19th Jan, 2008. The outside temperature at Delhi airport was 10 degree. The gush of wind at the tarmac made me feel the biting cold. When I boarded the flight at Goa airport that afternoon, the temperature was a warm 31 degrees. I felt good that I could spend 3 pleasant days at Goa, away from the biting cold of Delhi.
Two of my days were spent at Betul in the south
playing the role of a faculty. The days were spent delivering training at one of my company’s institute located on the top of a hillock at Betul. Because of the distance from Madgaon, I had opted to stay at the guest located at the Betul campus. This severely limited my evening options. Fortunately, the highlights of the India – Australia test gave me company. The campus provided a beautiful view of the Mobor beach on one side and open sea on another. Though Mobor beach has a resort, there was hardly any crowd. I guessed that it is a good spot if you want to spend a secluded holiday away from the beach crowd. One day I saw a photograph of Baga beach in north in a local daily. The title of the photo was that the beach is so congested that there was hardly any space left for free movement. It resembled a market rather than a beach. I would not like to be at such places to spend few quite moments.
On the final day, I found time to spend a few hours at Colva beach, which is the nearest beach from Madgaon. Even this beach was not crowded. There were enough people, mostly foreign tourist, but nowhere it was crowded. While the foreigners lazed around lying in shacks, Indian tourists were seen trying out water sports. I got a colleague who gave me company. After strolling at the beach for about an hour, we sat at a shack and sipped beer. One of the guy who lured us into a shack told us that they sell beer at 45 rupees a bottle. But when we had finished our bottle, they charged us 55. So confirm the prices at the counter. Do not take the words of the guy standing outside.
The economy runs on tourism. So as a tourist you can afford little mercy from those making a living out of tourism. You should be ready to shell out few bucks. Taxis are prohibitively costly. Though they quote Rs.10/- per kilometer the bargain rate is Rs.8/- per kilometer. But there are many catches, like you will have to pay both way fares and also there are standing charges. Thus you will have to use public transport like bus for moving around in Goa.
I did a search of accommodation around Colva beach. Most hotels are located some 100 – 200 meters from the beach. But few hotels like, Colva Residency, owned by Goa Tourism is located almost on the beach. At least it is beach facing. This is not a bad place to stay. However moving around may be a problem from here. To me there is no point moving around in Goa. The only reason for going to Goa should be to have a holiday by sea. Goa is about beautiful beaches, the clean sea and nice crowd. You will find monuments everywhere, but not such beautiful beaches. Staying close to the sea is important so that you can take a dip whenever you wish. Whether you spend the day at Colva or Palolem or Calangute is almost meaningless. The choice is between a crowded spot and a secluded spot.
Anyway, this was my first visit to Goa. Being a brief one, I have not much to write. I did not carry my SLR, but took only my small P&S. Still I took a couple of good shots. I am planning a holiday with family later this year.
Two of my days were spent at Betul in the south
playing the role of a faculty. The days were spent delivering training at one of my company’s institute located on the top of a hillock at Betul. Because of the distance from Madgaon, I had opted to stay at the guest located at the Betul campus. This severely limited my evening options. Fortunately, the highlights of the India – Australia test gave me company. The campus provided a beautiful view of the Mobor beach on one side and open sea on another. Though Mobor beach has a resort, there was hardly any crowd. I guessed that it is a good spot if you want to spend a secluded holiday away from the beach crowd. One day I saw a photograph of Baga beach in north in a local daily. The title of the photo was that the beach is so congested that there was hardly any space left for free movement. It resembled a market rather than a beach. I would not like to be at such places to spend few quite moments.On the final day, I found time to spend a few hours at Colva beach, which is the nearest beach from Madgaon. Even this beach was not crowded. There were enough people, mostly foreign tourist, but nowhere it was crowded. While the foreigners lazed around lying in shacks, Indian tourists were seen trying out water sports. I got a colleague who gave me company. After strolling at the beach for about an hour, we sat at a shack and sipped beer. One of the guy who lured us into a shack told us that they sell beer at 45 rupees a bottle. But when we had finished our bottle, they charged us 55. So confirm the prices at the counter. Do not take the words of the guy standing outside.
The economy runs on tourism. So as a tourist you can afford little mercy from those making a living out of tourism. You should be ready to shell out few bucks. Taxis are prohibitively costly. Though they quote Rs.10/- per kilometer the bargain rate is Rs.8/- per kilometer. But there are many catches, like you will have to pay both way fares and also there are standing charges. Thus you will have to use public transport like bus for moving around in Goa.
I did a search of accommodation around Colva beach. Most hotels are located some 100 – 200 meters from the beach. But few hotels like, Colva Residency, owned by Goa Tourism is located almost on the beach. At least it is beach facing. This is not a bad place to stay. However moving around may be a problem from here. To me there is no point moving around in Goa. The only reason for going to Goa should be to have a holiday by sea. Goa is about beautiful beaches, the clean sea and nice crowd. You will find monuments everywhere, but not such beautiful beaches. Staying close to the sea is important so that you can take a dip whenever you wish. Whether you spend the day at Colva or Palolem or Calangute is almost meaningless. The choice is between a crowded spot and a secluded spot.Anyway, this was my first visit to Goa. Being a brief one, I have not much to write. I did not carry my SLR, but took only my small P&S. Still I took a couple of good shots. I am planning a holiday with family later this year.
1 comment:
Colva beach is comparatively safer to swim than other beaches in Goa. Ofcourse its very congested during tourist season.
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