11th December 2014
All of us got up around 8 o clock, had breakfast and got ready. We took a bus for sight seeing. We were to go to South Goa and visit some churches and forts as well. The first stoppage was a view point, the Dona Paula view point, from where one could see the sea as far as the horizon. There was not much to do, and we ended up clicking photographs, buying chips, and having coconut water. It was surprising to see coconut water costing us 40 bucks even after being at a coastal area. It was so sunny and hot that all of us were sweating after this expedition. This view point was situated far from the main road, and we had to walk a lot to reach there. After boarding the bus again, discussions about where we should go next began. This was definitely not the start we hoped for.
After much suggestions, we were finally going to a beach, named Miramar. It felt really good going into the water, splashing it around and feeling the waves crashing at my feet. We spent about an hour in the water, and then I wrote my name on the sand. I felt happy just doing that. Never having a beach to go to as a child, it felt good to just become a kid again.
At Miramar Beach
Writing name on sand
After everyone ate something, we gathered up for our next stop – the Basilica of Bom Jesus church, which holds the remains of St. Francis Xavier. It is said that St. Francis Xavier found out and developed Goa and was an angel sent by God himself. He was buried when he died, but when they took out his body after a year or two they found that it wasn’t decaying. So they preserved the body and it’s done till date. We first went to the Church, prayed and then went to see the body of St. Francis. I felt a bit weird seeing the body. It wasn’t like I had expected it to be. But then again, I don’t really know what I should have expected in the first place.
Basilica of Bom Jesus Church
While coming back, instead of going to the hotel, we wanted to have dinner first. We had even skipped lunch, so that just added up. We went to a restaurant called Inferno on the way to Candolim Beach. I and Mansi, ended up ordering Dal Makhani, for the lack of better option, while two sea platters, baby King Prawns, and what not was ordered on the non veg side. The sea platter had crab, oyesters, squids, prawns and fish. I was excited to look at it and know how all of it tasted. Our Dal Makhani turned out be sort of mix dal and sweet. There is something with South India and sweetness in food. After a hearty meal, we went back to the hotel, freshened up, changed and discussed our plans for tomorrow. Since the bus tour had turned out be kind of a disaster, we decided to hire our own conveyance. We were going to start early, so after lots of gossiping and fun we went off to sleep.
The sea food platter
At Inferno
12th December 2014
I don’t remember when we got up, but after having breakfast, getting ready and hiring a jeep and two scooty we started our own journey. We first went to see Aguada fort, which was originally built as a prison. We got lots of pictures clicked. The view was really good and there was a slight breeze blowing, making it a perfect weather for a perfect day. After spending about an hour or more there, we finally started for our ultimate destination – Morjim Beach. It was said to be one of the cleanest beaches in Goa. All of us had planned to take a bath and enjoy. The jeep ride was a different experience altogether. One I’d never had before. Wind blowing on your face, talking to friends and a smile which says I’ve got no care in the world. It took us some time to get there as we got setback by a puncture. When we reached there it was evening, around 6. We got to see a beautiful sunset, with shades of yellow, orange and pink. After the sunset, we just sat in the water, with waves pushing us back each time they’d hit us. It was a calm and peaceful feeling. Just sitting there, doing nothing and admiring the vast sea. We played volleyball as well and it was so much fun. Shubham and Shagun were taking a dip everytime, while trying to catch the ball, even if it was not needed. This was the best experience out of the three days we had had here. Eventually we had to get out and go back, even though I really didn’t want to. I just wanted to sit here all day reading some book and admiring the scenery. For the lack of a better option, we ended up changing on the beach.
At Aguada Fort
Tonight’s plan was different. We were not going to sleep or gossip. We were going out, to experience Goa’s night life. We were going to Club Cubana. It is said to be one of the most famous and well known clubs of Goa. All of us took a much needed bath, got ready and left around 11 in the night. Another new experience for me, one I always wanted – going to a disc. We went inside, explored the place and then went to the bar. I took orange juice since juice, Coke and Miranda were the only options for those who didn’t want hard drinks. The proper soft drink section was a different one, and one had to pay separately to go there. I tried a few things, all burning my throat miserably. Drinking is definitely not the way they show it in movies and television shows, not for me at least. After a few rounds, all of us went to the dance floor and danced. The music playing was EDM, which was not much fun to dance, when you’ve always danced to and heard bollywood songs. After a while, all of us got bored and we just sat together and were talking. I could see people drunk everywhere, talking gibberish, doing funny things and needing support to walk or get down the stairs. It was an interesting experience. Even though the dancing was not enjoyable, this definitely was. I had a great time watching drunk people. It was really amusing. Shagun and I took two rounds in the jeep to drop everyone at the hotel. Driving around, at 4 in the night or morning, in a jeep, and in a new city. That was once in a lifetime kind of thing for me. I was really hungry, so had some Wai-Wai after getting back, had coffee, chatted a little and went to sleep. It was an eventful day today.
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