Well! Where to start! Okay, First I must confess, that Goa is a place which you can visit all 12 months, if there is rain-time, go enjoy the rains and North Goa especially, and if its carnival time, go enjoy the new year and party bashes of South Goa. I went Goa (what about!) approx. 5 times, the main reason for so many visits is because of my mausiji (I hope you remember my cousin from my last diary post!), she actually lived there. Just behind her house, flows the Mandovi River (the creek of Arabian Sea), on which the famous bridge (many films have shown that!) of Goa is built. In front of her house is a big total-green covered hill, on the top of which Navy has its headquarters. Well!
Well, once we both went to Goa from Belgaum on bike, and mind it that was a nice biking experience (approx. 150 km!), taking turns to drive the machine over the turning roads over the lush green ghats. It took around 4.5 hrs for us to reach the entrance gate of Goa (we enjoyed our journey, so took our time!). Goa consists of small village-like-towns, and my mausi lived at Verem, so we passed whole artistic caricature of North Goa, Ponda, Mhapusa, then Verem. At home, we got to hear lots of things from my mausiji (let's not discuss those!).
We took the bike and visited many places. You can enter into South Goa from North Goa either by crossing that famous filmy bridge (over Mandovi) or through Ferry from Betim to Panaji. We chose ferry, and it transferred us to the other side. We took our bike and unleash the machine on Goan roads (Be careful of Goa Traffic-police!). Visited Dona Paula (the famous tourist spot on the end, just behind the Goa Vidhansabha), went to new directions of South Goa. This time we went as far as we can, and went towards Vasco for the first time. And it was the ultimate experience! We went till the end of the road, beyond which railway tracks didn't go, and beyond which you can have a look at the harbour, big ships being overhauled there, loaded and unloaded. We tried the last road near the harbour, and it was a dangerous road. It was at a 40 degree angle, ends at a Navy Office, width just enough for two bikes, and one side just sea is waiting for you (other side is the hill). We actually tried that road. We passed Dabolim airport of Goa. We did enjoy the water sports (roadies wale!), because my last trip (Jan 2010) was the only trip at the right time of enjoying seas (rest are during monsoons, and you cannot go in seas during monsoons, water is also not clear, alongwith other dangers!).
If you want to wish the portuguese Goa, you should visit South Goa, many churches, famous beaches, and old buildings you can see there. In the night/evening you have cruises, where you can enjoy the dancing parties and sea experience, on big boats, which take you from Panjim to the place where actual sea starts! Don't take any tours, just take a bike (you can get that very easily at Goa, just pay them, and take bikes on rents!), and let Goa take care of you. I think 2 parts are not enough, still remains the ever beautiful North Goa (where many movies been shot!). So, wait for another part to unleash the natural beauty of North Goa.
GRuchirG.
