So I spent my Diwali vacation in Goa this year. 🙂 It was my first trip to Goa and the people to go on the trip were my parents, D and I.
# 4th Nov 2010 day 1 :- Arrived at Madgaon early morning from Pune. The feeling of being in Goa starts from Madgaon station itself because of all the cartoon drawings of Mario Miranda on the walls of Madgoan station 🙂 Colva beach is only 10 kms from Madgaon so it is no use staying at Madgaon. So we hired a pre paid taxi to Colva beach. Checked in to a good family resort just 100 m away from beach. Nice place but bad service and rude staff. 😦
The afternoon and evening of that day was spent at beach only. Colva beach is the best beach of Goa! The sand was so soft and the beach is well maintained, not too crowded like Calanguate or Baga beach and the water is not that deep so less number of lifeguards. People are people ..throwing packets and bottles on beach.. 🙄 It used to get cloudy after 3 pm in Goa and that weather was awesome. It was lovely taking a long stroll on the beach and discovering starfishes, crabs and molluscs on the beach trying to crawl back to sea.
There are good places to eat at Colva beach. There is a Subway outlet and a Cafe Coffee Day place at Colva market area. So I was happy 🙂 There is a Bengali outlet even which serves typical Bong food. So Dad and Mom were quite happy!! 🙂
# 5th Nov 2010 Day 2 :- The system of renting two wheelers in Goa is good. One just needs to have a license and another ID proof. The rates are quite cheap (petrol cost not included) The only strange thing in Goa is the lack of petrol pumps..Colva doesn’t have a single one!! People sell petrol in shops!
Anyway,so D and I hired a Honda Activa for 200 Rs for 8 hrs and went to Panaji which is around 40 kms from Colva. Google Maps app on D’s phone was most helpful..I was backseat driving legally!! It was quite thrilling going on unknown roads. The roadways of Goa are well maintained thankfully. After seeing the number of churches one comes across in Goa, I have named Goa as the land of Churches! One of the Churches on way to Panaji at Utorda –
One of the bridges on Mandovi river on the way to Panaji
It takes 1 hr 15 mins to reach Panaji from Colva on Activa. While we were stretching our legs at a road side bus stop bench, a woman sitting beside us said hello on her own accord. I started thinking how friendly Goan people are! But after sometime when she started to leave, she gave us a brochure of some church/society. I found that bit strange. 😐 After having lunch at an outlet called Edu’s Restaurant, we went to Donapaula, a bay where Mandovi river meets the Arabian Sea.
The clothes market at Donapaula
The famous statues at Donapaula
The view of the bay from Donapaula view-point
Then on our way back, we entered Panaji’s narrow lanes and by-lanes..the city has such a wonderful quaint Spanish sort of look just like in movies. But we didn’t have much time to explore as dark clouds had started gathering. We just visited the famous church at Panaji town square – Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception built-in 1540.
By the time we reached our hotel, it was already dark. Driving in dark in South Goa is risky as it gets quite deserted and there are no streetlights even on highway!!
Ended the day with a wonderful dinner of prawns at one of the outlets at beach (did not have the guts to try squid or shark fin :D) and a stroll on the beach at night.
To be continued….
The stroll on the beach must have been nice. When F and I get to go the beach, I will definately enjoy that. Next time, try the squiid! I heard it is actually quite nice!
I will!! what about shark fin? how is it?
I LOVE Goa….its beautiful and beautiful and more beautiful (i think its coz am a beach person! :D)
And the people in Goa are normally in no hurry! Love the pace there!
I am a beach person too!!
Btw, this post’s come up at the right time. I think its time to hit goa soon 😀
i have been all over india and this is one place where i long to go and havenot been able to
and diwali in goa awesome
the pictures tell a story all of them 🙂
Ohh go to Goa soon!! thanks!
Been to Goa twice and it was different every time 🙂
Do u know the legend behind Donapaula? And u didn’t shop in Panaji?
