The Mandovi river which runs along Panaji’s northern flank is not just a lifeline to the state capital, but also a fun zone too.
Every evening, barring the monsoon season when the river gets extremely choppy and unsafe, cruise boats ferry thousands of tourists along the picturesque river, where the passengers not only soak in the beauty of the city and the sights along the river, but also sing and dance while sipping on their favourite drink (yes, alcohol is served on board).
That these river cruises are a super hit with tourists is a no-brainer, considering the serpentine queues for the tickets to these floating dos.
The most ideal time for the cruise ride, which lasts in excess of about an hour, is around sun down, when the orange ball of fire finally comes to a rest across the Arabian sea and makes for a stunning sight. If you can’t make it at sun down, try the cruise at night, when the still pristine city of Panaji comes aglow with lights and the beam of the lighthouse at Aguada plays hide and seek with your sight.
The cruise also offers a guided tour along the river, while it glides past the stunning Reis Magos fort (it’s lit up at night) and the beautiful churches of Britona and Old Goa plus the palatial summer palace of the former Adil Shah of Bijapur, as well as the official residence of the Goa Governor, Cabo Raj Bhavan. Another site to look out for, is the palacial Solar Dos Colacos Mansion “ an aristocratic mansion build on the river bank as many as 200 years ago.
Away from the natural delights and sumptuous architectural feast, there’s entertainment onboard the cruise boat too, with troupes performing traditional Goan folk dances like the Dekhni (a temple dance), the Kunbi (a harvest dance), Corridinho (a Portuguese dance) and the Mando (a Luso-Goan dance). And if you are good enough with your feet, you can join in too.
In-house DJs too perform popular numbers and it’s not a rare sight at all to see more than half the guests shaking a leg on the dance-floor on board, to live music.
A cruise ride should cost you upwards of Rs. 200 per head just below the Mandovi river.
