Quit - Not Travelling: Goa

Sinquerim Beach

Date: 28-Feb to 3-March 2013.

Group: Dimple and me.

Mode of travel: Self driven Ford Figo.

Route: Bangalore-Tumkur-Chitradurga-Hubli-Gelgaum-Amboli-Sawantwadi-North Goa-Calangute-Panaji-Madgaon-Karward-Ankola-Yellapur- (no Hubli)- Bankapur – Chitradurga – Tumkur – Bangalore.

Distance: 1435 KMs, including the local drive in Goa.

Fuel Cost: 6500/-

Things to do at Goa:

Spend time on beach shank. Drink, eat and swim.
Get involved into water sports: Jet Boat Dolphin ride, Para Sailing, JetSki.
Visit Old City and Churches. Do not forget to hire a Guide if you are not aware of the history.
Visit Churches at Panaji.
Visit For Aguaga and Light House. Prefer the Sunset time
Visit Chapora Fort, the Dil Chahta Hai Point.
Visit the Saturday Night Market, all night long.
Do Kayaking.
Go for a Jog on beach.

We had booked KSRTC Volvo bus tickets for Goa on 27^th evening. While coming back from office it to my mind that driving would be fun. People told me to drive earlier as well but looks like I need perfect time for to digest a good thought. So I cancelled the Bus tickets and slept to wake up 2 in the morning and leave Bangalore at 3. Drove all the way via Tumkur-Chitradurga-Hubli-Belgaum-Amboli-Sawantwadi-North Goa-Calangute. The road is excellent till Belgaum with many diversions till Chitradurga. After that you can average around 90. Post Belgaum it is all internal roads but good.

On the very first day we started at Shree Sagar on the main Baga Road. Kshitiz, Prerna, Prashant and Abha were already there. After eating food and getting refreshed we headed towards Calangute Beach. It took me some time to digest the crowd. Kshitiz told me that this is very less as compared to the condition in January. I was not very excited and opted to sit at the sand to watch people around.

We came back, got refreshed and went to St. Anthony’s to spend rest of the night. It was good time to sit on the relaxing chairs on the beach, have good food and drinks.

That was end of Day 1.

Next day we went to Chapora fort and then to the old city to see Churches. From there we went to Fort Aguada. Spent the Sun set time at the Light House and the Hill edge. From there we came to Candolim area and checked into Hotel Delta Residency. After getting refreshed we went to Tito’s.

That was end of Day 2.

We had delicious breakfast at The German Bakery and went to the Sinquerim Beach. The had a full great day here including exclusive couple Jet boat Dolphin ride, Tatto, Massage, many times swimming, snacks, beer and all the fun at the Blue Wave Shack. From there we went to the Saturday Night Market at Arapora to get amazed. At 10 we returned back. That was end of Day 3.

On last day we went to South Goa to do Kayaking at Sal Backwaters. From there we went to Majorda Beach to enjoy the swimming. Then had lunch at the Martin’s Corner.

I had to get the head light fixed for the return Journey. Being Sunday, no garage was open. I spotted a garage which was also close but since the garage was in the house of the mechanic, it was open. That guy was such a gentle man that he took bulb out of another car to put into my car and asked just of 100. I am sure that any such service at the time of emergency at most of the other places in country would not have cost me less than 500. Not sure that my wife got some raw mangoes from the tree at his house. Instead of minding this act, He offered more. I thanked him and with more respect for Goa people I started driving towards Karward. Soon Dimple’s condition went back and she vomited at least 6 times. She went to sleep after loosing all the energy and eat a quick fix tablet from me. Now it was just me driving Figo on the dark roads. The route on return journey was Majorda-Karward-Ankola-Yellapur-Bankapur-Chitradurga-Bangalore. The roads are all good or excellent. Between Yellapur and Bankaput the road goes from thick dense forest. It was scary as well as mystic to drive on that road. I just took a 5 minutes tea break after starting from Karward to reach

Bangalore at 3 in the morning. When closed my eyes on the bed, I found my self either swimming at the sea or roaming at the Saturday Night market. Goa is definitely worth of many many visits.