Thursday 23 June 2016

Goa Experience - Part 5

Morning I went to Anjuna Beach. Anjuna is a small village. This beach is different from the other beaches I have seen. Beach is surrounded by red stones which are the house of many sea animals like Crabs, Prawns and Snails. Crabs are very sensitive animal, if they feel little sensation they hide themselves between stone cracks. All stone cracks are filled with crabs and snails. None is here except some locals who are catching sea products. I think by the noon beach will become a happening place. Anyway it’s good to come here and feel the essence of this beach. I collected some very good shape’s stones here. They are naturally smooth and well polished...




I packed my bag pack and get ready to return journey but before that I went to Baga beach which is same like other beaches of Goa but road is quite panoramic. From here I took same root for Panjim and again I stopped at same restaurant for last fanny in Goa. Today again it was a good and striking. After this fanny break I off to Panjim.  Spending little time in Panjim I off to Old Goa. I didn’t find old Goa very special coz in whole Goa scenario is almost same but the church of Old Goa is historical and beautiful. I went in and the architect of the building is marvelous. Now it’s time to back to Madgaav railway station. I board in my compartment and soon I fell asleep…



I wake up when train reached Ghis railway station. This is busy railway station. Many passengers shifted from here. One family also takes place from here and in whole journey I couldn't see the face of lady but husband, working in Navy and going Agra to meet his parents, is quite talkative. He has his own views about politics and politicians. Scenario is beautiful but stained window glass is not letting me enjoy it. This is the bad part of journey.  Indian Railway should pay attention to these small things too. I come to the door to enjoy scenario. Now Goa is leaving behind and Karnataka boarder has start. Weather is pleasant. Train crossed a dense jungle, Sugarcane and wheat fields. In fields mostly Women are working. After finish dinner I off to bed...




Middle of the night new passengers comes into berth after some noise they slept and so as I. In morning I wake late and train is in Maharashtra. Still struggling with blur window glass so I come out and stand in door. Speedy warm winds splashing my face. Villages, towns, cities and jungles are coming and going. I take pommgraned seeds from hawker. Journey is boring and weather is quite hot. Lady is still in her own world. I still haven’t seen her talking or walking. Hoshangabad is exciting stoppage because of River Narmada and its hugeness. This river area of Houshangabad is very peaceful and beautiful. After spending long time here I back to my berth and finish food and juice then I off to sleep...

When I wake up in morning train has reached to Faridabad near Delhi. After Faridabaad train speed become deadly slow and meanwhile comes to know that all taxis are on strike today so now its big problem to reach bus stand coz no metro connectivity is available here. After almost 1 hrs train reaches station and when I came out touts start shouting. When I ask for AVBT they ask double money with excuse that it was strike today and we are taking risk. After so much of haggling one taxi agreed with nominal prices but he dropped me 1 km. before station but hopefully I get rickshaw to reach station...



 Due to strike no Hi-tech or Volvo buses are going to Nainital. Only one general bus is there to go to Haldwani so get seat in it. It’s sultry weather so open window is an emergency. When bus crossed Gaziyabad, road become hell and till Uttarakhand boarder, road was full of huge holes. Bus was shaking 90 degree left and 90 degree right. I seriously hope and wish that by the night, I would be in my home not anywhere else coz road is deadly. Credit goes to driver that he drove us safely to the station...

Getting vehicle from Haldwani to Nainital is again struggle. We were four passengers so we booked a taxi in 900 bucks but he also dropped us before 12 km from Nainital but luckily we get lift and reached Nainital anyhow...


With lots of experiences and surprises my journey ended and I am in my home…

End...

Friday 17 June 2016

Goa Experience - Part 4

In morning I took walk for Vagator Beach. I ask road to two local ladies but they were not able to speak Hindi or English so one lady hold my hand and took me to the Vagator Beach road and then moves to left direction which means I would have to take left turn. This was such a sweet and simple way to tell way to stranger. Sweet women. I will always remember them. When I reach to beach it was absolute quite…



Sea is different in morning light though its cloudy morning. I takes long walk and click pictures. People are jogging, walking, meditating, and doing exercises. Waves are come slowly touch my feet and get back. Sky is cloudy but morning light is making it lovely. After walk I set in a corner and watch waves coming and going. Slowly-slowly waves become fast and furious. Roar of wave has been increased. In Drizzling I saw waves for long time. I took breakfast and coffee in same restaurant and get back to room. By now rain has been slightly heavy...






Today I took another village road for Mapusa City through barley fields, beautiful houses and churches. On the way I went to see a huge church in Agasa village. Interior of the church is outstanding. I saw many ancient stuffs here. When it was 12 noon church bell rang and echo of sound break the silence. One graveyard also here where a guy is digging a fresh cemetery for someone. I saw few decorated cemeteries. I try to talk with the guy but he is also not talkative like me. He only said - I am digging grave for village person. I came out and met with little boy Gorge. He is a son of that graveyard digger. But he too only tells his name with smile and went off...




