Dona, a beautiful girl from an affluent Portuguese family falls in love with Paulo, a lowly fisherman belonging to a local fishing hamlet. In yet another Bollywood-esque story, the two jump off a cliff after the girl’s parents refuse to approve of their love. Today, a statue atop that cliff stands as a testament to their eternal love…or so say most of the guileful tourist guides, among other equally riveting versions of how Dona Paula got its name. The fact, however, is far from fiction, and rather disinteresting to a drama-pining ear. According to Portuguese customs, Dona is the title given to married women. And Paula Amaral Antonio de Souto Maior is the lady in debate. Ms. Paula’s family arrived in Goa in 1644 where she married a Fidalgo from Spain in 1656.
A woman of charity, she was known to have helped the villagers and worked for their betterment. Such was her popularity that, after her death in 1682, the village once called Oddavell was renamed to Dona Paula. As for the statue atop the cliff, there is no connection with Ms. Paula’s fictional love life or her charity. Sculpted by Baroness Yrsa von Leistner (1917-2008), for over 40 years, the whitewashed sculpture of ‘India Statue’ has graced a mock acropolis on an outcrop of rock at the end of the Dona Paula road. It portrays a couple looking off in different directions – the man towards the past and the woman towards India’s future.
Dona Paula Jetty
Whether you’re looking for a laidback stroll by the sea or an adrenaline-pumping ride on a water scooter, the Dona Paula jetty is the place to be. Between September and May, this rocky headland is thronged by lovers of water sports including boating, para-sailing, yachting, scuba-diving, swimming, wind surfing, and fishing. The jetty is a mere 10-minute walk or a three-minute drive from Casa Fortuna.
Casinos
Goa is known for its casinos, especially those on the Mandovi river near Panjim. The closest land-based casino is just a few minutes’ drive from Casa Fortuna.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church
Amongst the first to be built in Goa, this magnificent sixteenth century church was later rebuilt from its foundations in 1619. The church is a 10 to 15-minute drive from Casa Fortuna.
Panjim Fish, Meat and Vegetable Market
While you’re in Panjim, be sure to visit the market where everything from the vegetables to the meat and fish is as fresh as it gets. Panjim is a 10 to 15-minute drive from Casa Fortuna.
Goa State Museum
Take a closer look at Goa’s rich culture and history at the State Museum which houses seven galleries that showcase the sculptures, Christian art, Banerji art, religious expression, cultural anthropology, contemporary art, and western bronzes. The museum is located in Panjim’s Patto Plaza, a 10 to 15-minute drive from Casa Fortuna.
Getting around in Goa
Goa offers you numerous options for transport, be it taxis, pilots (motorcycle taxis), rickshaws, or private buses. However, if you prefer going at it alone, you can always hire a car, a scooter, or even a cycle to get around.