Sitting on the very edge of the Konkan coast, Goa is perhaps one of the most coveted tourist destinations in India. The pristine beaches, rich Portuguese history and never ending parties are enough to seduce any breed of traveller. Living in Bangalore myself, a trip to Goa had been on my mind for quite some time, but the stars never seemed to align for me to take the plunge. Sick and tired of waiting, my friends and I planned a jaunt to our neighbouring state over one of our somewhat extended weekend of three days. Sure, some might say that three days aren’t nearly enough to see all of Goa, but if you intend on experiencing the verve of this golden beauty, three days might be just the right fit for you!
My friends and I started early in the morning from Bangalore’s Kempegowda International Airport, and after a short flight of about an hour, reached Goa’s Dabolim Airport. Our accommodation was booked near Calangute Beach which is situated at a mighty distance of 46 kilometres from the airport. Expecting the regular queues of Ola and Uber cabs, we were in for a surprise when we discovered that local cabs and buses were the only modes of commute from the airport. Before we could go into panic mode, a friendly local driver came to our rescue and offered his services to us. The drive to Calangute was about an hour long, after which we made our way to get an early morning glimpse of the beach.
One of the longest beaches of North Goa, the vibe of Calangute Beach was unlike any other beach I have been to. The entryway to the beach is flanked by local shops which sell everything you can imagine- from local novelties to scrumptious delicacies. And if you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can get yourself a tattoo here too! Both local and foreign tourists flocked the beach in large numbers even at an early hour. The sounds of the sea gently crashing into the shoreline coupled with the conversations of the people was a sensory fiesta. Furthermore, water sports such as banana boat ride, parasailing and jet-ski were also available for adrenaline junkies to get right to! Although the sights and sounds were as inviting as ever, the fatigue from our flight had started catching up with us and we decided to pay this beauty another visit in a few hours’ time.
We made our way to our resort, where we took a quick nap before making our onward journey to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception church in Panaji. This historical church is a wonderful edifice of white which was initially built as Portuguese first port of call. We managed to land there just in time to experience a wonderful practice session of the church choir. The sounds of the hymns reverberating through the church made for a mesmerizing experience. Before we knew it, it was almost time for sunset when we decided to make our way to Calangute Beach to witness the spectacle. Luckily, we reached just in time to witness the sun disappear into the bosom of the horizon and leave behind a starry evening, which we decided to spend on the beach. With our feet in the sand and the crisp sea air flowing through our hair, our spirits were renewed for a new day of travelling!
Our quest for the next day began with an early morning hike to Chapora Fort, which was built by Muslim ruler Adil Shah and had changed hands many time during the Portuguese reign. It overlooks the verdant beauty of Vagator Beach, which lies at the foot of the fort. Morning time was not particularly busy here, so we managed to click lots of pictures of the scenery. A short hike lead us to Vagator Beach, where we enjoyed a quiet afternoon of watching the sea and her marvels and collecting colourful seashells. As evening came upon us, we decided to pay a visit to Sinquerim Beach, which is about 12 kilometers from Vagator.
Sinquerim is another beach - fort in North Goa, and it is the perfect amalgamation of manmade and natural beauty. The smooth sand of the beach gives way to the mighty fort from where you can witness the expanse of the shoreline and the sea. Furthermore, like most other beaches in Goa, you can also explore various water sports and activities. With the sun beating down on us mercilessly, we decided to lap around in the water and cool off before heading off to Candolim Market.
Candolim Market is an expansive flea market in the heart of Goa where you can buy specialty items. Goodies such as cashews, straw hats, clothes and even decorative smoking pipes can be bought here. We did our bit of shopping after which we decided to take a quick breather at our resort and get ready for exploring the nightlife of Goa.
We landed at the famous ‘Tito’s Lane’ near Baga Beach, and we were not disappointed! The crowd started pouring in from about 8 PM, after which the horde just kept getting bigger and better! From the latest dance numbers to local brews to scrumptious seafood, everything that you have heard about Goa’s parties came alive right in front of us. Furthermore, neighbouring Baga Beach was hosting beach parties of their own as well. A group of foreign tourists invited us, and we were glad to join them! The locals and fellow tourists were extremely friendly, and we had a lovely time dancing and partying the night away.
As the last day of our trip rolled in, we decided to pay a visit to the iconic Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. A UNESCO World Heritage site, nothing can prepare you for the awe-inspiring grandeur of this shrine. The 400 year old foundation rises to a height of 18 metres and is embellished with a golden statue of St. Ignatius Loyola and baby Jesus. What adds to the splendor of the church is the fact that it houses the mortal remains of catholic missionary St. Francis Xavier. Since it was the day after Thanksgiving, the church was thronged with people from all walks of life. After spending a solemn few moments in the sanctum and church premises, we concluded our trip.
Before this trip, I had my own preconceived notions and ideas about what Goa might be. Needless to say, it surpassed all the positives I had heard and even unveiled some facets which I was not expecting at all. One thing is for sure, I will be visiting this charming destination again very, very soon!
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