No it being Diwali all shops were closed in Panaji 😦 yeah read the legend on Wikipedia.
Wow! Loved your account, Reema! It seems like a perfect holiday. And you even got Bengali food 🙂
Love the pics! Beautifully captured! Waiting for part 2 now.
thanks Smitha!!
Nice pictures, the place looks very neat as well! I am reminded of Pondicherry when I saw the pictures, I don’t know why!
BTW, I am tagging you on the topic ‘My top three movies of all time’ – Pls do if you find time.
Destination Infinity
Done!! U know Pondicherry is on my list too!
ohh, I love this place ! Been there once and dying to get there again ! 😀 😀 😀
waiting for the second part ! 😀
Are you really?? 😛
Beautiful pictures. I have been wanting to go to goa 😦
Go Go Go!! thanks 🙂
thats a simple and crisp account with enough pictures Reema.. Its one of the place I want to go for a long time.. maybe I will travel by next year 🙂 🙂
thanks Kanagu!! Yes u must visit goa!
Ah Goa…been there twice. Once as a child with family and once after TYBA with friends. Brings back memories… 🙂 Nice pics!!
thanks!!
Goa is one place which I have been wanting to visit from god-knows-how-many-yrs.. Nice pics.. I love visiting Churches too, some of them are so artistic right? Looks like you had lot of fun.. waiting for the next post on this 🙂
Thanks Avada! hope u r able to go there this year!
pictures are wonderful!
thanks Titaxy
The boat-parachute pic and the bridge one are amazing.
What a lovely Diwali vacation u hv hd 🙂
Stroll on the beach @ nite – Just so relaxing. I luv it 🙂
thanks Swaram! I did have a great time!
wow! nice Reema 🙂
Goa seems idyllic for Diwali vacations! 🙂
Loved the pics.. cant wait for the second part 🙂
thanks Pixie!! yes that Oct- Nov time is great for going to Goa.
I HEART Goa! I really wouldn’t mind living there.
Did you hear the legend of the statues at Dona Paula? Tourist gimmicks I am sure, but interesting stuff 😀
Please put up the next part soon!
I too loved Goa!! want to go there again soon!!
Goa is my favouritest destination. I can spend days there, not doing anything, staring at the sea and gorge on yummy Goan delicacies. Goa is sheer indulgence for me.
I think once I shift to Pune, Goa will become the same for me too! 🙂
i loved goa… went there last year, alone and yes had a whale of a time :))
love the look of the blog…
thanks Aarti!
Goa is such a lovely place. I’ve been there and then I hated to come back to my city. I could hear the sea gurgle all the time!!
Your pictures brought back those memories, thanks for sharing them!
nicely written!
thanks dear!!
Very nice travel post and photos. I’m yet to visit Goa. My sis loves it over there 🙂 it looks so beautiful!
thanks Kiran!
waiting for the next part 🙂
lol 🙂 ok!
I went to Goa back in 2006 to meet my GF(now wife 🙂 ) who was doing research project there. We enjoyed the walk at the Donapaula beach and spotted some Dolphins swimming around as well. It was a perfect romantic evening 🙂
Dolphins??? wow! will check that out next time. We went to the lighthouse not beach.
And this gives an impetus to our plan for a trip to Goa this semester .. 😉 😉 …
Oh we had gone on the 6th sem Industrial tour to Mumbai and Goa 🙂
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What could be better than spending winter faraway of snow and cold? I’ve never been there but as I can see is wonderful in Goa.
true!
i believe squid is equvalent to prawns if cooked properly, golden fried prawns and mandeli fry are the famous goan dishes. The hired bike is unique to Goa. Plus plenty of booze is available…lolz
hired bike is available in Pondicherry too.
Nice post, Reema.
We were in Goa a few weeks back and loved it out there.
The food esp in the smaller joints where phenomenal …
Goa is a chilled out place … u feel so relaxed the moment you get out of the airport …
Can’t wait to head back there!
Cheers,
Madhu
thanks and welcome to my blog!