road will make encashment
against visa cards, but doesn't do foreign exchange,
nor is it a good place to leave valuables.
Post Office: The
post office, on the Mapusa Road, 1-km inland, has an
efficient Poste Restante counter.
Note: Whenever one
comes, keep a close eye on one's valuables. Theft,
particularly from the beach, is a big problem. Party
nights are the worst; if one stays out late, keep
the money and papers with oneself, or lock them
somewhere secure. Thieves have even been known to
break into local houses by lifting tiles off the
roof.
