Goa is Special. I can think of thousand reasons to justify my claim. The place qualifies to be Hawaii for Indians. My personal checklist did state an obvious visit to Goa from Mumbai as my father passionately states from his Bollywood experience. The trip to quasi paradise was undoubtedly strenuous, exciting yet most satisfying trip I can think of. This is one memorable click of all the participants, taken on the edge of Panaji.

The Departure

Failing to get tickets on IRCTC, we booked Paulo Travels through Redbus. The seats were comfortable despite being a Non-AC seater. It left around 6 P.M. from Sion on a Thursday night in February and valiantly embarked upon a fifteen hour long journey.

The bus stopped at a certain Dhaba called Central Park on Mumbai-Pune highway. The food is expensive when compared to quality and its advisable to eat lightly due to the long hours involved.

They came to a halt after passing through a massively jerky road in dawn. You can brush and have breakfast here. Since I skipped food at this time, cannot really pass my judgement on that.

We got down at Mapusa in Goa considering the fact that our choice of stay was closer to this point. The travel agencies and the bike rental stalls are fortunately at the same place in Mapusa. We opted for Scooty (250 INR per day) and Pulsar (350 INR per day) as our steeds, in exchange for our driving license of course. Make sure to take receipt and helmet in case you break a law and get caught by cops. The petrol prices was borne by us. If you want car or jeep (or Harley Davidson bikes) , your prayers stands a chance to be answered.

The Stay

Being students who always complain being perpetually low on cash, our research online led us to Sea Shore Beach Resort. It holds significantly high rating at Tripadvisor, because of its amazing location. A distance of thirty seconds away from Calangute beach of North Goa yet super easy on wallets happens to be a rare combination. Labelled as beach resort, do not go there expecting a true resort. You can access their official site at http://seashorebeachresort.com. Mr. Devanand or Mr. Arshad are extremely cordial and great at managing this place successfully.

Its easy to miss the way in so as you reach Calangute, look out for Mocha and take a turn there to reach the destination. Opt for rooms in second floor as they have best views and have been recently furnished. They have amenities like AC, TV, geyser, extra bed and food service till 10.30 P.M. from the eatery on ground floor. The rooms were big enough to accommodate four of Bachelors with ease.

Calangute Beach

One of the most popular beach was few steps away from the resort. Shacks and sunbathers line up the periphery.

The blue sky and clear water touches the white sand of Goa. When you are at one of the most beautiful spots in India, walking on the sand becomes a surreal experience in itself.

However we chose to take the wild side. The water is safe and comparatively shallow, even as you walk in over a significant distance into the sea. Amazing can be an understatement.

Next stop was to chill at nearby open air shack called Spice Wok. The food tastes delicious as you feel the afternoon sun.

Since we had to drive, we chose mocktails. Cranberry was the best of the lot.

Aguada Fortress

So we hopped on our bikes and rode up the hill as we…

…headed for the Aguada fort. The name stands for Water place in Portuguese, this massive structure was built in 1612.

Majority of the structures remain and well maintained despite the heavy tourist flow. The white lighthouse operated till 1976 although the inside is inaccessible.

As we went downhill, we spotted a diversion towards Aguada Jail. Turns out it was actually a fully functional jail beyond which our entry was prohibited. However there is a path hidden on its right flank that leads down through a flight of stairs.

The view from the stony structures is simply gorgeous as you can experience sea from closer proximity.

Perception will take a different meaning from top of fort and bottom at sea level.

Dona Paula

Passing through Panaji, we managed to reach the sunset spot of Dona Paula just on time. Elevated and crowded, people flock together to buy hats, sunglasses and garments as memoirs of Goa.

We waited with bated breath to see the sun drop in the sea.

And as it drops, the blue eyed water turns into dark stretches of nothingness.

The Cruise

A wine shopkeeper provided us with cruise tickets at discounted rates. The middle and upper deck are accessible to everyone for free while the lower deck, which is a floating disco, is provided for free to the ladies and for 50 INR price to gents.

We stayed on upper deck which showcases cultural performance to showcase Goanese tradition. This is followed by live DJ for tourists to dance on stage.

We did not forget to focus on the amazing trail of lights as the cruise floated on Mandovi river.

The Buildings

As we zoomed on our two wheelers the following day, the colorful hues of the homes caught our attention.

Although most of the churches sticked to its serene white, the color choice of surrounding buildings added to punched out contrast.

Chapora Fort

Passing through narrow lanes and paths, the Chapora fort stands atop a barren area.

One has to park their two wheelers and walk up considerably to reach the point.

Rest assured, the view from the top is simply breathtaking to say the least.

