Sheltered by a rocky foreland and tucked at 10 km of distance from Mapusa, Baga Beach in Goa is a lovely retreat house and paradise for nature buffs. It’s a long sandy beach packed with lively shacks, resorts and fishing boats. Being quieter and isolated, it stands among high hills and deep blue Arabian Sea. Wandering all around and relishing several souvenir shops to the best party’s center of the city, the captivating beach offers a wonderful retreat with a wind of vibrating energy. Whether it’s the endless drink & food or the water sports, this beach is full of life and one can enjoy every bit of second, being in the lap of nature. Baga usually figures high on tourist routes due to its exciting nightlife, flea market, eateries and watering holes.

A freshwater spring – from where the fort derives it’s name – within the fort provided water supply to the ships that called there. Ringed by thick battlements, the heart of the fort was protected by two hundred cannons and a deep dry moat, which one still has to cross to get inside.

Strategically located at the estuary of the river Mandovi, this fort was constructed in 1612 as a guard against invasions from the Dutch and the Marathas. The walls of this fort are 5 meters high and 1.3 meters wide. Little surprise then that this remains to be the only fort that was not conquered by any invaders during the 450 yearlong rule of the Portuguese empire.

The area around the fort housed a large well and a number of springs that provided fresh drinking water to the voyagers that arrived by ship. “Agua” in Portuguese means water, thus the fort derived its name “Aguada” to denote a place where water is accumulated.

Steps lead down from the middle of the courtyard within to an enormous vaulted cistern capable of storing ten million litres of fresh water. The other unusual feature of the fort is a four-storey Portuguese lighthouse, erected in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia.

An interesting feature in the precinct of the fort is a 13 meter high lighthouse. This lighthouse, built in 1864, initially used an oil lamp. It was later renovated and modernized in 1976.

This lighthouse was home to a gigantic bell that was retrieved from among the ruins of the St. Augustus monastery at Old Goa. However, the bell has now been moved to the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception church at Panaji.

Though the entire fort is no longer intact, some buildings that are still in good shape have been converted into a prison. Interestingly, it happens to be the largest prison in Goa.

En-route to the fort, one comes across the church of St. Lawrence, the saint of the sailors. The Portuguese used to build churches on the outskirts of the forts to prevent the enemy from firing at a close range.

Club Cubana is set amongst the lush green hills just off the main Anjuna – Arpora road. High on the hill, it offers a a free valet parking and shuttle service to the entry of the aptly dubbed “party in the sky”, where patrons are greeted with a hand painted ultraviolet backdrop of the 12 Zodiac signs.

Mirrors, along with kerosine Tikki torches and fifty large candles spread across the outer terraces of the club provides an ambience that warms guests to their natural surrounds against the dashes of tiger print and beach chic white leather couches, loungers and cabanas that exude elegance.

FACILITIES

Purple and red lighting, all eco friendly, create a soothing ambience amidst coconut trees and plants, whilst steps, ledges and pillars are lined with paint that glows from the UV lights that blanket Club Cubana.

Club Cubana boasts a swimming pool and jaccuzzi, open all night, with dedicated lifeguards for patrons peace of mind and safety. Open air bathrooms maintain hygiene standards with dedicated staff and sensor taps preventing wastage.

3 fully stocked open bars managed by choice bartenders ensures rapid service. The club serves premium Indian Made Foreign Liquor throughout the night in both the VIP area and the main spaces. Cocktails, Champagne and a wide array of imported drinks are available at an additional charge.

A wood fired pizza oven, barbecue grill, and kitchen that was once the families cooking space, maintain the club’s high level of quality providing both veg and non-veg starters and snacks.

THE CLUB

A family home turned house party, Club Cubana attracts an eclectic array of local and international patrons of all ages, including discerning party lovers from Russia, England Germany, South Africa, Korea, Iran, and Mexico.

From dance to commercial, four adaptive resident DJ’s play a variety of music genres including House, Deep-House R&B & hip hop,  to please the variety of patrons seeking a “house party vibe” in a safe and comfortable environment. Fire shows and a large fire fountain, sporadically ignite to inject a burst of energy into an already buzzing atmosphere.

The inside dance floor, the families home, is lined with a wood framed gallery that leads outside overlooking the club and it’s mesmerising view. In the adjacent room, the family dining room table plays stage to guests who feel the need to dance. Woman are free to dance all night in an area strictly reserved for ladies only.

An intelligent fresh air ventilation system sustains equilibrium of temperature inside and outside, and maintains the clubs eco-friendly approach.