[sayakc]

The flow of the pen, to a certain degree is dictated by the depth and gravity of the events that are being described. What does it mean? That’s a question you are surely going to ask. And me, the writer will say: Consider a solo motorcycle ride cutting through the great Indian outdoors or getting stuck in an overnight blizzard in the lap of the high Himalayas vis-à-vis an airplane journey to the warm sea beaches during winter or drive to a hill station where soft snow falls through the night, as we listen to the crackle of the firewood in the confines of a warm home.

The former events are emotionally and physically much different from the later. They are in touch with nature, at its mercy and sometimes even testing your breaking point. And that is why, I probably can detail a few incidents over other in all these years.

Similarly, the motorcycle ride versus a car, as Robert Pirsig’s writes in the philosophical treatise, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance:

You see things vacationing on a motorcycle in a way that is completely different from any other. In a car you’re always in a compartment, and because you’re used to it you don’t realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You’re a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame.

On a cycle the frame is gone. You’re completely in contact with it all. You’re in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming. That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing, the same stuff you walk on, it’s right there, so blurred you can’t focus on it, yet you can put your foot down and touch it anytime, and the whole thing, the whole experience, is never removed from immediate consciousness.”

So, why did I write so much? Its an excuse – and really it is – because I seriously don’t have anything to write about this vacation to Goa where we did spend 5 days – but all we did was breakfast + dip in sea + lunch + dip in sea + rest in the evening + dinner and then go to sleep.

Hence, if you are looking for literature, don’t look any further because all you will see below is a narration of events and pictures of food.

Now coming to the itinerary:

• 30-Dec-2019: Calcutta to Goa morning flight. Stay Overnight at Chalston Beach Resort, Calangute, North Goa
• 31-Dec-2019: Stay in North Goa
• 01-Jan-2020: Stay in North Goa
• 02-Jan-2020: Travel to South Goa. Stay at Beleza by the beach, Colva.
• 03-Jan-2020: Stay in South Goa.
• 04-Jan-2020: Check out and fly back. End of trip.

[sayakc]

30-Dec-2019

We had been travelling to the hills of North Bengal and Sikkim for quite sometime during the Christmas/New Year period. And whereas there are places still remaining to be discovered, we felt that for a change, lets go somewhere, a little distance off. We hovered over Himachal – Uttarakhand for quite some time, until my wife popped up Goa.

Now, all of us know that Goa during the New Year period is expensive. Hence adequate financial planning is required to make things a reality. With the flights tickets booked, we next booked the hotels directly by making advance payments.

And finally on a cold December morning (the 2019/20 winter had been long and intense in Calcutta) we were finally on an airplane to Goa. Indigo flies a direct flight, once daily and it takes 3 hours to reach Goa.We exited the airport around 3.15 PM and took a cab. Outside, it was quite hot. And reached our hotel in North Goa by 5 PM. There was a huge traffic jam near the Zuari bridge.

We freshened up and ordered for some tea and sandwiches after which we headed to the beach and spent till the sunset. Goa, being West, the sun sets much later – around an hour and a half later than Calcutta.The night, we headed to the open air restaurant, where the cool see breeze was blowing directly from the Arabian sea. And we had a long meal. The day was quite a long one and we slept off quite soon.

31-Dec-2019
The Christmas – New Year time is when son’s school remains closed and also taking leaves is easy for both of us. Also, it’s a nice time to think of that the entire year finally “concludes” from most aspects during this period and that makes the break even more valued. On the 31st we spent the entire day at the beach sipping coconut water and having a nice lunch. Calangute was specially quite crowded – but we enjoy the crowd and feel quite energized ��. Many people, many activities and so on and so forth.

The weather was cool in the mornings and evenings with hot afternoons.

That night the resort arranged for a gala dinner. But we missed the casual vibe of the restaurant on the usual days. Decorated chairs and lighting were set up on the lawn facing the sea – but the sea breeze was missing too. Food and drinks were limited to the buffet.
Then there were the fireworks off course and that was quite a treat to the eyes!

