I'm not a regular traveller, bound by the constraints of vitamin m and vitamin t, but I have had some of the most amazing experiences of my lifetime, which considering it's 21 and a half years is not long... This february, I happened to travel from the west coast to the east and back to the west in a span of some 9 odd days... and had the time of my life!
Goa: The mystical beauty of the place, which draws tourists from across the world and all over the country time and again, never fails to lift my spirits... Although, I haven't been there as often as I'd like to, the sight of the water that spans farther than your sight, the breeze that blows your skimpy clothes, and the ever-present sound of activity fills my heart with a deep sated pleasure... There are places and there are places. :) Goa is one such place, which allows you to do exactly what you want, where you want and how you want. No body cares! After the incessant staring, probing and presence of thousands of people in a crowded city, that's a HUGE relief... I love the fact that I can wear horribly tiny clothes, walk around in a swimsuit with a sarong draped around me, even pull off a damn bikini and nobody blinks an eye! :) (probably that's also because I don't care who does what... not to mention that the clothes hardly compliment me...) but then, that's not the point... I love the fact that I can laze around in a lake for hours at a stretch and even get my breezer served while I'm still in the water... I love the fact that there are places that stay open for 24 hours which serve me hot drinking chocolate at 3 a.m. with embalmed towels just to keep me warm... I love the fact that I can eat a lunch for as little as 30 rs. on one hand and spend nearly 3,000 rs. on drinks & food on the other... I love the banana boat rides, the jet skis, the endless bike rides, and the lazy beach shacks... I love the mixed crowd that I can interact with, french tourists on one hand, russians on the other, people from south dakota, and foreigners from nigeria... I love that the bartenders and the waiters have such interesting tales to tell, spanning culture, history, muscle-power and feminism! I love the sound of the lapping waves when I lie on the beach... I love being in the arms of the one I love for as long as I want... I love not having to look twice before I lean over to plant a kiss... I love it when random people can stop by just to say that we look good as a couple... I love haggling with the vendors beginning in English and moving on to their local languages... I love their stunned expressions when they see I'm one of their kind... there are so many things I love... that I love being able to express them!
There is freedom in that place, that's what makes it such an enigma...
Some must-go places are:
1. Pyramyd Beach Shack - The only beach shack at Baga beach which stays open for 24 hours... serves you whatever the hell you want, multi-cuisine food at any time of the night, any cocktail, any drink, hookah, pool, music, you name it, they have it... excellent service... and if you get chatting with the bartender and the waiter, you'll surely have an amazing time... the clientele is decent, and the people are warm... I love it when they start philosophise... because some of their arcane theories actually strike a chord!
2. Anand Cafe - A small tea shop size cafe located at the Baga-Calangute crossing serves some simple thalis for rates like 30 rs... If you intend to stay for many days and are on a budget trip, this is the right place for you...
There's a lot more to say but then, you'd be happier exploring your own space in Goa on your own...
;)
