After planning so much for a short vacation, we both (my husband and I) finally zoomed in for Goa. Now, as this was my introductory trip to Goa, and the time for it was just in right as December end is supposed to be the most happening time of the year. Since, everything, about this trip was finalized in the eleventh hour, and flights were already costing an exorbitant amount, we decided to go for a road trip from Mumbai to Goa.
We started off the trip at 4 in the evening from Mumbai on the 23Rd of December and decided to stay at a place about 10kms before Satara. This place was homestay in a village just a minute away from the highway. The place was pretty cheap to our pocket for an overnight stay and we even had our dinner, which was home cooked Maharashtrian food. The food was good but a little spicy for us. The place was pretty clean and nice. They provided us a with a poha breakfast in the morning. We left for Goa on the 24th morning at around 7:30. Now, the way to Goa via NH48 is good and saves time. We reached Candolim, Goa at around 2:30 pm. Candolim is a part of north Goa. Our Airbnb apartment was around 10mins walk from the Candolim market and beach. The apartment where we stayed was a 1 BHK space, which was in residential premises, and the best part about the place was it had a swimming pool where you can go for swimming in the morning. The best way to explore Goa is to hire a two-wheeler especially during the season time otherwise one might waste time by getting stuck in traffic. During the season time, everything gets costly in Goa, the two-wheeler which could you around 350 a day, costed us 600 a day after bargaining. The first we reached Candolim and rested and then headed to the Candolim beach which is surrounded by a market with many good eating options and stores for clothing and accessories. Goa beaches have got shacks where one can eat, sun bathe read or whatever one would like. We decided to eat at the Bobby’s shack at the Candolim beach (which is amongst the best shacks). The next day we hired a scooty and left for a brunch to a place named Fifteen Candolim, it is one of the best-rated place to eat in North Goa. We ordered one vegetarian and one chicken dish and both the options were good especially the chicken. Every restaurant serves good but limited vegetarian options and there are pure vegetarian eating options also easily available everywhere in Goa.
Then we headed straight to beaches -Baga beach, which seemed to be the most crowded of all; there are many shacks available with options for watersports (but during this time, they will charge you more and the time duration for the sport will be shortened). But one would really to go for water sports including scuba diving; there is an island in the outskirts that serves this purpose.
After Baga, came Anjuna, which was less crowded and we decided to have our dinner in one of the most popular shack, Curlie’s. The place is quite good. N if you get the seating space outside then the view is amazing and it is breezy. Afterwards we decided to call it a day.
The third of stay in Goa started with a brunch at Tora Tora near Baga beach. This place has really good reviews for their food and ambience and trust me it didn’t let us down. We ordered Goan style roasted chicken with salad and fresh skewed veggies with cous cous. The chicken was tender and had been marinated and prepared in Goan spices. The veggies were prepared really nicely (I would love to go their again). We also came across this store named Flames (German brand), they had this cool beach dress and party wear and accessories. The store was quite good but a bit expensive. Then we headed on our way to Agouda Fort and on our way towards Candolim, we saw this store by Goan cartoonist Mario. This place gives you the home accessories and clothing with the artwork of Mario on it, from lamps to kitchenware to T-shirts, fridge magnets, key chains, wall hangings etc. Etc. Quite a cool place if you are looking for some cool and not so customary stuff for home. We headed to the fort, it is near to Candolim and it will be quite crowded during this time around as lots of tourist visit this site. The view from the fort was quite beautiful (that’s the only thing to go for). Afterwards we headed back to Candolim, the market nearby has lots of options if you looking for jewelry (be it silver gold junk) and also Beach wear, flip flops etc. Etc. There is also an exclusive Harley Davidson merchandise store, which is not so common. Candolim has got many restaurants catering to foreigners and Indians, and we decided to go for Indian cuisine by going for a restaurant named Inferno which had mostly Indian menu and was the most crowded eatery as many foreigners were trying the Indian food. We ordered navratna korma and one paneer dish with garlic naan and roti. The food was good and so was service and ambience. Afterwards we called it a day.
Next morning, we left for our 2 days stay in South Goa. We drove to Dhavali, Ponda via Panjim and old Goa. It took us around an hour to reach Panjim, where we visited the famous, Our lady of Immaculate Conception church (famous shooting spot for movies), to visit the church, one should not wear shorts and shirt dresses as it is not allowed. Then we went to art and gallery and cafe which is like 19mins walk from the church, Bodega cafe and I must mention it is a place to visit if you want just sit and relax and have good food (berries smoothie and lemonida, their version of lemonade, margarita pizza and red velvet cupcake) it was all amazing and fulfilling. After a lovely break and good meal, we drove to our final destination Ponda and reached out homestay at around 8 pm. The hosts were really nice, a Goan couple with an amazing home and the room was pristine and had all the necessities required for the stay. For dinner, we went to a basic restaurant in the vicinity. Now, the thing is the place where we stayed was not a very commercialized set up, as you would find in northern part of Goa. So, after dinner we called it a day.
Next day, we decided to go to the beaches of South Goa and first one was Majorda beach. This beach was around 25mins drive from our place and the beach was not so crowded. It was cleaner and we spent around 2 hours just relaxing. But the food available in the shacks was not so good and they overcharged us. After we left for the lunch at an old pizza joint run by a lady and the best part is they prepare the pizza in a wooden oven. The place is very reasonable and they serve amazing pizzas. One should definitely try. Afterwards we went to another beach just to rest as it was damn hot, Colva. This beach is a little crowded beach of South Goa. We just rested and slept till the sunset and afterwards left for the most awaited and the last meal of our Goa stay, to Martin’s, the oldest and best restaurant. It is situated in quite residential area and the place has a charm of its own. It was decorated because of Christmas and New Year. There was a live performance by a local talent. And it was full by the time we ordered our food. Amazing place if you want to try Goan seafood.
The next day we left for Mumbai and till the time we visit Goa again.
