My trip to Goa

Our trip to Goa was finalized not by its stunning beauty, Hawaiian weather or country-side environment but by the frequent flier miles we have gathered over years. We selected Goa among different places and we did not get disappointed by our selection. Goa really has lot to offer.

Our flight reached the Goa airport around 4:30pm in the evening and the runway was very near mountain and I felt like making a smooth landing on a mountain terrain. Tourist taxi is inside the airport and approved Pre-paid taxi is outside the airport. If you want to compare prices don't take the first one in front, the tourist taxi. Cars in both are same but only color is different. Highway outside remembered the Mumbai highway that I have seen 13 years back. To reach to our company Holiday home the taxi went in narrow lanes. Some areas look like Kerala. Driver had tough time in reaching this place. Although no internet, STD facilities are available, this place is ideal if you want zero disturbance and peaceful lonely location. This is a nice and well maintained guest house. We relaxed there in the evening. Care taker Santosh took good care of us and provided nice dinner.

Next day, we took a private taxi - Maruthi zen for Rs. 1,250 to visit North Goan places. First we went to Coco Beach. Boat trip there costs Rs. 300/- per head. He shows Goa Jail, Light house, an 80 crore sea side building. Highlight of this cruise is showing Dolphins and without disappointment Dolphins show their head here and there and "n" number of boats circle around that place eager to show their tickets worth. This trip is really a good one. Then we went to Calangute beach and it was lovely - a version of neat chennai Marina beach. Para gliding & high speed boats were attractions. And we just watched them standing on lovely warm waves. We then went to Aquada and my wife Krithika preferred to stay in car. The place gives some nice sea views and I and my daughter Shashandra took some photos. Bad part is, we got roasted in the sun. Then we went to Baga Beach. Had our lunch at Dominos. We went there as we required Air Condition. Then we went to Anjuna Beach. Baga Beach and Anjuna Beach were filled with Westerners. Anjuna beach gives a sea view with rocks giving a picturesque view. We were very tired by this time and completed the day with Boat cruise. Hindi Songs were played in the boat and the DJ invited first kids, then gents, then ladies, then couples to dance. However we felt selection of the songs was not much discoic. I and Shashandra joined briefly but Shashandra was too shy to dance or see anyone. There were 4 Konkan regional folk dances also, which was lovely. I always enjoy regional entertainment so I really enjoyed this. We reached our guest house and Dinner arranged by Santosh was simple & spicy, but very good.

Next day, we took the same private taxi for Rs. 1,250 again to visit South Goa. First he showed Panjim beach but we don't want to get down as we have seen enough of beaches. Dona Paula is next place and we bought souveniers. From the mountain and platforms provided, it is beautiful to view. We then went to visit 2 churches. Portuguese Churches were Ornamental and nice. However I cannot compare this with stunning architectural English churches that I have seen in England. We also visited 2 temples - Mangeshi (Moustache & Bearded Shiva) and Durga temple. We had our lunch at Spice gardens. Entry ticket is Rs. 300/- and for that they provide reasonably good lunch. They then show different spice trees with spices in them. We could recall our trip to Srilanka where we have seen similar one. This trip is worth and nice. We then went for a Big Foot Museum costing Rs. 50/-. It was not impressive and we just took it as a place to enjoy some shade. They need to do more to bring in crowd and I provided the same in my feedback form. There was also Ancient Goa museum costing Rs. 100/- but were did not want to go. We concluded our trip going to South Goa Beach. Some decent looking drunken youngsters gave a sad sight going inside the beach waters and life guards have a tough time controlling them. Beach was very beautiful, flat, wavy and warm. As we have only 2 days booking at company Holiday home, we checked in at Martin's Comfort and it costs Rs. 3000/- per night. It was quite good and decent. We went to dinner at Martin's comfort. Food quality is very good and guests enjoyed participating in Karoake. As the flight is early in the morning, we missed the hotel's free breakfast.

Goa can be summarized as having simple localites, beautiful beaches, warm climate, stunning natural sceneries and vacationing westerners.

Returned to lovely Chennai and the weather at that time is 25 degrees Centigrade.