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Journey to Candolim in Goa, A Mini Russia and Europe. Review

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Candolim in goa, mini russiaSituated on the western coast of India, Goa is one of the smallest state in India. It is also one of the newest territory that joined India after India’s Independence, newest being Sikkim. Goa was an enclave of Portugal till 1961 when India and Portugal engaged into military conflict that lasted 36 hours and a 451 years of Portuguese rule was brought to an end becoming a national tragedy for Portugal, but rejoice in India for gaining its historical land.

Today Goa is the holiday destination for Indians as well as foreign tourists. Goa, which is famous for its warm sea water, and clear sky is most popular from October to April. Goa receives heavy rainfall from the month of June to September which is the off season, but still some adventurous tourists visit Goa during these months to experience the wildlife of the western ghats much away from the beaches.

Being back from London, enjoying the night life and party environment in the London bars, Goa is different. Although Goa is famous for its late night beach and cruise parties, the kind of Goa which we saw was calm and peaceful with a little bit of hustle and bustle.

We started from Delhi International Airport and landed on Dabolim Airport in Goa in the evening time. By the time we reached our hotel resort,  which was 45 KM far from the airport, it had become dark. Candolim in North Goa, is comparatively a peaceful and beautiful place. The market alongside a double lane main road was lightened by shop hoardings and yellow street light.

I can say from my observation that Candolim is a mini Russia. Shop banners, signboards, hotel instructions, menu cards in every restaurant were in Russian language and everyone from hotel reception to shopkeepers to waiters knew very fluent Russian though with a distinct accent. My teammate who was also from Russia joked that she feels like home here. Wherever we went we could hear people talking in Russian as the number of tourists coming from Russia is very high.

goa russian language
Usage of Russian language in Goa

Restaurants around are very professionally themed and will involve you completely in typical Goan environment. All the restaurants have their own way of absorbing you, from live music to karaoke. With perfect blend of lighting and old English/American and Russian songs from country to jazz, it lightened the mood and made the evening perfect. Most of the restaurants serve wide variety of food, from `classic Indian to authentic local Goan food to European. And all of this in very reasonable price around ₹400 for two people without drinks. Drinks are available in all the restaurants.

candolim restaurant, the world reporter
Team TWR at a restaurant in Goa (c) TWR

Candolim also has two major super markets, so if you want to cook or make sandwich at your room you can buy everything required for daily needs at very cheap prices. Fruits sold in Goa are very tasty but very costly too. If you want to try some exotic Indian fruits, consider Delhi or Mumbai or any other city which you would be visiting on your trip.

candolim market
Super Market at the Candolim Main Road (c) TWR

Walking on the Candolim streets is a different experience all together. Candolim main road is a narrow two lane road but has less traffic and pedestrian rush. The road is accompanied by markets alongside. There are shops mostly selling souvenirs, clothes, swim wear, semi precious stones or there are restaurants. At night it is lightened by yellow street lights and colorful lights coming from the shops and the restaurants. During day time it is showered by the golden sunlight forming very clear pattern of your shadow on the street. Sun is amazingly bright and people from different parts of the world look amazing bathing with the sunshine together.

candolim main road
Candolim Main Road, (c) TWR

The place had large number of resorts and high quality guest houses, we chose Alor Grande Holiday Resort and were very happy with the service, ambiance and quality. It was more like a big modern apartment complex developed in goan style. In just ₹4500 per night you will get Swimming pool, WiFi (Paid), included breakfast, laundry service and parking facility, the hotel is less than 100m from Candolim main road and main market. And less than 500m far from the Candolim beach.

candolim resort
Alor Grande Holiday Resort, Candolim (c) TWR

Candolim beach is also a peaceful place where sea water is clean and warm. Most of the tourists are from Europe (especially Britain) and Russia. It is the place to sit and relax for sunbath listening to the sounds of waves striking the shore. If you love water sports, you can go for water surfing, motorboat and parachute. As soon as you will enter the beach people will come to you asking if you need shacks or if you want to go for water sports. Beach shack costed only ₹100 per person, per day. And an umbrella costed ₹50. The shack guy was nice and he offered umbrella for free the next day. He will keep coming to ask you if you need anything like snacks, meals or drinks, he will bring it right to the place where you are sitting. Many massage practioners, fruit sellers and tattoo makers will also approach you. Unlike other places, no tourist guides will come after you to hire them. Goa is the place to experience and enjoy yourself.  It becomes really hot in the month of February after 2 o’ clock and it becomes difficult to stay after that on the beach.

candolim beach
Candolim Beach (c) TWR

You can take bike, scooter, or car  on rent and go to nearby and adjacent beaches of Calangute and Bagha, which are equally nice and famous.

Start your day with rich Indian breakfast, walk to the sea, enjoy the sun and warm sea water. When it starts to get hotter, walk down the street, it is a good time to shop. Enjoy the European or Indian lunch in a restaurant. Walk back to your room, watch bollywood movie clips on the TV. Don’t just indulge in running everywhere, seeing everything and getting busy in taking photos, because you will miss the whole point of spending time together and enjoying the present moment. In the evening go back to the beach to see the magnificent sunset, walk down the street and enjoy the jazz and country music playing everywhere. Have a sip of the wine and relax and stimulate your senses with dinner.

