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Goa, Goa… What do I even begin with?

There was a kind of adrenaline gush inside me when I actually started packing off my bags. I opened my diary of wish-list where I actually started jotting down the list of places I want to go and there it was ‘GOA’! I quickly went into the memory lane of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, when as a kid I always dreamt of going to this awesome getaway but could not make it until I was 24! Ha-ha! You read that right!

The Portuguese houses, the pristine blue beach with golden sand, the GOA VIVA CARNIVAL ’17 and my gypsy soul, I had enough reasons to justify this trip! My first stay in Goa only lasted 4 days and 3 nights, which makes it an unbelievably short stay for such an amazing place.

So of course, the first thing I did is research all of Goa’s must dos. And there are many. This took me about a week as I tried to gather as much information as possible, varying from shopping to food, to churches, night clubs, beaches … And the list goes on and everything, you’ll need at least a few check points. You want to make sure you visit all the different areas and avoid the tacky, overpriced, tourist things that will take away the charm of your experience. I am so excited to share with you this Goa guide, inspired by my experience in the city. It is definitely a place where I’d like to go back each year at least to get my fix up whether it’s beach, vintage, beauty or simply the vibe which is so tremendously inspiring. You’ll fall in love instantly and re-discover yourself like you never have before. Are you ready? Ok, let’s go.

The Stay

My hotel was nearly at one hour distance from the Dabolim Airport, near by the Candolim Beach. (I booked it through makemetrip.com and yes let me tell you, I got a good deal even during the peak time of VIVA CARNIVAL GOA 2017). Immediately, in the next day morning I hired a scooty for myself so that I could easily indulge myself in every nook and corner of the G-town.

A Portuguese architecture inspired boutique spotted on my way to Panjim.

Food

Food in Goa is a curious affair, especially for the vegetarians. Ahem! It can be either SOOO good, or so deceiving and overpriced. It’s honestly all a matter of luck. But no worries, local people to the rescue! The localities in Goa are the best people who can indicate you what places to go to, it can be a very easy to hit or miss. During this trip I had my ups and downs. It’s not because you go to a fancy restaurant that you’ll have a good cuisine experience and seeking restaurants in the street is honestly a matter of stumbling upon a good one. So definitely ask the Goan localities for recommendations, they always have good tips for what’s around. Or else, ZOMATO on the tip of finger and you end up finding a good deal.

CCD near my stay

Shopping

Before anything, when you come to Goa make sure to leave lots of room for new finds in your suitcase (or just get a new one) because Goa is literally shopping heaven… If you’re scared of dressing up, don’t be in Goa. You can wear the craziest outfit and no one will pay particular attention as they are so used to absolutely crazy personal styles. People watching in Goa is the most fascinating thing Get your hands on some sick cap, sunglasses, vintage inspired chandeliers, hand-embroidered bags and handicrafts. If you like street shopping and artist’s merchandizing you’ll find yourself in heaven.

Goa is the place to let your inner Lady Gaga out if you have any fashion fantasies. Think of the craziest thing you’d like to find and you’ll probably find it there. The nicest the store looks, the more pricey it tends to get. But the products tend to be the same. Honestly, go for the shadiest boutiques, you’ll find real treasures for less than half the price and everyone will ask you where you got it.

Shopping paradise near Baga Beach

The Beaches

Goa’s beaches cover about 125 kms i.e it has almost more than 50 beaches of its coastline. These beaches are divided into North and South Goa. A notable exception in South Goa is Palolem Beach which features basic accommodation and is one of the most visited beaches in Goa. The further south you go, the more isolated the beaches get. Some of the more popular beaches are Colva, Calangute, Baga and Anjuna, Candolim, Vagator, Querim. These beaches are lined up with shacks that provide fresh sea food and drinks. Quality food is again a challenge here. So make sure, you do your research well-in-hand.

Since, my hotel was near by the Candolim beach, I took most of my time spending in North Goa. I went to the Candolim beach at the evening, the day I landed in Goa. Sleeping on the cold sand beneath the stars. *phew*  this feeling, can’t be defined into words. The Baga and Calungute beaches are the ones which attracts a lot of tourists but girls, just be a little alert when it comes to visiting there because they are extremely over- crowded. I found the Querim beach one of the best beaches in North Goa. White sand, blue water and the Ajuna Fort View. WOW! Nothing could be better than this.

Night life.

Cold sand, loud music and a beer in hand chills down my spine. Nothing compares to the nightlife in Goa. And hell, thanks to the wonderful beaches that make it a hotspot for party animals. Most of the people end up flocking here year after year for its vibrating beach shacks, high-on-energy pubs and live music scenes. There’s really something fascinating about the vibe that it has and makes you kick your 6-inches to the curb.( I’m talking about your credit card *wink wink*).

I’ve zeroed down to a list of must visit clubs in Goa. The much hyped of the iconic Titos (Café Mambos, Hype, Capetown Café) gains a lot of attraction but nevertheless new concepts keep coming in and I was amused when these  innovative clubs grabbed my attention.

LPK (Love Passion Karma)

SinQ

Leopard Valley

Cohiba

Club Cubana    

The famous cruises in Goa : The Deltin (above) and Casino Pride (below)

The Carnival

When: February, before Easter Where: Entire Goa Duration: Three Days Highlights: Street plays, songs, dances, parades, feasting and merry making

One of the most colorful and popular festival of Goa is the Goa Carnival. This three day extravaganza, of fun, frolic, amusement and merry-making, takes place in the month of February. The Goa Carnival festival is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year. Though essentially a Christian festival, all people of Goa, irrespective of their faith and religion take part in this festival.

Here’s a  you-tube video for VIVA CARNIVAL 2017:

So overall, the beauty of the city is definitely to get absorbed by it, walk around and get lost to find cute little shops and restaurants. And please save enough time to do that, don’t over plan everything otherwise you’ll miss on the beauty of spontaneously experiencing Goa which actually might be my favorite part of it. I absolutely loved with all my heart. You can just go on and on without ever taking a rest and you’ll barely notice your feet hurting because you spent your whole day walking around, loosing yourself in the endless possibilities this place has to offer. I am sure most of us have been to Goa, I couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s a trip that’ll definitely change the vibe once you are back to home.

If you go, make sure to stay for at least a week if not more and just allow Goa to guide you through. Plan a few things ahead but let this place take you. There’s a sense of crazy freedom that you’ll experience there, that’ll inspire you for the rest of your life. I hope this guide made you want to plan a trip right now because I am most definitely going back soon. And this time it’s going to be South Goa and vintage places !

“C’est la vie” folks!

#GoodVibestoAll :)

Shout Out to the beaches ! And it’s GOA ! Goa, Goa... What do I even begin with? There was a kind of adrenaline gush inside me when I actually started packing off my bags.