Shaka Goa
WHEN IN GOA CELEBRATE IN STYLE
WHEN IN GOA CELEBRATE IN STYLE
January 3, 2020. Two days have past since the extravagant count down of the new year and I clearly have no idea what had happened in the last 48 hours. I was woken up with the smell of sweet spice traveling through my nose and right to my hungover, yet hungry stomach as if I could almost taste the curry. My eyes finally opened and the sun was beaming straight through my window.
Stunning beaches and the Arabian Sea… Goa, India.
Vivid Green Palm trees and the sound of waves crashing to the shore finally reminded me where I was. I walked towards the window with a view of indigo waters surrounding what seemed to be my bungalow… I was in Goa.
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“THE VIEWS IN GOA ARE AS IF YOU RIPPED THEM OUT OF A PRETERNATURAL PAINTING.”
Although my head was spinning and still in recovery mode from New Year’s the breeze from my balcony touching my skin made me feel more relaxed than I have ever been in my life. The alarm on my phone went off with a set reminder saying, “Last boat to city leaves in 5 minutes,” and noticed the boat was waiting right outside my bungalow. So many things ran through my mind. Still baffled and confused as to how I missed two full days in this beautiful place. Putting my thoughts on pause, I finally put myself together in a miraculous time of four minutes and caught the last boat to the city.
As Dorothy would say, “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.” The views in Goa are as if you ripped then out of a preternatural painting; Breathtaking everywhere your eyes wander. I finally get to the city and I felt as if I lived here my while life. The people were so welcoming with a warm smile everywhere I went.
The markets showcase a variety of colorful food and smells that make a trail to guide you there. As if I wasn’t hungry enough, I definitely needed to devour some Goan food and could not wait any longer. I stopped to eat at a small family-owned restaurant called Vinayak. It was there where I found a new blissful love for Balchao.
“AN ELEPHANT CASUALLY STROLLING DOWN THE STREETS, MINDING ITS OWN BUSINESS. THE BEAUTIFUL CREATURE LIVING FREE IN ITS OWN NATURAL HABITAT.”
Balchao is a very popular dish in Goa. It consists of prawn, fish or pork. The dish is marinated in malt vinegar and has a taste only for the brave. If you haven’t felt your tongue dance from the spice, well your tongue will seriously cha-cha its way into some serious spiciness. No need for lip injections anymore; Balchao will do it for you. After I finished licking my plate and devouring every last drop of sauce, I headed to the beach where it was time to relax and soberly ring in the new year, feeling like I won the lottery in this majestic place. As I walked to the beach, I saw something you will NEVER come across in Miami… Well, an elephant casually strolling down the streets, minding its own business. The beautiful creature living free in its own natural habitat.
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“SAND BLOWING IN THE WIND AND I COULD SMELL THE SALT WATER ALREADY CALLING MY NAME.”
The beautiful part of it all is the way the people honor and respect this stunningly large creature. Nowadays, it’s rare to see people having a found respect for animals. It was truly refreshing to see people clear the street specially for the elephant to cross. A few steps away and I could hear the same sound that woke me up this morning. The soft ocean waves kissing the shore so elegantly. Sand blowing in the wind and I could smell the salt water already calling my name. Another picture taken out from the book of magic. This view was one I would never forget. My feet sunk into the warm, sun-kissed sand as I walk closer to the water. I was able to say I made up for the two days lost. Not only did I eat the spiciest yet scrumptious meal, but I had a beautiful encounter with a free-living creature on my way to the most naturally astonishing beach my eyes have gazed on to.
Photos by
Subhasish Chakraborty / Lonely Planet / OYO / Hanza Travel / Mahesh Srinivas / Trover
Tags
Goa / India / Cola Beach / Goa Sunsets / Bandoli / Elephant / Riding an Elephant / Balchao / Viva Goa / Verve / Incredible Goa / Planet Goa / Timeline Goa / Goaprism