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Published: March 17th 2008
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After extensively travelling North India, it was about time to put our rucksacks down for a few weeks and
chill out, and there’s no better place to do that than Goa. Although our 2 weeks in Goa were not as action
packed as our north Indian adventure it was definitely more relaxing. Goa, famous for its beaches and louche living, gave us a break from the hustle and bustle of India and chance to recharge the batteries before we embarked on the South East Asian leg of our world tour.
After spending just a few nights in Mumbai, (its hot and expensive) we were eager to get down to the beaches of Goa. With dozens of beaches to choose from and limited time left in India, we had be selective in which beaches we stayed on. We stayed at Anjuna, Aramabol, Baga, Benaulim and Palolem beaches. Bars and restaurants lined the beaches; our Kingfishers were served to us ice cold as we soaked up the sun and took a dip in Arabian Sea to cool of. Nightclubs in Anjuna and Baga gave us a chance to socialise and enjoy ourselves to the early hours of the morning, something that we
Beach Shack
Palolem Beach didn’t do in North India. The life of a beach bum can be very easy going and I can understand why many come to Goa and never leave. Even the auto rickshaw drivers seemed to be more relaxed, and in India if they are relaxed, that’s a sure sign that you will be too. Stray dogs are dotted around the beaches, crawling under chairs and tables to get some shelter from the heat. At night, the dogs can gather together, and turf wars can develop bringing entertainment and panic in equal measures to those eating dinner or having a few beers.
The beaches in Goa are the main attraction but in relative terms, Goa does not have the same sightseeing opportunities as North India. (Also it could be down the Goan lifestyle and lazy attitude by me in particular to not explore much further than the beach). However, we did mange to go to Indigo Saturday night bazaar (market) in Anjuna on two occasions. Hundreds of people slowly meandering through countless colourful stalls, beers in hand. It instantly reminded me of the Electric Picnic Music festival in Ireland, a laid back atmosphere, fine food and beers readily available
and even a live band to entertain the crowd. It was a real throwback to Goa’s hippy past.
In Mumbai, you can (and I did) get offered to be an extra in a Bollywood movie. The 500 rupees (about 10 euro) being offered didn’t really appeal to me. However one day when we were walking down a beach in Benaulim, where we stayed while visiting a father of one of our best friends, we stumbled onto a Bollywood movie. In a small corner of what is otherwise a deserted beach, a make shift movie set was constructed with a large crew comprising of dozens of extras, cameramen, make up artists, choreographers, directors and even a few top Bollywood stars. Temporary stages and structures were set up with all the props you expect to see at a movie set. Even a food tent equipped with a chef and staff to pamper the stars and feed the workers. Lights, camera, action was been screamed, and dozens of dancers would break into a well rehearsed dance set. It was a fascinating experience to be smack bang in the middle of a Bollywood movie set. Crowds began to gather around the set,
Johnny Hall
Cheers for everything John! taking photographs and enjoying the glitz and glamour of the Bollywood movie. I was again offered the role of an extra, I politely declined.
On all the beaches in Goa, restaurants offering some of the finest food in India, lined the beaches. Some of restaurants offer some fantastic seafood, which went down really well. I even tried some shark which was very tasty. In Goa, unlike the rest of India we visited (with the exception of Mumbai), beef was on the menu. After nearly four weeks without beef, there was a real sense of delight at of sight steak on the menu. Being one of my favourite dishes, I was quick to sample what Goa’s steaks were like and I was not disappointed. Some of the best food we tasted in India was on the beaches of Goa.
Without doubt the most enjoyable time in Goa and perhaps India were the four nights we spent on Palolem Beach. Palm trees lined the beaches and our beach shack was quite literally a stone throw away from the sea. Nothing else to do but sit back and enjoy the sun. Café del Mar, (24 hour bar or until last
Sun set
Palolem Beach person leaves), became our local. Drinking Kingfishers to the early hours and meeting new people every night, Palolem beach, more so than any other beach in Goa, gave us the opportunity to meet like minded people who were also travelling the world, sharing stories and experiences and offering advice when they could. Our best night out in India had to be the Silent Disco on Palolem beach. With our earphones on and covered in glitter, we danced the night away. We met up with so many cool people on Palolem beach and none more so than 3 girls from Cavan who were great fun. In Café del Mar, we stayed up until the sun came up with people from all over the world, joking, laughing and drinking. The bar staff were not going to have an early night with the Irish in town.
Our 2 weeks in Goa was exactly what we needed to recharge the batteries after travelling North India. No more trains, no more lugging our rucksacks around, no more hassle (for 2 weeks at least). The life of a beach bum is a good life. When we were leaving Palolem beach, there was real sense of
disappointment. We met so many cool people, drank so many Kingfishers and had some great nights. Just like the Kingfisher motto, Palolem beach for me was “The King of Good Times”. We were advised by a good friend that after Palolem beach, you will be “super-chilled”, he was right!
Author Note:
I really have tried to upload videos but I have failed. If I get some uploaded I will let you know.
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Ali B
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Lucky Bastards!!!!
Hey PTB, You's are lucky bastards. What I'd do to be there. John Hall is a Legend!!!!