As the bus chugged its way along, my well rested eyes opened to a myriad of colours. It was soothing, but exciting. I am finally living my dreams, and taking risks, that are entirely my own.
The car ride from the bus bay to back to south goa gave those occassional glimpses of an eighteenth century portugal home, a temple enveloped bathed in the morning sun rays, lots of tall coconut trees and well shaped legs on bicycles. I was already determined to make the most of my time here! Being Christmas, and a predominantly christian population, the christmas carols, santa caps and decorative lights were all out.
Well, Goa is not all about just the beaches, as it turned out! The temples of Goa were a surprise find. Completely off beat from any other temple architecture in India, it does not seem to include even a tinge of Hindu architecture. A mixture of Islamic and Portugese architecture, they were rebuilt after the Portugese destructed the original temples and hence, the influence. The dome resembles a mosque while the part above the foundation mainly makes you think of it as a church.
I'm a sucker for anything remotely english, when it comes to food, and the German bakery, right across the road, deserves a special mention here. They have everything from home made chocolates, to coconut cookies, to lemon tart pie and apple crumble pie. And it was beyond yummy! (It is 2 minutes away from the Benoleum beach and is to your right. You will mostly find firangs hanging out there)
And boy! the beaches! They have beaches for everyone there! For the lonely backpacker who might want to get some nice company, a gang of young guns looking for action, a romantic couple wanting to spend some nice alone time or for someone wanting to read a book and just laze around. Endlessly long, with white sand, clear skies and blue waters, they are just the tool you need for unwinding.
First day, we did the temples and church (Lucky I got to fulfil my dream of seeing a christian wedding)
We had really great food in the shacks by the night, played a couple of hours in the casino (I'm not doing it again, ever! What is the probability of loosing straight from the time you entered the game to the time you were all out!)
Second day, we got a few more friends, and went to a beach in the afternoon, had lunch (king sized prawns, and chicken xacuti. Food is another amazing thing in goa), played ball. All spent, we went to a great place in the evening called Martins. (This is a must check out place for its ambience, very laid back attitude and some great music, not to forget the food!)
The final day, we were lazing around in the beach, doing nothing, played water sports for a couple of hours (I now know kayaking! yay!) and then went to Club Cubana. Apparently a happening place if you are looking to go out clubbing and meet some hot firangs).
Armed with a disk full of digital memories and heart full of wholesome contentedness, it is time to look forward to the Jagriti Yatra next! Starting 24th Dec, 2011.
Best thing I liked: St. Martins - for the great ambience, attitude and music. They had a dance floor which I made use of too!
Not so good thing: The things that take place in Clubs in the name of Clubbing (individual preferences vary, so it might be the thing you would want to be in goa for ;-) )
Best Beach - Benoleum - You dont get hawkers disturbing you for anything from a massage to a temprary tattoo. The crowd is also less if you are looking to be left alone
There is NO such thing as a bad beach in Goa!
The car ride from the bus bay to back to south goa gave those occassional glimpses of an eighteenth century portugal home, a temple enveloped bathed in the morning sun rays, lots of tall coconut trees and well shaped legs on bicycles. I was already determined to make the most of my time here! Being Christmas, and a predominantly christian population, the christmas carols, santa caps and decorative lights were all out.
Well, Goa is not all about just the beaches, as it turned out! The temples of Goa were a surprise find. Completely off beat from any other temple architecture in India, it does not seem to include even a tinge of Hindu architecture. A mixture of Islamic and Portugese architecture, they were rebuilt after the Portugese destructed the original temples and hence, the influence. The dome resembles a mosque while the part above the foundation mainly makes you think of it as a church.
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| Mangesh Temple, Goa. |
I'm a sucker for anything remotely english, when it comes to food, and the German bakery, right across the road, deserves a special mention here. They have everything from home made chocolates, to coconut cookies, to lemon tart pie and apple crumble pie. And it was beyond yummy! (It is 2 minutes away from the Benoleum beach and is to your right. You will mostly find firangs hanging out there)
And boy! the beaches! They have beaches for everyone there! For the lonely backpacker who might want to get some nice company, a gang of young guns looking for action, a romantic couple wanting to spend some nice alone time or for someone wanting to read a book and just laze around. Endlessly long, with white sand, clear skies and blue waters, they are just the tool you need for unwinding.
First day, we did the temples and church (Lucky I got to fulfil my dream of seeing a christian wedding)
We had really great food in the shacks by the night, played a couple of hours in the casino (I'm not doing it again, ever! What is the probability of loosing straight from the time you entered the game to the time you were all out!)
The final day, we were lazing around in the beach, doing nothing, played water sports for a couple of hours (I now know kayaking! yay!) and then went to Club Cubana. Apparently a happening place if you are looking to go out clubbing and meet some hot firangs).
Armed with a disk full of digital memories and heart full of wholesome contentedness, it is time to look forward to the Jagriti Yatra next! Starting 24th Dec, 2011.
Best thing I liked: St. Martins - for the great ambience, attitude and music. They had a dance floor which I made use of too!
Not so good thing: The things that take place in Clubs in the name of Clubbing (individual preferences vary, so it might be the thing you would want to be in goa for ;-) )
Best Beach - Benoleum - You dont get hawkers disturbing you for anything from a massage to a temprary tattoo. The crowd is also less if you are looking to be left alone
There is NO such thing as a bad beach in Goa!
1 comment:
Extremely well written and informative blog supported by very professional looking photographs. I was getting a feeling of reading a brochure of Goa with very vivid description. This years Christmas will be celebrate in Goa.
thanks a lot for sharing
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