Monday 28 January 2019

Sea Rafting in Goa




The post monsoon season brings an exciting vibe to Goa. Its time to hit the beaches for some frolic and fun! Water lovers can enjoy beach sports and water rides or simply soak in some sun. Adventure enthusiasts are always looking for something exciting in the arena of water sports and come to Goa to have a thrilling experience!

The newest water adventure one can engage in at the beach is - Sea Rafting which is now available in India and our own Goa! This activity basically entails a raft ride right in the middle of the sea. Authorized by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Sea Water Rafting is considered safe with safety precautions and dedicated lifeguards staff monitoring all the time for the best rafting experience. Sea Rafting has become the most sought after and talked about beach activity as its a fun ride and can be taken together in groups. This thrilling and entertaining activity has won many hearts and tops lists of water sports enthusiasts now!

The best time to enjoy this joyous ride is between October and May. The waves during this period provide the best condition on the Goan coast for rafts to tumble and topple the dashing waves and create thrilling bumps for the raft riders! Each boat will be accompanied by experienced guides and riders will be well instructed before their rafting journey begins. So, come on, get your rafting gear on!

Best time to visit: October to May
Duration: 2 hours
Wear:
Ø  Comfortable Swimwear or Swimsuit
Ø  followed by an outfit like T-Shirt and Shorts or Tights
Ø  Towel


FredTravels will help you have the best Sea Rafting experience in India!
For further details, please contact us.

Sunday 20 January 2019

Dandeli- A Walk into Nature’s Nest





Dandeli a tiny town located on the banks of the river Kali,  in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is an ideal vacation destination. This small town is full of   adventure, scenic beauty, soothing solitude and wildlife trails makes this an unique place to vacation. Of late Dandeli, has been gaining a lot of popularity among travelers & is becoming a favorite spot for those who love nature.   


HISTORY

Dandeli has a rich & fascinating history that makes for some great folklore. A local legend states that the city is named after Dandelappa, a local deity & a humble servant of the Mirashi landlords who lost his life because of his loyalty. An alternative legend states that a king named Dandakanayaka passed through the forest & named it after himself & the city is believed to stand on the place where Dandakaranya stood when he named the area.


HOW TO GET THERE

By Road
From Goa (Panjim): Kms: 136 via road (NH748)
Duration: Approximately 3 hrs .5hours   

From Goa (Madgaon): Kms: 117 via road (NH748)
Duration: Approximately 3 hrs 5 mins 


BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Dandeli is from October to May when its beauty blooms in full glory.

The ideal time to visit the Wildlife Sanctuary is from October to November to view different species in their natural habitat.

March to May is the suitable time for water sports & adventure activities when the weather is pleasant & doubles the fun.


WHAT TO SEE

Places to visit in Dandeli:
l  Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary - It is a wildlife sanctuary located on the banks of the river Kali in Dandeli & is the second largest in Karnataka. This sanctuary is home to tigers, leopards, black panthers, crocodiles, birds, reptiles etc. It has become an important tourist destination & attracts many local & foreign tourists.
l  Dandakaranya Eco Park - It is a theme park located in Dandeli & is one of the best tourist spots. This park is renowned for its famous statues of well-known Hollywood animated movies & Indian cartoon characters, attracting a number of children to bond with nature. 
l  Moulangi Eco Park - It is an eco park located 7 kms from Dandeli & is a popular picnic spot for tourists. It is filled with beautiful bamboo trees & is home to various species of plants & animals. This park is ideal for adventure lovers & campers.


WHAT TO EAT

There are a few restaurants in Dandeli which offer South Indian food. It is best to to go with the food offered by the resort you are staying.

There are meal houses also known as Khanavals, which offer vegetarian food on per plate basis.


ACCOMODATION

Resorts in Dandeli:
l  Bison River Resort
l  Starling River Resort
l  Whistling Woodzs Resort
l  Hornbill River Resort
l  Magenta Resort
l  Dew Drops Jungle Resort
l  Century Resort


THINGS TO DO

Shop:
l  Bamboo craft items.
l  Souvenirs such as bags, hand woven baskets, flutes, body gears made out of bamboo.  

