On my last trip I wasn't able to make daily reports as we were staying in a 2 bedroom bungalow and the internet cafe' doesn't open till 9am by which time my morning stroll is over and Mrs and Jnr Jock are up and ready for the next adventure to begin I had made notes on camcorder but that broke down on the last day, don't ask lol. It has now been replaced so I will work on further trip reports over the next couple of weeks as the new season approaches. In the mean time I will re-post some of the reports I did post whilst in Goa......Hope that makes sense :-)
First Day
Well after getting through the airport in the fastest time ever onto the journey which reminds you just why Goa is so magical, driving down the coastal road past Bogmalo, Colva, Benaulim etc, the sights, the colors, the smells, the cows wandering down the street passed the large church at Benaulim/Varca where the local lads on mopeds dressed in there Sunday bests to impress the girls, on passed the Portugese style villa's and then the huts passed the rice fields and onto Carmona and the fish market on the corner. Finally arriving in Cavelossim passed the Palm Grove and the Haathi Mahal where we spent 4 fantastic weeks last year. We then turned right and into Luisa By The Sea did we make the right choice.......? Absolutely !!!! what a tranquil setting so relaxing we are already in Goa mode. We went for a walk down to the beach saying hello to some familiar faces, lunch at Dom's then back to the pool which is 10 yards from our bungalow. Last night (Mrs Jock turned in we don't sleep on planes) so me and Jnr Jock went to the River View sitting on the pontoon, no music just the lapping of the river, as dusk turned to night and the stars made a glow on the river I looked at Freya and thought "How lucky I am, how many father's get to spend such quality time with there 8 year old daughter in such wonderful surroundings?" How lucky I am
Well having an absolutely fantastic time weather is great even though it's a little humid there is a lovely cool breeze and of course cold kingfisher to cool you down. I'll write a full report when I get back Monday was spent chilling by the beach then off to the River View for lunch before heading to the beach (via Jaans and he says a big hi to Gail and Linda) and a dip in the sea which at this time of year is like a warm bath and of course you have to wait until 7pm to enjoy that gorgeous Goan sunset (which means an extra cocktail ) Went to the Palm Grove for dinner and the food was as good as ever (though me and Laurence toasted life with a nice malt whisky I'd brought him) szechuan chicken wasn't on the menu but they made it any way and it will be returning to the menu for next season ). (there may also be another Jnr Rodriguez in time for next season), A few highlights from yesterday, playing cricket on the beach with the locals Jnr Jock hit some great shots and then at sunset as I was diving through the waves I spotted a couple of dolphins break the surface no more than 20 feet from me they then proceeded to do complete somersaults fully out of the water and with sun turning red in the backdrop , it was truly stunning and no more than 20 feet from where I was swimming. Last nights beach party at Dom's was a great night (more in full report) and tomorrow we are off to Benaulim catching the bus
At the River View (which doesn't have anymore tables but is definitely wobblier than last year) for lunch today,tender beef steak marinaded in garlic ginger and lime paste with baked potato and fresh veg for all of 200 rupees gorgeous oh and kingfisher 50 rps There were a couple of guys fishing from the pontoon they said they are not catching much through the day but they went back at 10pm last night and caught some snappers and cat fish.
