Adventure on the beaches of Goa

Goa an Adventure paradise- by Manuel Fernando
Visited India in 2003 winters

I spent almost a month in India during my vocational trip last year winters.... it came out to be a most memorable trip for me as it was my first travel to any of the south Asian countries. Even in my tight business schedule I took out some days to explore this New World.

First, I travel to the unbelievably resplendent and royal desert state of Rajasthan..... had a magnetic pull towards its charismatic charms, I spent few days in Rajasthan visiting awesome palace Jag Niwas amidst Lake Pichola.....watching the sun set in to the deep horizon was just a captivating sight. Visiting Ambar Fort in Jaipur on an elephant's back was like a royal ride and for some time it forced me to feel like a King. The beautiful ladies adorned with silver jewelry covered with multicolored veils and long skirt and men tying the bright turbans on their heads in the deep golden sands of Thar Desert was fabulous......it was astonishing to believe that the people of Rajasthan had the strong instinct of surviving in the harsh climatic conditions of Thar Desert. Rajasthan was camera friendly even to a nonprofessional photographer likes me, and I wish I had taken more photographs for my personal album while I was there.

After my great encounter with the city of Desert, I traveled to wards the south of India, to the palm fringed beaches of warm and beautiful Goa.
I spent my time in the South of Goa, mainly on the startling white sands of Colva Beach.
I returned back to Delhi as I had an urgent work in the office, getting rid of it after two days I sojourn to Goa, my next destination. I boarded a flight direct to the paradise, although my business associate Ramgopal (who also accompanied me on Goa tour) insisted on a rail journey, but time was my only limitation and I was not ready to waste it at all......for what- Ram was little upset as he wanted to relax in the long train journey.

After visiting Goa my heart replied me that --
"If there is Paradise on earth, its in Goa ........"
The surroundings were picturesque, with the vegetation turning more greener and lush as we approached the State of Goa. There was a soothing smell of sea in the whole atmosphere, one could feel the sea some where nearby. I was clear in my mind.... no count on getting any business work done on my this special schedule in Goa, I had come here to submerge in the charm of the new world-to RELAX, therefore I had a quick nap in the same afternoon, to enjoy my evenings.

In evening we were booked to see the concerts in the Holiday Inn-there only we were staying, and the second evening at the Kala Arts Academy in Panjim. To my surprise Ram has did its prior booking giving me an absolute surprise...... I should mention here that the show was worth a watch, depicting the rich culture and beautiful dances of Goa, which gave me a fair idea about the life in Goa and its people. In all this amusement and entertainment I lost my wallet-"Oh God, help me...." I screamed out, as it was containing all the important documents along with my passport.

But with every ones great efforts I could trace it back........thanks to Goa people and the hotel authorities. In spite of our hectic schedule and this last minute upsets, we did manage to spend some exquisite sun shine hours on the beaches of Goa. We made a trip to Colva beach, Anjuna Beach full of life and activity, where the group of artists performed at a local pub.

I strongly felt the feeling of freedom in this city, ....the freedom to reveal the lost of eternal life in you, waiting and watching the setting sun with a can of beer and a spicy Goan crab grilled on the sea shore---with no hangouts of your business schedules. There is the freedom of strolling on the cool silver sands barefoot, wearing Bermudas at dinner-- leaving the world and its rules behind.

At Polema beach- about 37km from Margao, I got the opportunity to indulge in windsurfing, I myself not an adventure enthusiast, but could enjoy the trial from the core of my heart. The beach has lot of foreign tourist attracted by its pristine and tranquil wave splendor. I could see visitors taking up various sports activities like diving in the shallow waters and swimming along the calm waves, enjoying para sailing and yachting.

For me, Goa is pools of memories, wrapped with its ancient churches, long stretches beaches and of course the liveliness of its people. Long after I returned to my place, I could flavor the salt on my lips, feel the sand between my toes leaving the marks of the foot left behind, fragrance of the Goan spices, hearing the sound of crashing waves on the shore, the whispering of the wind in my ears, the spellbinding charm of building and shattering sandcastles...the glorious sun getting settled into the sea...the passion of waters that enfold you...horizons that stretch forever-- a fantasy that remained forever, well preserve in my heart.