Things no one told you about Goa!

Venita Gomes

1. Sussegado does not mean ‘lazy’, but striking a balance between work and life. People in Goa are hardworking and not constantly relaxing or lazy.

Goa|Things you didn't know about Goa|Susegad |Goenkar|Goa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

2. Goa is much more than beaches. There are beautiful historical sites here, if you only know where to look.

Temples of Goa| Goa temples | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

3. Goa is culturally important, and houses a UNESCO World Heritage Site ie Old Goa.

Churches and Convents of Old Goa| Old Goa churches | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

4. The people of Goa are called ‘Goans’ (or Goenkar in the local language) and not 'Goanese'.

Goa life|Life in Goa| Goa local life | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

5. In Goa, you cannot drink or smoke in public places. Doing so is a punishable offence.

Goa|Carnival|drinking|Margao | Photo: GT Digital

6. Not everyone in Goa has names like 'Anthony', 'Pedru', 'David', 'Michael', etc.

Antonio at 31|Panjim| Goa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

7. Goa is home to a variety of unique species of plants, animals, birds, reptiles etc. There are more than 1,512 documented species of plants, 275 species of birds, over 48 kinds of animals and 60 genera of reptiles. 

Western Ghats| Goa| Wildlife | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

8. Every Goan does not live on the beach. There are villages and cities here, too.

Goa beyond beaches| Goa life | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

NEXT: Learning through trekking in Goa on World Earth Day

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