Goa beaches
Colva
Colva
beach is 6kms. from Margao. It is the pride of Salcete and the only
rival to Calangute in scenic splendor. Here sea, sand and sky blend in
enchanting natural harmony, weaving their magic spell on the visitors. Colva is one of the
most popular beaches in South Goa, though not as developed or busy as Calangute in the north. special to recommend it.
The beach offers good accommodation.
Colva
stretches sun-drenched, palm fringed and virtually deserted for km
after km. 20years ago precious little disturbed its soft white sands and warm crystal-clear turquoise their
waters, except the local fishers who pulled their catch in by hands each morning, and the few of the
more intrepid hippies who had forsaken the obligatory drugs, sex and rock and roll of Calangute for the smoothing tranquility of this corner of paradise. However, it is the main evening and weekend day-trip destination for the people of Margao, only 6km away, so it becomes packed with cars, motorbikes, scooters and pedestrians. On the road into Colva from Margao you pass the large Church of Our Lady of Mercy
(Nossa Senhora das Merces, 1630, re-built in the 18th century). The statue of Menino Jesus housed here is said to have miraculous properties. Colva is at heart of the longest unbroken stretch of beach (25
kms) in Goa from Mormagao peninsular in the north to Cabo de Rama in the south.
A hot-season retreat for Margao's moneyed middle classes since long
before Independence, Colva is the oldest and largest - of south Goa's
resorts. Its leafy outlying vaddos, or wards, are pleasant enough,
dotted with colonial lection of concrete hotels, souvenir stalls and
fly-blown snack bars strewn around a bleak central roundabout. Colva
is pleasant and convenient place to stay, swimming is relatively safe,
while the sand, at least away from the beachfront, is spotless and
scattered with beautiful shells.
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