[sayakc]

01-Jan-2020
We hired an i10 for the next 4 days that we were in Goa costing Rs 1600 per day. The initial interest was Thar, but those were 2800 per day – way too much for 4 days. After searching team bhp we shortlisted some spots in North Goa: The Anjuna Flea Market, Chapora Fort etc.

We started 11ish in the morning. And after visiting the Flea Market and Chapora fort, we had a long lunch at Brittos. Tried Goan fish curry with rice, son had fish and chips. The taste of the food and quantity was great.

We returned to the hotel around 4.30 PM and headed straight to the beach. As the sun was going down, the air was getting quite cooler and so we came back to the room, cleaned up and took a short nap.

In the evening, we again headed to the open restaurant and spent a couple of hours. This was also our final evening in North Goa and the plan was to drive to South Goa the next day.

2-Jan-2020

After the buffet breakfast, we checked out.

The 1.3 lacs km done i10 was quite peppy on the highways. We had planned to see the Fort Aguada, Basilica of Bom Jesus, The Church at Panaji, Fontainhas – as most of them were on the way. Also, I could relate to the map as we moved from Calangute to Candolim to Panaji and then onwards to South Goa. We faced a terrible jam at Zuari Bridge yet again. And finally reached our resort Beleza around 3 in the afternoon. Ordered for a pizza lunch.

The resort was located near to the Colva beach and we walked to the beach late in the afternoon. Unlike Calangute, the crowd was minimal and mostly foreigner. We enjoyed a nice sunset and then spent the the time till dinner in the balcony.

[sayakc]

03-Jan-2020
This was the day, again we spent almost entirely on the beach. We had lunch at a local shack, Mickey’s, very near to the resort – food was great, though overpriced. In the evening we went to the Colva market to buy some stuff for friends and family. Shot some sunset photos. And returned to Mickeys yet again for dinner. And then went off to sleep.

04-Jan-2020

Like all good things that have to come to an end, this holiday too was getting over. All of us were sad. We checked out around 10 AM from the resort, handed over the vehicle to the rental company and then flew back to Calcutta.

Thank you for reading..will return soon

[Sheel]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[Samba]

Yet another wonderful travelogue from you. The pics are lively. Reading travelogues like these will definitely boost the spirit during this lock-down. Rated 5*.

No matter how many times you visit Goa, it never fails to bring a smile on your face. This state has a soul of it's own.

And another main attraction apart from the beaches and the natural beauty is the yummy Goan food! I just love it! The food pics you shared are mouthwatering.

Me being me, I wont leave a chance to photo-bomb in your travelogue.

Palolem beach



Few food pics from my end!

[Laxman9192]

Really lovely pictures!
You rightly mentioned the traffic jam at Zuari bridge and its been an issue I have been dealing with on a daily basis since I commute from South-Goa to North-Goa for my work. However I am looking forward to the new under-construction Zuari bridge which is the cause of this jam. Once completed it will be an 8 lane and approx. 50 meter high bridge and a sight to behold.

[haisaikat]

Originally Posted by sayakc

30-Dec-2019
We hovered over Himachal – Uttarakhand for quite some time, until my wife popped up Goa.

Are you indicating that "Behind every successful travelogue there is a woman"?

Nevertheless, quite an excellent account of a journey it is, an ideal vacation, rated 5 stars, including the pictures.

We visited Goa in 2010 December during Christmas and had a similar plan like yours with 3 days in Calangute to cover North Goa beaches and 2 days in Panjim to cover South Goa. But in the tour we also covered Pune (direct flight was not there / not available from Kolkata to Goa) and Mumbai (while returning). The overnight journey through hills was also great from Pune to Goa in sleeper Merc buses. I also remember dining at the famous heritage Souja Lobo restaurant.

