My Perfect Trip to Goa
Goa is a tourist destination which is known all around the world as the ultimate party destination in India. Located on the shores of the Arabian Sea in the state of Maharashtra (western India), Goa is one of the must-visit places for people outside and inside India.
Even though Goa is known for its party scene, its nightlife and its Portuguese-influenced culture, for me the idea of a perfect vacation to Goa was always to relax on the beach, hang out with friends and maybe visit a church. Few years ago, I took a weekend year-end trip to Goa and it turned out to be the ideal vacation for me.
Reaching Goa
Since I didn’t want to be part of the party scene, I chose a beach in the South of Goa – Palolem. Getting there was almost an adventure. It started with a 12-hour bus ride from Mumbai at 9pm, followed by another bus from Panjim and ending with a final rickshaw ride to the hotel. The 1st bus from Sion to Panjim was a semi-sleeper with the AC on full blast and a midnight stop at a dhaba for dinner. Exhausted and bleary-eyed, we got on to the next local bus to Palolem and was treated to a bumpy, jerky ride. We were bone-tired by the time we reached.
Tip: To book buses, the best app/website is Redbus. The other option is to drive – it is a 10 hour drive and is much more pleasant I’m told. Our choice was dictated by the lack of car and not enough budget to rent one.
Hitting the Beach
A quick shower and a mini nap later we were as good as new and ready to hit the beach. The hotel was a 2-minute walk from the beach. Entering the beach late afternoon, we were greeted with clear blue waters, a white sandy beach and a pleasantly cool weather, all bathed in the glow of the about-to-set sun. Palolem is one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa and should be a must-visit on anyone’s Goa trip.
We walked about the beach, imbibing in the atmosphere of laid-back casualness, and letting the stresses of everyday life ebb away. And when it was time, we watched a gorgeous sunset with a drink in hand and a calm mind. Sunset at the beach is one of my favorite sights ever!
Ushering in the New Year
That night, on New Year’s Eve, we enjoyed dinner at one of the many beachside cafes, sitting alfresco at this cutely decorated table on the beach. I don’t even remember the exact meal but the whole buzzing vibe at the beach – candles, some fireworks, some performances – made it a delicious meal. We had a drink in hand, there was muted lighting from the lamp and the sound of rushing water against the inky darkness and my feet were buried in the soft sand – this was how we welcomed the new year. Could it be more perfect?!!
Doing Nothing
The next 2 days were spent doing absolutely nothing! Days on the beach, with just a cooling drink and a book lying on shaded chaise loungers on the beach and the brilliant sun sparkling down on the turquoise waters. Sometimes we had a bite to eat, sometimes we took a stroll around to do some people watching and sometimes to just be near the ocean. This was paradise!
Shopping & Sightseeing
Evenings were dedicated to roaming the streets of this quaint township, exploring shops, looking around the treasures on offer. I bought a few summer dresses, some pretty accessories and the obligatory magnet.
Tip: There are myriads of things on sale, so be sure to hunt around for your perfect gift and do haggle to get the right price.
We did do a little bit of sightseeing on the final day when we went into Panjim a little early – before our night-time bus – to do a little sightseeing. We wandered the lanes of mid-town and then went to visit a cathedral. There was a wedding going on and we took a peek inside since we weren’t allowed. But we did chance upon a nativity scene set out in the yard for Christmas. That was lovely.
A Rough End Does Not Take Away the Perfection
The journey back was as bad as the one coming in, probably worse. The bus played a movie at super loud volumes – did not lower even at our request. This added on to my claustrophobic feeling and motion sickness and I was feeling pretty lousy, not being able to settle in and catch a wink. Few hours into the bus ride, I threw up my dinner in a polybag. Thankfully, that seemed to cure my uneasiness and I could sleep for the last few hours of the ride.
Even though the trip seemed to end on a sour note, this did not detract anything from my dream trip to Goa and I returned home with a lighter, happier heart.
This post was written as part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.