Saga from the party town of India: GOA Blog
- shalu
- Dec 19, 2022
- 12 min read
For our 5th Anniversary we planned to visit GOA . The vacation nick of the time plan . We wanted to explore a city considering the time we spent on our accomodation , we selected a favourable hotel Fairfield by Marriott , Calangute .
We had early morning flight so we reached the airport by 1:00 AM . We were just squandering around in airport and damn the weather is freezing in Bangalore. So we ended up having a cuppa of Hot chocolate whilst Hubster was busy working on his laptop .
Checked in Aeroplane, its just a hour flight from Bangalore to Goa we both slept like a log . The weather ultimately changed in Goa removing all the layers took a cab and reached the hotel.We had a soulful sleep in a ride coz its a hour drive from airport to the hotel.
We reached 7 AM requested for the possibility of early check in and we are ready to pay extra amount ,
Both are literally cranky without proper sleep .Wow! we became Old.
But they informed room was entirely tenanted . If any early check out they sweared to provide us room .
So by 8 we planned to have wide breakfast to kill both the time , sleep and hunger (Vilonist & guitatrist play song as you wish on each table) . By 9 graciously they provide us room without even extra pay .Kudos to the management of the hotel.
As usual after a three hour sleep we planned to hit the Road.
We hired a scooter Rs -500/day & helmet is a must ,disobey pay fine and went for a quick lunch .We are vegetarians I sensed it would be challenging to find a good vegetarian food from our hotel.
Just a km near we found Navadhaniya pure veg restaurant . Google reviews comes to the rescue ,quite good review .After a good sleep and long shower of course anyone would be hungry so we thought of giving it a try .
Amazingly it tasted good both South & North Indian food varieties. We ordered phulka, panner makhani ,sev poori our tummy and energy got adequate and we became alive.
We planned to hit the beach -"Mood for a long drive ", destined at Anjuna Beach. Surreal beauty the weather is perfect . First time in my life happy to experience the sunny days .
Got fed up with the cold weather(Bangalore).
Just dripping in water felt the warmthess and took a stroll of long walk in a beach holding his hands .Ahh! We so needed this break.
We strolling around a small shops near the beach with local artisans shop, clothing , accessories, huge varieties for shopping ,very reasonable price.So we hit a random cafe the music was good . We ordered a Mocktail and Vibing for Bob Marley (sun is shining)songs .
For scooter parking Rs-50 & car- Rs-100.We are riding around found a cute decor restaurant WHITE SHEEL with Santorini Vibes . And we planned to hit the cafe with most pleasing view and ended up gallons of good photos.
We decided to have pizza for dinner (for almost 8 months we followed strict diet) we decided when in vacation pizza is must.
Antares Beach Club & Resort got a rave reviews settled our place for dinner.
We came across Rome Lane it was on my list to visit in Goa . Contacted them for Friday night to book but no response .
We have planned to fritter away time till dinner and for the sunset we hit Romeo lane 2 in 1. (Booking for Friday night & sunset).
Very steep stairs to reach the Romeo lane you need a good amount of energy to reach the place. Oh Boy !the place is amazing just like I imagined worth all the walk.
We spoke to manager and we booked our spot ,the best seating table with beach view and nor far away from dj. They told us to come soon because after 10 no music allowed due to government norms.
Romeo lane is a 180 degree expansive beach club with rooftop seating and we experienced a beautiful sunset view with a sip of ginger ale.
We are strolling around the night market with beautiful cafes and shops ended up In Antares.
Never tasted such a good pizza in India very amazing taste worth the money and the hype.
Beautifully decorated with a sinfully pleasing view of the resort and the beach and you get a clear cut view of Romeo lane.
Had a sinfully amazing Gooey Chocolate Cake ,the chocolate was oozing out from the cake tasted yummy.We are pretty tired ,estimated some rest, a half an hour drive from Anjuna Beach to the hotel.Google maps to the rescue.It was pitch dark & it was safe nothing to be afraid.
