It’s a Different World – The World Of Goa…

We live in a world of cutthroat competition, maintaining real relationships, rising oil-prices, economic volatalities and routines. Every once in a while we like to take that much needed break… that much needed vacation…that much needed put-your-feet-up-and-do-nothing treats. And we do manage, we do manage to squeeze in a weekend getaway… a day-trip to the nearest tourist spot… a day of lounging at home and doing nothing. But there is nothing.. I feel that compares to a 3-day vacation in Goa! And before I start describing the most fulfilling, the most amazing vacation I have taken in recent times… I would recommend it to all!

Ah Goa… there are many ways to describe it – Sun, Sand, Surf, Parties, Beaches, Adventure Sports, the best sea-food, sunsets, sunrises etc etc etc. How I describe Goa – A Different World. 

I am what you call – an avid traveller… bitten by the travelling bug (I watch Travel&Living and take notes for God’s Sake)… and Goa to be ranks right up there with McLaudgunj, Sangla Valley and French Riviera (My top 3 destinations that I have visited and LOVED!)

So we made this plan for Goa almost overnight.. We wanted to do something worthwhile for New Years and being in Bangalore and looking at its so-called ‘nightlife’ we knew it wouldn’t be possible. So we thought of Goa. We booked bus tickets and return train tickets, we booked a very basic hotel (essentially to just sleep and get ready), I did the research (which I just love doing before travellling), took printouts of ‘must-visits’ and ‘must-eats’! We were very clear that we did not want a ‘tourist’ trip of seeing churches and spots... we knew we needed a Relaxed Vacation of Doing Nothings!

We were 5 of us (I was the only girl in the gang) – Arjun, Mukesh, Santhosh, Soubhagya and Moi.  A, S and I left from Bangalore on Dec 30^th night by Poulo Travels – Semi sleeper for Goa. We were so excited that A was already in his so-called “Goa Baby, Gear”!!! It’s a different story that we froze to death in the bus; coz the man apparently ran out of blankets (grrr as well as brrr)… Nevertheless, we reached Goa on time at 10 AM, got off at Panaji, haggled with an auto guy and paid him 100/- to reach our hotel in Porvorim (8 kms from Calangute).

We entered our room and it had 4 beds and we came to know we would only get 1 room for 5 persons coz there were no more rooms in the hotel! Panic struck and we started making calls to other hotels. Unfortunately they were all booked (what else do you expect, it was Dec 31^st).  So we decided to give in and adjust. The other 2 guys – M and S arrived from Mumbai in the next 2 hours and by then we had already changed into our beach wears, ready to hit the very very famous Baga Beach.

We bargained with the hotel guy – cum – Cab provider. We wanted to hire a car for the entire day and night, since we didn’t want to drive on New Year’s night, lest, some of us are too high (responsible citizens you see...we were!).  We got the car and we were on our way to Baga Beach, Baby! We landed on the beach and couldn’t contain our excitements… One thing that we observed was the fact that there were – so few people!! I mean we actually got 2 sun-umbrellas and 5 chairs at a shack… wow! J It didn’t take us more than a minute to order our first rounds of Beer and the Golden-fried Prawns and the chicken somethings… All we did for the next 15 mins was “Sigh…we are finally here... sigh… smile…sigh…we are finally here…sigh sigh…smile widely... smile at the neighbour next door…sighhh!”

We spotted the ‘temporary tattoo wala'. I called him, got a Sun designed on my shoulder… We spotted jet-skis... and all of us decided to go and try that out. I did! It was the best adreline rush you get, when you sit there, hold the handle and zoom your way into the sea… with splashing waves…and salty water… wohooo i say!! J We were there for over 4 hours… the men had their ‘holy’ dip into the sea and came back satisfied! I was happy just listening to the waves crashing... the sun…the laughing happy people around… the beer and the food...It was almost magical and I said earlier –

It’s a Different World

We came back to our room by 7 PM, quickly got dressed. By then we knew we were going to a club called – Aquatica at Morjim Beach. We had a choice between that and Tito’s. But we were shocked to hear that Tito’s was charging 3000/- per couple – Only entry and 4000/- per stag – Only entry!  :O… What pissed us off about the place was when we called them from Bangalore, they told us that it was 1000/- per couple… We decided not to step into that place… B%$**y cheaters!!!

Well... it was Goa... the beaches...Therefore we even dressed for that... men in their three-fourths and light shirts and me in skirt and a top! Aquatica was quite far and in the interiors and we reached our destination by 10 PM. The entry was 1000/- couple and 1500/- stag…and let me tell you – it was The Party Of The Year! You will know why….

The party had 5 International DJs…the crowd consisted of Russians, P3s from Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore and the whos-who of the TV and modeling world and hold-on... they were dressed in their finest silks and dresses and heels! :O… And here we were in our three-fourths and skirts…. But then….its Goa... and you can be whatyou want to be! J

The party started around 11PM…and people kept trickling in till late. Very soon there were over 500 persons in the place..it was jam-packed and I havent heard better Trance in my life.. We took our drinks..some snacks (all self-service) and settled… It was the best Party we have ever attended and it was one of the most memorable New Years of my life!! We came back to our room by 4AM and were snoring by 4:10AM. We were up at 8:30 AM and got ready to leave for South Goa Beaches....

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