Go GOA!!! v2.0

This time we decided to visit Goa during monsoon. Although it was pre-planned trip, still we thought of making it an impromptu one. Hence we did not do any research nor booked any hotel for stay. One thing of which we were sure was Goa is amazing during monsoons.

We had planned to visit Goa on the long weekend of 15^th August 2016 and even the tickets were done through tatkal. This time, the plan was just to relax in South Goa

Staying and Commuting in Goa 

• Just before boarding our train, we were scrolling through make my trip website. We stumbled upon this resort – The Byke Old Anchor Hotel just near Cavelossim Beach. We got a really good deal for 2 days and booked the rooms within minutes including breakfast
• With the help of a local rickshaw guy, we managed to go to a car rental place in Madgaon – INR 2000 per day for 3 days (INR 5000 security deposit). Contrary to our belief, Goa was crowded and almost all cars in the store were booked.
• Go for legal car rental services with yellow number plates and make sure you click pictures of the car and all the documents before you take the car on road

Exploring South Goa

Apart from Palolem, we covered 4 beaches in South Goa:

Cavelossim– One the most famous beach in South Goa, famous for fishing trips, river cruises, and other water sports

Varca – An endless stretch of empty white sand beach. The approach roads to this beach are canopied with trees. No Shacks (at least during monsoon)

 

Benaulim – Less crowded. Part of endless stretch of Colva – Sarnabatim – Benulim stretch

Colva – Crowded. Has Shacks and good eating joints

Day 1

Half of the day we spend travelling, hiring the car and reaching the hotel. Our hotel was just beside the beach. All we did was to chill with some beer and at Cavelossim beach. It is not legal to drink on the beach but since it was very empty we took the liberty 🙂

Day 2

A lazy day started with a customary  visit to the beach and walking along the waves. We spent rest of first half of the day in the pool. Post lunch the entire noon and evening was spent at Varca

Day 3

We drove towards Benaulim and Colva; after some time we just parked the car at some unknown fisherman beach and enjoyed the breeze

Eating in South Goa

Breakfast was sorted at the hotel. For other meals, we just asked around and the locals suggested some of the amazing restaurants to dine at:

Must try clubs/sacks/ restaurant –

La Q’sine – for dinner plus amazing live performance. Check this link

Mike’s Place – for lunch/dinner. Check this link

 

Fisherman’s Warf – The most famous restaurant in South Goa and mostly frequented by celebrities. Be warned that this place long waiting list for the table. Check this link

Joe’s River Cove – Its relatively cheaper than all but boasts of amazing live music. Go here for dinner. Check this link

Good Man Restaurant –  It not a must go place but out of a dozen of cafes in Colva, this one attached us; maybe because of its vintage feel. The fish dishes are good. Link

Rafeal’s Bar, Benaulim. Its a shack, and a pretty nice café with an amazing breezy view of the beach but the manager was not that guest friendly. Check this link

PS: Goa is a journey, not a destination. You don’t need to rush especially not in south Goa so I shall repeat – Buy a beer and sit anywhere 😉

PPS: All pictures are taken with One Plus 3 🙂