PALOLEM, is paradise found, about 30km south of the bustling town of Margao. Palolem is somewhat different to the rest of Goa's coastline, and pictures are often found in glossy holiday brochures, probably more than any other beach in Goa. The village is not a major package-tour destination, far from it, it is because of its crescent-shaped bay, it's outline containing a perfect row of swaying coconut palms. The best way to desribe it would be that famous 'Bounty advert'. At either end of this beach are woodlands which seem to sink into the sea. At the northen end of this beach you may be lucky enough to see a colony of black-faced langur monkeys, which inhabit the area. Dotted along the beach front are restaurants housed in bamboo structures, each one providing Coco-huts for the travellers to rest in over night. Although these huts are only basic, waking up to the sound of the sea lapping against the shore and the only thing to be seen out of the window, is sand, perhaps a boat, more sand and the glorious warm waters of the Indian Ocean, if you haven't been, it is a must trip so that you can relax properly away from the hoards of tourists found further north.
The peaceful, beautiful village has been kept unspoilt by the help of the local community, who have consistently resisted plans to develop Palolem. The local municipality strictly forbids any concrete construction in the palm groves behind the beach. This has enabled Palolem's season to be considerably longer than the other beaches in the area, so, outside December and January ( the busiest months ), it remains peaceful, with the pace of life set more by the traditional rhythms of toddi tapping than the arrival and departure of tourists. Coconut feni is produced in this village and is still the main cottage industry. Once each week, the telltale roar of stills emanates from little shacks at the less-frequented corners of the village. Head down to the beach the next morning, and you'll see the fruits of this work being loaded onto boats for "export" to Karnataka. The locals keep plenty of the best stuff for themselves, though, both for consumption at home and in the little bars dotted around the groves behind the beach.
