Goa is famous in the raver world as the 90's hot spot for all-nigt trance parties.  A previous portuguese colony until relatively late in the 20th century, its majestic beaches and coconut palm inland started attracting hippies and backpackers in the 80's for long-term stays.  As the number of hippies grew, so did the number of parties, and with that, the assortment of drugs.  By the mid 90's Goa had become such a mecca for rave parties that it whole new sound, called Goa Trance, emerged to the acclaim of European and American ravers.  People began to come in droves.  The small state of Goa became a little haven of western vacationers, and the fishermen had to share their beaches with sunbathers and ravers.  The young generation of Indians were aware of this, and began going down in groups of men to watch the white women on the beaches in their bare essentials.

By 2000, the government had received enough complains about the noise created by the all-night parties that they installed a 10PM curfew.  The last I heard, the curfew was in effect, but looking around this Christmas and New Years season, I suspect there is no longer any curfew.  However, the 90's are over and the crowds seem thinned.  The beaches are relatively empty.  The restaurants are vacant, and the clubs and raves don't fill up anymore.  In a way, I feel like I've missed what Goa was all about.  But as I get used to it, I feel lucky to have missed it.  Goa Trance is a monotonous beat with no variation, or originality, and everyone seems to think Extacy is still in.  So maybe I'm better off enjoying the still-beautiful beaches than thinking of this as a lame party state.