So there we were at the airport. Now this waiting period when you are in the list of the passengers about to board the plane - in the departure cue is exciting to say the least. Yes it is! You move around the vicinity with the widest of smiles your cheeks can pull off. I had the feeling inside me of complete calmness and goody-goody. Announcement, 'Call out for Air Asia flight from New Delhi to Goa...' Hurray! This was our flight to take us till Goa.
Post check-in and getting seated in the plane is the easier thing. Oh yes, there is a tougher aspect to flight travel. The point I am hitting out to is the co-passengers. Especially the ones seated in the front. Here was a family of eight-to-nine people all of whom were loud! Also, they were constantly changing seats and moving around. Was this how my trip was to begin? No! I thought it cannot be so. There stepped in God and saved my life. The better part of my journey till Goa in the flight was the co-passenger next to me. I fail to recall her name. She was a travel blogger by profession. At present she was on her way to visit Goa from her trip in Uttarakhand hills. Yes, we both made it through that loud environment. Simply wondering what made those overly excited people go Ga-Ga.
Touch down to Dabolim Airport or Goa Airport! I was super delighted to see my brother there waiting for us. His flight from Kolkata reached before ours. The smart guy had an eventful state of affairs from his trip till Goa. We checked out from the Airport and into two vehicles pre-booked. We were on our way to our place of stay now. Our driver for the trip was Gaffar Bhai. A gem of a personality he was. One who I would like to remember for a long time.
The booking was a little different. Our stay was in a society premise through an aggregator provider. So now all of us went in and took our room keys to settle down. The hotel had a gigantic poolside. One which we all made a very good use of. All of us played swimming games. We had a big ball with us. It ensured that we, exhausted and tired Delhiets were live with energy. Up above the weather was living up to its name. The rain gods had already circled us. One incredible view under which were we circled in.
The next day we stopped over at Infantaria Cafe&Bar. Here we were welcomed to a sumptuous treat. This breakfast meal was amazing. The preparation was continental with soothing music playing in the background. The weather at this moment was the best it could offer Goa. To make the most off it we decided to see the country side. Hence all of us headed to the border of North Goa, Arombol near Mapsa. As this was the off-season, most shops remained shut. Hence we enjoyed the beaches. The same day at night we made a shirt trip to Baga Beach. Here we had some delicious sea food and enjoyed the heart pumping music.
The third day we set foot for Candolim Beach side. Today the weather was all in its most shining state. The water in this beach side was so beautiful Blue in color. The waves here were so huge and gigantic. Literally I mean this and am not exaggerating at all. Whosoever visits Goa must surely set foot here. The noise that the Arabian Sea water makes is astonishing to say the least. Here we took halt at a shack and had some more beer again. Who would want to walk with an empty stomach when in Goa? - Not me for sure!
The best place we found out for ourselves was the Fat Fish restaurant and bar. One where we made multiple halts during our trip. A friendly and welcoming manager and good food. This is the place where I for the very first time in my life tasted Crabs. Yes! I did. On the good encouragement of my family - to safeguard me if I happen to travel abroad, I shouldn't be left empty stomach. Ha Ha ! It tastes amazing. Yes provided you can make your way through the hard shell.
The date at present time was the fourth of July and we were to board our return flight to New Delhi. Post check out from the hotel we stopped over in South Goa. The section that we hadn't seen as of now. Here we bought some 'Kaju's'. Well actually a little more than some. This part of Goa is much more cleaner and organized. It is a lot more metro city like and less sea like place. As we walked around we finally came upfront with a shop. 'SK Kaju Walla' with the most authentic Goan kaju - for which the city is famous. A few minutes into our buying and it started pouring. Slowly but steadily it was picking up pace.
The trip to Goa in the monsoon season was an eventful one. One that I thoroughly enjoyed. So if you plan to travel Goa ever in the monsoon. Carry your sleeve-less T-Shirts and Shorts with you. Oh yes the swim-suits of course. I have attached at the end of this post here some glimpses from my journey.
