Visiting Dona Paula and enjoying the River cruise in Goa

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Visiting Dona Paula and enjoying the River cruise in Goa

A panoramic view of the Dona Paula - confluence of Zuari River with Arabian Sea

           I continue from where I had left off in my previous blog.  Having had our lunch we headed back to our service apartment, so as to avoid the harsh afternoon heat and for a brief siesta as well.  Thereafter, we started for Dona Paula at around 4.30 P.M in the evening and reached there in about 45 minutes.  Dona Paula is a secluded bay about 7 kms. from Panaji, with its magnificent view of the Mormugao harbour, it is one of the must visit destinations of Goa. This idyllic rocky tourist attraction lies at the junction where the Mandovi and the Zuari rivers meets the Arabian Sea.  The Dona Paula monument is located on a small islet, linked to the mainland by a small bridge and a quay.  However, during my visit the entire stretch was under renovation and hence the entire area was barricaded and tourists were not allowed to venture beyond the barricade.  But as I had also visited the destination in 2011, I have used my old pictures to convey the real essence of the destination.

A long shot of the cliff head of famed Dona Paula - present day view

A close up of the Dona Paula - as seen at present from a distance due to repair work

 This destination is also steeped in various local stories about a local lady named Dona Paula, who was in relationship with Portuguese nobility and hence was killed by being thrown off from the cliff.   A small collections of such anecdotes read as follows –

Dona Paula as it looked from nearer the site in 2011

The famed 'Image of India' one looking East and other West depicting confluence to two regions

The busy market selling wares of local flavour

           One legend has it that she was the lady-in-waiting of the Governor-General's wife, and in course of time the Governor fell victim to her beauty and charms. They were found out and the governor's enraged wife had her stripped and bound and rolled over the cliff, into the sea, wearing only her string of pearls, a gift of love from the Governor.

A SHORT VIDEO OF THE WATER SPORTS ETC. IN DONA PAULA, GOA

The local fishermen of the area and other natives of the place narrate quite a few ghost stories about Dona Paula.  Even the setting of moon phase has several connotations in their stories, some say that on moonlit nights, while others swear that on pitch dark nights and few others say that on the stroke of midnight, she rises from the sea and roams the area, wearing only a string of pearls and nothing else.

One of the many jetty s where from one board's the river Cruise boats

As the River cruise in Mondovi River commences

A local fishing boat passes by

          Another story that does round amongst the natives is that on Gasper Dias, a nobleman, on whose estates a fort was built because of its strategic importance, is also said to have been one of Dona Paula's lovers. Her ghost, local villagers say, appears looking desperately for the nobleman.

One of the many floating casinos - The Deltin Casino

Another of the many floating casinos - Casino Pride-II

Another one of the many floating casinos of Mondovi River - Big Daddy casino

However, now a days the most popular legend is that Dona Paula is believed to have been the daughter of one of the Portuguese Viceroys and her lover is believed to have been a native fisherman, a relationship which aroused strong racist feelings amongst the Portuguese, who got her killed by throwing her off from the cliff.  Now her ghost roams at night in search of her native lover.

A Sea Gull flying around for some food thrown by Cruise passengers

A locally ferry transporting passengers across the Mondovi River from Panaji

A typical Portuguese architecture - a home and a chapel

           There is a statute at the rocky cliff head and many just pass it off as the statute of Dona Paula and her lover.  However, the said whitewashed statue sculpted in 1969 by Baroness Von Leistner and named as the "Image of India" and is said to be depicting the figures of Mother India and Young India, one looking to the East and the other to the West. The Wheel of Ashoka, is in the middle half buried in stone to represent the ancient culture that nurtured this fusion of ideas and emotions.  Apart from this windswept spot, there are a lot of local water sport activities that are available here like boating, para-sailing, water scooters, yachting, swimming, wind surfing and fishing.  As for the ladies there are a lot of small shops selling local and other trinkets, which one might like to buy as souvenirs of their visit.

Artists performing Dhangar dance during cruise

Artists performing Kunbi dance on the cruise

The artists performing Musal dance during the river curise

The artists performing the Corredinho dance during the cruise

An integral part of Goa landscape - a Chapel by the river side

A panoramic view of the Miramar beach

As the sun sets and sets the water on fire - as seen from the River cruise

Another view of the setting sun from the River Cruise on Mondovi River in Goa

A fast moving river patrol boat of Goa Police

View of the lighted Chapel against the setting sun in Goa

As the sun light fades - the Casinos light up 

A close up of the Casino Pride II all lighted up as night falls on Mondovi River

Another cruise boat - all decked up at night with florescent colors glides by

View of the Treebo run serviced apartment in Arpora 

A photograph of Salt Restaurant in Arpora, Goa (sourced from web)

            Having spent some quality time at Dona Paula, we retraced our route back to the vicinity of the Panjim Township and visited the Miramar beach.  Thereafter, we headed for the jetty nearby and purchased the tickets for famed Mondovi River Cruise.  The cost the tickets vary from Rs.250/- to 750/- per person based upon the size and amenities being provided in the boats.  We settled for a middle priced Rs.450/- per head cruise boat.  The boat started its journey at around 6.15 P.M and there was an open deck on which the tourists were seated, with a small raised platform at one end where from local disc jockey’s played loud music, inviting the children and ladies in groups to dance on the stage.  After some time a local troupe performed live local dances and the host described the details of dances being performed.  A short detail of the dances performed were – (1) Dhangar Dance - Dhangars, a shepherd community believed to have migrated from Kathiawar region of South Gujarat and settled in the hilly north western fringes of Goa; (2) Kunbi Dance - Kunbis, the earliest settlers of Goa, are a sturdy tribal community, who though converted to Christianity, still retains the most ancient folk tradition of the land. Their songs and dance belonging to the pre-Portuguese era are uniquely social and not religious. The fast and elegant dance by a group of Kunbi women dancers, wearing traditional yet very simple dresses, lends a colourful touch to this ethnic art form.; (3) Mussal Dance - The Kshatriyas, the warrior class of 'Chandor', perform this dance-cum-song to celebrate the victory of Harihar, the Hindu King of Vijaynagar over the Cholas in the early 14th century; and (4) Corredinho Dance - A Portuguese folk dance and a beautiful example of Portuguese cultural influence, this elegant dance is highly popular among Goan elite youth. Corredinho Marcha de Fontainhas, a song-cum-dance, is famous for its rhythmic and exquisite footwork where normally six couples take part. The colourful costumes are a feast to the eye.   There are vendors who do the rounds on the decks selling their ware, mostly food items, but very few people were interested in buying, instead most of us had our eyes riveted on to the nature’s splendour that was unfolding before our eyes or else enjoying the dance show put forth by the troupe.  We returned back to the jetty at around 7.10 P.M and by that time the nightfall had been ushered in and we headed back to our hotel.  That night we dined at a upcoming shack restaurant known as ‘The Salt’ in Arpora, as it was walking destination from our place of stay.  We had authentic Goanese food, with the all-time favourite ‘Fish n’chips’ thrown in, along with main course and we enjoyed the ambience, food & service to the hilt. Thus, ended our second day of our Goa tour.

A SHORT VIDEO THE RIVER CRUISE IN GOA