Summer 2016
Summer Vacations? No. more like compromised vacations. (or so I thought) We always talk about big places like Corsica and how we’ll lay tanning on the beaches, sipping our mojitos, and admiring the seagulls floating about in the sky. But where did we end up going? GOA. While I’ll admit I wasn’t really excited about this trip, I can’t say it wasn’t a good one and it certainly wasn’t what I expected it to be.
Day One- We landed at Dabolim Airport. My sister was being wheeled around on a luggage cart by my brother and I was having a tantrum as to why I wasn’t the one being wheeled around “It’s because you are not little anymore darling” My mum said. I honestly sometimes wonder how she had the patience to handle the 8-year-old me “But Amma we are only a year apart” I complained scrunching up my little face. In a matter of a few minutes, I forgot all about my tantrums as I saw the beautiful seashell necklaces which were given at the Taj Aguada as welcome gifts. The whole day went in lounging in the beachside pool and trying to convince my mom that I was old enough to go to the actual beach by myself. In the end, we all ended up going to the beach sipping on pina Coladas with the cold air caressing our faces.
Day Two- My mom woke me up at seven to visit the Tropical Spice Plantation and though I was cranky at first I forgot all about it as soon as I tasted the vanilla pod while sitting on the baby elephant Appu feeding him bamboos and bananas. It was my first ever time sitting on an elephant and it was even better because the elephant in question was a five-year-old baby. Eight year old me was fascinated by the thought that this creature was younger than even me! I was even happier when I got to eat the local sweet coconut rice. The food we were served was stored in Earthen pots and Served with ladles made out of coconut shells. My mother however was more excited because of the naturally made essential oils. On the way back I tasted the local sweet goa was famous for- Bebinka is a traditional layer cake of Goa, India derived from Indo-Portuguese cuisine. Traditionally, Bebinka has between 7 and 16 layers and it tastes delicious!
Day 3- Dona Paula...No one who ever visits Goa can never leave without visiting the Dona Paula Beach. Dona Paula was the daughter of Portuguese Viceroy Don Antonia Caetano de Menezes and fell in love with a local Goan fisherman. Her father forbade her from ever meeting her again as a result she committed suicide leaving their story incomplete. This story was one thing I would never forget throughout my entire life. Out of the 15 beaches in goa that I visited I felt a real connection to this one. After walking around the beach for three hours I and my family walked back to the hotel eating Kairi and kakadi with masala (raw mango and cucumber with spices) The lady who sold us the snack was dressed in the traditional saree- kashtha saree, had a nose ring. I was amazed by tour guides on the local buses yelling ‘Mapusa, Calangute’ to attract customers. I thought about how I used to think goa wasn’t anything in comparison to Corsica or Santorini and then thought about my experiences here so far and then I realized that this was the vacation of my dreams which I couldn’t enjoy anywhere else except here.
Day four- I woke up alone, panicked as to where my family disappeared and angry once I saw them through windows them playing on the beach leaving me alone here panicking like a bug left alone in the presence of a bird. I refused to speak to anyone except the tour guide of the Aguada Fort telling me all the stories of how the beautiful building came into existence. It was originally built to guard against the dutch. It stands tall at the shore of the Mandovi river. A freshwater spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that used to stop by. This is how the fort got its name: Aguada, which means watery in the Portuguese. It was constructed using laterite stone, which was found in abundance in Goa. The fort is categorized into two parts – the upper part and the lower part. The upper part was designed to serve as a fort and a huge watering station.
Day 5- Another must-visit place in goa St.Francis Xavier's Church St. Francis Xavier was one of the most prolific missionaries of Roman Catholic history. He was instrumental in the establishment of Christianity in India. In Dabolim, I saw a dried fish market- loved the intricacy with which the Bombay duck- bombil was hung on the metal wire for drying. Freshly made toddy(palm wine) was served for only 8 rupees per glass. of course only for the adults. The local guides ignited the desire in me to visit Goa once again, as he spoke about the Shanta Durga Temple, Museum, Flea Market on Fridays and the amazing Dolphin View Ride.
The people of Goa are warm and welcoming, they are always willing to help and arent greedy for money. They are simple, hardworking people who have a secular attitude and accept all visitors, Just as they welcomed me and my family, with open arms.
"I woke up alone, panicked as to where my family disappeared and angry once I saw them through windows them playing on the beach leaving me alone here panicking like a bug left alone in the presence of a bird."
ReplyDeleteHehehe It was my idea 😈❤
😑ðŸ˜ðŸ˜¤I know!
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