From here I took road to Mapusa and soon I reached there. Mapusa is big city but well maintained. As this is not a tourist destination so the place is not bustling with crowed. Bus stand is very big and from here we can take bus for other state too. From Mapusa I take NH 17 for Panjim, capitol of Goa. Road is comfortable and wide with less traffic. On way I drink coconut water. This highway is surrounded by the green trees, buildings, shops, Casino and Bars. When I reached Panjim, brightly decorated colored poles welcome me. After this beautiful and colorful Panjim starts. This place is still caring its culture and architect which makes it more beautiful. Apart from beauty place is neat and clean too. Here Sea is filled with huge cruise boats and cruise casino. They are huge like 3-4 story buildings and standing in array. I cross city passing through the green colored beautifully architected buildings and reach Miramaar beach. This beach is quite peaceful with only few tourists because most tourists go to cruise and boat ride. It’s not raining but humid. I spend little time here and back…




On the way back I entered into a local restaurant which managed by Lavina and Desuja. They are typical Goan. They tell me about Goan non veg food which is not my cup of tea. Both are metallic dark in color and sober and decent. Husband asks me - are you photographer? I said - yes then he requested – Please do not click my picture coz I am not well dressed…

I directly ask for fenny – Woman smiled and says – we have the best homemade fenny. You will enjoy and come here again and again. She serves me glass on fenny. And no doubt it was the best fenny. It starts striking slowly-slowly. I can feel every sip is controlling my brain and making me out of this world. Good fenny, good road ride. What else need to enjoy...




In the night I off to Vagator Beach again to enjoy last night of Goa. I sit in the same place where I sit in first day. A Nepali boy comes and serves me fenny. I take my glass and come out near sea which is roaring with huge waves. It’s cloudy but not raining. Only few tourists are there and safety guard taking watch on them. He also alerts me not to go near waves so I sit on stone. Fireflies are blinking and huge white waves are shining in dark silent night. I have lots of memories to keep and lots of to through away. It’s wonderful visit in Goa. Waves are gaining height in every minute and in no time waves become super high and roaring like monster. Echo of roar is only voice in the air. After dinner I back to room. Weather is becoming dreamy now though can’t say, weather becoming dreamy or fenny make it dreamy… 

Continue...

Monday 13 June 2016

Goa Experience - Part 3

In the morning I sit in balcony and enjoyed soothing melodious music sung by the beautiful birds and light drizzle made it awesome. After refreshing musical morning I took short walk in the market which was almost closed. Only few vehicles are on the road. Weather is pleasant yet but will become humid soon. I saw many beautifully architected though deserted buildings…


 Today around 11 AM. I leave to Calengute Beach which is the biggest beach of Goa. I drove through the beautiful and lush green village area. It’s raining too but not heavily. Many churches and old houses are keeping me engaged. Green wheat fields spreading sweet aroma in the air and coconut trees are adding beauty in landscape. People are simple. They don’t disturb anybody. I can feel the essence of village Goa which is simply beautiful and relate with nature and culture. After crossing river I reach to Calengute city. It’s big city. Big means big shops, big market, big bungalows, big buildings and big pollution and big noise too. Everything is big here. I walked through the city to reach Calengute Beach where tourists are enjoying the way they can. Like lying, swimming, walking, playing, shouting, clicking pictures and taking selfies. Safety guard is alerting everybody for not to go deep in sea coz this is high tide time. Helicopters are also taking watch on them. Today waves are bigger then yesterday and roar of waves have been also huge. Today again I went into waves and again huge wave drenched me completely. My camera also gets wet but luckily it’s safe.  I walk a lot and watching people enjoying. I collected lots of oysters shell. For me this is a good mind relaxing exercise...



After this I way back to market where tons of cashew nuts selling.  Dry cashew, salty cashew, cashew with shell and without shell. Lots of verity is available here. After strolling in market I move to Candolim beach...

Candolim city is a posh area. All big malls, casino, hotels, spa, bar and restaurants are here. All big personality of Mumbai and Bollywood has bungalows, casinos; villas here. Small restaurants and bars are also very stylish though due to off season all are empty…



I went to Agoda fort first which is made by Portuguese to rule over India anyway again this is not my subject of interest to discover history of place. I am here to see architect and the people too, who are presently discovering the place by their own way. Drizzling has start now. Up above from here I can see the ocean in the clutch of fog. This fort maintained by archeological department. From here I back to city and find out a restaurant for food and fenny. After lots of struggle I find a restaurant where I am the only customer. First I order for fenny. This time hotel guy serves me fenny in a stylish way. He pour one peg of fenny through measuring glass and then pour water with my permission then wait for while for my reaction and then off. Today fenny was very light. Reason could be that this is beer demanding area and fenny is something like villagers drink so fenny would be good in village places. Anyway this is also not bad. After food and fenny I off to Candolim beach. Like all places tourists are enjoying here too. We see the beach from top of fort and back...



After this interesting visit I way back to Vagator via Mapusa. This is again a beautiful village area. Beautifully architected and bright colored old houses are making awesome combination with green background. I saw a beautiful blue and white combination house. I find well maintained small and big churches too. In Goa Villages are also well maintained and rich. I came across with an ancient church but couldn't go inside so I click few pictures from outside. Soon I was in my village Chapora where I take coffee in a same restaurant…

It’s raining in the evening so around 10 I off to dinner. Shops have been closed but one Punjabi restaurant is still open and few customers are taking food there. In Goa, only few Punjabis are running business. Some tables are in open, where four youngsters are sitting and drinking. They are deeply involved in their talks and drinks. And I think they are taking drug also but not sure. Anyway they are not bothering anybody and talking in a very decent way. With Punjabi music I finished food and walk back to room in dark and silence…