Exploring Goa ...
Explorers are we, intrepid and bold, out in the wild, amongst wonders untold,
equipped with our wits, a map and a snack, we’re searching for fun and we’re
on the rite track!
- From, Calvin and Hobbes
Started of as a plan in a b’day treat 3 months ago, we concluded for a trip that would last in our mind for long. “Goa” was in our tour plans for months together. Finally we decided Independence Day was the right time. Fixed for execution, we booked our tickets exactly a month ago. We were lucky to get most of the tickets in the same coupe. Not knowing how crowded Goa was, we were too lethargic to book rooms till the last week. To our dismay we found that all the hotels through our contacts were booked. No other choice, we fixed our minds to chase for rooms on our first day at Goa and prayed to the “Beach Gods” for help. Google and Microsoft Live were updating weather information on our PC for almost a month now, but no hope of sun yet. Prayer to “Beach Gods” continued – Rain Rain go away, little Johnny want to play!
The journey to Goa was through Indian Railways pride, “The Konkan”. Over the coast line, through the length of Kerala it was really amazing how beautiful “Gods own country” was. We got up early the next day morning just to watch the Goan land. Was really green and beautiful! Initially we had our tickets only till South Goa, which we found out was a place for retirement and not for fun. Only later on we came to know that North Goa was the party place, so we extended our tickets in the same train at “Madgoan”. Got down at “Karmali”, a station in North Goa we traveled to “Panaji”, Goa’s own Capital. The taxi drivers were too helpful. They took us to almost all hotels in Panaji only to show everything was full. They then advised us to stay at “Baga” which was famous for its proximity to famous beaches and parties. Baga too was full. Finally we had to settle for a resort in a not so famous place called “Condolim”. Our prayer did not go in vain. Each accommodation flat was 2 rooms in size and came for a cost that we thought something was wrong with the hotel. The hotel was on the sea shore, had a swimming pool, food stocks in rooms etc. But our minds kept wobbling because the rent was too cheap for such facilities. To worsen our depression, on way to the beach behind, a watchman even looked at us in an odd sense as we were walking out of the hotel. Only later we knew that it was the way Goa worked in off seasons. The rent would be too much to afford during season time (October to April).
The first day was not much of excitement except for the party and beach out at nite. Most of the day was lost in getting a room and making our travel to places from Condolim which was a remote area. Again Gods were in our favor as rains there would not last more than 5 minutes and also was not quite frequent pours. Next day we concluded that local transport would spoil our fun and decided to hire bikes. Yes, you read it right; you can rent bikes at Goa. We started of with our bikes and back pack to beaches and beaches around. We started off the second day with “Fort Aguda”. Was such a beauty, a fort on the shore, Green with brown stones and lot of colorful people! We tried to capture most of it in our cameras. Then it was our travel to “Beach Anjuna”. We were surprised how local vendors there spoke nearly a dozen languages. The beach was crowded though it was off season. We were advised not to swim in the beach as it was rough and only the day before our arrival 2 youngsters were drowned. We made the rest of our day with two birthday treats. The first one was a lunch which started only at 4pm. After which we went for a boat ride over river “Mandovi” at Panaji. On way back we also had a good chill nite out at “Calangute” beach. After which, we took up the second of the treats, at 2 am, yes it was a dinner. We were surprised to hear that restaurants in Goa goes upto morning 5am. Our minds were too fresh but body weak asking for a sleep.
Our 3rd and last day at Goa started of with a travel to Vasco a 30 km ride from our hotel, but to our dismay neither the beaches nor the place was too good. Only entertainment were the route itself and that one of our members met with 3 traffic police. Way back it was time for another treat. We ended our tour with a church in Old Goa, Basilica of Bom Jesus. Seems to be really old church, people said even Portugal did not have such old churches in their country. Again cool place and colorful people. Enjoyed the site and we turned back to pack our bags.
Finally we found out Goa was nothing more than beaches and parties which can be visited in a day or two, but to feel it and enjoy it, you would need weeks together. Nearly a 1000 photos and hours of video shot through out the trip will stay with our memories for times to come.
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