*Get's an email from the HR*
Upcoming Friday is a Wellness Weekend, urge you all to take a leave...
Don't know what followed, never finished reading that email, but the next thing I was doing was searching for places to ride to over the long weekend.
Monsoon had arrived by this time and those who've witnessed it, will vouch for the stunning beauty of the Western Ghats in rains.
A bike ride, a dream to be fulfilled, a bucket-list item to be ticked-off was on the cards and what place better than Goa to achieve it!
While I love riding solo, I asked around if anyone was interested in accompanying me, only to be dismissed with an instant 'are you crazy?' '17 hours riding in 3 days, that too in rains?' Well then, solo it was.
Geared up and started the day early @6:00 am to a dramatic morning sky. A quick pitstop to fuel up my darling HIM followed by a ritual - Kadak adrak wali chai at a tapri and off I was - 423 Kms to go!
The first leg of the ride involved getting out of the city limits, big fat highways and a lot of excitement for the rest of the Journey which made me take lesser halts. The next stop, now, was to fuel myself, with Poha and Vadapav at a little highway-side food joint - 284 Kms to go!
For the second leg of the ride I had to switch to a high BPM playlist, well, let's face it, some patches can get boring and you need a little nudge every now-and-then by a 'Dil chahta hain' or a 'Hairat'- 142 Kms to go!
Phone mounted ✔ Bluetooth Clicker Activated✔ Raincoat on✔ - It was time to experience the breathtaking views of the Western Ghats in the final leg of the journey. It was my first time in Amboli Ghat and oh boy, I'll never find enough words to describe this gem of a place - 72 Kms to go!
Touchdown GOA @2:30 pm! I had booked a very cozy hostel in Vagator, the Dreams Hostel for two nights and I wasn't disappointed. After a not-so-quick nap, I decided to head out. Monsoon meant I wouldn't be allowed to venture too much inside the sea and being the water-baby I am, all I needed was a dip in the water to end my day and I knew exactly where to go, Sweet Water Lake, Arambol.
The Rest Day - While I was extremely tempted to visit a couple of waterfalls on day two, I decided against it to to have an untiring day. Visited Chapora fort, a 10 minutes walk from the hostel and had my little Dil Chahta Hain moment. Followed it by a brunch at Artjuna, an art-inspired cafe with not-so-warm service. Rather, a bunch of people I was sharing the table with, were warm enough to invite me, seeing me sit dine alone.
The rest of the day was spent meeting and chilling with fellow hostel residents from different parts of the world.
The Ride Back - Barely 60 hours into the trip, having met so many new people and seen so many new places, it was time to head back. After checking out from the hostel, visited Baba Au Rhum for a wholesome breakfast and hit to road.
If you're still with me, please ride safe and responsibly and travel sustainably.
Until the next ride!