THE world is a funny place, and it's only getting crazier by the minute. Gone are the days of hopping onto the family llama for a quick trip downtown (if ever there were days like that); as a species, we are now more comfortable with being strapped into giant metal cans and flung towards the opposite end of the earth than ever before and that means that the world of travel has changed dramatically in the last couple of decades.
There is now a higher risk of not knowing which country you've just woken up in (this has been scientifically verified by singing along to songs such as "Waking Up In Vegas") but fear not, for I've just compiled a handy list of indicators that will help you realize, without a shadow of a doubt, that you've landed up in the balmy daydream that is my hometown, Goa...
The local business' lunch breaks are longer than their working hours
If you haven't ever set foot in Goa, you might think that I'm pulling your leg with this one but an afternoon here would be more than enough to assure you that I'm only slightly exaggerating - if at all. Goans are notorious for being aggressively protective of their "me time" and that still holds true in the numerous agricultural villages that dot the interior of the state.
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Alternative Methods To Chill In Goa
It might seem strange if I said that ice cream can warm the heart, but consider for a moment, the possibility of that being true. Somehow, ice cream always ties in with more than fleeting emotion; there’s always a back story, and it’s almost always a good one.
Stop, Wait A Minute! You Love Goa? We Do Too!
Here is what you can do to minimise your impact while you holiday, do your part towards the responsible tourism movement in Goa. Jason Santos takes you through what you can do to chip in.
Readying For The Rainy Season
IN the seventies, the monsoons meant a big, momentous event mainly due to the sheer intensity of the rains. So why did one have to prepare for the monsoons? Because once it rained, it simply poured and poured. And it stayed put for four months, hiding the sun behind a blanket of thick grey clouds.
A New Hip Thing Is Brewing In Goa!
After taking the world by storm as a health food craze, kombucha has gradually become a routine part of many people’s diets in Goa. Fans of this fermented and sweetened tea, that tastes somewhere between vinegar and champagne, frequently say it can provide a wide range of health benefits. While there is not much evidence for most of these claims, the popularity of the drink, nonetheless, is on a steady rise. From grocery stores to restaurants, cafés and hotel properties, everyone seems to be trying to cash in on this new ‘hip’ trend in the state. Planet Goa takes a sip and tells you why you should drink it, how you should drink it and where.
A Konkan Abode - The Transition Of ‘Goan' Architecture
What is ‘Goan Architecture’ and how has it evolved from majestic heritage monuments to contemporary design masterpieces? Jason Santos details the journey through the old world charm of Goan designs to the latest architectural developments in the state.
A Treasure-trove Of Knowledge: The Panjim Library
GOA is best known for its beaches, parties, casinos, churches, food and historical places that are no longer functions such as the Augustine Tower. Very few people know about the Krishnadas Shama Library in Panjim.
Loutolim - The Land Of Green Fields And Palatial House
Team Planet Goa takes a trip to explore the beauty of Loutolim the people, the places and the stories that makes this village an intriguing place worth visiting.
The Lines That Goa Remembers
YOU’RE unlikely to have these books thrust into your face when you visit Goa. On the contrary, you might wonder where to find these tomes. That’s the sad part of Goa’s book trade: interesting books can be hard to find. Worse still, you might never ever get to know of them.
Women At Work
Museum of Goa’s noteworthy initiative W@W aspires for an equal society, channeling the energies of creative minds in a productive direction.
You Know You're In South Goa When...
THE world is a funny place, and it's only getting crazier by the minute. Gone are the days of hopping onto the family llama for a quick trip downtown (if ever there were days like that); as a species, we are now more comfortable with being strapped into giant metal cans and flung towards the opposite end of the earth than ever before and that means that the world of travel has changed dramatically in the last couple of decades.
Tips to Help You Get Your Work Mojo Back
Do you ever wake up on a workday and say, “I don’t want to do it”? Is there a task you just can’t find the wherewithal to finish? Are you tempted to transition from working at home to taking a nap at home?
Tips to Boost Your Android Phone's Battery Life
A number of factors contribute to poor battery life on your Android phone. Thinner bodies, brighter screens, faster processors, more background software, and speedier internet connections all take their toll on phone batteries, though manufacturers are incorporating more powerful batteries to compensate. The Motorola Moto G Power has a 5,000mAh battery that can last for over 18 hours. Samsung’s Galaxy S phones, the most popular Android devices, can now last anywhere between 11 and 13 hours, depending on the model. Still, there are ways to get more out of any phone.
Steve Wozniak's New Startup Melds Blockchain and Green Tech
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has a new company that’s promising energy industry innovation through a virtual currency called “WOZX.” We know, it sounds weird. But Wozniak is hoping the new startup, called Efforce, will help stop climate change by promoting “green” energy-efficient technologies.
Heading Back to the Office: An Employee's Guide
Many businesses are preparing to transition employees back to offices, either to alleviate the stress of isolation or simply to stay afloat financially. Whatever the reason, keeping employees safe means employers must overcome a variety of hurdles, including adhering to new health and safety regulations that will likely include all-new considerations such as contact tracing and keeping employees properly distanced using space management tools.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HEALTH & FITNESS TECH - THE WFH (WORKOUT FROM HOME) EDITION
If the new year has you motivated to drop your quarantine 15 or take steps to boost your immunity amid the still-raging COVID-19 pandemic, there’s no shortage of smart health and fitness technologies that can help you meet your goal.
YOUR GPS MAY BE SPYING ON YOU
Beware. Your GPS may be collecting evidence against you.
NEFARIOUS JAMES GET OFF YOUR ASS AMERICA
Here we are finally in the new year of 2021.
SPYKE AND MIKE
“Woohoo, it’s 2021! Mike and I are both looking forward to 2020 being over, my BTR friends.
Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat ST75: Versatile and Affordable
Smart thermostats make it easy to control your home’s heating and cooling system from just about anywhere, and the Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat ST75 is no different. But in addition to phone and voice control, it offers a responsive color touch-screen control panel. Easy on the eyes and simple to install, the ST75 is a bit more expensive than our Editors’ Choice winner for affordable thermostats, the Nest Thermostat ($129.99). That said, the Sensi model adds support for Apple’s HomeKit and Samsung’s SmartThings home automation platforms, as well as native Siri voice control, making it an excellent alternative to the Nest Thermostat for those who use any of those systems.
THE ICONIC AMAZING ARTIST
It all started with the buffalo bike.