Goa is and always will be special to me. This is the place I took MY first vacation to, with friends, for the first time going carefree without worrying about constant parental glare. Goa is every bit worth the hype that surrounds it. Take it from me, I have been to goa 3 times, and never been able to go beyond Anjuna. Even though Baga and Calangute are more famous, Anjuna captures the essence of what Goa is, without getting all rotten by touristy stampedes.
When you go to Goa, whether for once or for multiple times, your trip will always be incomplete if you don't have Calamari fry with Port Wine.
When in Anjuna, you also have to visit Vagator beach, which is about 10 minutes away from Anjuna. Occasional slips on the grovelly climb is a meager price to pay for the view from the old Chapora fort.
Every part of Goa is breathtaking, even the churches you pass by on your way to some famous memorial.
When in Goa, you can't miss the Churches of old Goa. Among all the churches, the two most famous are Our Lady Immaculate Conception in Panjim, and Bom Jesus Basilica. The latter one is a UNESCO heritage site, where the body of St. Francis Xavier's [one of the wonders of India, as even after centuries it never decomposed] is kept.
One of Goa's most famous places, Fort Aguada, is a little out of the way. This is also the place where my bag got stolen with all the belongings save for what I had in my handbag that I was carrying, so you know, extra memorable :P .
Last but not the least, if you are in Anjuna, do check out the Buddha Tree on the way to the beach. This restaurent [for the want of a better word], has pretty good quality food, but the ambience is sublime. And no, they are not paying me to endorse them! Also, make sure you have a Wednesday in hand when you go, because the weekly flea market is absolutely not to be missed!
I have no photos of the nightlife in Anjuna, which is incredible - from sharing port wine on the beach under the stars to playing football with a discarded bottle with an incoming tide (I do not recommend it very much tho!) to dancing like nobody's watching (because nobody does) to watching sunrise on the beach after watching floating lanterns become one with the stars, Anjuna has it all to offer. All you need to do is pack your bags, book a hostel or a cheap hotel and go.
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