With a coastline of over 100 kms and great beaches our year of travel seemed incomplete without a trip to Goa. So we packed a lot of shorts and sunscreen and drove to South Goa from Mumbai. We took the Mumbai-Pune expressway and cut across from Belgavi onto Khanapur road. We took the road that goes through a wild life sanctuary which is quite scenic barring a 10km patch which is quite bad. It took us around 4 hours from Belgavi to Cavelossim.
We reached around 5 in the evening and headed straight to a shack on Cavelossim beach, Silver sands. We watched the sunset with a couple of beers and had a candle light dinner which is almost impossible in any other part in India. The experience is wonderful and is a must when in South Goa. Our dinner was a red snapper cooked for 45 minutes in a tandoor with some Goan spices, totally lip smacking.
We admired the clean beach and the blue waters of the Arabian Sea which looks like different from Juhu Beach in Mumbai. A run is part of my daily morning routine and Juhu Beach is the best option considering Mumbai! 500 Kms south you are transported into a surreal world where the time stands still and you wish to be an ethnic Goan, peace loving and no rat race period.
Since I am a morning person I was up early and went for a run at 6 am. I know, you are thinking who gets up early when on a holiday and that too in Goa! Crazy right! Well, this is the only way you can escape crowds in India. The beach was virgin! Have not experienced anything as serene as this. It was simply magical. Flat beach, blue see and no one in sight for kilometers!. I could run with my eyes closed. Felt like meditation.
Then of course a typical sunny day in Goa. Hit the shack, soak in the sun with lots of sunscreen, cool yourself in the blue ocean and repeat. Even better, get a massage and then get a scrumptious Goan lunch so we headed to the famous Fisherman’s Wharf on the Sal river.
If you like Pina colada and getting caught in the rain….if you are not into yoga…if you have half a brain..song by Rupert Holmes gets stuck into my brain when in Goa because Goans make the world’s best Pina colada, its an addiction and its always a part of our every meal. We had some Masala Kalamari rings, chicken xacuti and some Goan fish curry all of which was delicious. We sat at a riverside table. In the evenings they have a live band and the setting is beautiful.
The following evening we were in for a surprise. We were on the beach and suddenly the lights went off. It went pitch dark and all we could hear, the sound of the waves. Then suddenly thunderstorms and lightning followed by rain. We ran for cover in a nearby shed and for around an hour we witnessed nature at its best. The lightning over the Arabian Sea was a sight! The weather cooled off and it turned out to be a cooler holiday thereafter.
We went for a fabulous restaurant for lunch, Cavetina by Avinash Martins in Benaulim. Their menu is quite eclectic, varied and contemporary. The service is exceptional. The crab cakes with mango aioli is outstanding. Poiezza is their take on the classic pizza using the local poie bread is very interesting and a great option for vegetarians and so is the assorted mushrooms in creamy white sauce. In the deserts section, the cherry chocolate cake which is a home preparation by chef Avinash’s wife and the homemade tiramisu ice cream are to die for. My daughter Sakshi has a passion for baking which came up in conversation with a junior chef. He was very kind to share his learnings which was quite cool. Overall a lovely place with lovely people and great food is a must visit in South Goa.
One of the locals suggested we drive further south and drive up to Betul fort which is just a canyon but the view from there is nice. The Sal river merges into the Arabian Sea. We drove up to the lighthouse for some great views. We went a further 10 kms to this place called Cape Goa. Its a hotel and has a cafe perched right on the sea. The food and drinks are not the best but its always crowded because of its location.
A trip to Goa always helps you unwind. South Goa has some luxury hotels and depending on your budget you can pick any. My picks are The Leela, ITC and The Beleza by the Beach.
South Goa will always be our goto destination to chill and rejuvenate.