After 10 pm we planned to visit Titos lane near baga beach . The most happening and popular night club in Goa, We took a stroll in Baga beach with all the led light decorations and we didn’t hit the club.
The place is not our cup of coffee looking at the crowd of Club Titos(no offence many people love the place its just not for us) we just squander around to our room and done for the day.
We woke up late and had our breakfast from our hotel. Mariott always maintain their standard ,vast varieties of food starting from local cuisine, south , north , Italian and exceptionally bread varieties such as croissant, waffle , pancakes , cupcake everything made on house so it tasted pretty good.
Traditionally ,My husband enjoyed his dosa and myself relished English breakfast varieties.
We booked a car for the next two days we planned to hit casino tonight so for the safety and the long drive .Next day Romeo Lane even it a 40 minutes drive so it works for both.
Aguada Fort
Fort Aguada is a well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguesefort, along with a lighthouse, standing in Goa, India, on Sinquerim Beach serene view , overlooking the Arabian Sea , spent almost two hours and we reached our room because today the weather was particularly piping hot .
We made use of our hotel swimming pool and we ordered our lunch in hotel Dal khichadi
The Parra Road
Remember the pristine narrow roads lined with palm trees on either side, of the Dear Zindagi fame? That’s the Parra road for you!it is one of the prettiest, most picturesque roads in Goa.
Lined with palm trees, and overlooking fields on both sides, this road that you’d have often spotted in films and TV series like Four More Shots Please!, is off of the main highway.
CANDOLIM BEACH
One of the longest beaches in Goa, Candolim Beach is also sometimes called the gateway to the other popular beaches in the state.
The beach that begins from Fort Aguada is comparatively quieter and is perfect for lazing, though for watersports lovers, there are some activities like parasailing and water skiing
We visited for the sunset , the beach was very tidy and saw the astonishing sunset view.We spent the day leisurely today of course it was an vacation right!
We did a quick change up for outfits for casino, the dressing code is formal - shoes for men, no trousers only pants, For women any comfortable wear but no bathroom slippers type little bit formal dressing.
Of course we visited the famous DELTIN ROYALE, CASINO .Atal Sethu Cable Bridge we went through of course I missed the route (didn't tell my husband) the bridge & the road get confused in google maps weak spot, but the ride was amazing worth the missed route .
First experience on Casino , Im pretty much excited we should get our wrist band and reach the casino via boat felt like a celebrity, after reaching we first thought to have food ,
the food was very average , the chaat items was good , we tried a couple of Mocktails it was good ,then we reached the sky lounge food is available here with drinks and some random dance show was happening we got easily bored and very average.
We thought to hit the main casino floor, we tried couple of games(just earned , what we spent ) we are pretty happy about it lol ,given a big namskara and by 12 AM we left he place and we reached the room by 12:30 and done for the day.
We woke up early today had breakfast by 7 and we drove to Panaji its a hour drive from Calangute , the weather was pleasant as we went through
Atal Sethu Cable Bridge with sunrise view , Harleys in Hawaii playing in speaker feel like floating in a Bridge
We visited famous temples (Fun & Spiritual couple, both are prime in life lol)
Mangeshi Temple , Mangeshi Village.
Shanta Durga Temple , Kavalem Village.
Chandreshwar Bhoothnath Temple.
Mahalasa Narayani Temple , Mardol, Ponda taluka.
Mahalaxmi Temple , Yashwant Nagar.
Ganapathi Temple ,Shiroda, Ponda.
Around 3 to 4 km around each temple it took 3 hours to cover it very beautiful & Powerful temples
Mangeshi Temple , Mangeshi Village
With a history of more than 450 years, Sri Mangeshi Temple in Goa is one of the largest and most visited shrines in this land of sea and sun. It is dedicated to Lord Mangesh, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as a linga here.
The temple architecture is an enticing sight of balustrades, domes, and columns. A magnificent water tank is part of the temple complex. At the entrance, you will come across a seven-story octagonal deepstambha or lamp tower.