Your rented i10 reminded me of the abundance of Wagon-Rs and Scootys in Goa back on those days, not sure how it is now. Family did not allow me to self drive and parasail, two things I still regret even today. Nevertheless your TL brought back my memories, thank you.

Here are a few memories from that Goa tour

Arpora Saturday Night Market with live band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNS2oQpIF3w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sDQzEkpPaM

Panjim Floating Casino & Christmas Cruise Shows




Dona Paola


Well, we always tend to find them

[lionell]

Wonderful travelogue. Goa never disappoints. In 2009 I bought a small flat in a village near Aldona. Now it’s a seasonal home for my parents.

Never having to stay in a hotel means I’ve never experienced hospitality in Goa the way everyone does. This travelogue gives me a good sense of it.

[swapnil.awate]

Hi sayakc, great trip, crisp writing and vivid images, especially those of food.


Goa offers so much to everyone's liking. A lot has been talked about the popular places in Goa. There are great beaches and churches; but in my last visit I took the path less traveled and ended up in beautiful western ghats of Goa in Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary wherein the famous Doodhsagar waterfall is situated. Following were the highlights of the trip, which I'd recommend for someone interested in seeing hills, jungles and quiet places.


1. Stay at 'Nature's Nest' resort. Its one of those resorts falling in environment friendly agro-organic category of resorts. It is a paradise for nature lovers, especially if one is a bird lover. Enjoyed every bit of my stay over there.
https://www.naturesnestgoa.com/


2. Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple. A beautiful, ancient and well maintained temple nestled in greenery of this region survived from the destruction during the Portuguese rule.


3. 'Cremeux'. This is a wonderful restaurant on M. G. Road in Panjim serving pizza, bakery items and of course beer, cocktails etc. Obviously the food quality was superb and inexpensive, moreover what I liked was the old world charm this place posses which is generally found in some Parsi restaurants in Mumbai. Must visit place.
https://goo.gl/maps/TR6JDPsUjQDGmN8v9

[Samfromindia]

Always been a fan of your Travelogues and rich writing style. I went GOA exactly a year back during Christmas 2018. We did Baga - Palolem - Patnem. The experience of staying in hostel at GOA should not be missed. The one where we stayed in Palolem had a age limit of 35 Yrs tops, so glad i did that before i am too old

Originally Posted by Samba

Me being me, I wont leave a chance to photo-bomb in your travelogue.

Good idea, let me follow you like always !

Collage




Baga














Palolem










Patnem

[sayakc]

Thank you Swapnil! Goa is one of the *cult* places much like Darjeeling or Pondicherry and one visit is never enough. Thank you for
the insight, the rural sight of Goa, its coconut trees, lagoons and greeneries must be a sight to behold!

Originally Posted by swapnil.awate

Hi sayakc, great trip, crisp writing and vivid images, especially those of food.

You are a fortunate man lionell to own a flat in Goa! I have read about the monsoon in rural Goa is a sight to behold with the sky opening up almost always.

Originally Posted by lionell

Wonderful travelogue. Goa never disappoints. In 2009 I bought a small flat in a village near Aldona. Now it’s a seasonal home for my parents.

Hehe, well said haisaikat. Thanks for enriching this travelogue with some of your photos. May be some day we will see that your Innova has reached Goa

Originally Posted by haisaikat

Are you indicating that "Behind every successful travelogue there is a woman"?

Nevertheless, quite an excellent account of a journey it is, an ideal vacation, rated 5 stars, including the pictures.

Thanks Laxman9192. Yes the bridge is a real pain in North - South commute and there must be better ways to deal with it. While going to South from North, Google directed us through some peripheral roads and I am glad it did - since that saved us sometime. But at the end you have to cross that bridge.

Originally Posted by Laxman9192

Really lovely pictures!
You rightly mentioned the traffic jam at Zuari bridge and its been an issue I have been dealing with on a daily basis since I commute from South-Goa to North-Goa for my work. However I am looking forward to the new under-construction Zuari bridge which is the cause of this jam. Once completed it will be an 8 lane and approx. 50 meter high bridge and a sight to behold.

