Off Season Goa - A treat

I had been to Goa a couple of times, it is one of the most popular destinations in India. The idea of Goa I had before going there for the first time is that it would be full of carnivals, very less green and loads of musicians and beaches with Hippies and colour. I was pleasantly surprised, apart from the thronging beaches , for which it is well know, the small streets are lined with trees everywhere, moss ridden walls, palms and little shops, Portuguese style houses lined up as a treat for the eye, all this and more can be experienced just riding around on the bikes.

I have been there during New years, during post monsoon and this time in peak monsoon. The difference in it all, is awesome. During new years there is a large Mumbai and Bangalore crowd, traffic jams at the mouth of the beach, people parading everywhere, one needs to stand on a higher platform to just be able to view the ocean, hearing the waves is out of question as the "Goa Trance" will be piercing through the beaches non stop.

Off season Goa is a completely different experience, rain lashes out, roads wet, beaches free of people, shops closed and very little music from the few restaurants that are open. We went to Arambol and just stayed put over there. Arambol has a stretch of sand and a cluster of rock structures amidst the ocean, making it a visual delight.

To experience the true Goa one must visit it at least once in their life during off season. The room rates are real low, almost next to nothing shopping experience , but the peace and calm will compensate with all things missed. Its as good as your own private beach. But the rain can be really heavy with almost, through the day downpour. This is best if you would like to sit back with a book and keep ordering some fenny and fish. which sits perfectly well with me.

The over hanging clouds, rain, green, ocean waves continuously lashing against the rocks and more to be experienced and all this at an affordable cost.

Parinitha Konanur