Dec 01, 2008 02:34 PM
3006 Views
Being a working professional I did not have many days in hand for holidaying. So I had to plan it in such a fashion that I cover it during the weekend, which was just impossible. Mind it, it was our first ever visit to the city, with no idea of the place and no suggestion from any colleague. It was entirely based on experience and explorations (he he) and yes mouthshut’s reviews, which I believe was enough.
Finally, we started our 4-day journey on Friday evening. Travelers were me and my boyfrd. We boarded 4:55 pm Garib Rath from LTT terminus (Mumbai). It was very reasonable as one 3A cost around Rs 500 only. We reached Madgaon at 6 am sharp. Since we had booked a room at panji (mistake), we took pre-paid taxi to Panji residency. journey (around 45 min) It is a GTDC (Goa tourism) hotel, so was well maintained, it had laundry, internet, beauty parlor, small emporium that also offered camera on hire, a restaurant and facing the Panaji Lake.
Since, we went during off-time i.e. last week of sept, the rates were quiet low, Rs 810 only for a double room and the rooms were worth. We were lucky that we got the room even at 7 am in the morning and were not charged an extra penny; another good thing was that GTDC organize various packages on hour basis, day basis.
*The day-long tour
Stats at 9:30 and since we were ready by 9, we could think, choose and even join the tour. We opted for the day-long trip to north Goa, simply because the manager informed us that north Goa tour includes beaches and lakes.** Well, we paid about Rs 350 per head. We all got into a mini bus. Our first halt was at a fort, I believe it is Auguda Fort. Nice one picturesque. Then we went to a stupid lake, then temples and then the other side of the same stupid lake. It was just boring. To boring and I was wondering how on earth people can fall in love for Goa. THIS GOA!!!
And my question was answered. Our next halt was a beach. Lovely place, wide shore, and not to be forgotten- a very clean beach. Yes for someone, who has seen enough of JUHU beach, will be happy for sure.
We visited three beaches on a row; Anjuna, Candolim and Calangute, and the last one turned out to be the best one.It seemed as if half the population had gathered there.
The feeling of being in Goa was now sinking in. we were given about 45 minutes
to stay there and at 6 we were back in the bus. By 7 we were in our rooms.
Day 2: today, we
decided to discover Goa by ourselves.
So we hired a scooty, (Honda Activa) for Rs 250 per day. The best part of this was that I was driving the scooty and boyfrd was sitting behind. Our obvious move was towards Calangute beach. Relying on our memory and a pinch of common sense, we finally reached there. I was carrying a
Times Guide with me, so I had a map and a list of beaches. We proudly discovered Baga beach, Candolim (again), Dona Paula, Morgim and Ajunim (again) and back to calangute. I don’t even remember the names of a few.
If you are in a group then, even night life at Goa can be fun, but for us (the two sheepish souls), staying in and around our hotel was the option. Now since, we are veggies, food was no extraordinary for us. And even wine for that matter. However, my beaux did finish two bottles of red wine (in three days of course).
Dress: this line is for the ladies and girls like me who never wore even a knee- short dress as can just come out of their shell. Short skirts and hot pants were my only dress there. Wow!!
Oh! I forgot to mention, the benefit of staying in a GTDC hotel is that u can shift from one hotel to another and the bill will be adjusted. Day two we have moved to the Calagute residency, which was on the shore of calangute beach. After our Goa discovery we went to the beach in the evening for 3-4 hrs. We had the luxury of coming back to the hotel in minutes and then taking rest in the swimming pool.
Day 3: day three we went back to Panji residency, and it was south goa’s turn. Miramar, colva, Vasco and Margao, were our halt destinations.
Day four: our last day in Goa. We went to calangute again, as it was the best and nearest place. After spending the whole day, we came back in evening to pick our bags. And at 5 we left the place to catch our evening train, same Garib Rath. Next day morning at ^ in Mumbai, and back to office. My pick of this journey was the fun and thrill of discovering the city by yourself, you can hear the waves, and you keep on rolling your eyes to get a glimpse of sea shore. And north Goa, is very greener in comparison to south.
Please carry a sun screen lotion, but do not ruin the fun of bathing on the cost of your complexion. And do fill your bike before leaving the place; the city has limited petrol pumps.
