Goa is an absolutely mesmerizing place. It makes you feel like going back there again and again and you get pulled by the sheer lazy breeze! Just returned from Goa and it was my 5th visit. Every time I go there, I rejuvenate with amazing bliss of the ambiance around. My experience with Goa has increased by milestones with every visit. And now I would like to share this with all you people raring to visit this heaven!
This time I had a visit in the rains. It’s an off-season time, but yet it’s wonderful out there in the rain. The accommodation is damn cheap at less than $10 per night. We stayed at the Cavala Sea side resort near the Baga beach, situated on the popular Baga - Calangute road. The resort has an ethnic feel and it?s functional from since 1980. The staff is pleasant and friendly. You will get the taste of Goa at the Cavala restaurant. Don’t forget to try the exotic seafood and Goan sausages out there.
Private taxis in Goa are really cheap at around $20 per day with a chauffeur. If you are more of a lonely explorer, it’s better to hire a bike for less than $5 per day (Fuel charges extra). Roads in Goa are excellent and the locals are always there to help you with driving directions.
On the beaches, it’s better to hire out a shack and just chill-out watching the waves (Shack is a kinda enclosure made out of dry coconut leaves, shaped like a small pyramid.).Or you may even opt for a swim or just try out any of the water sport. Calangute and Baga are safe beaches where you can go for a swim, get a tan while you lie on a deckchair and get a massage. But in the rain, you will find red flags waving at beach entrance. The sea is extremely rough in the rain and it?s advisable not to swim.
Goan cuisine is one of the most wonderful part of the tour. You may find real good authentic Goan food at many joints out there. I have already mentioned Cavala restaurant. One more joint worth trying is ’Britto’s’ at the Baga beach. Britto’s is closed from 21st June to 21st August every year. Also, ’TinTin’ at Vagator beach is worth to giving a shot! The specialty is seafood and it doesn’t mean expensive lobsters but also includes mussels, clams and squid. The shrimps and squid prepared in the special Goan ginger-garlic sauce and grilled tiger prawns are highly recommended.
About the beaches, the most popular ones are in North Goa. Sinquerim, Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, all lined up along the North Goa coasts are amongst the most popular. Calangute is too commercialized and overly crowded during the peak season. At Anjuna beach, the most popular flea market is the place to be on Wednesdays. It is closed during the monsoons from June to September. The most popular ones in South Goa are Colva, Varca and Majorda. Well, sightseeing in Goa doesn’t limit to the beaches. You will love visiting the old Goa Churches and Temples. Also, the museum in old Goa is a place to witness the old Goan architecture and culture. Panaji, the capital city is simply wonderful with its slow paced lifestyle.
If you just need to do nothing, just relax in one of the shacks along the beach chilling out ’n sipping on your favorite drink!
Goa is extremely safe to freak around even at night. The locals are very friendly and always ready to help. It’s simply nice to just walk along the roads, enjoy the fresh air and charm of old Portugal Goa.