After the month and peak of the trip, we were looking forward to approaching the coast. And although the sea we had seen (and touched) after the meat feast in Mumbai, what we really wanted was to lay down on the bartender on some beach in the Arabian Sea, in the shadow of a coconut palm (or better without a shadow, to not run the risk of dying by coconut shot).
Anyone who asks about beaches in India will say a short word, but that says a lot: GOA. Well, in one of its enclaves we spend the next three days of our trip.
Goa is a small state but with a lot of history, to highlight is the fact that it was Portuguese territory for more than 400 years! They came in search of spices and left the dreaded inquisition. The owner of the guesthouse where we stayed was explaining a bit the crudeness with which they destroyed any sign that was not in favor of the Catholic church, devastated even with enough lives. Let us thank one San Francisco Javier (Spanish), who personally took care to light the way for these poor unfortunates ... All this as they tell us ... Leaving aside this chapter, of which we are not experts, what is clear is that The Portuguese influence is palpable as soon as you enter this state: there are churches every 2 streets! In addition, the colorful villas do not look anything like the rest of India. This and the famous beaches, with its partying atmosphere and its relaxed religious ethics (basically you can drink beer wherever you want) make it one of the most visited destinations in India.
Portuguese villa in Goa - Wikipedia
We only saw this change from the bus window. We had no more desires than to get into the water of the sea! There would be time to discover the historical enclaves of the Portuguese (error, at that time we do not remember that time on the beach sites flies!). So we headed in the tartana on duty to the beaches of Palolem, south of the state, which is apparently quieter.
And I don't know if more or less than those from the north but a good handful of tourists were. Especially Russians! How do you know where the good is! Well, here we spend the next 72 hours, like two lizards, between coconut palms, hippies, cocktails (3 for 2 euros! If you catch the 2 × 1 plus free for girls, hehe), cows, spices, wide pants and repellent stores of mosquitoes
As we said, time flew us, and without realizing it we were already on our way to another beach destination. We would have loved to know much more about this state of India, but we left it for the next trip. Who knows, maybe we are one of many who spend their entire vacations here. It is that the place attracts and it is difficult to let go.
USEFUL INFO
How to get?
From Aurangabad we went with the Paolo bus company in a sleeperbus for a goose paste (it cost us 1,500 INR per person). In the case of these dates, the hours of travel and what was this or nothing in the end we accepted. We arrived next to the Margao station around 10 (after 18 hours !!). There we caught the local bus that left at that time to Canacona and Palolem. This cost us 40 INR per person and takes about 2 hours. If you have to leave by bus to a nearby destination you can ask at the Canacona station, for example we leave for Gokarna from here on the 14.00 bus.
There is a way that we think is very cool to visit all this state and it is by motorcycle! We saw quite a few people who did it. The traffic is not excessive and the carts between rice paddies and shadows of coconut trees are very cool.
Where to sleep?
We slept in the Zappia Cove
Where to eat?
At Baba Little Italy we ate super well! And it is not expensive. On the other hand, in Siona we have to say that we don't like it.
