Goa is on everyone’s bucket list; everyone wants to travel to Goa at least once in a lifetime, and I was no different from all those people who have a craving for Goa.
Tickets were done, hotels were booked, and things to do were already listed out.
We were three girls, I convinced the girls’ parents to take this trip. I did all the mature talks, one can do with anyone’s parents to convince them for Goa. I tried every possible dialogue to convince Indian parents, but just two days before the Trip.
They replied with a big No, yes, a big No to Goa.
A plan was ruined, the mood was off, no refundable and a traveller like me who thinks cancelling a plan is a sin as I have my own #thumbrules.
I was lying on the bed looking at my room, scattered with all the Goan stuff. The bag, caps, glasses, sunscreen, and dresses I ordered online were still unpacked, I was in a dilemma and not at all in the mood for getting my tickets cancelled. The leaves were approved, and my mood was set.
That night spent dreaming of Goa, and my heart spoke loudly. Why don’t you go to Goa solo? You deserve a solo Goa.
I didn’t say anything to anyone, I just started packing my bags with all the stuff I planned, without much ado, and I ran to live my dream, as my first solo trip – Goa.
I reached #Madgoan railway station around 6:30 am I planned to stay in South Goa as I was looking for peace in Goa instead of party Goa. Prepaid taxi was very costly, so I was just looking around, then I came to know that one more way of transport is pilot bikes and very safe, I ride on a bike and it charges me 150 rs for 7-10 km of distance. you can also visit #Betalbatim beach first as it nearby #Madgoan railway station in the morning, spent 2-3 hours of awesomeness there, without booking any hotel and then move to north Goa or anywhere you want to stay or do whatever damn you are on vacation.
The best part about the pilot ride was that you can see the morning in Goa. floating lotus in ponds, paddy fields, narrow streets, green scenery, sky view and cool breeze touching your cheeks and blowing your hair. It energised me more and made me firm about my decision as a #soloGoa.
I went to the Betalbatim area, which is 10 km from Madgoan railway station and 4-5 km from the bus stand.
I just threw my bag in a hotel and was dying to run on a beach. I got up in full Goan stuff with glasses, bandana, etc., all swag.
I hired a bicycle as #Betalbatim beach was about 2.5 km from my hotel. And just moved towards the beach to live my dream.
I entered and fell in love with this beach
When I entered this beach, I tapped my back to stay in South Goa, the perfect combination of beauty and calmness. so beautiful, so peaceful, so relaxing, only foreign crowd, women in bikinis, I regretted not bringing one, kids were perched in the sand. Some of them were enjoying the book and some were enjoying a sunbath. I run on the beach as fast as I can and just free my body in a sea and my soul to my dreams.
Relax, I never felt.
Around 3:30 pm, I visited here, full of the crowd, mostly Indians and locals.
Perfect beach for water sports, make sure everything is included in a package and yes, bargain exists. many shacks serving seafood, displaying their menus and free wi-fi(best thing, you can’t survive without check-in).
I just relaxed in one shack and enjoyed my sip, when you will return from this beach you will see various shops outside serving everything you just need after a beach, I landed on Josefa’s corner and tried Chinese, I know it sounds weird talking about seafood and having Chinese[PS: I am pure veggie].
#lover’s beach – romancing solo
#morning lover’s beach
Anyone can easily help you reach this beach. I was asking the way to Lover’s Beach and wishing people “Merry Christmas” loudly.
This is one more unseen gem from the #Betalbatim series, a total of 5 beaches, #Colva beach in the centre and the rest on both sides. perfect place for morning people, jogging, cycling, sunbathing and meditation.
I spent around 3 hours here romancing with myself, understanding myself, observing myself and clicking lots of, lots of selfies, wishing #MerryChristmas to people from different regions roaming around asking me the status of the water, warm or cool.
#romancing solo at lover’s beach
In the afternoon, I visited the local market, fish market[actually fish market came in between :p] and some local shops. As it was Christmas and every beach was going to through a party tonight. So around 7:30, I moved outside and saw that the Goa streets are converted into lightning roads.
Each and everything was beautifully decorated, stars were hanging all around, and Santa Claus dummy at so many places.
Each house is decorated with stars. A house of a Hindu family where a group of boys was partying for the last two days, and the old and famous Goa song was in a loop. I had never seen a Christmas celebration like this before, Goa is a perfect place for Christmas.
