Goa in August - travel suggestions

snain

I am travelling from Bombay to Goa in Mandavi Express (starts at 7:15 AM) this weekend. Have heard it to be a very scenic journey.
Being my first time in Goa and I would like to have some
recommenndations. I have around 5 days in total , am planning to visit few beaches(Benaulim and Paloleam are already in my list), visit some old cathedrals forts etc , if possible spend some time in the countryside and do some cycling.
Any recommendations on the beaches, low budget hotels and other places to visit in Goa. At this time of the year seclusion should not be a problem, so I should rather be looking for the most beautiful beaches.
ANy suggestion will be most welcome.

Sandeep

Watson

Well you’re already staying in the places that would be at the top of my list too. Check out the hotel section for some good places in Goa to stay. If you like the party crowd then I would recommend Vagator up north. Anjuna flea market is also worth an excursion. I’ve been to Old Goa and toured the churches and monuments- found it a bit dull though.

I just checked the next 4 day forecast and it seems that the monsoon is over. Or is it? I’ll be there towards the end of September; will the monsoon swing back? Should I expect it to rain?

MadnoMad

Hi Sandeep,
while you are in goa...if you are interested in old forts and ruins..then dont miss chapora fort......in vagator and also go to old goa and ask for the broken church...iths the place where the song..."haye mera dil chura ke le gaya" from the hindi movie JOSH was shot...its a beautiful ruined church...it was destroyed in a fire a long time back...but parts of it is still intact and you feel like you are in a different world altogether...just ask any of the bike taxi guys...the bike taxi guys are called pilots....ask them and they'll take you there...also if you are interested...then you can check out an old war cemetry near the governor's house in miramar...its quite an interesting place and has a wonderful view of the beach..........cheers dude...have a blast....and dont forget to drown in a bucket of feni..

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snain

Thanks for the Suggestions, I will add chapora and vagator in my list. haven't seen Josh but will definately look for 'the broken church' and drowning in Feni is a beautfiful thought

-m2-

Hi Sandeep, hope your trip has started out well.

I don't know if you can carry your gear on the bike, or if you are using it only for sight-seeing, but you might consider starting 'at the top' of Goa by getting down at Pernem stn. The ride from the station to Pernem and then along the river to Keri and Fort Terekhol is both pretty and mostly shaded. The Fort is kind of a mini-fort, (now a upscale mini-hotel) with spectacular views of the coast. (it is on the Maharashtra side, reached by a small ferry from Keri).

Keri has a long deserted beach and limited food and accomodation which I assume would be closed in August but it is only a few km ride on to Arambol which is a pleasant fishing village with great beach extending most of the way to the Chapora River -- the main road only follows the coast for about half the 10(?) or so km but by smaller roads you can go by Mandrem, Asvem and Morjim beachs -- all have some modest, inexpensive accomodation and restaurants, but I don't know what's open or what the beach looks like in August.

Crossing the river on the new bridge lands you at Siolim and it is only a few km from there to Fort Chapora -- nearby is funky Chapora village which would be an ok place to spend a night or two. Distances are fairly modest in Goa and you could easily continue on by bike to Vagator, Anjuna and even Calengute to Fort Aguada from which you would continue on via the Mandovi bridges to Panjim. (it's possible that a foot passenger ferry still crosses the Mandovi and would be a major short-cut, but I don't know if it still operates).

I'll leave post-Panjim recommendations to others.

Cheers, and do keep us up to date with your progress!

m2

snain

Hi m2, Thanks for your wonderful suggestions. I would love to follow yur plan. have couple fo queries here

1. Are bicycles easily avialable for rent. I mean If I get down at Pernam Station, where do I rent the bike from?

2. Can I board ferries along with my bike. Is it feasible to rent my bike at extreme north and carry it up to Paloleam?

I start for Bomay tomorrow.

Cheers
Sandeep

-m2-

Whoops, sorry Sandeep -- I thought you were bringing a bicycle with you. Nope, there is nothing at Pernem station and I doubt you would find a bike to rent in Pernem town either.

I guess you would be limited to renting one in each area you wish to visit as it wouldn't be practical to return one rented in Chappora or Arambol if you wound up in Palolem and wanted to continue on to, say, Hampi or Golkarn. On the other hand, the local busses are a fairly convenient means of inter-town travel in Goa and scooters are quite reasonable to rent as well for more flexible sightseeing. I think you should be able to find rental bicycles in most of the coastal towns as well, but you will probably have to ask around.

