Mario Miranda's Goa

Yes, there is a Museum dedicated to Mario Miranda. But did you know there is a fort, with not only a breath taking view of North Goa but also spacious reading rooms for you to pick up one of his famous works of art and get lost in the awesomeness of his humour.

This was by far my most favourite part of my recent visit to Goa organised by Tourism of Goa. I was given to understand that we were just visiting a fort, playing touristy in Goa. It is a gorgeous fort Reis Magos is. Beautifully restored with a breathtaking view of the sea.  

What really took my breath away was a retrospective - a collection of all Mario Miranda's work, his cartoons, his stories.

I was tempted to sit right there in the spacious gallery created with so much heart. His illustrations and caricatures about travelling across the globe, browsing through the travel stories and with that million dollar view of the sea! Aha!

A first such space I have seen restored, curated and dedicated to an artist of Indian origin in India with so much care, this I am seeing for the first time in my country. I wish this were done more often in more parts of the country, spaces displaying the history and life of artists, noted representatives of the region in the country. And the best part about is was that it was open to the public, not converted into a private product of capitalistic ambitions. Kudos to the people behind the idea and a pat on the back to those who executed the restoration of the fort and incorporating the retrospective without making any seemingly modern changes to the original structure.

In case you cannot make it to the fort but don't want to leave Goa without some of Mario Miranda's souvenirs, head to the recently launched Mario Gallery in Panjim.

Address: Mario Gallery,

Near Hindu Pharmacy,

Below Aroma Hotel,

Duarte Pacheco Road,

Panaji

Ph.No.+91 0832 2421776

(Note: This was a trip organised and sponsored by Tourism of Goa. But it truly was my most favourite part of the trip as shared here. So much so that I spent most of my money on souvenirs for friends and family back home. Quite unique presents from Goa this time around!)  

A Drive Across North Goa

The weather seems just about right for a post on road trips.

And what better than those smooth winding roads of Goa, peppered with coconut groves and rice paddy lush with the freshness of monsoons. Here's a photo essay of one such road trip I did with my besties Reddy and Shankar on one of my many exploratory trips to Goa.

North Goa is not just about Panjim, Baga or Anjuna. While scanning through a map of Goa, my eyes followed the little specs of beaches along its northern border. Cruising beyond the reaches of Calangute across the crowds of Vagator, brushing past the daze that is Morjim, finally slowing down at the quiet expanse of Querim and landing on the northern most tip of Goa at Tiracol.

Tiracol Fort is located at the mouth of the Tiracol river just a short ferry ride away from Querim beach. We drove down from Anjuna, which was approximately an hour's drive away.  

A little cafe and a gorgeous view of the beach from the fort 

Shankar enjoying the view Querim Beach from the fort 

Its beautiful the way they have restored the fort and converted it into a heritage hotel

Maintaining the classic charm of the fort, the rooms are a pleasure to live in

A classic Goan style church sits snug in the centre of the expanse that is Terecol 

It was interesting to see the class with which a fort was converted into a heritage hotel, ideally perfect for such a purpose. The rooms (I was not allowed to take pictures else would have shared them here) were astonishingly gorgeous and perfect for a honeymoon get away.

But having said that it would have been so much nicer had they created a space open for the public, albeit charging a certain sum of money. To know that only a privileged few could access its beautifully resorted spaces is quite a pity.

Also I would have liked to know the story of the fort through its walls, I am sure it witnessed and withstood many a rulers, many a celebrations and probably battles and massacres. What I missed here was hearing about its true story. 

And earlier this year when I visited Reis Magos Fort on a trip organised by Tourism of Goa, I was so happy to see a beautifully restored fort and open spaces for the general public to lounge around. It also has a retrospective about Mario Miranda. More about that in another post.

 (l-r) Shankar, Reddy, DJ 

None the less, I enjoyed a yummy caramel pudding, (not without my two friends here stealing most of it!) and that fab view of Querim beach at the cafe for visiting guests.

Now savouring the taste of the pudding and that oh so potent sea breeze... until the next road trip :)

If you have the moolah, want to go beyond the five star hotels and need a space to stay far far away from all the tourist clutter, I'd suggest you check in to Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel. I know I would!

Here's a way to reach them:
t: +91(0) 2366227631
w: www.nilaya.com/tiracol  

(Note: This was a self sponsored trip. Shankar and Reddy are my partners in crime for every trip to Goa; a lot because they are my drivers for most of these trips. And now that I drive, they are a little intimidated for the next one :D)