Also Read: Goa off the beaten path, Whole Goa in One Day!

You will be glad that you spent your vacation here, this place is suitable for the tourists of all ages, couples and family. Candolim is Goa in the real sense and a mini Russia.

Russian by roots, global citizen by choice. In love with India and Indian culture, love to report everything from politics to military news. Against the controlled media.

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Cheapest place to buy a house abroad

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Buying a house or making investments in development projects was always a great way to access a better life. This can be seen in foreign lands, where families and investors find great opportunities to live or invest —and profit of—. The dominican republic real estate is one of the best ways to do so.

Buying property oversea

Nowadays, many people find that the best way to invest in the real estate business is to look oversea; there are incredible countries and opportunities to get our money’s worth. Between the best places, we can mention the Caribbean shore and, in Europe, the Spanish peninsula —between many others—. These places are beautiful and the respective real estate markets are strong.

Nevertheless, the people who have most success in this area recommend getting a great assessor in property law & investment from the country in which we want to make our investment. The cost of doing so is marginal, but it can help us to avoid any inconvenient or delay in the process.

Which are the best options to buy abroad?

Spain

According to the specialists, Spain can be one of the most attractive places to live and invest. There, the opportunities are bigger and more lucrative, as this country contains some of the most exclusive cultural and historical sites in the world, and is one of the most selected destinations because of his great landscapes and beaches.

The real estate law is especially hard, and requires the listing of a professional that can resolve the different aspects of the purchase. Even more, if we want to invest in an urban project, they bring comfort and security to the process —they are guaranties of the success of our investment—.

Even though the spain real estate business can be complex and overwhelming for someone who doesn’t know the law —many taxes must be pay and there’s an abundance of documentation that must be presented to avoid any inconvenient—, it remains one of the best options to buy abroad.

The Caribbean shores and Dominican Republic

Across the Atlantic, one of the most lucrative and safer investments out there remain in the Caribbean shores; in the Dominican Republic real estate business. If we want to buy a house to live in or if we want to put our savings in a safe and profitable financial instrument, there’s no better place.

Effectively, this country is much cheaper than Spain. This is one of the most important reasons why so many people choose to live there. In the Caribbean, we can find many affordable properties and developments of ever-growing performance in a market of great demand.

There, we can find many properties close to the most incredible shores in the whole continent; even more, the prospect of growth in this market, over the years, will give us a profit over our investment that can’t be match.

Many specialists recommend investing in the Dominican Republic real estate. Then also indicate the benefits of hiring a property law advisor that can provide knowledge and experience in the matter. The cost of doing so is relatively low, and it betters our chances to buy a cheap house abroad.

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Yacht charter in Barcelona, the comfort and privacy you can’t get on land

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Traveling the coast of Barcelona in a luxury yacht is an unforgettable experience that everyone should experience sometime in their lives. It is the perfect trip for those who want to get away from the city and its noises, to relax in a peaceful atmosphere that can only be reached at sea.

Barcelona, located on the northeast coast of the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the most visited cities in Spain, even in Europe. It is the perfect place to enjoy the architectural, artistic, cultural and gastronomic diversity of the country, making it one of the favorite tourist destinations for millions of people around the world.

Among all the many attributes that the city of Barcelona has, one of the most outstanding is its beaches. Years ago the American magazine National Geographic named Barcelona as the best coastal city in the world.

There are 4 kilometers of sand in the Catalan capital available for the fans of maritime landscapes, finding beaches for any activity you could wish for during your holidays, either to relax, practice water sports and more. 

Among all the activities that have been on the rise in this paradise is the rental of luxury yachts. And nothing can compare to sailing along the beautiful coasts of Barcelona in one of these majestic vessels, which are at your disposal to discover the most beautiful landscapes.

Undoubtedly, touring these paradisiacal landscapes aboard Barcelona charters is the best way to get away from the noise of the city and just enjoy the feeling of freedom and calm that can only be achieved on the high seas.

Imagine living the pleasure of riding on a modern motor yacht with capacity for a dozen people traveling at speeds up to 25 knots; it would be, without a doubt, a unique experience! 

In the city of Barcelona there are prestigious agencies that rent these fast and elegant luxury boats for periods ranging from one hour to the whole day and even the weekend. 

These services are aimed at VIP clients and can be used for all kinds of events, such as corporate events, meetings and romantic dinners, including unforgettable tours along the coast of Barcelona and the Maresme. There is also the option of buying drinks on the boat and catering service. There are a lot of possibilities, and companies will always provide alternatives to suit the client’s needs.

Learn a little more about these boats

Luxury yachts fascinate those who seek privacy and comfort in its maximum expression, which is sometimes difficult to achieve on land. It is a pleasant way to get away from the world.

