There are times when one feels cold and lost and cheerless at one moment, but the very next moment brings color, gladness and warmth. Like sleep in mother’s lap or a pat on the back by father or hot broth on a cold evening or the first cry of a new born. As soon as I put my foot on this coastal land of Goa, I was wrapped around in the warmth of early morning Sun and my nostrils smelled the sea breeze filling my lungs to satisfaction and I knew I felt home. Living all my life near coasts, the feeling of warm sea breeze brought such a gladness in me, which can only be defined by the parameters of profound peacefulness.
After a long, cold nights journey, Philip and I reached Mapusa and took a taxi to Arambol, a not-so-frequented beach in north of Goa. Now there are two ways to take pleasure in Goa; either visit as many beaches and go sightseeing like a been-there-seen-that tourist or go to one beach and explore all the insights life has to offer in complete calmness. We chose the latter. The forty-five minutes drive to Arambol was filled with scenic coastal beauty, which draws a person to itself like a flaming candle to a moth. On reaching Arambol, we went to our pre-booked huts, which are right on the beach, about 50 meters from the shore, where, if one steps out, he steps out in sand. We were asked to check-in at 10:00hrs, so we dumped our bags there and went for a stroll on the beach. As our stomachs started growling, we entered an eatery to grab some famous Goan food.
Having a beer the first thing in the morning sitting beside a shore watching the subtle waves dying on the sand made all the aches and sleeps lying in body to vanish and fill those gaps with calmness. Goa has this psychedelic peacefulness to it. After having a sumptuous breakfast, we checked in those huts and met our third friend Oliver there, who had come one day earlier. After freshening up, we dressed down to our swimming costumes and took shacks on the beach. There are three things without which one shouldn't even think of going to Goa: swimming costume, sunscreen and sunglasses. And this is all that will be required besides the bare basics. After this, the whole day pretty much passed by swimming in the ocean, tanning in sun, drinking chilled beers and having appetizing Goan food. Learning how to swim directly in an ocean is some way to learn swimming!
At night, walking on the shore, we landed in one restaurant which was playing psychedelic progressive trance and had a dance floor on which junkies danced their way to glory. Being a sucker for psychedelic music, I pulled Philip and Oliver in, and started dancing there. I must admit that I have never danced to so much peace in my life. It was like dancing to your favorite music with no one seeing under the light of stars. I got the high of my lifetime, which all spirits put together may not help me achieve.
The next morning started with a swim in the ocean, followed by filling breakfast and lying down in the sun on the sand. The afternoon started again with a swim in the ocean, chilled beers, delightful food and with a plan to visit the Mckenzie Saturday night market at Arapora, near Baga beach. In the evening, Philip and I spotted a kayak lying in one the shacks and decided to have some adventure. So we pulled out the kayak to the ocean and started peddling into the lashing waves. Now to a person who learnt swimming just one day before, kayaking into waves can be more nervy than adventure. But after the first fall, all the signs of nervousness disappear and one starts rowing with renewed strength. It was late evening and the sun was about to set in the horizon, so we kayaked far into the ocean, behind the waves to a point where the stillness of ocean kept the kayak afloat and we witnessed a blissful sunset. I wouldn't write any word describing it, because the best feelings on earth cannot be written on paper. All I know is, it was an enlightening experience of my life as we sailed into the night.
Mckenzie Saturday night market at Arapora is consider to be one of the fascinating places to visit in Goa, and as advised by many, Philip, Oliver and I decided to go visit it. After our kayaking session, we freshened up and left for Arapora, a small place near the famous Baga beach. This was the first time I stepped out of sand since the time I reached Arambol on previous morning! For a moment I felt as if I came to some other land leaving Goa behind!
The journey took about 50 minutes and the roads were zipped by the people on their rented scooters. Also due to the music festival 'Sunburn', which was to start the following day and Christmas weekend, the central part of Goa was thronged by people. The first step in the night market, and I was enveloped by the buzz. If we just go by the definition of market of being a meeting point of people, at a stated time and place, for the purpose of buying and selling goods, we wouldn't do justice to this night market. Phenomenal! People from all over the globe thronging under the carpet of lights, buying and selling the shiniest stuff available on planet at highly inflated prices. One can hear 20 different languages from all over the world. People dressed in complete pirate attire to some dressed still in their swimming costumes. Lines and lines of shops selling everything which you would just have imagined ever existed. All the colors possible on palette, woodwork of all deities of all religions, also, ironically, winter wear to the standards of Eskimos being sold in the warm climate there!
In the middle of the market is a huge open area where music concerts, fashion shows, talent shows are held. Besides it is the famous food aisle, which sells some very delicious food from around the world. Also there is a lake, beside which is the seating arrangement for people to eat. Eating different cuisines, listening to live music, besides a lake, with people of all races, under the stars creates one picture perfect scene. I gorged on some cheese laden German food with chilled beer.
The market had a majority of Russian tourists. If you ask how do I know this, well Philip and Oliver are from Switzerland and Germany respectively and they told me how to identify people belonging to different countries in Europe. Girls from Russia, Poland or northern Europe have shortest skirts. As one moves down south, the length of skirt increases. Germany, Switzerland, UK will see medium length skirts whereas Spain, France will see longer ones. Also the skin color turns from pale to reddish to bronze as one moves from north to south.
Back to Arambol after the awe-inspiring visit to the interesting night market, I just took a stroll on the beach and retired for the night.
The third day again started with a swim in the ocean, followed by opulent breakfast and lying under the cloudy sky of Goa. Oliver and Philip talked a lot about the details of their countries, which never make to any tourist guide book or newspapers. We had some very good cultural exchange talks through the afternoon. As the afternoon was coming to an end, we took one final swim in the seas of Goa. In the evening, after packing our luggage and checking-out, we decided to take a walk in the streets of Arambol to while away some time before departure. We entered a cafe, where an open music night was organized. Anybody could walk on the stage and play whatever he wishes to. These were the final moments of my Goa trip. Listening to beautiful strumming of an acoustic guitar, a gorgeous voice singing, sipping on my coffee with a perfectly grilled sandwich, sun setting into oblivion in the backdrop, my Goa trip wouldn't have ended in a better way.
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