Wow wow and wow what a fantastic trip so far too many highlights to mention will give full update when we get back (sorry about lack of reports but I used to post early morning at the Haathi last year but the cafe' doesn't open until 9am by which time Mrs and Jnr Jock are up and the daty is beginning) This morning we went up to Margao (dropped Freya at Laurences to play with Anna-Lee) and it is as fantastic as ever, the noise, the traffic, the horns what a buzz it should certainly be called by it's other name MADgaon. We visited the dentist (excellant and more later) then breakfast at Tato's mixed bhaji, puri (puffed pancakes) milky coffee followd by a fresh lime soda. Then off to the warren that is Margao market, I keep expecting a Goan Artful Dodger or Oliver Twist to be ducking and diving through the passage ways. Then off to Longhuino's for a seat by the window a cold drink and a bit of people watching and just watching the world go by, a little more shopping before fitting in a cold beer in the Venice Garden restaurant, it's amazing sitting in a peaceful garden as the madness goes on just on the other side of the wall. A Tuk tuk back which weaves in and out of the Margao traffis going through gaps which I swear aren't there. The driver was crossing/blessing himself everytime he passed a large church I was crossing myself everytime he overtook (joke honest;-) ) Now back at Cavellosim and ready for a relaxing afternoon on the beach we'll watch the sun go down then head back for a shower before going to the beach party at Dom's tonight (It's changed to a Tuesday this season and Dom's has moved from last year too) Heading back to Benaulim tomorrow (Hawaii really is a great shack with a lovely laid back feel to it and a great menu). Spice Plantation elephant wash and Children Walking Tall on Thursday, Friday evening planning going to see the new musical/light fountains in Margao (will report on them when we get back) before going to Laurences house for a meal, Hope to update soon and full report when I get back, Falls/Chandor etc. etc
Mrs and Jnr Jock are having a long lie we danced, talked and laughed at the beach party last night till 0130 a great night and Freya really enjoyed the dancing, fire-works and Dom has two excellant Russian fire-dancers this season.
A quick add on to yesterday's post after leaving the cafe' we went for a dip in the pool before going to the River View for a late lunch as I sat I couldn't help but think this sums upthe magic of Goa, this morning we were in the manic market town of Margao and now we were sitting on the pontoon a couple of local lads were fishing from the wall, a small Goan boy grinning from ear to ear as a small fish got reeled in, a fishing boat was just coming in to port further downstream, there were a couple of kites flying above, that lovely chestnut colour as they tilt there wings and the sun reflects off there backs, the lovely white egrets on the other shore and then as I looked up the river view a kingfisher was just flitting across the water before landing on a rock to eat it's catch the contrasts in Goa truly are wonderful. Oh and the food was fantastic
Meant to mention I met Bighally40 on our last day which was great. We were sitting in Silver Shades beach shack and this family were leaving, something just twigged as they left so I asked Nathan (the shack owner) if they were staying at the D.S. and if they had been last year to which he replied yes. So I told Nathan (who also is a partner in Golden Eye) to ask him that night if he was Bighally and if so goanjock said hi. Anyway at around 11pm Nathan and Bighally's son arrive at the River View (where we were) on scooter, so we went and joined Bighally and family for a drink, a blether and a laugh it was great meeting someone from the forum and what a lovely family so till next year BH and the drinks will be on me
Wow Callumn what an absolutely fantastic report, such imaginiative descriptions, I felt quite emotional reading that , just want to be there so much! Thanks TJ cant wait for more from you. Lisa.
Second WOW from me too. If you close your eyes, you're there. Lisa, I filled up too - what a pair of soppies we are A beautiful report TJ.
that was a brilliant report we also stay nr cavelosim and you described the route from the airport perfectly and also mentioned all our favourite haunts i just felt we were back there anita
Agonda review.....Catch a ferry from Cavelossim across the river Sal and follow the coastal road through a couple of villages then onto Cabo da Rama an old ruined fort with a resident troupe of large monkeys (Freya loved watching them swinging through the trees though in truth so did we) the old pool with Kingfishers and of the rocks if you are lucky (we were) sea otters. Also enjoy the fantastic views down the coast. Agonda is a further 20 mins drive. After a short drive through the delightful little village we arrived at Madhu Shack and coco-huts and were given beach hut no 1. It was basic but clean (kind of like camping on stilts) but from your hut you go back down the wooden steps right onto the sand of a beach straight out of a Bounty advert. spen the rest of the day lazing/strolling/exploring then at sunset swimming in the sea watching the sun go down as the fishing boats come and go and there is a procession of the local women carrying firewood on there heads along the beach a truly magical scene. In the morning stepped straight onto the beach and went for a 7.30 walk along the beach spotted some dolphins as well as 2 otters in the sea(near the estuary) a dip in the sea preceeded breakfast before another lovely day on the beach and the bill 2 lunches 1 breakfast a dinner which included a gorgeous tandoori kingfish which with a couple of loaves would have fed the 5000 and a night in the shack for the 3 of us cost less than one lousy meal in the Jazz Inn (anybody reading a previous food will know I don't rate the jazz Inn) We will definitely be going back next week. We didn't see any turtles hatching but saw the nest where they will soon appear from (dont want to put date on forum) Agonda though has one major flaw.... once you are there you may not want to leave.