As for the ferries, many of the old river-crossing ferries have been replaced by bridges but where they do still run they normally carry cars and motorcycles as well as passengers and bikes. There may be a few foot-passenger ferries left (like the commuter one that may still cross the Mandovi from downtown Panjim) but I think that they would permit bicycles as well.

m2

snain

I am starting from Chandigarh and it doesn't seem feasible to me to carry my bicycle up to Goa. I can borrow one from a friend in Bombay. Although am not sure if I can carry bicycles in the train .

-m2-

it would be a bit of a hassle as the bike would probably have to go in the luggage van -- since it is just for a few days it would be easier to rent one when you need it. If you only have 5 days, perhaps a couple of them based in the north (perhaps Chapora or Anjuna) from where you could see quite a bit with a bike, then on to Panjim and Old Goa for a day and move on to Benaulim or Palolem from which you could check out the beautiful south coast. Without a scooter and/or more time, you won't be able to get to the more out of the way spots but however long you have, I'm sure you will enjoy Goa.

m2

snain

Thanks for your suggestions and wishes. My trip was wonderful. I loved Goa at this time. It's all green , calm and occasionaly raining. Weather is so good just perfect for cycling. enjyoed it even more 'cos I love rains.
Here is some info on the places I lived in etc

15 August
Reached Bombay

16 August
7:15 AM, Boarded Mandavi Express to Goa (Had a ticket reserved in Sitting Chair Car). Every part of the journey is pleasing. One of the most sceneic rail journey I have ever had. You can spot some water falls on the way. Can watch fishermen catching fishes in water which seemed in abundance all the way.
6:30 PM, Reached Madgaon station. Walked out to catch a bus to Kaamat hotel. From there boarded a bus to Benaulim. Searched for Furtado's guest house. Got a double bed attached bathroom room for Rs 150. Had tons of fenny

17 August
Took bath in the sea. It's good for srfing butno good for swimming. Some local called me out and told me a tourist died previous day on Colva. I resisted my temptations and generally stayed near the shore. OH Sea is simply crazy these days, Big waves.
Walked up to Colva. Whiskey, beer, more bath. Walked upto Majorda.

18 August
Could not find any shop which rents bicycles. So started walking. Walked on the shore for a while. Entered in a small village. All quiet and green with no traffic on the road. Only sound being of pigs and birds. Missed my bicycle.
Reached Verca. Walked upto Cavellosium. upto to the ferry point. Got a ferry to Assolna. Assolna to Betul. Had few liquor breaks in between.
From Betul to Agonda walk is a bit tiring. it goes up and down on the hill. Reached the 'Cabo de Rama' junction, Didnt make cabo de Rama as it would have been another 45 minutes walk. Walked upto Agonda. Got an attached bathroom cottage in "Dunhill resort." for Rs 150. Found it even better than Furtado's.

19 August
Could have moved to Paloleam but stayed. Roamed around. went walking through Junle to the "Butterfly Beach". Went to Chaudi in the evening. Had my dinner at Udupi Restaurant. Found a bicycle shop. Rented one. Came back to Agonda.

20 August
Woke up real early. Went to paloleam. Found a beautiful room right under the coconut trees with window opening to the sea. Shared bathroom , for Rs 100. Had full day rest on the beach. Same admonitions about the sea. Again somebody had died few days back. Nevertheless I enjoyed it a lot.

21 August
Found Plaoleam too lovely to move to Chapora/Vagtor as I had planned earlier. Cycled to Cabo de Rama. Stayed for one more day. Had my food mostly at Udupi. cheap good food
22 August
Came back to Bomaby by Matsyagandha Express. It start from Mangalore and reaches Concona staion at around 8 PM.

Overall a Great trip.


Sandeep

cyberhippie

Ahh sandeep you've got me daydreaming again!!! You certainly made the most of your 5 days, it's a shame I've only caught this post now that your back, I could have given you a few other tips for wonderful little places south and east of Palolem!! Next time eh!
I'm heartened by the fact you found South Goa such a treat!! Although having read m2's posts it seems I'm missing out on a few things in North Goa I'll really have to check it out this year!!

-m2-

glad things went well, sandeep, and nice to have some info on what Goa is like in August. as you found out, 5 days goes pretty quickly when you're havin' a good time! -- and you still have the north to see when you get another chance. gotta be careful of all those feni stops when you're riding a bike, though

m2

wonderwomanusa

Hey, Sandeep, thanks for telling us about Goa in the rain!

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snain

daydreaming , that's what i am doing since I have come back. definately gonna make another trip soon, so will be great if you could pass on info about wonderful little places you know about !


Thanks! Yup, 5 days go damn too fast in Goa and there is no other time than good time in Goa. Will cover north Goa in my next trip..


Ya I took MadnoMad's advice rather by heart

Sandeep