"GOA"- Everyone's desire.

But the sad part is Goa plans are made only to be canceled. It works something like this: When we are at the epitome of college life, we make a promise to hit GOA with the closest buddies once all of us get placed. As we gradually begin our career, we get occupied with our regular routines, friends get scattered throughout the country and it becomes really difficult for all to make “time” at the same point. However, a few optimistic ones are still planning a bachelor’s trip to GOA. But by then, the list of friends with whom we made the initial commitment, gets narrowed down significantly. This is Life. This is Time. This is how circumstances change with time and we constantly try to adapt ourselves to these changes.

However, my Goa plan had two sides like many others. Somehow I managed to execute Goa but could not get it fulfilled with my best folks together. I appreciate those groups who could eventually accomplish GOA plans with their best pals.

With all the excitement, four of us started from Kolkata in the month of September. Just to remind you, Goa flights are very costly from Kolkata and there are only a few direct flights from Kolkata. We took a one-stop flight in the night with an almost 4-hour layover in Hyderabad. Thanks to those Credit Cards again which made the lounge access available with free food and beverage options at Hyderabad Airport.

It was an early morning flight from Hyderabad which took a little more than an hour to land us safely at the Dabolim Airport, Goa. Here comes a tip, whenever you are taking cab/taxi from Airport to your hotel, try to use an app, "Goa Miles" which the state government has launched recently. This will make your ride way cheaper than the other available alternatives. And remember, Ola and Uber don’t work in Goa.

We reached our hotel, Sinq Edge that was pre-booked at Dona Paula. Dona Paula is almost at the middle of Goa and is very peaceful and calm. This day was kept a little easy given the overnight travel and halt. However, we enjoyed some Goan cuisine amidst the rain and some booze by the rooftop pool in the evening.

The next morning, we started for our North Goa. On the way to Vagator, we visited Dona Paula viewpoint and the two iconic churches, The Basilica of Bom Jesus and Immaculate Conception Church (commonly known as the White Church and part of a numerous Bollywood movies) in Panjim.

Around noon we reached, "I Love Bell Bottoms". Yeah, that’s the name of the hotel for our stay at Vagator. Just google it and you will come to know, why many like me consider this as one of the most enjoyable stays to date. The symmetric colorful window facades, the vivid rooms, in-house gym, disco, and above all the huge violin-shaped pool boosted our excitement higher.

We visited the Chapora Fort the same day in the afternoon. Chapora Fort is just a walking distance from the hotel. The fort gives a breath-taking view of the Arabian Sea. We witnessed the sunset from one of those broken rocks trying to get the feel of "Dil Chahta Hai". In the night we visited Antares Beach Club and Restaurant just beside Orzan Beach.

The subsequent morning we started for Arambol Beach. The beach was pretty secluded with a lot of beach shacks and some beach sports as well. We had our breakfast in one of such shacks with a few Russians who seemed to be staying for almost a month in Goa.

The lunch was grand that day. With the help of Dineout and Google Maps, we landed at the W Resorts just on top of the Vagator Beach. I must say, this resort is itself a destination worth visiting. You can guess how big the resort is just from the fact that there are golf cars and shuttle services available if you want to visit the pool from your hotel room. After having a sumptuous lunch and some insta-worthy clicks, we sat in the rocks of the Vagator Beach till the sunset.

It’s a new day, and time to visit the most popular place in Goa, The Baga Beach. Our hotel was just on the beachfront, Sinon Baga Retreat. The best part of the hotel was the beachfront pub cum restaurant Las Olas. Music goes on till 4 AM here and you even have the choice of setting up your candle-light table in the sand facing the sea. I am sure, if I visit Goa again, I will pay a visit to this place.

At Baga, we booked scooter rentals which are easily available for Rs 250-350 per day against submitting any Govt. Id. I took Vespa which is slightly on the higher side but the ride along the Goa roads makes it worthy. Post-lunch we drove to Aguada Fort and while returning we paid a quick visit to the Sinquerim Fort & Beach and the Candolim Beach.

The evening was intended for party. The famous Tito’s Club on Tito’s lane was our destination. The party continued till late at night. Our hotel being very close to the place, we settled for some star gazing moments on the beach. It was night, less crowded, some select music, the sound of waves and a clear sky. A perfect backdrop to fall in love again and again.

Another fresh morning, we visited Calangute Beach just adjacent to Baga Beach. We commenced with a speed boat ride to Anjuna Beach which hosts a flea market every week. This beach is hippie’s paradise. It was time for some water sports as well, the Banana Boat Ride and The Bumper Ride and the Jet Ski. Completely drenched in water by then, we decided to bath in the sea and play with waves. And we got some fellow foreign travelers to enjoy some water polo (it was water volleyball, to be honest).

Britto’s was our eatery for the evening. The perfect ambience with amazing quality food in the shack with some live music. Britto’s happen to be the end of Baga, also known as the Last Baga. The beach is so happening out here with fireplaces set up on the sands with guitars and some good music amidst the sea breeze during the night. We were a bit depressed as this happened to be our last day in North Goa.

The following day, early morning we started for Colva Beach which was our stay for the night. On the way, we enjoyed some light moments at Betalbatim Beach, the Bogmallo Beach. South Goa is so different. It’s more rural and very calm. The independent houses are such a pleasant sight along the roads and most importantly the coconut trees all along the way and the split sunlight through the shades, just like the "Dear Zindagi" setting. After checking in at our hotel in Colva, we enjoyed ourselves in the pool and some good food, again.

Without wasting further time, we started off for Palolem which is further south from Colva. Palolem is one of the best beaches I have ever visited in my life. Vast stretches of sand, coconut trees lined up all through the beach, the blue sky, the clear water, what more can you ask for in a beach! At Palolem Beach, there are speed boat rides available which take to the Butterfly Island famous for Hrithik Roshan’s debut "Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai". Everything is so good here.

This happened to be our last night at Goa and we tried to make the most of it at a poolside restaurant with some music followed by some lone walks along the Colva Beach.