These boats can be quite amazing in terms of all the luxury features they offer. Specialized blogs have even made rankings of the 10 most expensive yachts in the world, which are a privilege that is only reserved for a very exclusive elite.

These yachts are considered by many as titans of floating vehicles. They are jewels of engineering equipped with the latest technology and elements for maximum comfort. 

The top 10 most expensive yachts are as follows: 

1.- History Supreme ($4.8 billion).

2.- Eclipse ($1.5 billion).

3.- Streets of Monaco (1.1 billion dollars).

4.- Topaz (527 million dollars).

5.- Motor Yacht A ($440 million).

6.- Dubai (350 million dollars).

Sailing Yacht A (US$323 million).

8.- Al Said (300 million dollars).

9.- Dilbar (256 million dollars).

10.- Lady Moura (210 million dollars).

We encourage you to review the features of these amazing vessels in specialized portals, among which we can mention, heated swimming pools, heliports, basketball courts, concert halls and more. The wealthy owners of these “mega yachts” spare no expenses to make these vehicles with all the comforts that anyone could imagine.

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Planning to Travel? Here Are the Do’s to Observe

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Air travel

Traveling abroad isn’t just a matter of packing and leaving; there several significant aspects of your journey that you need to be on top of before you embark on your journey. For a safe, peaceful, and enjoyable stay at your travel destination, your health should top the list from your travel plans.

It would be best to consider a thorough health checkup for vital health concerns like vaccination, blood test, malaria, urine test, and dental checkup.

Why Is a Dental Checkup Important?

If you plan to have an extended stay, you should tend to broken fillings, decayed teeth, or any dental issues to minimize dental emergencies. It’s prudent to also have the necessary treatment before leaving.

The standards of dental care worldwide vary widely and the certainty of getting dental supplies from a trusted and certified dental supplier isn’t assured. The cost may also become cumbersome given that your destination of choice may not have dental care coverage for kids.

Depending on where you’re traveling, either in developing, developed, or remote areas, leaving your dental health to chance can be uncomfortable if not dangerous. Your chosen destination may lack the resources, dental supplies, and equipment to cater to your dental needs.

Air travel causes specific pressure changes, affecting your root canal, causing pain and potential infections. Therefore, it’s advisable to ensure that you complete all your treatment before traveling or consider paste filling to minimize the risks.

Pericoronitis is an infection caused by food trapped through the flesh covering your teeth. The condition can spread to parts of your neck and head; to avoid this outcome, consider removing lower wisdom teeth that are partially exposed.

The other thing you should look out for is if you have gum (periodontal) disease, it’s essential to have your teeth cleaned by a hygienist or a dentist.

Checklist Before Travel

As stated earlier, the most vital thing is you and your health, so here are some things you should consider.

Travel Insurance

Probably, the health care insurance coverage that you have at the moment will not cover the scope of international travel. After you’ve assessed the situation keenly, consider opting for emergency medical insurance and medical evacuation.

The majority of options and plans offered by travel insurance providers occasionally cover trip cancellation, lost luggage, plus medical emergency and evacuation.

Get the Right Visa

Do thorough research on the kind of visa you need. This is a critical but overlooked aspect by many travelers. Any mixup can turn your trip into a disaster, as this little mistake could mean you’ll get turned away from the said country.

To make matters worse, you won’t even be allowed to leave the airport, which should serve as a motivation to be extra keen. Find out the visa you qualify for and apply early in advance.

Pre-Book Accommodations

You wouldn’t want to deal with the stressors involved in getting an instant spot without prior arrangements. Start on the right foot by booking a one-night accommodation in advance, ensuring you aren’t anxious through your journey.

You can have a fun-filled day exploring the area after a comfortable night’s sleep. To prepare for any eventualities, ensure that you also have a hard copy of your accommodation reservation besides having a soft copy.

Travel Advisory

Before you decide your destination, it’s vital to cross-reference through the government state department website to see if the country you wish to travel to poses a threat (short or long term) to travelers. You’ll find a list of countries with a travel warning. This is critical because travel insurance does not cover countries under a travel warning.

Vaccination

Scour through to find the health information of the country you’ll be traveling to and whether you’ll need to be vaccinated. Finding out nations that pose a risk to your health are highlighted on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

This mainly applies if you’re traveling to third-world countries and the vaccination may vary, including yellow fever, Zika virus, malaria, cholera, etc. Also, get enough supplements to last you the entire trip if you aren’t sure you’ll be able to supplement your fill abroad.

To avoid security hiccups, find out which drug prescriptions are not illegal in your destination or countries you’ll pass through. It’s essential to bring along photocopies of your prescription and always carry the medicine in its prescribed bottle.

Suppose your medical condition requires you to have syringes, relay the information before security checks. Take your vaccination six weeks before departure, as vaccines take a couple of weeks before they can kick in.

Enjoy Your Stay

We didn’t delve deeper into aspects including culture shock, travel deals, packaging, payment methods, etc., adhering to those mentioned above essential will keep your mind at ease. What remains is to enjoy your exploration.

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