When I reached #Betalbatim beach for the Christmas party, I could see candlelit tables arranged at the seashore, music was louder than usual, people were enjoying their drinks, some were on a date, some Russians wearing garlands were on the dance floors with crazy moves, a fireworks lit the sky. I also joined the craziness.
I planned to visit North Goa today, as a Goa trip is incomplete without some of the very famous places from North Goa.
#Dolphins Dance And Endless Sea View
A boat will carry 10-15 people in one batch. The entry ticket is 300 Rs.
If you are lucky, you will get a good view of dolphins, but don’t expect that they will jump high and shower you, and if you are the luckiest, you’ll capture them with your cameras. I tried but failed. Keep trying, you may never know how lucky you are.
But the boat ride and the view all around were just awesome.
You can enjoy the view of the endless sea, old boats, royal cruise, central Jail and very famous Aguada fort.
#sun and the sea
#Parasailing is also available here; it’s really fun and worth trying.
#Dil chahta hai swag – Agouda Fort
This place is very popular among tourists due to the hit Bollywood movie “Dil Chahta Hai” picturized here starring Amir Khan. The perfect place for shutterbugs.
Walls are super classy and a lighthouse is just awesome. This is the place where everyone wants to visit with their friends and take this pose.
I tried every pose here, whatever possible, Jumping pose, running one, Jeans ad, model shoot and blah blah(sharing nothing, they are hilarious actually).
I moved towards Candolim beach, one of the famous and very classy beaches in north Goa, due to the new year season. There was a rush, but only a quality rush. I enjoyed sea surfing, cans of beer, and, as usual, clicking. This beach was full of foreigners.
Lots of options for seafood are available here, and I enjoyed a perfect view of the sunset.
Entry ticket is 300/- and not at all worth :p
They will start with some folk Goa dance, and that was so so, but what I thought of the cruise was that it would be an open space, people were dancing, enjoying an evening with wine glasses, looking around. But it was a typical cruise. calling a bunch of people one by one on stage to dance, when it was my turn, I just danced like hell, whatever the song came to enjoy myself or to #paisawasool.
The day was different today, I was no more solo.
Last night, I was just planning for a South Goa visit and arranging a vehicle for the same, when I got a notification on Tinder from a guy nearby. He shared his plan about the South Goa visit and said he can accommodate me as they have one vacant place. They picked me up from my hotel. They were all younger than me and more fun, literally.
The guy riding the vehicle was of age 21 and a very good photographer, I came to know later, other than him, there were two Americans who were born in India(Hyderabad) but brought up in America, were on vacation and two more middle-aged guys from Delhi and Pune.
We started our journey from Betalbatim, and at that time, we started chit-chatting and sharing our experience of Goa till now.
After an hour we reached to Church, the church was very famous and very old, preserving a Mummy around 100 years old.
We enjoyed clicks, greenery, white walls, leaning trees and royalty with some classy pics.
A guy suggested we visit Cabo de Rama, which was the perfect place for a sea view and photo space.
We trekked and reached our destination. where the view of the sea was just awesome, there was also a way to go downstairs. This was the perfect place for a bonfire, tents and a photo shoot. I did the same.
Now we all were very comfortable with each other and almost became good friends, I was enjoying the company of unknowns, as they are not unknowns, they were travellers. Thanks to #Tinder.
I had a huge conversation with those two Americans who know only bad words in Hindi, I learned them some catchy words of Hindi, had a conversation about travelling in India, generic things, love, relationship, lifestyle and a lot more.
sharing one of the conversations below with an American guy
When an American said, Indian women are more fun than men!!
We reached the beach. One of the most happening beaches of south Goa, the streets were full of the Goan flea market, open bars and nightlife.
We were all very fresh and energised, and clicked whatever we felt like.
When we all become such a happening bunch, I don’t know. all were mixed very easily, or it may be an effect of Goa can not say, but we all were having fun at its peak.
#I’ll keep visiting you, Goa – no goodbye
Today was my last day in Goa, but how can I depart without saying goodbye to my favourite beach? Yes, early morning, I checked into #Betalbatim beach to enjoy some more time in peace, today was no click day. I spent three quality hours with myself, leaning on the sea and knowing myself.
Goa was not just my first #solo trip, but it was a bundle of memories for a lifetime, some good friends I made, and most importantly, I found myself, looking forward to more solo travel.
#like, share and encourage female solo travellers
Read my reviews on TripAdvisor: ghumakkad_bandi