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.
Detail
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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: 2-km West Of
Chaudi, Canacona District, South Goa Nearby Attraction: Agonda, Chaudi Best Time To Visit: November To March
The Tiny Bay
Palolem, 2-km west of Chaudi, pops up more
often in glossy holiday brochures than any
other beach in Goa; not because the village
is a major package tour destination, but
because its crescent shaped bay lined with a
swaying curtain of coconut palms, is
irresistibly photogenic. Hemmed in by a pair
of wooded headlands, a perfect curve of
white sand arcs north from a pile of hug
boulders to the spur of Sahyadri Ghat, which
here tapers into the sea.
Until recently foreign tourists were few and
far between in Palolem. Over the past five
or six years, however, increasing numbers of
budget travellers have begun to find their
way here, and the village is now far from
the undiscovered idyll it used to be, with a
string of cafes, Karnatakan hawkers and a
tent camp crowding the beachfront.
Souvenir stalls have also sprung up,
catering mainly for the mini-van and boat
parties of charter tourists on day trips
from resorts further north. In spite of
these encroachments, Palolem remains a
resolutely traditional village, where the
easy pace of life is dictated more by the
three daily rounds of Todi (also spelt as
Toddy) tapping than the exigencies of
tourism.
Eating Out:
With the beach now lined along its entire length with brightly lit shack cafes,
finding somewhere to eat in Palolem is not a problem, although the locals have
to buy in most of their fish from Margao and Karwar. The one outstanding place
is the Classic Restaurant, where one can tuck into delicious, freshly baked
Western wholefood and cakes.
More popular among budget travellers, though, is Sun 'n' Moon, behind the middle
of the beach; when it closes, the die-hard drinkers head through the palm trees
to nearby Dylan's Bar, which stays open until the last customer has staggered
home. For optimum sunset views of the bay, head for the obscurely named Found
Things bar and restaurant, at the far southern end of Palolem beach, which faces
west. Travellers on tight budgets should also note the row of tiny Bhaji stalls
outside the Beach Resort, where one can order tasty and filling breakfasts of
Pao Bhaji, fluffy bread rolls, Omlettes and Chai (tea) for next to nothing.
Road: Buses run between Margao and Karwar
via Chaudi where one can pick up an auto
rickshaw or taxi to Palolem. Alternatively, get
off at the Char Rostay crossroads, 1.5-km before
Chaudi, and walk the remaining kilometre or so
to the village. A couple of buses each day also
goes all the way to Palolem from Margao; these
stop at the end of the lane leading from the
main street to the beachfront. The last bus from
Palolem to Chaudi/ Margao leaves at 4.30pm;
check with the local for the times, which change
seasonally.
Places to
Stay:
With the exception of the beach Resort's tent camp and a handful or recently
built guesthouses, most of Palolem's accommodation consists of simple rooms in
family homes, with basic washing and toilet facilities shared by visitors and
members of the household. The budget places, however are to be found in Colomb,
around the headland south of Palolem village, where Hindu fishing families rent
rooms, and occasionally small houses, to long- staying foreigners.
Tip: To
avoid Bombay
going north
'Poona' is the
quickest bypass
route as Bombay
is best avoided
for travelling
through
USEFUL INFORMATION
Cycles On Rent:
Cycles may be rented from a stall halfway along the main
street.
Phone: The village has only a
couple of public telephones, but avoid the one in the beach
resort, which charges more than double the going rate for
international calls, and head for the reasonable ISD/STD booth
next to the bus stop.
Exchange: At present, there is
nowhere in Palolem or Chaudi to change money; the nearest bank
with a foreign exchange facility is in Margao.