Shanta Durga Temple , Kavalem Village
The famous Shanta Durga Temple in Goa also traces its origins to more than 450 years back.
Goddess Durga is worshipped as a mediator between Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva at this temple, and hence the name, Shanta Durga or peaceful Durga.
The image of the deity depicts her as holding two serpents, one in each hand. It is believed that the serpents represent Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
Built in the Indo-Portuguese architectural style, the temple structure features a Pyramidal Shikhara and Roman arched windows that are seldom seen in Goa’s temples. The huge five-story deep stambha or lamp tower and the big lake are additional attractions here. On festive occasions, the goddess is carried out in a procession in a golden palanquin.
Chandreshwar Bhoothnath Temple
Chandreshwar Bhoothnath Temple is one of the most visited temples in South Goa. This ancient temple is situated on top of the Chandranath Hill; hence, doubling up as a vantage point.
You can either climb up the granite steps to reach the temple or drive on the motorable road that leads to it. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as the Lord of the Moon.
The Shiva Linga inside the shrine is positioned in such a manner that it shines resplendent on full moon nights, which is a wonderful sight to witness.
It is also said that water flows out of the linga, whenever the moon illuminates it! also read about places to visit during night
While here, you can also visit a smaller temple located nearby. This temple is dedicated to Bhoothnath, the lord of the ghosts, which is another manifestation of Lord Shiva.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, a visit to Chandreshwar Bhoothnath Temple will definitely be a delightful experience for you.
Mahalasa Narayani Temple
Mahalasa Narayani Temple has a place in the list of unique temples in India.
The temple is dedicated to Mahalasa or Mohini, the female incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is rare to come across a temple in India where Vishnu is worshipped in both the male and the female form.
An interesting feature of the temple is the beautiful brass oil lamp that is 12.5 meters in height and is believed to be among the largest in the world.
This lamp is lit on all the major festivals celebrated in the temple, offering a pleasing sight to visitors.
A huge brass bell is also present in the temple; it doesn’t have a ringer though. In earlier days, the ringer used to be attached to the bell only when someone wanted to testify. According to the prevalent legend, anyone who lies while the bell is being rung is punished with death within three days by the presiding deity of the temple.
MAHALAKSHMI , TEMPLE
As the name indicates, the presiding deity of this temple is Goddess Mahalaxmi, the goddess of wealth, power, and strength. The beautiful temple features a silver arched doorway and a pillared hall.
Among the main highlights of the temple are the twenty four wooden panels that display scenes from the Bhagavata Purana that are majorly stories related to Lord Krishna.
The idol, made of black stone, is shown to have four hands. It resembles the idol of Mahalaxmi in Kolhapur, which is the main center of worship for the goddess in India.
MAHA GANAPATHI MANDIR
The original temple was located on the island of Divar. During the Portuguese rule, it was destroyed in 1540 by the Portuguese.
Thereafter, the devotees of Lord Ganesha shifted the idol to Khandepar in Ponda Taluka, then to Narve in Bicholim Taluka & finally to Khandola, where it is situated today.
The sanctum sanctorum consists of two idols: the old one dating back to the 13th century and the new one installed in 1969.
We got pretty tired sun started piping out , ended up drinking tender coconut water TANG! flavoured fresh.
Still in our itenary we needed to visit two churches, The famous BASICILICA OF BOM JESUS & CATHEDRAL CHURCH.
BASICILICA OF BOM JESUS
This Jesuit church is India's first minor basilica, and is considered to be one of the best examples of baroque architecture and Portuguese Colonial architecture in India. It is one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World.
Situated in Old Goa, the Basilica of Bom Jesus was built in 1605 AD. The Basilica is home to the tomb and mortal remains of St Francis Xavier and is a monument typical of the classic forms of architecture introduced by the Society of Jesus, otherwise known as the Jesuits.
