We all like to have fun, especially when it fits perfectly between
our busy work schedules. Hence when my partner & I got time together over a
long weekend, we rushed to the favorite place of many – GOA.
It was an overnight journey by a sleeper bus., which we had
boarded at 2100hrs. We reached shortly, although the whole drive felt like a
roller coaster ride, as we were thrown left to right, while attempting to
sleep.
We alighted from the bus in the morning, at 0615 hrs, at Mapusa
Market. Luckily, there is a Rent-a-Bike right at the place we got down. So we
rented a scooter & went to our hotel.
A word of advice to all, please have your own mode of transport,
whilst you stay in Goa, because the public transports are scarce & finding
an auto is nearly impossible. Also, the rates charged are ridiculously high. So
it’s much more economical to have your own scooter or car. Plus it gives you
the liberty to explore the city as per your desire.
On reaching the Osborne hotel, near the Calangute Beach, we
quickly freshened up & came down for a small but good buffet breakfast.
Ones our stomachs were full, we went out, to roam around the place & to
begin a day of fun. The market opens up at around 10. So around that time we
decided to go to Panjim, which is the capital of Goa & has a lot of good
outlets.
We took a few rounds of the various streets & decided to stop at
Dona Paula, an old structure, which has an awesome view of the sea from a good height.
You can savor the beauty of the view, as you rest on the benches. Don’t bother
to buy much from the small shops nearby. We moved from there & drove back
to Panjim along the Miramar beach & enjoyed the wonderful breeze.
We next halted at MG Road in Panjim, which is the main market
area. It was like an open mall, with all the brands like UCB, Woodland, Reebok,
everywhere, as you would look up & down the streets. So we did some window
shopping & then went to Café Coffee Day, for a good cup of joe. Then we
headed back to our hotel, to reenergize for the evening.
The evening was spent checking out the various beaches, with some
snacks in between & a cup of awesome Chai, from an outlet next to the
Gypsy’s supermarket on the lane to Baga Beach. The chai was so good & felt
homemade that we went there even the next day for something “kadak”.
The next day, after having a quick breakfast at the hotel buffet,
we headed to the Aguada Fort. The Fort is built on a cliff & has double
walls on the exteriors. It is surrounded by the sea on one side. The high walls
of the Fort, make for an awesome location to click many pictures. It is said to
have been a shooting location for a few Bollywood movies as well.
Not far from the Fort is the Central Jail of Goa, which also faces
the sea. Neighboring the jail is the abode of the richest man of Goa – Irony at
its best!!!
We headed back from the jail and reached the Sinquerim Beach,
which is along the Taj Vivanta Hotel. It has a small deck like structure, where
one can go & stand & enjoy the cold waters thrashing against the walls.
We then went to the Calangute Mall, which is a small mall, with a
few jewellery & furniture outlets. However, there are hardly any people
inside it. But the nearby supermarket "Delfino's" is an interesting
visit, with its interesting groceries & a big wines, whiskies and rums
section. Situated near the Kingfisher Villa, this outlet is a must visit.
In the evening, we headed for the GoKarting grounds near the Anjuna
Beach. It attracts quite a lot of people & with the few operational hours,
it is important to make it in time, if one wants to enjoy the speedy drive.
The Anjuna Beach & Vagator Beaches were also decent to visit,
but Baga was the one where we went to hang out in the evening. I personally
prefer Baga to Calangute, which is highly commercialised with hordes of people
hanging around. Baga has a no. of outlets where one can hangout, have a drink
& dine as well.
For dinner, we went to a street near the Baga Beach, which has
good outlets like Tito's, etc. The street, seems to be a whole different world
in itself. With people all well dressed in Dinner outfits, the place was a
perfect end to the Goa Trip. It had discs, dining, hookahs & drinks. With
the energetic environment in the place, it helps one get the real vibe of
Goa... young, peppy & hopeful!!!
Hope for a quick visit soon…
