Goa

Goa is to relax, party, roam, nightlife, seafood, churches, beaches and lot more. This was my first time to Goa with my family in 2010. It was amazing when I saw the beach through the windows of the flight while landing, it looks like you are landing on an Island. The Dabolim airport is tiny and crowded with many tourists. I always prefer to travel on train if it is to Goa, because train travels through the western ghats, through the tunnels and waterfalls.

"Dudhsagar" is a huge waterfall looks terrific in monsoon, train usually goes slow or stop for a while to let the people on train enjoy the waterfalls. There is one abandoned railway station with ruined walls, have a look below.

Goa has many beach resorts which offers good accommodation, food and facilities. I have booked an all inclusive package for our family so, no hassle at all. Our resort was in between very popular beaches Calangute and Baga. Many resorts have a private beaches, that means less crowd than popular beaches. 

Advance booking of all inclusive package is good and time saving if the trip is for 3 to 4 days. If it is for more than 5 days, I prefer guest house with kitchen. On my second visit to Goa, I and my friend stayed in a guesthouse with a bedroom, balcony and kitchen in Goan neighborhood near the Candolim beach. Candolim beach is bit away from crowded beaches however its just five minutes bike ride from other happening places. 

It is so much fun going to market, buying raw fish, chicken and vegetables and cook on our own and experimenting. We went to the local wet market in Mapusa and bought two varieties of fish, Mackerel and Pomfret, Chicken and few vegetables. I fixed the dinner with Mackerel and my friend fixed the lunch the next day with chicken. We Did it, here is the proof

Best way to explore Goa is by a motor bike. Locals rent all types of motorbikes for reasonably cheaper price. Hire a bike, put on some gas and accelerate. Goans are very friendly with helping nature as most of them would be working in tourism industry and they can communicate well in English. Routes are pretty easy to navigate and to explore.

One should try seafood at local restaurants for Goan cuisine. There are many beach shacks or restaurants available for evening snacks, dinner & drinks. Drinks are comparatively cheaper in Goa, no wonder many of the tourists spend half of their vacation time Tipsy.

There are many watersports available at Calangute and Baga beaches. Parasailing, Jetski, Speedboat, Bumping Ride, Banana Ride etc. Scuba diving is rarely done and expensive. Few resorts includes water sports in the all inclusive package.

Goa still has Portuguese culture embedded in architecture, churches, food etc. Goa is a home for many big old Portuguese style churches, there is a chapel at every corner of the streets. Those churches display the Love, Hope, Faith, Peace and Serenity. 

I was awed when I have visited few churches by looking at the sculptures, architecture and the tranquility they possess. It takes about 3 to 4 days if someone wants to visit most of the churches and to enjoy the details and architecture of each church if interested in exploring old church buildings. 

When I think of Goa, I always get "Titos" in my mind. This is where all young crowd gathers every night to rock the floor, have fun and get drunk. It is a very famous nightclub in Goa located near Baga beach. Have been there on two saturday nights. Its awesome!

Goa in Monsoon is very green and is with pleasant weather. It is not very humid in Monsoon, so more enjoyable motorbike rides. Below are few pictures I clicked when I was in goa during Monsoon.

Panjim is the capital of Goa. Panjim is like any other city with more traffic and population. However, there are few restaurants in Panjim serves all kinds of food, and few places to visit. I go to Panjim if  I am bored of beaches and touristy places of Goa.

There are many beaches in Goa. Beaches in North Goa are usually happening with crowds and bars, whereas beaches in South Goa are calm and private. I personally like North Goa because of its popular beaches like Anjuna, Baga and Calangute.

Many tourists prefer Goa for their vacation whether it is for pleasure, wedding, bachelor party, christmas, new year or even for honeymoon. I am not bored of Goa even after 3 trips in three consecutive years. Well, you might see me there in December. That's All Folks!