Sun, Sand, and Memories : Our Unforgettable Goa Getaway

I'm about to take you on an amazing journey – our awesome trip to Goa during a long weekend in August. Get ready for some good times!

So, here's the scoop: me and my four friends had this awesome plan to visit Goa. I was coming from Pune, while my buddies were traveling from Bangalore. We were super excited! We had booked a cool place near Candolim Beach to stay for two nights. My friends took a bus from Bangalore, and I hopped on a bus from Pune. Once we all reached Goa, we met up in Panjim. That's where the fun began!

Guess what? We rented a sleek Baleno car for three days – cost us 4800 rupees. After sorting out all the paperwork, we hit the road and headed straight to Aguada Fort near Sinquerim. It was like stepping into history with amazing views. We hung out there for about an hour and a half, but then it was time to go to our stay since we could check in at 12 pm.

By around 12:30 pm, we arrived at our place. After a quick rest and freshening up, we were all set to roll again. Our destination? The stunning Calangute Beach! It was like a dream – sun, sand, and the sea. We had a blast playing in the water and just enjoying the vibes.

As the sun started to set, we made our way to the Anjuna Beach market for some shopping. Trust me, time flew by as we explored and shopped around for about three hours. After that, we grabbed a yummy dinner on our way back to our stay.

But guess what topped off our day? A visit to Candolim Beach at night! Dressed in comfy casual clothes, the five of us hit the beach. The night sky was so clear and full of stars – it was magical. We took some incredible pictures that made it seem like we were right there with the stars.

Day 2

Alright, let's dive into Day 2 of our Goa adventure!

We woke up early, all pumped up for a day of exploring South Goa. We cranked up some peppy Kannada songs and hit the road with high spirits. After about 45 minutes of driving, our tummies were rumbling, and we found this charming little Goan café for an authentic breakfast. The food was beyond delicious, and of course, we couldn't resist taking some photos to remember the moment. With our bellies full and our excitement level maxed out, we set off again towards South Goa.

Our first destination was Cola Beach. We parked our awesome car and started on a 20-minute hike to get to the beach. And let me tell you, the view was worth every step. Cola Beach was an absolute beauty, where freshwater merged with the roaring sea. We spent more than 3 hours there, taking a dip in the refreshing water, capturing photos, and shooting some amazing videos. Oh, and how can I forget the fresh tender coconut we savoured – it was like a little taste of heaven.

As the sun reached its peak, we made our way back to the car, another 20-minute walk, and this time our mission was lunch. Now, here's the thing about South Goa – it's not as crowded as other places, which meant we had to hunt a bit for a restaurant. Hungry and determined, after covering 15 km, we finally stumbled upon a place. We quickly ordered a Goan fish thali and devoured it because all that beach fun had us seriously hungry. It was around 5:30 pm by then, and we realized we still had Varca Beach on our list, just 8 km away. With the intention to catch the sunset, we got back on the road.

The drive was a treat in itself – the landscape was breathtaking, with coconut trees lining the road like something out of a postcard. We couldn't resist taking more photos along the way. However, Google Maps played a little game with us, and we got a bit lost. Thankfully, some kind locals helped us find the right path. Eventually, we reached Varca Beach, albeit a bit late for the sunset. But hey, we managed to capture some photos of the fading sun, which was still a magical sight. We spent some quality time on the beach until around 7:30 pm when we decided it was time to head back to our base in Candolim.

Night rides in Goa have their own charm – the roads were less crowded, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. We got back to our stay around 9:30 pm, freshened up, and then headed to Baga Beach for dinner. But, surprise! Baga Beach was buzzing with people, so we decided to switch things up and found a cozy place called "Pineapple Villa by Raddish" for dinner and even enjoyed some hookah.

After our meal, we returned to our stay and spent some serene time by the beach. The calm waves, the soothing sound of the sea, and some relaxing music in the background set the perfect ambiance for a heart-to-heart chat. It was a truly wonderful end to an eventful day.

Day 3

Alright, buckle up for our last day in Goa this time around.

Since our check-out time was 11 am, we got up early, got ourselves refreshed, and packed up. But wait, a tiny hiccup – I couldn't find the room key! After a bit of searching, I gave the stay's owner a call. They were super nice and understanding. They said we could get a duplicate key for just 300 rupees. So, we paid up, apologized for the mishap, and bid farewell to the wonderful stay called "Yash Deep Candolim." Seriously, it was cozy and beautiful. Anyway, we checked out on time and set off for our last day's adventure.

We grabbed some breakfast nearby and hopped into our trusty Baleno. After about 18 km of navigating through some dense traffic, we reached Old Goa around 2 pm. We parked the car and headed straight to the famous St. Basilica of Bom Jesus Church. It's a really old and renowned church in Goa. We also swung by the Se Cathedral Church and snapped some pictures. By the time we were done, our tummies were rumbling, so we enjoyed a nice lunch at Ratnasagar restaurant nearby.

Feeling refreshed after our late lunch, we moved on to the famous Fontainhas Street, which is right at the heart of Goa, in Panjim. The street is bursting with colors buildings, and we had a blast strolling around, soaking in the vibes.

Finally, we decided to catch a proper sunset at Miramar Beach. We reached just in time to witness a breathtaking sunset – the kind that leaves you in awe. After the sun dipped below the horizon, we sipped on refreshing tea by the beach. Our next stop was the immaculate Conception Church in the middle of Panjim, adding a touch of tranquillity to our evening.

And then, it was time to bid adieu to our loyal companion, the Baleno car. It had been our ride to everywhere we wanted to go – a true beauty, super reliable, and a bit of a beast on the road. We promised ourselves that next time, we'll definitely rent that car again.

With our adventure winding down, we hopped onto a public bus to get to the railway station. We had a final dinner near the station and boarded our train, scheduled to depart at 10:55 pm, headed back to Bangalore.

And there you have it – a snapshot of our amazing Goa trip from start to finish. The memories we made, the places we explored, and the fun we had – it was an experience to cherish. Until next time, Goa !