The many delights of Goa

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Baga is one of the better tourist spots to stay in because it's far enough away from the noisy, dusty settlement of Calungute, but still within walking distance from the beach and a mecca of eateries. Every side street hosts more enticing stalls selling goods from brightly coloured fabrics and hand-carved elephants to secondhand books and bizarre fruits.

It is also well worth taking trips out to some of the beaches off the beaten track. Vagator and Candolim were particularly memorable: long sweeping stretches of white sand backed by palm trees interrupted only by small, ramshackle beach huts and the rich, vibrant colours of the Indian women selling crafts. A derelict fortress on the cliffs at Vagotor provides some fantastic views of the river delta and is an absolutely perfect place to watch the infamous Goan sunset.

On arrival, you are required to pay charges for the entry to the park and also for the transport into the forest. This isn’t optional and walking is not recommended. A very cramped and bumpy but exhilarating ride in a 4x4 vehicle allows a fascinating insight to the wildlife and plants in this humid environment.

Spider webs the size of tablecloths spanned the trees – luckily, I didn’t get a glimpse of the web residents. A short scramble over rocks leads to the impressive waterfall, which is one of the highest in India. It is also home to a breed of particularly friendly, yet extremely cheeky, monkeys. Nuts and bananas can be bought from the guides to feed the little creatures, although they will just take whatever they fancy, so be warned. The baby monkeys are particularly gorgeous. Swimming in the pool is a good way to cool down, although the water, as expected, is freezing.