Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Goa Diaries
Bandoli, India
New years eve and new years , a great time for partying , for being with friends and family . What better place would I have chosen this year for holidaying than Goa . A small place situated off the coast of eastern maharashtra . A 250 mile rush up from the place where I stay . Works is done and slowly the holiday fever sets in . Christmas takes its toll and we plan to leave for this place . Its 4:30 am in the morning , where I land up at the point of departure . We leave for goa in a cold chili morning , donning a bunch of sweaters and jackets to fight off the early morning cold . By the time friends catch up , its 6 already . The early morning rays light up the sky with a golden tinge and we set off for our journey to the ever beautiful beaches of Goa. Its an 8 hours journey by car . We took turns in driving it up the way so far . Half the day has passed already as we reach our destination . Day 1 , tired but more excited . A small nap cordones off all the tiredness . We meet our host who has arranged our stay at the most beautiful place in goa called Dona paula . She is indeed warm hearted and has kept for us a series of troubleshooting guides loaded with maps and manuals and kitchen appliances and another list of to do's and donts . Finally as we see her off , we then make ardent plans to stick to our vacation plan . Goa finally , the excitement kicks in , the happiness settles and wings then unfold to soar the beautiful places . As we get ready , we have already planned our night venture out . It is North Goa . A busy hustling place with a lot of party scenes happening around the bay . And a beach to pick out for the night was , Calangute . A good beach situated off north goa and and very close to the Beach of Baga , another beautiful and exotic place in Goa which dons the hottest party scene in Goa . More on Baga Beach later . So the first stop happens to be where you fill your stomach as always . Fuel for your tummy . We came upon this small diner , nestled amongst a small lush green , off a corner , dim lights , surrounded by a dense tree foliage , called as The Soft Rock Restaurant . Good music and some good chicken starters make off for setting a good evening . after downing a breezer , I feel Goa finally sets in . Friends gather over and we make hurried plans to leave for our first destination for the day , Calangute finally . Night time around 2200 hrs , the waves throbbing the shores constantly , its a beauty and I feel blessed to hear the noise of the waves on the shore. As we make to find some good shack to eat , a very busy Goa comes out onto the beach . Too much chaos marked with an after part effect of the christmas slowly covers the beaches . We don't stand too far from the crowd as we enter a nice cool shack with dim lights and a candlelit table to start our dinner . First day has proven to be blissful despite the hectic travelling and driving . Time to unwind , a breezer and some delicious Seafood marks our arrival in Goa. We have finally arrived. Having ordered a sumptious meal , which comprised of the famous KingFish Fry , a goan delicacy where the Fish is marinated with some herbs and spices and then baked in a ' Tandoor ' , an indian oven , a delight which is seen in every goans home. A quick walk on the beach , listening to the waves kiss the shores , it just fills your heart up to mother natures beauty. What a sight it is and what a feeling it is , words will not do justice to the feelings experienced. Done with meal , we now head homewards , nothing can top an evening which finished with a good meal without a dash of some ice cream . As we head home , we all decide to indulge in some good 'Naturals' icecream . An outlet known to serve the best flavours of icecream without any artificial colours and sweeteners. So a sweet end to a day of fun and frolic and suddenly all the tiredness vanishes away , excitement builds up for the second day which we are to explore in the South of Goa . We call it a day and head home , where fluffy beds await our arrival and envelop us in its blankets and heavenly sleep . 26th december just got over peacefully .
27th december , early morning , 800 am , eyes open up to the chirps of some sparrows percehed on the deck of the window . Time to wake up and finish breakfast which comprised of toast and eggs. Our main tour of the day , is towards the south of Goa . A place called Benaulim . Peaceful , serene quiet and beautiful . Quite a few adjectives to describe it but they work out well. We head towards the local town of Panaji , 10 km's from Dona Paula , where we have out up , to rent out a couple of two wheelers to move around in the city. Yes , we can rent 2 wheelers to scoot around if you have a valid photo proof and for a good price. Since it was the peak season , we ended up paying twice or more than the usual rate.Be wary of the local people robbing you for a good amount. Always always bargain for a good offer and save on money . So the track has been set , bikes rented , fuelled up . Benaulim , here we come . We now move from Panaji to Benaulim , which is around 38 km's and an hours drive on a bike . Goa sure seems unbearingly hot during this time . Sun over our heads we cruise to benaulim and reach in the said time. Aptly named for a bunch of chatterbugs along .Little problems did we encounter on the way because of smaller sign boards , we did miss up a couple but thanks to the help of some locals and some good landmarks , we were able to find the place easily . We check into our new accomodation called as ' The Jays ' . We quickly freshen up and gear up for the beach . Beach awaits . Just a ten minutes walk from our new accomodation , the road to benaulim was magnificent . Old colourful Villa's decorated in bright Yellows and blues and reds . Signs of a happy well being . These colours have often sparked a sense of merriment in me. Watching such beautiful villas was a pleasant sight . Along the road came some local vendors , selling cotton kurta's and beach wear . A very common sight you'll find on every beach. Do make sure you buy a souvenir for yourself . A postcard will help too. As we make along our way , huge palm trees line up our way to the beach. A very common sight in all coastal regions . Quite a decorative and a colourful road so far . We make our way to the beach and within minutes we land on our shack . ' Ice Cube ' . A typical goan shack . Not that great ambience , wooden chairs decked up for a beach view and sunbeds on the beach . We quickly made it a choice to arrange our sunbeds . Soak in the sun , finally here we are , benaulim beach . Sun and Sand and water . Surely a quick dip in the water would have felt refreshing. But I refrain . Its better to have some food first and then a small dip I feel. Friends gather up , time for some good food now . We order some chicken and fish and some vegetarian food for the vegans . I might tell you about this place , initially I said the shack did not have a great ambience , but might great it was on the taste of its food . The quality of food experienced there was really great . Little did we think they would surprise us with such great taste . We ordered a goan delicacy called Chicken Xacuti , Goan Kingfish curry and Mutter ( Peas ) paneer ( cottage cheese ) couple it with some tandoor rotis and rice . And it was a good luncheon , finally some food off the shack , seafacing and with the best of friends . Is there anything you can ask from life when you have the best of things right beside you. Sigh , wonderful wonderful life . We spent the rest of the evening on the shack , watching the sunset. A treat for the eyes . Building sand castles , long walks on the beach and watching a gang of ' firangi's indulge themselves in a game of beach volleyball .Much did I wish to get a game on but later I said. 7 pm , time did fly by fast today , 7 pm also marks the arrival of my other friends who were to join us by evening . We all have plans of attending the Sunburn music Festival , which is an annually hosted event for EDM fans . Fans throughout the world flock for Sunburn every year in great numbers . So the next two days promise us a party scene like we never experienced before . A troop of best buddies dancing to the tune of the best dj's in the world . Mind you when I say the best in the world , the best in the world were present at Sunburn 2013 . So the excitement for sunburn seeps in , hurried plans to rush home and to have dinner are made . We head back towards our friends accomodation which is a journey of 40 km's again. Having a partner behind you who can sing can sometimes work wonders . An hour of singing good songs , cut the time of our journey soon . Time flew fast . We head towards home , freshen up and gather for our evening meal . Sandwiches and coffee off panaji . Our night ends on a good ride back home . 27th december ends . Time to wake up to the electrifying 28th december . Our party begins finally I feel . Quick good nights to fellow mates and back to bed , happy , peaceful .
28th december , the day for Sunburn , begins .
- comments