The last time I was in Goa, I was staying at a Silence Retreat and a late monsoon meant uncharacteristically torrential rain. My unpreparedness for the downpour meant fashion was limited to a garbage bag. My memories of the place were thus far from tropical paradise.
...The first purchase made on our honeymoon proper was not a Pina Colada in a coconut shell as would be expected on a tropical holiday, but a 240rs umbrella.
Possibly the best $7 investment of our married life.
Our flight into Goa was delayed because of torrential rain. Once firmly on the ground, the wet did not stop and our 3 days of tropical paradise were punctuated by bouts of bucketing rain. I was a little more prepared than last time and had packed the ultimate in sexy honeymoon wear – a bright yellow poncho.
Thankfully Goa redeemed herself through her culinary delights. Shaun downed his first ever Kingfisher Beer and we ate paneer & tandoori for dinner every night. After the madness of prac, thesis, getting married, moving to India and wading through the sea of Indian bureaucracy, we treated ourselves to 11 hours of sleep per night, long sleep-ins and lazy strolls along the streets of Calangute. In such a relaxed atmosphere, not even the annoyance of a hawker asking us if we wanted a taxi, two-wheeler or bong every four steps, could destroy our mood.
Goa is an interesting place: elements of Portugal and India with a good dose of Nimbin. A little shack, constructed from a bright blue tarpaulin and filled with cheap cloth or bags sits next to glass fronted global brands such as Baskin & Robin ice cream, Lacoste Clothing and Domino’s pizza. Sunburnt Germans and retired Poms are everywhere, wrapped in an alcoholic haze. Barcardi Breezers and other alco-pops can be bought on the side of the road at water stalls manned by eight year olds, and the harder stuff is readily available in local supermarkets. English translations don’t always come out right – so you can easily have lunch at Big Peckers BBQ (what more could you ask for on your honeymoon?) and if anyone fancies a bit of Casual Handmade stuff I know a shop where it’s readily available...
[זה מעולה] Jen your blog is amazing! Thanks for keeping us updated, particularly enjoyed the Indian Efficiency article... I can just imagine what Shaun would have been saying :D
Posted by: Andrew Lewy | 06/21/2010 at 08:52 PM