Jake The Snake Boat Trips – Watch Crocodiles in Natural Habitat

• • Goa, North Goa • Tags:
Jake The Snake Boat Trips – Watch Crocodiles in Natural Habitat

During the Goa tour, I read somewhere a brochure talking about Jake The Snake Boat Trips, Backwater Crocodile Dundee, and I riding solo Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark to find out the location – Cumbarjua village somewhere near Old Goa – not sure but the only location to watch crocodiles and the ride continues…

Landmark: Karmali Railway station if coming from NH 17

Karmali Railway Station> Gandhi Circle, Old Goa (2 km)

(A right turn from Gandhi Circle, Old Goa, towards National Highway 4A. Cross a Bridge and a left turn towards Cumbarjua village – I was guided by a local)

Gandhi Circle > Bridge (4.5 km)

Bridge > left-turn(.5 km)

left-turn > Cumbarjua village (5.5 km)

Cumbarjua canal was flowing and I was on top of a bridge. There were no signs of any crocodile watching or a location to hire boats. I decided to ask a carpenter working in his shop close to the canal.

St. Estevam village – The correct location – said He. Take a U-turn drive to Tonca and ask for St. Estevam village.

Ok – said I, and the ride continues…

Cumbarjua village > Tonca turn left (3.5 km)

Tonca turn left > St. Estevam village (1 km)

And a query about Crocodile watching, Cumbarjua canal. I’m riding again.

2.5 km journey passing through St. Estevam church (right side), I again stopped to know about the ferry, and luckily I was welcomed by a person conducting/organizing boat trips for watching crocodiles, and his name is Jake. I was welcome in his home. Jake’s home is very close to St. Estevam Ferry Jetty. Upon query, Jake shared information about boat trips and about the area.

The path I followed to visit St. Estevam village was 15 plus km, but the shortest route is from Gandhi Circle, Old Goa, only 3.5 km approx. – said Jake.

Really??? – said I, and we went to watch the shortest distance. During the walk, he narrated answers as per queries.

Cambarjua canal starts from the Mandovi River and reaches the Zuari River, finally merging into the Arabian Sea. Daujee ferry – The correct location (3.5 km from Gandhi Circle, Old Goa), one has to ask once within Old Goa. Once you are at Daujee Ferry, you can see this location, i.e., St. Estevam Ferry, where we are standing currently.

And you said you organize trips too?

Yes – said He. For the last 25 years, since my father’s days and then for the last 12 years, I, Jake organizing boat trips (Government approved) to watch crocodiles in their natural habitat within the Cumbarjua canal. Crocodiles in these areas are known as saltwater crocodiles/marsh crocodiles. Two wooden boats, having a capacity of 40 passengers each, equipped with all safety equipment along with a western toilet, start at 9:30 morning hours for 2-3 hours, depending upon the visibility of crocodiles. The guest should arrive by 9:00 morning at the Daujee ferry location. Only one trip is organized in a day, but yes, if 15-20 more guests are present, another trip can be arranged. Snacks/Drinks are provided as refreshments during the tour, and narration during the tour is given by Jake himself. It is always good to talk one day in advance via mobile phone or personal visit, especially if you are touring Old Goa.

How many crocodiles one can watch in a day’s trip? – I question.

It depends. 10 years back, I saw 38 crocodiles in a single day. Watching crocodiles is a guarantee – said Jake.

Not only crocodiles, one can also watch different types of birds such as Heron, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Egret, Little Egret, Great Egret, Sandpiper, Kingfisher, etc., etc.

And a brochure describing his job.

Rs. 1200 per person for the trip, but if you want a special trip, then Rs. 15,000 – The cost.

Thank you – said I.

The tour will start only from 21/22 October 2010 and continue till the end of April.

Ok. I will visit for sure.

Welcome – said He.

And he showed his land full of backwaters.

Jake – How do you decide where your lands end?

And we both laughed.

It was time to cross the Cambarjua Canal. The ferry was on the other side. After a few minutes, it was within our side, i.e., St. Estevam village. Thank you, Jake, for saving the next long ride.

5-7 minutes journey and I am on the other side, i.e., Daujee, Old Goa.

Daujee ferry, Old Goa > Gandhi Circle, Old Goa (3.5 km)

Shortest, very shortest isn’t it? Thanks to Jake for the guidance.