Activities:
l  White Water Rafting & Coracle Boat Ride in Kali River
l  Wildlife Safari in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
l  Mountain Biking, Bird Watching & Nature Walk in the Forest of Dandeli
l  Experiencing the Natural Jacuzzi Bath or River Crossing
l  Trekking


Friday 11 January 2019

Goa Carnival


Who has not heard of the famous Goa Carnival?

If the word Carnival conjures up images of vibrant colours, people dressed in fancy costumes, lots of fun and revelry, then the Goa Carnaval will not disappoint you! One of Goa’s most popular and enduring attractions is the Goa Carnival. Experience the carnival just like it is in South America, yet with a distinctly Indian touch. The carnival consists of parades across the length and breadth of Goa, most noticeably in Margao, Panaji, Vasco and Mapusa. Like all other Latin American carnivals, the Goa Carnaval culminates in the crowning of the indubitable King Momo, who is selected from the participants.

It usually takes place each year around February. It was introduced by the Portuguese who ruled over Goa for almost 450 years and is originally celebrated by the Catholics. The carnival marks the celebrations before the month of Lent which characterizes fasting. It starts on the first day with a grand procession headed by King Momo. Huge colourful parades take over the state’s cities as the streets become lively with the traditional carnival costumes, bands, floats & dances. Most of the streets are decorated with attractive lighting & grand balls. Goa forgets to sleep during this carnival as these parades continue throughout the night. It concludes on the final day with the famous red & black dance. It features a frenzy of tourist activities. Most of the tourists indulge in feasting, merrymaking and drinking throughout the day. Although it started as a celebration by the local people, it has attracted thousands of people from all over the country and even from around the globe.
Dating back to the reign of the Portuguese, the carnival has a distinct Portuguese flavor; yet it has transcended any cultural or religious barriers and is an iconic Goan event.

How did it Begin?

The Carnival comes from early Christianity, and is celebrated in several countries, especially in South America, and is popularly known as Mardi Gras. The carnival typically falls on the last Tuesday before the Lent season begins. It is the last day that believing Christians eat rich foods before they go into the fasting or abstinence period.
With the long Portuguese settlement in the state, the Carnival has become very much a part and parcel of Goan culture and heritage. This 4-day jamboree of fun and folic is much awaited by the locals and tourists alike.

The Festivities

While Goa is the quintessential tourist paradise, nothing brings out the colours and flavours of Goa like the carnival does! And nothing brings in the tourists in hordes like the carnival does! Tourists Indian and international, looking to have fun and make merry make a beeline to this event. There are parades all over the streets of Goa, coupled with dancers and live music bands. The entire State is decked up in fancy lights and decorations. And of course, what is Goa without food and drinks. The sumptuous food and drink stalls further add to the revelry.
The fourth day marks the finale of the event and is a glorious spectacle to behold. The King of Chaos, Momo, leads this parade, urging the public to ‘eat, drink and make merry’. He is accompanied by a motley coterie of jesters, fire-eaters, dancers, clowns, acrobats and what-have-you.

Travel Buzz:

It continues to be cool and breezy in February, so it’s a great time to be in Goa. Ideally, you would want to book early though, as hotel prices, as well as flight tickets are much in demand, and thus pretty high.

The Specifics

When: 2nd – 5th March, 2019
Where: Panjim (North Goa), Madgaon (South Goa), Vasco da Gama (South Goa), Mapusa, Morjim (both in North Goa) & Curchorem (South Goa)
Entry: Free, and open to all
Fred Travels offers transportation facilities to the Carnival
Email us for Family and Group tours : enquiries@fredtravels.com

Tips

  • Bring some fancy & colorful clothes for the Goa Carnival Festival and you can even buy some headgears as well.
  • Bring comfortable shoes or slippers in which you can walk for long distance. Because if you will take part in different activities in Goa Carnival, then you may have to walk on the streets also.