Written by: Bhushan
Dona Paula/Bambolim Beach
The story of Raj Kapoor’s blockbuster move ‘Bobby’ is quite akin to the legend of Dona Paula (Dona is a Portuguese title. Paula is obviously her name) although Raj Kapoor for the sex jumbled up. Legend has it that it was from this cliff that Dona Paula jumped off from after her father refused to let her get married to a local fisherman.
At the base of the Dona Paula cliff you’ll find a large modernist sculpture of a man and woman facing opposite directions. This is sculpture is Baroness Yrsa von Leistner’s interpretation of vision vis a vis gender has now become a land mark in its own right. The entire area, which includes the cliff and the small but picturesque jetty, is now named after the tragic lover. This area has evolved a major tourist attraction in the capital and has carved a niche for itself.
Bambolim beach lies on the other side of the water-filled crescent. Also known as Hawaii beach, it’s a relatively less frequented beach. Till some years ago, the beach was a popular haunt for the Panjim populace for Sunday picnics, but the quality of water has worsened a bit, thanks to lack of maintenance and an overdose of water sports at Dona Paula.
Weather
Sun is an extremely faithful companion for most parts of the year. But the cool breeze from the sea kind of neutralizes the harsh effects of 33 degree Celsius plus heat. Rains bring a break from this weather from mid May to mid September.
Best time to visit:
Conventionally popular visiting months are from October to March. Some try to avoid Goa in the rains. But it’s worth a visit then too, to see the monsoons in their uninhibited glory.
Getting there / Route Information
By Bus
Reaching Dona Paula is as easy as it can get by bus. All you’ve got to do is, sneak into one of those mini buses which move in a serpentine like manner all the way from the Kadamba Transport Corporation bus stand in Panaji to Dona Paula. The distance is about six kilometres and tends to take 25 minutes to get there. The bus drives you up to fifty metres of the Dona Paula jetty.
By Train
Train is a no no… if you have to visit this place. The nearest station is Karmali which is about 22 km from Dona Paula. So if it’s a train you are coming by, do alight at Karmali. But there are virtually no buses anywhere close to the station, so you would have to rely on cabs, autos or pilots if you are single.
By Air
The only place you are going to land in is the Dabolim airport, which is about 37 km from Dona Paula.
Pictures of Dona Paula/Bambolim Beach
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Major attractions
Dona Paula is a place around which there’s much to do. To begin with, there are rows of makeshift stores lined up along the jetty where you can buy trinket galore. You will in all likelihood be hawked by hawkers, but there is an easy way to get rid of them. You can take a 25 minute ride right across the bay to Mormugao is a jetty. It’s a very beautiful ride. If you want to kick some surf, you can hire a jet ski and skim the sea to your hearts content. You name the water sport and you get it here, whether it’s a toboggan ride, water skiing, snorkelling or even sports fishing you want to do, armed with a harpoon and all that. This jetty is known to be an anglers paradise, do if you are fishing enthusiast do get your line and bait and with some patience you could be rewarded with some tasty salt-water fish.
Here’s something that you would relish. You could ask the water sports operator to drop you off at the secluded beach of Bambolim which lies on the other end of the cove, and request him to pick you up in a couple of hours. Here you can swim to your hearts content. Because, Bambolim is a sheltered cove, the sea is relatively calm and thus safe to swim.
A short distance away you could visit the famous Panjim church, which stands in imposing fashion in the heart of the city. The church can be seen in innumerable Bollywood movies.
Events
Panaji, the capital is choc a bloc with music performances, vocals etc. Visit Kala Academy for a week’s listing of shows, which are conducted at the premise. Most bars and club in Panaji install wide screen monitors throughout the football season and matches are telecast live on them.
Nightlife
The imposing Caravela is just around the corner. It’s the only floating casino in the state and runs till the early hours of the morning. It would be fascinating to try your luck at the casino, whether its roulette or the numerous slot machines etc. Several five star hotels in the state also have slot machines installed, to be used by their guests
Shopping
If you haven’t done shopping enough in Dona Paula, You could go to the 18th Juen road to pick up whatever you need, right from varieties of exotic cashew nuts or liquor. The road which is the prime shopping destination in the city caters to lakhs of tourists each year.
Vital Tourist Information
Hotel availability
Since Dona Paula is close to the capital, Panaji accommodation should be the least of your worries. The town is dotted with various hotels and lodges. There are several Inns too which are very beautifully maintained Portuguese mansions complete with a four poster bed per room.
Local Transportation
Motorcycle
The most preferred mode of transport is a motorcycle pilot, which are in effect two wheeler taxis, driven by licenced riders, who can transport one individual at a time.
Rent-a-bike
This is the latest addition to the transport modes in Goa and has become an instant hit. These self-driven yellow-letters-on-black number plate two wheelers or four wheelers can be sourced from the hotel you are put up in.
Taxis
Taxis, although are easily available during the peak season, the rates charged are exorbitant. Try hardball bargaining.
Nearest known city: Panaji is at a distance of about 6 km
| Hospitals: | Goa Medical College. Tel: 0832-2458700/16 |
| Police: | Panaji police station. Tel: 0832-2226482 |
Superb beach.. Best to be in new year eve. Ah… you need to book hotels in advance, it will be crowded in christmas holidays.