We had always resisted going to Goa because we both imagined it would be overly developed and touristy, full of sunburnt Brits, loud Israelis and stoned Hippies. In need of some chilling out time we decided to give it a try. We took the day train twelve hours from Mumbai to Margoa in southern Goa, and then an auto rickshaw the further 9km to Benaulim. We arrived in the dark at Xavier’s, a hotel right next to the beach where we had a booking for two nights. In the morning we were pleasantly surprised by how beautiful Benaulim Beach and the nearby village actually were and we checked in for a further two weeks. There were a lot of fat Russians and British and German pensioners (a few of whom we managed to make friends with!). Best of all though was the very leathery old man in a tiny green g-string who kept popping into our line of vision just after lunchtime on a regular basis. We felt we knew him VERY well by the time we were ready to leave.
It was so nice to have a rat free bathroom! Check out those tiles!
We swam, safe in the knowledge that someone would be on hand to rescue us if we got into trouble.
The sunsets were magnificent and…
…..at night we strolled down the beach to one of the many beach shacks who offered dinner.
Each morning after our swim, we enjoyed a walk along the beach into the village for breakfast. We loved starting our day in a healthy way!
All of the restaurants seemed to specialise….in everything!
We left Benaulim only three times. Once to visit Old Goa to see some of the churches.
We loved the first do not on this sign outside St. Francis Xavier church.
The second time was a trip to the Saturday night market in Arpora. The pickpockets were working the crowd and the stall holders seemed to be enjoying selling to the cashed up Russians,
who usually paid the first ridiculously high price they were given. We enjoyed the colourful atmosphere but were possibly the only people to leave without buying any souvenirs.
Food glorious food, ranging from tandoori to falafel. The store holders were mostly foreigners. There was even rocky road on offer. We had to try it. It would have been rude not to!
On the way home from the market we stopped at the ‘Miracle cross.’ This sign was outside the church there and caught our eye.
The third time we hired bikes and rode down to Colva, a nearby beach resort popular with local Indians.
We are glad we finally made it to Goa. It was great to just chill there!
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milla says:
OMG I just relived a part of my India trip (1998), same beach, same church….prob not same cow, same healthy breakfasts, etc. Have fun! xxx
Kerry Jenkins says:
Hi Kaz and Nick, just spent the last hour or so going back to the start of your blogs and re reading them all over again, what a fabulous trip you guys have had. of have such beautiful memories to share forever. I am so happy for you and so envious at the same time. There are some amazing places out there in the big wide world and you have managed to see many of them. Keep exploring, stay safe and enjoy the time you have left. Love to you both for Christmas, wherever you may be. Kerry. Xxxxx
The Grinzis says:
Once again, awesome post guys. Jealousy meter red-zoning.
Apart from being temporarily homeless (yes, the renos have begun!), Henry sustaining a broken thigh bone last month (out of plaster this week) and only 2 hospitalisations for Paul this year (all good in the end), we are travelling well. We have ‘version 2.0’ due in Feb, so the hot Summer’s going to be fun, esp for Sarah.
Stay safe, keep growing that hair Nick and looking forward to catching up on your eventual return (you are returning at some stage aren’t you?).
Cheers.