Go Goa
This was my first trip with my twin daughters; hence I
packed my stuff very carefully keeping in mind all their needs. Since my twins
are just one and a half years, I chose the hotel also carefully so that I do not
have problem in bottle sterilizing and other stuff like that. My motto of this
trip was to relax and rejuvenate, I needed a break from my monotonous life. It was after an year that I was travelling
anywhere so I was a bit scared about the trip which is very unlikely of me.
The flight from Delhi to Goa takes just 2 hours and hence it
was an easy journey. Though my kids got quite irritated sitting at one place, but somehow my husband and I managed. I always prefer visiting places in off time but never
thought of visiting Goa in off season. However, this trip proved to be an amazing trip despite of off season. The beaches were less crowded and calm. And though it was a
monsoon time, it was not humid. On the flip side, there were no water sports
and night market, since Goa was flooded with water.
Here are some reasons why one can travel to Goa in off
season and that too in Monsoons-
1) Economical
The first and most beneficial part of visiting Goa in off
season was it was cheap. The flight ticket from Delhi it was just 8k per person
for round trip, which in peaks season varies from 15k to 25k per person. And it
is not just about flight tickets even the hotel we got was super economical. A
luxurious suit with a huge balcony overlooking a swimming pool and beautiful
garden to sit back, sip coffee and enjoy rain. The rates were actually 50% less
than the normal rates.
2) Beaches
The first beach which we visited was Baga Beech. Most
popular beach of Goa and nearest from our hotel, it offers something for
everyone. It is a picturesque beach with parties, music, beach shacks, karaoke,
good food and is easily the most happening place in Goa. Just adjacent to Baga beach, the Calangute
beach it is a bit crowded yet beautiful sea beach. Famous for its nightlife,
Calangute is has lots of famous pubs of Goa including the Tito’s and others on
the Tito’s lane are located closeby. Next day we started with Candolym beach
followed by Anjuna Beach. Personally my favourite was Anjuna Beach, it was
peaceful and serene. It is a perfect beach to spend a peaceful evening with
family.
3) A drive
to South Goa
Though we would have preferred walking, but since we had two
kids with us and rain was unpredictable, we chose a drive to South Goa. We were completely mesmerized by the peaceful yet enchanting beauty of South
Goa. On one side of road there is a
beautiful sea and other side is dotted with incredible houses. These houses of
Portuguese era have been well preserved by the natives. These houses have the
most beautiful colours and textures and are just captivating. The cool breeze
of sea on my face and the sight of of these engrossing houses just made the
drive one of the most beautiful drives of my life. My kids also loved the whole
drive. They loved the refreshing breeze.
We also visited Dona Paula which is located just 6 km
south-west of Panaji . Famous for the shooting of Singhum film, our taxi bhaiya
thought that this is the best place he is showing us. It was a high tide so it looked quite beautiful, but the place was too crowded. We also visited Colva
beach and Palolem beach. The Palolem beach proved to be my girls favourite
though I do not know the reason why they
liked this beach only. The two reason I could think of is it had lots of dogs
and by this time they were fed up of being scared of huge tides. Whatever be
the reason this is the only beach where they enjoyed to the fullest so much so
that we had to stop them to go near the tides.
This beautiful beach is located in Canacona and about 40 minute drive
from Margao. This beach is one of un-spoilt stretches of sandy shores. The
inhabitants here are the local fishermen and visitors who stay in the shacks. I
bought some handmade anklets from them.
4) A ride to
ship/cruise trip
Our super excited taxi bhaiya also took us to a ship ride
along the Mandovi river. The Goa Tourism operates a range of entertaining
hour-long cruises along the Mandovi River aboard the Santa Monica or
Shantadurga . It includes a live band and that performs on Goan folk songs and
dances. There are also twice-weekly, two-hour dinner cruises and a
twice-weekly, all-day backwater cruise, which takes you down the Mandovi to Old
Goa, stopping for lunch at a spice plantation and then heading back past Divar
and Chorao Islands. All cruises depart from the Santa Monica Jetty next to the
Mandovi Bridge, where you can purchase tickets.
We went to one hour trip. The most beautiful sight in this one hour trip was that
there was a point where Mandovi river meets Arabian sea. Though the ship took a
uturn from there I can see the change in the waves, it was a beautiful sight
to see. For the first time in my life I have seen the confluence of river and
sea.
5) Beautiful
Churches and Fort
The most beautiful church we saw was Basilica of Bom Jesus,
a remarkable church built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. It is a part
of UNESCO World heritage Site and it also referred as St. Francis Xavier’s
Tomb. This grand church is built out of black granite in an amalgamation of the
Doric, Corinthian and composite styles.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus preserves the holy remains of
Goa’s patron saint Francis Xavier, who died on a sea voyage to China in 1552.
Once every 10 years, the body is allowed to be viewed by the people who visit
this holy place. When we went the body was resting in peace in a beautiful wooden coffin inside a corner of church where photography was prohibited.
We also saw the “Three Kings Church” known to be the most
haunted place in Goa. Legend says that it is haunted and the story is that once
upon a time there were three Portuguese kings living in Goa. They often used to
fight to gain power in the land but they were tied by the Portuguese diplomacy
between rulers policy. One of the kings (King Holger Alvunger) one day invited
the other two kings in his place and poisoned them to death. He himself fell out
with the public and committed suicide by consuming poison. King Holger’s place
is the current Three Kings Church in Goa, where there have been reports of
sightings and general unrest.
However, the place is
very scenic. It is worth climbing the
hill and getting here since one can get a breathtaking view of surrounding lush
green regions and the Arabian Sea, and if you go there before sundown you will
be able to enjoy a peaceful sunset. The Three Kings Church is one place to
enjoy peace and pleasing natural beauty.
Another historical place is the grand Fort of Aguada at the
shore of Mandovi river. It was constructed to protect old Goa from the attacks
of Dutch and Marathas. A central jail and a lighthouse built during the 19th
century are also located near this fort. This is presently serving as the
Central Jail. Aguada Fort boasts of the first ever light house in Asia.
6) Greenery
I am not a person who loves rain, but still I fell in love
with rain here. It seemed that I have
used green filter in my eyes as all I can see there is greenery. In fact if I
have to define my first visit to Goa in two words then it is- ‘Green Goa’. So, all those who loves rain must visit Goa
in monsoon to see how the droplets from the sky embellish the place and makes
it green, rejuvenating and pristine. It comes alive in a lush green tropical
vibe and everything feels fresh, wet and clean.
