Here Is How I Explored Goa in Just 3 Nights And 3 Days

Goa...It is not just another beach destination in India but entirely a different world altogether. Known for parties, festivals, casinos and feni, Goa has a very different soul hidden among the coconut lined roads, white washed churches and the history loaded forts. It has a 'susegad' feeling that seems to seep in your soul as soon as you land at the Dabolim airport.

There is so much to explore in Goa but I had so little time in hand. Where even three months are not enough to explore all that Goa has to be offer I just had three days off from my busy nine to five timed life. So, I had to choose , and I chose to explore a little bit of everything.

We reached Dabolim at 10pm,having travelled by the 8pm flight after closing all my tasks at hand in office! We had already hired a car for self driving while travelling to the Delhi airport. We were handed over the car at the Dabolim airport and setting up the location for our hotel in Google maps, we drove across the dark streets to Benaulim in South Goa.

I had imagined Goa to be a town bustling with people, live music playing at the restaurants, but I found that everyone was fast asleep. The streets were deserted! We reached Benaulim in about an hour, checked in and went straight to bed. I had so much to explore in the next three days!!!

Day 1:

On the very first morning we drove away from the beaches and towards the Western Ghats. Netravalli is about 50kms from Benaulim and the drive to this sanctuary was extremely breathtaking. The smooth roads snaked its way among coconut tree jungles and lush forests. The hills of the western ghats towered in the horizon. The monsoon rains had washed every leaf clean and the the greenery around was intense. We visited the Bamanbudo waterfalls. The monsoon rains had puffed up the waters and it gushed down the hills with great might with loud roars. It was absolutely stunning and beautiful and mesmerising...I am running out of words!!!

We stood in the water and let the sound of the water deafen us while refreshing our souls.

Next we headed off to the 'bubbling' lake and Krishna temple nearby. At the lake one can witness a very unique phenomenon. Bubbles, like little clusters of pearls, would rise up at random places in the lake and it is said that the more you clapped your hands, the more bubbles seemed to rise. Well, to find out whether it is true or not, you have to visit the place yourself.

Next, we ambled around the road and discovered a little earthy track with coconut trees lining on both the sides. I had my very own version of the 'Dear Zindagi' moment.

Our next destination for the day was the Cabo de Rama fort. On the way to the fort we were forced to stop to gape at the beauty of the rain washed lush western ghats.

The Cabo de Rama fort is a very old fort which was initially under the Sunda Kings and then taken over by the Portuguese. There is a white washed church inside the complex. The fort is in ruins with only a Church , a few cannons and the boundary walls still standing strong overlooking the Arabian sea.

Next, we explored the surrounding areas and discovered a lovely view point from where the Arabian sea framed in greenery looked like a postcard picture. We climbed down a few steps and reached the almost desolate backwaters. There were kayaks kept upside down giving evidence of kayaking during the calm season. There was no ongoing Kayaking session in the backwaters at the peak of the monsoon season. We, however, enjoyed the peaceful ambience in the lap of a very beautiful landscape.

We woke very early in the morning of our 2nd day of stay and walked to the Benaulim beach. Although, we were a little late for the sunrise, yet the morning walk along the beach was so refreshing! We watched the fishermen haul their fishing boats along the waves and into the sea. Soon, they floated away and became tiny dots in the horizon where the sea and sky melted into each other.

Next, we checked out off our hotel and drove off towards North Goa, but not before exploring a cultural museum, a 200 years old Indo-Portuguese house and a beautiful church

'Big foot' is a cultural museum in Goa, where you can learn everything about Goa-from mythologies to culture to agriculture and everything. You would get to know that it was Lord Parshuram's arrow that forced the sea to retreat and give rise to a small piece of land-'Kanakona' which is present day Goa. You would get to know about traditional profession of the Goans and the festivals and a lot more.

Next morning, we woke up and went for a drive to the Upper Aguada fort but found it closed. We were a bit too early. So, we drove off to Calangute and enjoyed the morning breeze of the crowd free beach. We then explored the shops around the beach which were beginning to open up. We got ourselves the most popular products of Goa - A beautiful bottle of cashew feni and cashew nuts.

After exploring Calangute beach, we walked over to a secluded portion of the Candolim beach from the back gate of our hotel. At that patch of the beach we were the only souls strolling around. The sound of the huge waves crashing on the beach was deafening. We discovered hundreds of star fishes strewn across the beach. We had a quiet and peaceful time that day- Our third and last day in Goa.

After checking out of our hotel, we headed towards the Reis Magos fort and the Reis Magos church on the bank of the Mandovi river. This ancient fort has been standing at this very place since a long long time ago, even before the advent of the Portuguese and is older than the popular Aguada Fort. The Portuguese captured the fort and added new structures and the church. There is museum inside the complex where one can learn about the Portuguese rule in Goa. The view of the Mandovi river from the terrace of the fort is a breathtaking sight to behold.

However, we never asked where we were headed to. I don't know why but I thought we were headed to Divar but later on realised that we were driving across the Chorao island. This little surprise springing out of our ignorance was a little package of pure bliss!

We next headed towards the colourful alleys of the Fontainhas in Panjim. The colourful buildings, unique architecture exuded a Mediterranean city vibe. It felt awesome walking across the lanes of this Old Latin quarters.

Just at a walking distance from the Fontainhas Latin quarters, is located the beautiful Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church. The church has a majestic architecture. However, on that day it was not open to the tourists. We admired the beauty of this church from the outside.

Our next destination for the day was a visit to the famous Bassilica of Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral. These two churches are of historical importance and have very beautiful architecture.

This was a quiet beach out of tourist radar. There were no tourist, no beach side shacks and no trash. The sand was clean, freckled with sea shells. A few locals ambled around. Kids played football on the sands. A few people were busy loading trucks with freshly caught prawns. We walked along the sandy beach, waves crashing over our feet.