Vasco
da Gama, 29-km by road southwest of Panjim, sits on the narrow western tip
of the Marmagoa (also known as Mormugao) peninsula, overlooking the mouth of
the Zuari River. Acquired by the Portuguese in 1543, this strategically
important site was formerly among the busiest ports on India's west coast.
It remains a key shipping centre, with container vessels and iron ore
barges clogging the choppy river mouth, but holds nothing of interest for
visitors, particularly since the completion of the Konkan Railway, when
Goa's main railhead shifted from here to Margao. The only conceivable reason
one might want to come to Vasco is to catch a bus to Dabolim airport, of
Bogmalo beach, 8-km southeast.
Sightseeing at Vasco-da-Gama -
Bogmolo Beach : The sandy beach at the end of the cove would be even
more picturesque were it not for the monstrous multi-storey edifice perched
above it.
A Former Fishing Village, Today's Tourist Hangout
The village is still present at Bogmalo, complete with a tiny-whitewashed
Chapel and gangs of hogs nosing through the rubbish, but its environs have
been transformed. Pricey café-bars blaring Western music have crept
up the beach, while the clearing below the hotel is prowled by assiduous
Kashmiri handicraft vendors.
Compared
to other beaches of Goa, Bogmalo is still a small-scale resort. As long as
one hasn't come to Goa to get away from it all or party all night, then
one'll find Bogmalo congenial enough. The beach is clean and not too
crowded, the water reasonably safe for swimming, and there are plenty of
places to eat, drink and shop. If, on the other hand, one is looking for
somewhere not yet, on the package tourist map, one'll be better off further
south, at the far end of Colva Beach or beyond.
The Naval Aviation Museum : The Naval Aviation Museum The first
naval museum in Asia was inaugurated at Dabolim, Vasco in 1998 and opened
for public from the 19th October 1998. The museum showcases the history of
Indian Naval Aviation, various aircrafts, weapons, sensors, safety
equipment, rare photographs depicting Goa's liberation and artifacts. more.
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Goa Attractions
