To live and write in India: Goa or Kerala?

kentchristopher

I'm planning to head to India last this year with the intention of spending about 6 months there, most of that time being in one place where I can focus on writing. Given my love of the ocean and the inspiration it brings, I've narrowed it down to Goa or Kerala as my home-to-be, and I'd like to hear from people who have experienced both places for advice on which might be more ideal for my situation.

I'm looking for:

- Affordability, possibly by renting a house or flat long-term
- Close to a nice beach that isn't mobbed with tourists
- Close to places where I might meet other young, intelligent, spiritual foreigners, perhaps near a yoga or meditation center.

I've certainly done my share of partying and dancing all night and wouldn't mind the option of doing that once in awhile, but I'd prefer an environment that's more peaceful for my day to day routine. I've gotten the impression that there are spots in Goa that are definitely removed from the party atmosphere and tourism, so I'd like to hear recommendations for those.

Also, are psy-trance and Goa trance the only styles of electronic music to be heard at the parties in Goa? Or can I get my fix of some good house, breaks or straight-up techno? Is there any similar night-life in anywhere in Kerala?

Thanks for all replies.

Kent

AnnieG

As far as I know, there is no comparible party scene in Kerala - its all in Goa.
Yes, there is a lot of trance and not much blues or jazz, but they are around (let me know if you find some).

There are also quite a few writers in Goa. It may be a solitary activity, but its always nice to know there are a few other souls bashing their heads on a keyboard not far away!
AnnieG

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AnnieG

Live life to the full - you never know what's around the corner.

tigerainbowater

personally think that goa corresponds much more to the kind of place you r looking for.
there is a nice beach in north goa near arambol called mandrem with a good yoga center.its not crowded at all,accomodation is still very cheap and so is the food...
if you feel like meeting some nice people there is some on the beach itself,if not 30 minutes walk along the beach will get you to the most spiritual friendly travellers heaven in goa-arambol
there you can meet lots of cool travellers many staying the whole season there(approx.oct-april)there is a variety of yoga,meditation,reiki,tai chi,massage,etc there is 70+ restaurants there, some of them very good, and also there is the most diverse night life in goa with an occasional trance party but all sorts of music ranging from indian traditional to reggea...
so my advice would be to check out the whole strech of beach from arambol in the north to morjim 10 km further south paying special attention to mandrem and aswem before u decide to settle down long term enjoy

p.s 10 years ago i went to india with exactly the same idea:write an amazing book,make some progress along the spiritual path and meet some nice people... well it didn't take long for me to understand why don huan and the other sorcerer laughed so much at their apprentice carlos(castaneda)-taking notes on the illusion,i don't think so

rmj

Let me suggest cochin in Kerala. Every thing at a stones throw away ,staying there long you will see the places other travellers have not seen. Also get free fmon the bond of travel guide books.Nice quiet differetn places to eat

cyberhippie

Think about Agonda, lovely beach, wide open spaces, jungle walks, snorkelling near the rocky headlands, great coastal roads for bicycles and scooter/motorbikes, traditional villages all around, the smell of fenny stills. Brahmini Kites and Fish Eagles swirling overhead, hovering Pied Kingfishers, Otters (occasionally), Dolphins cavorting off the coast, Goan food aplenty,

All this and Palolems is just 8kms away for all your party needs, the occasional Trancy Trancy Party, Live music at both The Alpha Bar And Sun "N" Moon, with all sorts of styles on show, from folk to blues, even the the occasional Himalayan Flute, great restaurants some of which show films and a livlier air thatn Agonda.

Agonda also has some good restaurants and bars to while away your time!!

Jorge Reverter

Kentchristopher,

Is probably not exactly the place you are looking for but please have a look at this web site: http://www.raheemresidency.com

Is located in Alleppey in Kerala, the best place to move around the backwaters. The hotel looks really nice and they even have a " writer's retreat "

Jorge

kentchristopher

At 70 Euro a night for a single, that is far, far from what I mean by affordable.

Jorge Reverter

I was absolutely sure the place was not what you are looking for.

In my opinion Palolem is a great place to stay and write, just off of Cafe del Mar. I have also in mind to go there to stay for writing next year, but I have too many things in mind since I have all the time for myself.

Jorge

inf

Living and writing in Goa for 6 months?

Wow! That's my idea of paradise. I wish I could take 6 months off to do that. Just have a room with a bath, a refrigerator, airconditioning and an Internet connection.
Say, write in the mornings when I'm most productive, study yoga in the afternoons, and hang out at clubs and pubs in the evenings.

Going a bit off topic here, but are you a published writer? Do you already have an agreement with a publisher or an agent, or are you going to write a book there in Goa, and then try and sell it back home?
If you don't already, you should have a blog, and publish your experiences of Goa there.
Please let us know how life in India and how your writing progresses. Maybe there's a separate book in there.
Lucky you!

dilbharatmain

[quote=cyberhippie]Think about Agonda,

Wonder what Agonda is like these days? I know a few years ago the locals were determined to keep out the package tourists and the big hotels - have they been successful. Thought Agonda was paradise at the time, just a couple of small guesthouses near the beach, and I remember there were some houses for rent up in the jungle over looking the ocean - and of course Palolem just down the road if you wanted a bit of night life or more action. Also some great places inland - houses to rent along some of the rivers a few k's from the sea. Would definately think of Goa over Kerala for long term inspiration - Cochin beautiful, but no great beaches nearby, and Alleppey on the backwaters, but again bit of a trip to get to a decent stretch of sandy beach...

You'll definately be troppo after 6 months in the palms, soaking in toddy, lucky you.

anandi

I agree with tigerain... I stayed in Arambol for a month this past winter and think the stretch from Arambol down to Mandrem beach is a great place for you to try in North Goa. You can definitely feel your own space to write and do your own thing... quiet... peaceful and inspiring with the ocean nearby. The beach is by no means "mobbed"... there are people but not too many. At the same time, you will find more than one yoga, massage, and tai chi centre there attracting all kinds of spiritual folk, live music ranging from the open-mike at Loekies twice per week to bongos and guitars on the beach as well as sufi music and bellydancing nearby at the pyramids. Plus, plenty of great food. There are big clubs nearby in Baga and Anjuna (a short cab ride away) with all kinds of music, to cater to your other music needs. I think Goa is definitely the place.

cyberhippie

Jorge when was the last time you stayed at cafe del mar???? It's now the noisiest bar on the beach.......Think 24 hour bar!!

cyberhippie

Agonda hasn't yet reached the proportions of Palolem but the locals definitely have dollar signs in their eyes!!

I too remember the soundbites of "we don't want our beach to be like Palolem"............seems so long ago

crvlvr

[quote=cyberhippie.. but the locals definitely have dollar signs in their eyes!![/quote] While in Goa, was pretty impressed that anyone, including shacks which did not have running water or sewers, were willing to accept US dollars.

AnnieG

Yes, well, all that is possible.
Of course the reality of these things is ofren different from the dream, but its pretty near perfect for me.
Yes I am published, but I'm not writing on fiction at the moment - I'm studying for another OU degree, doing yoga, swimming in the Olympic pool at Mapusa, and going to bed early. The bars and clubs bore me, I'm afraid. I'd rather be up early to meditate and practice yoga, so go to bed at 9.
Rather unfashionable for Goa, but there you are.

All the things you want are here - you only live once, so why not just give it a go?