Tourist
season taking off subtly
The hospitality industry in Goa this season is quite upbeat
with the prospects of arrivals of over 400 charters from various
international destinations. Ashiwini Kakkar of Thomas Cook
India Ltd, which is responsible for about 25,000 foreign tourists
through charters, expects a big boost to the tourist season
with expectations of 25 to 30 per rise. However, after the
arrival of the first couple or charters, the fortnight intervening
October-November experienced a lull, with SilkAir from Singapore
and Holland, besides Continental Airlines, Moscow, and Domeodedovo
Airlines, putting off their flights for their own ‘operational’.
| Largest
coast guard vessel |
 |
Advanced
offshore patrol vessel “CGS Sagar” built
by Goa Shipyard ltd, was commissioned by Defence Minister
George Fernandes on November 3 at the Mormugao Post.
The 102.5 metres long “Sagar” is the fourth
vessel of its kind and is the largest vessel to be
inducted in the Indian Coast Guard. The 1930 tonne
ship has a range of 6000 nautical miles and can attain
a speed of 21.7 knots with excellent maneuvering capabilities. |
Goa
weather
Though Goa does not experience a real winter as such. However,
by mid-November the weather gradually turns pleasant. The
heat has already been on the decline, the skies are gradually
attaining the regal blue shade to match the waters along
the charming beach stretch. Though the monsoon has departed
all of a sudden this year, several parts of Goa did experience
a heavy downpour, along with thunder claps and lightning
last week.
Goan
scientist off to Antarctica
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences senior research scientist
Dr Joaquim I Goes is off to Antarctica, aboard ice-breaker
Nathaniel Palmer, with a bunch of very well known US scientists
on a National Science Foundation-sponsored mission to examine
the ozone hole and its ultraviolet implications. Dr Goes
is the lead investigator of one of six research teams, which
departed from Christchurch, New Zealand, in end-October.
Old
Goa gears up
With the novenas for the feast of St Francis Xavier at Old
Goa scheduled to commence on November 24, there is plenty
of activity in preparation of the oncoming event. The huge
pandal, with a seating capacity of around 10,000 devotees,
has already taken shape. With the proposal to make Goa a
permanent centre for the International Film Festival of
India, as also with the forthcoming Exposition of the sacred
remains of “Goemcho Saib” next year, the State
government has chalked up a series of steps to improve the
look and facilities at the World Heritage site at Old Goa.
Adorabelle
is “Miss Goa”
A perfect combination of beauty and brains saw Panjim’s
19-year-old Adorabelle Amara bag the coveted “Miss
Goa 2003” title, pushing Valerie Rodrigues to the
first runner-up rung, at the beauty pageant in Park Hyatt
Goa Resort & Spa on November 9. The six finalists vying
for top honours included Valerie Rodrigues, Adoradelle Amaral,
Melissa Fernandes, Veronique Rodrigues, Sneha Lawande and
Seema Kudale They were shortlisted from 32 contestants,
and had to go through three rounds each of beach wear, their
best attire and casuals, while also exhibiting their wits
during the question and answer round. |