Thanks Samba! I had referred to your short writeup on Goa in team-bhp a few days before our travel. The food, I think, is simply great and you can say, that another excuse to visit Goa is just the food

Originally Posted by Samba

Yet another wonderful travelogue from you. The pics are lively. Reading travelogues like these will definitely boost the spirit during this lock-down. Rated 5*.

Thanks Samfromindia . Saw your photos and felt for a moment that you had driven from Calcutta to Goa - with no travelogue published! But then saw that probably you are in Pune nowadays. We felt that the Christmas / New Year is a great time, great weather and even better food.

Cheers,
Sayak

Originally Posted by Samfromindia

Always been a fan of your Travelogues and rich writing style. I went GOA exactly a year back during Christmas 2018. We did Baga - Palolem - Patnem. The experience of staying in hostel at GOA should not be missed. The one where we stayed in Palolem had a age limit of 35 Yrs tops, so glad i did that before i am too old

[AJ-got-BHP]

What a lovely travelogue SayakC Reliving all my memories of the Goa trips done so far ! Rated 5* for the captures. There will be so many people bombing into your thread with those wonderful pictures. I will also not stay behind.

Goa, an experience more than a destination. My first tryst with Goa happened back in 2011 and then in 2012 and then in 2013. That time I was not a part of Team-BHP and thus failed writing the endless tales about Goa. However, the enthusiast in me always likes to explore any place by driving and Goa is not exception as there are Scooters, Bikes, Cars & Thars available in plenty which can be taken on rent. The best part is that Fuel is also relatively cheaper !!

Hiring a O|||||||O :




After a couple of days realized that the heat was too much to handle in the day so swapped the Jeep with a Swift Petrol :






Some hands on experience in Go-Karting !! The track was simply superb. I am forgetting the name, but we found it enroute Vagator Beach in North Goa :




Floating CASINOs of Goa :




Always good to be like the locals when in Goa :


Pictures of Fort AGUADA :












The beach alongside the Fort :


Sailing to Explore :


KIngfisher Villa :


The Kingfisher Yacht :


Some Dolphin sighting :


Hopping the beaches and exploring some new shacks :




The conventional :






One can never be bored with Goa and you can never get enough of it in one visit. That's why people happen to visit Goa multiple times and that is the exact reason why it attracts so much of foreign tourists unlike any other place in India.

[ABHI_1512]

Just stumbled upon a thread which is about Goa but soon enough I realised that it’s all about FOOD- FOOD- FOOD and FOOD. These are tough times to go through a travelogue which cries out loud about FOOD! At least, I am salivating by just looking at the gorgeous food only. Thanks for lifting the spirits,

Regards.

[sayakc]

Haha..we live to drive and live to eat . And since we didnt drive to Goa , so we ate a little more. At each place we tried, we were overwhelmed with the food...!
Btw, I have been closely following your logs..the Himachal one was great - but lost it before I was going to comment.

Originally Posted by ABHI_1512

Just stumbled upon a thread which is about Goa but soon enough I realised that it’s all about FOOD- FOOD- FOOD and FOOD. These are tough times to go through a travelogue which cries out loud about FOOD! At least, I am salivating by just looking at the gorgeous food only. Thanks for lifting the spirits,

Regards.

Thanks Arav. And you are welcome to photo bomb this thread since that enriches it too. One visit, as you correctly said, isn't enough. We are planning a trip again, but I am sure, with the current scenario that isnt going to happen anytime soon

You looked quite different during those days...nostalgic memories those must have been.

Best Regards,
Sayak

Originally Posted by AJ-got-BHP

What a lovely travelogue SayakC Reliving all my memories of the Goa trips done so far ! Rated 5* for the captures. There will be so many people bombing into your thread with those wonderful pictures. I will also not stay behind.