Will visit again for sure once the tour starts – said I.

In short, There are two routes to reach the Daujee ferry or St. Estevam ferry, but the shortest route:

Reach Gandhi Circle, Old Goa, and ask for the Daujee ferry – That’s it. Cross via a jetty to reach St. Estevam village, where Jake lives.

St. Estevam village is in Tiswadi taluka of North Goa district.

Mobile (Jake) : 0 – 9822 15 9344 Phone: 0832-2399463

Shri Vijayadurga Temple (Keri) – Built in 1560

• • Goa, North Goa • Tags:
Shri Vijayadurga Temple (Keri) – Built in 1560

Shri Vijayadurga Temple (Keri) is in the Ponda taluka of North Goa district.

If coming via Ponda town turn left once you reach Haveli Chowk, Belgaum National Highway 4A.

Landmark: a) Arya Cashew Products Pvt. Ltd., Appevel village is 3.5 km from Haveli Chowk. b) Hanuman mandir is 4.5 km from Arya Cashew Products Pvt. Ltd. and c) Shree Vijaydurga temple is one km from Hanuman mandir. At Hanuman mandir, if you turn right you can visit Shree Ananta Temple – 4 km. Keri village I find one of the best in Goa. Immense silence and scenic. One should visit.

A Visit to Cashew Nut Processing Plant (Arya Cashew Products Pvt. Ltd.) in Goa

• • Goa, North Goa • Tags:
A Visit to Cashew Nut Processing Plant (Arya Cashew Products Pvt. Ltd.) in Goa

Arya Cashew Products Pvt. Ltd. – a sister concern of Sahakari Spice Farm, read somewhere – places to visit within Goa, and, finally, on the way for a visit to know more about the product tasted since childhood, and a favorite.

A.M. Sahakari – Managing Director was present. Within minutes, Dina Bandekar was present too. He – The Guide and was requested to show the factory, the process of cashew nuts. And we were on the way.

Dina Bandekar has 30 years of experience within the cashew nut industry, as narrated during talks while proceeding toward the factory. March/April/May – The season, said He.

And in short, the major steps below as narrated by him while showing the processing area:

  • The raw nut is purchased from the market at the rate of Rs. 60 approx. per kg. Most purchases are done locally, as the cashew crop is one of the major ones. Other than Sindhudurgh (Maharashtra) is another source, and yes, Sahakari have their own crop.
  • For 2 days, raw cashew is kept under sun’s rays. If not, it will be of no use.
  • The boiling plant is within the factory, having a storage capacity of 320 kg. 4 bags consisting of 80 kg of cashew are added inside. Fire is present that converts water into steam to reach the product. 40 minutes of boiling process and cashew is take-out and again one day to get it cool, as during boiling it is hot.
  •  Manual machines are handled by ladies. Now, cashews are there to be broken for cashew nuts to be taken out.

(The outer hard shell is taken by paint manufacturers as it is used to make wooden paint)

  • Drying chambers are within the factory. There is one brownish outer layer present on top of the cashew nut. Nuts are now placed within drying chambers for 8 hours
  • Once all this is done peeling process starts. As cashew nuts have a brownish outer layer removed manually, which is called polishing, which turns the cashew nut into a white color product.

(This outer brownish layer, kept said,e is used by boot polish manufacturers)

  • Once all the above process is done Cashew nut is almost ready, but it is available in different sizes. Manual sorting is done. There are a few broken ones too during the process, which are used by ice-cream makers.

And thus the whole process is complete. Cashew nut, i.e., Kaju, is ready for sale. The whole process started with Rs. 60 per kg is now between 320-600 per kg, depending upon the quality of the cashew nut. The process seems to be an easy one, but it is not that easy because most of the job is done manually.

The factory operates for 10 months only. January-February, it is closed as there is no work during those months, but yes, half the salary is provided to the workers. Currently, 80 employees work for the plant, and out of 80, 75 are females. Only 5 men.

The reason?

Females are better at work associated with sitting in one place – said the MD.

Since 2004, this factory has been owned by the Sahakari brothers. Any tourist is welcome to watch the process of cashew without any charges.

But yes, I, with a smile, gave a small donation to Dina Bandekar.

