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Everybody's favourite holiday spot

There's more to Goa than beaches and churches. It's up to you to hop on that bike, take off and explore

DREAM DESTINATION The Taj Fort Aguada Resort

It's the dream destination for any group of friends in this part of the world. More so, ever since Akash, Sid and Sameer drove down to Goa on a Merc to the tune of "Dil Chahta Hai". Also, the recent International Film Festival of India (IFFI), despite its commotion and chaos, succeeded in raising this sun-kissed paradise's profile amongst even desi tourists.

Savvy hotels

There are people who will tell you December is a bad time to go to Goa, given that it is the start of the holiday season. But don't cry into your feni over lost opportunities because thanks to IFFI, hotels got smart and replaced their off-season tariff cards with the peak season ones.

The "Dil Chahta Hai" lookout point atop Fort Aguada. Goa has much to offer even to the most jaded tourist

Lesson One, Chapter One: book in advance. Chapter Two: simply turn up there and scout around for accommodation. Locals, bless them, are very tourist savvy and there are plenty of homes that rent out their premises for tourists on the beach and in the countryside.

Consider yourself lucky if you are from Bangalore, Mumbai or Mangalore: reaching Goa is a breeze.

As for the others, it involves an hour-long bumpy taxi ride and about 500 bucks before you hit Panaji, the capital. For all practical purposes, it makes sense to stay on the other side of the Mandovi and not in the capital. Panaji has very little to offer apart from quaint-looking buildings. Take your pick from Candolim, Calangute, Baga or Anjuna and check into budget rooms near the beach, starting from Rs.450 per room (split the bill three ways and you can actually afford more days in Goa).

Exotic haunts

The next thing you absolutely need in Goa is a bike. There is so much to explore and taxis will really burn a hole in your wallet. Rent a bike for Rs. 250 a day (share it with a friend) and you are set to discover exotic haunts, remote beaches, charming churches and night bazaars scattered all along the coast.

Fort Aguada is a good place to get started. Go atop the hill, get the mandatory "Dil Chahta Hai" snapshot taken with buddies. Go down the hill and you will find water sports.

Go parasailing, take a ride or the water scooter or just sit by the beach sipping Breezers.

All along the approach road to every tourist attraction, watch out for the small colourful shops that sell birthstones, sculptures, shell-work, handicrafts, artefacts, funky bracelets and other souvenirs you can buy for friends back home.

Eat-outs and pubs

If Candolim has a street full of eat-outs, Calangute down the same road has its unique seaside shacks that serve you candle-lit dinner on the beach, just a few feet away from the waves. A couple of kilometres away from Calangute is Baga, known for its classy pubs and colourful shacks all around. Before you hit Anjuna down the same road, you will find Club Cabana, the most happening disco atop the hill in Goa. Club Cabana largely plays hip-hop, is always crowded in spite of its multi-level floor area (one has a swimming pool, another has the bar and the one on top is the dance floor). Trance lovers, however, prefer parties at Paradise.

Anjuna is infested with hippies and if you are willing to go the extra mile (quite literally), you will find remote hippie joints along the beaches.

Curlies is a popular hangout with the hippie crowd and is the perfect place to catch the sunset and a late evening dip in the sea. Ingo's Evening Bazaar (on Saturdays) is another crowd puller and must-do if you are looking for good bargains.

If you like the sea, you could try the Goa by night cruise on the Mandovi. There is so much to see and explore.

Much to explore

North Goa by itself would need anything between four days to a week to explore. And south? Well, we'll save that for another trip. For, if you want to do justice to all the churches around and lesser-known beaches scattered along the coast, you need another week and, of course, more money.

SUDHISH KAMATH

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