Why We Should Book Guided Tours Even In Our Own Cities

Years ago, when I had the opportunity to do my first Europe trip with my small gang of girls, one of the many things I loved was that most travel hostels had either hosted or recommended a guided tour, or a walking tour. This is not the kind where 50 tourists are given flags and headphones and shown famous 'spots'. No, these are the ones taken in smaller groups, hosted by real travelers, and storytellers and that experience is not just fun, but often becomes a different type of introduction to the city!

I recently discovered that such tours even in my own locality can be so much fun and that is what I am sharing here today.

It all started with a fellow Tripoto Family member connecting with me before her visit to my hometown - Goa. (Read about that here) While suggesting places and giving her background on her own wish list, we mutually decided to meet around Chorão Islands.

I admit, I initially thought of convenience, I have been living near Ribander recently and the ferry to Chorão was 5 minutes away. So, I thought of meeting her, introducing her to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and then heading for some food. During this process, she happened to share an Instagram post of someone who had tagged this group 'Soul Travelling'. I had heard of them, and upon checking out their website and what all they include in the Chorão tour, I found myself saying 'Let's Book This'

A New Perspective

It did not take me a lot to contemplate over it , because while I have grown up in Goa, since my Masters and then work, I have been away. Only after the Pandemic hit, I moved back home and started to rediscover it with a new set of eyes (not literally), ones that have been exposed to the world and that sees things differently. I took this opportunity to discover a familiar place but with people who might be visiting this place for the first time, and see how they react to it. I wanted to see what I learn from it, and I am happy to report that I am glad I took the chance!

Meeting Storytellers

Our 'guide' for the day turned out to be a student who was actually studying in my old college. Yes, that made me feel old, but as I heard him narrate stories about Chorão with excitement and speaking of Goa's heritage, I couldn't help feeling bad about what I could have done when I was in college. Yes, such local tours is still a relatively new concept (and no, I am not that old) but I couldn't help wondering, how much more I could have done to discover local places and learn to be a storyteller instead of worrying bout grades and what my parents will say.

Photo of Why We Should Book Guided Tours Even In Our Own Cities 1/2 by Yashodhara Roy

On The 'Bird Man's' Boat

The highlight of the tour was still the river, and the mangroves. A sight I have grown up with, and yet it never failed to make me appreciate with a new fondness. The boat we were taken on belonged to the 'Bird Man of Chorão' - Uday - he is a local with a knowledge of the most popular visitors of the island - the birds. And these days he is quite famous even thanks to travelers and tourists who visit him and write about him online.

It was my favourite part of that day - the morning on the boat, with mangroves, kingfishers with wings coloured by a bright blue and the crocodile who seems to be as lonely as me but somehow a lot more satisfied with life.

Local History Classes

As mentioned above, the fun about guided tours are the stories you get to hear. From the temple and the tale of Krishna, to the walk up to a 'monte' and remnants of a chapel that used to be surrounded by a seminary - to the heart of Chorão - the St Bartholomew's Church

We were told stories of the past, stories from the village, and more importantly - we were in a moment, conjuring our own story that will be passed down to friends and families as we tell them about this day - or me here, sharing the story on Tripoto.

Making Friends

Last, but not the least. The fun thing about such tours? They are usually smaller groups and with people who are like-minded. People you are likely to connect with. I planned this tour with a person who had a common connect but you may find someone on such a tour. You maybe on a walking tour and someone who walks as slow (or fast) as you may start exchanging stories on the way. Such things often bring people together, and even if it's a tour in your own hometown, you never know, you may meet someone who has always been a stone's throw away from you - but you never met.