Goa, I hardly knew her!!!

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  Goa, India
Thursday, January 1, 2009

New Years Eve found us landing at Goa's domestic terminal.  As he was on one of the early flights out of Baroda, Ted was the advance guard and has sussed out our accommodation and had recognised it as a 'great find'.  On arrival at Palolem, we were met by security guards who were not letting vehicles other than rickshaws anywhere near the beach, so we had to transfer all our luggage.  We then had to trudge all the way along the beach with our luggage when we got there...... to find a little piece of heaven on the beach.  The Alessandra Resort is at the north end of the beach, also known as the 'quiet' end, and for that we are grateful.  The circle of beach huts are recessed from the beach, but less than 200 metres away is the beautiful Arabian Sea.  We can sit on the deck of the bar, and watch the waves lapping at the shore with barely more than a stumble from our huts.

New Years Eve is traditionally party time in Goa, but for a couple of reasons we didn't partake - first, we were all still suffering the residual effects of the hangovers, lack of sleep or both (Ted will want me to point out most clearly that he was not hungover - he just laughed at all of us when we were drunk, and told us all what we did the next day!); secondly, many of the parties had been cancelled and we saw many guards on the beach to ensure that they didn't happen.  Ted had found out about a couple, one of which we checked out, but as none of us were really in the mood, we saw in the New Year in a quiet bar with a drink, and enjoyed the fireworks.

But it wasn't an organised firework display, oh no.  The thing I've quickly come to realise about Goa in the 24 hours I've spent here, is that anything goes, including a blatant regard for health and safety.  Fireworks were being let off all along the beach by bars, tourists, kids and adults alike.  It made for a interesting walk back along the beach, trying to make sure we didn't have fireworks for dinner.

Our low key NYE meant that we all woke up refreshed and blessedly hangover free this morning for our exciting day of doing.....nothing.  Blissfully, happily, quitely doing nothing.  Except lie on the beach, have a glass of beer, take a dip in the sea - and then repeating until sated.

I've already decided I'm coming back.  I'm going to spend the last three days of my trip here instead of sightseeing, as it's too beautiful not to.

And so I take my leave to join the others for food, beer and lively conversation on the beach with an ocean view.  Life does not get much better than this right now.

Happy New Year!

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