Panjim to North Goa: Motorcycle trip.

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Goa Day 3

Spent the night in the Panjim People's hotel; it is a turn of the century colonial house turned into an art studio, school, and guest house. The Hotel is located in the Fontainhas neighborhood, which is reputed to being Asia's only Latin Quarter. After breakfast got on the rented scooter, put on the back, and ventured into the unknown. Had a general idea where I was heading, north. There are multiple beaches and small villages studding the northern coast of Goa. For a small portion of the ride used the major highway. Riding was much less nerve racking as I had expected. The number of cars on the roads is relatively less compared to Udaipur and people just don’t seem in a hurry, so there is little honking. On the way up passed through the major town of Mapusa, a bustling town with many architectural reminders of its colonial past.

After Mapusa, took a detour towards the coast, towards Anjuna, a popular destination among party people. The roads that link the villages and the beaches to one another are much smaller and bumpier. They pass through small farmlands, green and lush pasturelands, small towns/villages. On the way you occasionally see large white washed churches and decaying colorful colonial buildings.

Never did make it to Anjuna but continued on the windy roads up north. The Northern coast is divided into many different beaches. Each of these have multiple small guest houseses. Essentially these are small settlements made out of small beach front shacks, all located around a central restaurant. These are mostly made with local materials, bamboo being the main structural component. The accommodations are very basic, with little insulation from the elemetns.

The first place I found for the first night on the beach had a dreary feel to it. The place had just opened up and had few customers, me being the only one there. But by this time it was hot early afternoon, and decided to spend the night. The food however was outstanding.

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Photos

N. Goa
Rice fields in the sunset

N. Goa
Small church on the road, sunset

Panaji
Getting started

N. Goa
On the road

N. Goa
Riding through Mapusa

N. Goa
Lush farmlands

N. Goa
Small windy roads, heading towards the beach.

N. Goa
on the road

N. Goa
Typical house, constructed with local stones, Stones are literally carved out of the near by hills and stacked on one another.

N. Goa, first night host
Restaurant on the beach. Picture of Laxmi lies next that statue of CHrist.