Arya Cashew Nuts is approx. 3.5 km from Haveli Chowk, Belgaum National Highway 4A. Turn left (if coming via Ponda town) once you reach Haveli Chowk.

Address: Arya Cashew Products Pvt. Ltd., Appevel village, Sarvorvare road, Ponda, Goa

Phone: 0832-2312423 Mobile: 0-9423837096

Visiting Hours: 8:30 morning – 5:30 evening (All days)

And will say: Yes, you should visit if visiting Goa.

FYI: What we eat (cashew nut) is a seed of a fruit.

A Visit to Casa Araujo Alvares (Loutolim) – 250 Year Old Mansion

• • Goa, South Goa • Tags:

Casa Araujo Alvares, after visiting Big Foot. I saw visitors talking about a mansion and a few crossing the road, lined up to enter. I inquired, and the guard said: I have to buy a ticket from the Big Foot ticket counter to enter.

Visiting Hours: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm / 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

(Tour every 15 minutes)

Rs. 100/person was paid.

Silence, please – The guard requested.

We proceeded inside the mansion. A pre-recorded sound with lighting effects. Dr. Salvador Eufemiano Araujo Alvares, 250 years old home. Let us view the traditional inheritance through the eyes of the modern age.

The narration continues…

– The cold and silent environment around displays the mindset of those days people

– A hat and a walking stick were the Portuguese fashion in those days

– Women used to carry a colorful umbrella

– The stand for Hats is on the left-hand side of the entrance

The reason: When a guest enters the house, the left hand is used to place the Hat on top of the stand, and the right hand is used for a welcome gesture

– palki (palanquin) of those days – conveyance mode

– The main door once opened during sunrise, is shut only at night hours

– The Chapel inside the house is close to the inner entrance gate

– 6:30 pm – The church bell and family members gather around the chapel to pray

– The Home Office of Dr. Salvador Eufemiano Araujo Alvares, advocate by profession

The humble, down-to-earth person is always helpful to the poor in settling disputes outside the court with mutual talks between the parties

– Portuguese law books displayed within a wooden almirah

– Portuguese law takes care of women’s rights, especially during those days

– wooden almirah/furniture with hidden/secret spaces

– The long arms of a wooden chair so that a person can put his or her legs to relax

– hand-written scripts

– The bedroom area with four pillars of the bed

– Master bedroom windows/doors decorated with beautiful carvings

– The wooden ceiling for coolness

– A 150-year-old bed sheet gifted by Lara Gomes

– The commode was used within the bedroom during the night hours because in those days bathroom/latrine was at the back of the home

But nowadays bathroom/latrine is part of living area

– Chini Mitti (china clay) Basin and soap case from England used during face-wash

– room for kids and a maid to take care of them

And Toys from those days

– Windows are not covered with glass but with a seashell

Plenty of seashells were available in Goa on those days

– Walls with gun holes

Professional shooters were hired for defense against the dacoity of the Rane clan

– Secret places to hide

– Barrel to store wine specially brought by Portuguese people from their native places

– Feni – The Goan drink was used for cold/cough, and stomach pain

– The face mask – people used to wear it during festivals and during local plays

– hanging charpai (cot) on the wall used if a guest visits during night hours

– The huge big kitchen and the underground location to store the monthly ration. Closed currently due to snakes/insects

– Keema (traditional meat) preparing machine/wooden boxes to store spices/big matkas (earthen pot) used as an oven

– 150 feet deep Well was dug before the house was built, so that during construction, plenty of water was available

Note: The well was used both by the owner of the house as well as nearby villagers

– Close to the well is a horse-cart/bull-cart and a bicycle

– Aangan (an open courtyard) within the home to be used to dry fish or for any other purpose, or to grow chili/lemon

– A place for meditation and more than 1000 Lord Ganesha idols collected by one of the current inheritors of the house – Shri Maendra. The idol is of different sizes, but the smallest is as small as rice and is made of mud as well as gold

– Adjustable dining table for 24 people

– Chandelier/Glasses from Belgium

– The German lampshade. To burn the lamp, half oil and half water was used during those days, but nowadays it is replaced with electricity

And many more…

Wonderful history – Thanks to the current owners of the ancestral mansion. One should not miss the traditional inheritance if visiting Goa. Casa Araujo Alvares is situated at Loutolim in the Salcette taluka of the South Goa district.

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