p.s. Madhu cocohuts contact Shekar e mail shekhar1303@sify.com mobile no. 9423813442 or landline 2647116
p.p.s. meant to add as we left at sunset we were still spotting dolphins just off the shore
p.p.p.s. We returned the following week but there wasn't a hut on the beach front left and Shekar was still completing a couple of huts so we planned to just stay for the day. At around 3pm w edecided we really didn't want to leave yet so Shekar put a temporary door on one of the unfinnished huts we bought toothbrushes toothpaste and shampoo at the local shop and stayed another night. Although there is a perfectly fine communal shower in the morning I used the larger communal shower I think it's called the Arabian Sea I lathered my hair and then dived through the waves.....just heaven
Isn't this is a great way to get back in the mood for our next Goa holidays?
Second WOW from me too. If you close your eyes, you're there. Lisa, I filled up too - what a pair of soppies we are A beautiful report TJ.
Absolutely wonderful report from TJ, and yea Goa brings out the soppy in me
Lisa, where've you been? Long time, no hear?
Been busy fizz, will PM you, ok.
These reports are great, we don't know the South so well having only been to the huts at Palolem for the odd night for a change from the north. When the opportunity arises and we can stay in Goa for more than the usual 2 or 3 weeks we intend to explore this beautiful part of Goa. Of course, all parts of Goa have areas like this where the beauty and the ambience brings out the poet in us - lovely
Talking of poetry - has anyone actually composed any in relation to Goa? Are there any more Bards amongst us?
Brilliant reading Calumn and it makes Goa seem closer than the 77 sleeps it is!
I have it on video and it still makes me smile and feel warm when I watch it
Sounds like sheer bliss. But as you say, all things must change. We will hopefully visit Agonda this November or March when we are in Goa. Your report is great tho, and great reading for a relaxed Sunday. When do you and your family return to Goa?
I looked at Freya and thought "How lucky I am, how many father's get to spend such quality time with there 8 year old daughter in such wonderful surroundings?" How lucky I am
Such a wonderful few lines
post deleted
sometimes it is better just not to post
Fiona ht mod
sometimes it is better just not to post
Fiona ht mod
TJ I really did enjoy your reports, as i do everyones who takes the time to share their experiences, photos and memories with the rest of us. Please continue to write them for us they are brilliant!
Calumn dont do the next bit of the report until Wednesday evening when Scotland are playing again, cos I read your post the other day that Scotland scored when you were posting
Our first trip to Goa was our honeymoon. We were married overlooking Loch Ness on a Wednesday, on the Thursday we travelled to Edinburgh catching a flight to Gatwick we then had a thirteen hour Monarch flight with a stop in Bahrain and we hadn't slept for over 24 hours. As we approached Goa at about 9am local time the plane tilted and we got our first glimpse of the bright blue Arabian sea with the quaint Goan fishing boats bobbing up and down, the sight took our breathes away and we were instantly wide awake. The bus journey to the Holiday Inn Mobor followed, the rickety old bus bouncing away down the Goan roads, we sat mesmorised just staring out of the window at the amazing sight of Goan villages, the portguguese style villa's, the huts, the waving smiling children, the little pigs, the market stalls and of course the cows wandering down the middle of the road. The scene's hit every sense, the colours, the sights, the sounds and even the smells, we felt like we were watching a TV documentary and not looking out of a bus window. When we got to our hotels we literally found our room quickly showered dumped our bags and then off we went to explore. What followed was the most magical honeymoon we could ever have hoped for.
Tightjock. How long ago was that ?
April 21st 1995 (we got married on my birthday the 19th so I don't forget )
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