With a dearth of walking tours in Goa, one group stands out, enabling participants to touch base with local life and have a close up view of an authentic Goan experience
Fernando Monte da Silva/The Goan
Published Jan 12, 2013
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Goa, with its quaint lack of consideration towards modernplanning, has culture hidden in the most unexpected places. Discovering some ofthese best kept cultural secrets of the state can sometimes be tricky, and mayrequire the aid of experienced guiding hand. ‘Cholta Cholta’, meaning ‘whilstwalking’ in Konkani, the official language of Goa, is a tour that allows one toexplore and experience Goan heritage in a meaningful manner.
Sujata Noronha, one of the founders of the ‘Cholta Cholta’concept shares, “The purpose of our walking tours is to provide the group withpersonal experiences and a greater level of in-depth understanding. They are,in turn, led by local experts who support both walking and learning. The mostheartening aspect of these walks is when long-time residents learn about theirown surroundings after experiencing a ‘Cholta’.”
And Panjim, the core area of the group’s programmes isindeed designed for walking. The city is made up of a web of little streets,intricate alley ways and remarkable history housed by old buildings andstructures, that for the most part goes unnoticed. It is impossible to touch onGoan history in the same manner while in a car or bus. Recent times have seenextensions of the group’s activities in the heritage structures of Old Goa aswell as the Reis Magos Fort.
Michael Little, who undertook one such tour, or as theorganisers all it, ‘Cholta’, says, “My experience was truly a special one.There were participative children in the group that were awed by the size ofAdil Shah’s palace, and the history surrounding it. We could visualise first-handthe guide’s passion for history, art and architecture. It was palpable to saythe least.”
These walking tours customarily end with breakfast at alocal restaurant. This is designed in such a way, that the famished walkers aretreated to an experience that encompasses the true flavour of a Goan morning,and feed the rumbling stomach after having nourishingly fed the mind.