The interior is embellished with a screen that runs from the floor to the ceiling and has the image of St Ignatius Loyola protecting an infant Jesus. Above all is the image of the Holy Trinity, which is the holiest symbol in Christianity.
the church has been crafted with precious stones and surreal works of impressionist painter. It consists of the remains of St. Francis Xavierthat defines the finest Baroque architecture. Snuggled in old Goa.
SE CATHEDRAL CHURCH
The Se Cathedral was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese under Afonso de Albuquerque over a Muslim army, leading to the capture of the city of Goa in 1510. Since the day of the victory happened to be on the feast of Saint Catherine, the cathedral was dedicated to her.
Sé Cathedral holds the miraculous cross and is one of the largest cathedrals in Asia.
The Se Cathedral's tower houses a large bell known as the "Golden Bell" on account of its rich tone. It is said to be the largest in Goa, and one of the best in the world.[citation needed] The main altar is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria, and there are several old paintings on either side of it.
On the right there is a Chapel of the Cross of Miracles, where a vision of Christ is said to have appeared in 1619. There are six main panels, on which scenes from the life of Saint Catherine are carved. There is a huge gilded reredos above the main altar.
We had a quick nap in car for half an hour , before a along drive to reach our hotel.
Time for lunch, looking through Zomato, google for the good restaurants , came around ADLIEM GOI with best reviews and its very near to the church , we ordered Mocktail and food very very tasty ,
I never tasted such a good mocktail I ordered PINK LEMONADE .
Food we ordered phulka & Mushroom gravy , for dessert ordered Caramel Custard not the best but overall we found relished . Felt like food made in home , didn't feel heavy .
We reached hotel after an hour and damn tired and slept again.
Evening we though to hit the Calangute Beach one of the most happening beach, please don't visit the beach ,super crowded and not a very hygienic beach.
So we just parked the car saw the scenario and just reverted back to our car.
Tonight I'm really excited to visit ROMEO LANE
We went via car to ROMEO LANE just 2km to the destination heavy traffic ,Oh Boy! Scotty would have been good choice.
We wondered parking space wouldn't be sufficient but to our surprise huge space is available, We entered for some distance in bungee ride and the steep steps, bad idea idea to wear heels , managed it .Very beautiful place to see even at night .
Everything was just perfect food (pretty good veg options) etc, very romantic and The dj really played banger song danced my heart out after long, very classy place with decent crowd.
Its been pretty late when we reached the room.Done for the day
Since , last day of the trip we woke up late had breakfast leisurely , by noon 3 we went out to book for tonight we just had in mind SINQ NIGHT CLUB or LPK(Love , Passion ,Karma) -Again google reviews came as a saviour got really good reviews on SINQ just like we expected For LPK very mixed reviews so we didn’t want to take risk .
Later, we want to visit a beach less crowded , and spend leisurely watching the sunset . So a little tip even if you are looking for a place like that , just enter through a restaurant with beach access ,
But you should order something from their property, its not a big deal so we ordered cold chocolate and nachos we took a place near the beach sleeping chair , its just the perfect end for the perfect day on the beaches .
I love beaches ,we spent a quality time and waved a sad bye to beach and reached room to get ready for the last crazy night of Goa.
SINQ - Sinking in...
We reached SINQ by 9PM (coz we have a early morning flight at 6 to bangalore) but to our surprise just they started cleaning the place and making it ready , and it was their 10th anniversary celebration, but good amount of people already occupied the seating .
The Dj happening is a enclosed space chic night club ,very few seating and longe facing private poolside cabanas & amazing resident dj .
But since its 10 th anniversary special famous Dj AKTHAR on the house , Like 11 ish the place got alive and it started very happening , food varieties are less, tasted decent , But dj was amazing the classy night club I would say had an amazing night to the end of our vacation .
Just had a few hours of sleep and reached the airport ,angry with my hubster for early morning flight (end of vacation crankiness) , then reached Bangalore by morning.
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