The walk in brisk sun gets you a tan but worth every sweat you drop.

And finally as we settled in the coveted spot, as shown in the movie Dil Chahta Hain, the title track to be precise.

We saw the curved line of our next destination.

Vagator Beach

Baby, its beautiful. There are two parking spots, the one at the top is paid and gives you an amazing view. The landscape blows the mind.

Opt for the road downside as you have free parking beside a shack. This is considered as one of the cheapest beach for water sports.

The daring ones took a package of 1600 INR where they take you to a boat in middle of the sea for a series of splashy adventures that includes banana ride, water bikes and bump rides. To top the cherry on cake, there is parasailing, carry extra 200 bucks for dips.

Carry your camera or mobile wrapped in plastic as salty water may gush in on you often. However it is highly recommended to frame this moment.

We found Banana Ride most exciting of them all as they literally drop you in middle of ocean without warning. Bump Ride is plain fun, similar to the ones you get at water parks (read Waterkingdom) of Mumbai. They will let you steer the water bikes if you know how to drive its land counterpart but be careful with the mad velocity it maintains.

Some preferred to chill at the beach, dressed in floral patterned Tshirts exclusively available in Goa.

In the end, we had the time of our lives.

The return was cooled off by a series of cocktails flavoured from coffee through bloody to lagoon.

One of our friend had to leave back to attend official matters, so from this point on six of us continued.

Saturday Night Market

Want to experience one of the most unique experiences Goa has to offer? This Market in North Goa is spellbinding. Massively crowded by locals and tourists alike, the shop thrives on Goanese people, the food and the music.

It is the haven of bustling energy.

Experience the variety as you traverse along the winding path upwards.

Arabian Band Anna RF had their live performance at the heart of the market. Check out their Youtube channel as they have Rikshawalla song created in India itself that will surely make you kill the repeat button or hop on to their catchy tune Jump.

The night was still too young.

Old Goa

Lila cafe and Tito’s nightclubs happen to be one of the most happening and publicised spot in Goa. Due to our shortage of time, we could not sneak in this time.

The last morning was aimed at travelling through Old Goa. We crossed the capital Panjim (or Panaji) on our way.

You have to drive by the Mandovi River stretch again. The wind gushing on your face feels splendid.

We chose extremely pocket friendly dhaba called Hotel Annapurna near Basilica of Bom Jesus where you get decent quality of food at reasonable rate (thalis in 100 INR).

The Churches

Old Goa is famous for its churches. The Basilica made of Red bricks is huge as expected by its immense popularity.

But it is the interior that blows the mind away.

Walk up to no photography zone area where its history is recorded in as series of paintings. The cathedral houses relics from different churches of world that came in through multiple foreign invasions in Goan territory. You can get more details in the mueseums of Church of St Francis of Assissi situated directly opposite.

Despite its renovated pale outlook, the inside is no less amazing.

Further ahead, we managed to locate ruins of massive church of St Augustine. Its colourful history is well documented on the welcoming signboard.

To give an estimate of its destruction, here is a view from considerable distance.

And here is how it feels inside.

The Temple

The ride to Shanta Durga temple required us to go till foothills of Kavalem Village.

A series of shops line up the parking spot to the actual entrance.

The Indo Portuguese architechture has an unused water tank at the back and another no photography zone on the inside. The local myth goes on to say wishes getting fulfilled to those who prays to the deity inside.

We rushed back to hotel, checked out and caught the bus of Atmaram Travels back from Mapusa at 6.30PM. The booking was through Ibibo. The return was lengthy and sleepy, as we boarded off at 10AM near Sion.

Tip offs

• Ride two wheelers to skip the traffic and maximise travel. Its cheaper as well.
• Follow direction arrows throughout the roads, or ask locals as everyone knows everything here.
• Use Suncreen. Really use it if you dont want your skin peeling off like mine.
• Use helmet if you are riding a bike, else the cops will fine you.
• Wear shades with UV protection. Dont but the cheap streetside ones as they are colored plastic and useless. The sun can be insanely harsh.
• Avoid shady people in beaches at night or bikes on day making offers. Politely ignore. Best places to get information are your hotel agents and shops.
• Dont litter, the water is clean but the popular beaches are filled with beer bottles and cans.
• Last but not the least, please dont get so drunk that you become nuisance to others.

My Recommendation

King Fish is a relatively tasteless giant edible piscean available at majority of resturants in Goa. We took a baked one and the sharp canines meant the hunters are often hunted here. Anybody would recommend a ton of better things for Goa but this seems appropriate considering the indigenousity of this fish and its incorporation in traditional Goan diet.

Until Next Time.

Aloha

Sayantan