We’ve been having a bit of a problem with our pool, as it has been closed for repairs and cleaning. With no pool to swim in, the last few days have felt a bit of a drag, as I’ve had to change my exercise schedule as well. I’ve now added brisk walks up and down the hilly terrain and roads just outside our apartment complex. The long walks along the sidewalks of Goa as the sun begins to set are very invigorating, and I highly recommend everyone enjoy a long one-hour walk every evening when in Goa.

The View to Infinity

Climbing up and down winding roads is one of the best ways to burn calories and work up a sweat. It’s a great way for me to prepare myself for my upcoming Everest Base Camp trek. I even managed to wander into a nearby housing society and was mesmerized to see their large infinity pool facing the sea and the hills beyond. The water seemed to cascade seamlessly, as if merging into the sea and the night sky.

I walked a lot that evening to burn off the extra calories, but what I really enjoyed was the fresh air and deep breathing as I climbed small hills or walked briskly through fishing colonies. I soaked in every moment of it.

One of the best parts was taking photos of fellow walkers and joggers just ahead of me on the sidewalk. The spring air and feel were everywhere in the city. I saw trees full of blooming flowers—some yellow, some orange, others red and purple. As the sun set, its rays fell on the blossoming lilies and flowers, and it looked as though the trees were dancing with joy.

So guys, here’s three cheers for Goa—the land of sun and sand!

Goa has been a revelation. I just got a call from a friend who suggested I should look for a flat in Goa and stay there permanently. But today was all about driving around Goa with Ani, as we headed towards his room and shack in a fishing village.

The drive was long, and I was behind the wheel the whole time. The most fun part was driving across the large bridge that connects part of the city with the port. I drove over it without my feet on the clutch or the gas—we literally free-wheeled across with ease. It was a slow ride, but fun, as I had both my legs in the air!

Fresh Fish and Dancing Under Banyan Trees

It was a hot April day and thank God we had the AC on the entire time—that saved us from the sweltering heat. There’s a lot of construction happening all over Goa: bridges and flyovers are being built, cables are being laid—the city is clearly in expansion mode.

We then drove through small Goan villages. The Hindu fishing village had old houses with verandas, and there was a tulsi plant in each veranda, just like in Vedic times. Hindus form the majority in Goa, followed by Catholics/Christians and then Muslims. You can spot many Shiva and Ganesh temples along the winding roads of Goa.

Finally, we arrived at Ani’s shack, which he is currently renovating. He plans to rent it out later. The shack is right next to the sea, with a fishing village nearby. Many foreign tourists come here to fish, and you can see fishermen’s boats tied around the bay area.

It was the perfect place for a brisk, long walk—and that’s exactly what I did. I wandered through the fishermen’s colony and into farmland, looking for shade under large trees. It was fun burning calories in the heat, though I soon got exhausted. Luckily, I had packed some oranges and dates, which helped me regain some energy.

After that, we headed straight to Karvelo’s Hut, a very local food joint and bar that serves freshly cooked seafood—prawns, lobsters, and fish. The owner, Anthony, brought in a fresh fish straight from the sea. His wife cooked and baked it right there. It took a while, but the fish was absolutely delicious.

I had four bottles of beer—it was the first time I felt truly relaxed. I devoured the entire fish and even enjoyed the prawn curry with rice.

After a late lunch, we headed back into the city. My eyes caught sight of huge banyan trees lining the road. Ani took some breathtaking pictures of me dancing under those gigantic trees, with their roots falling into the ground and anchoring deep into the soil. It was such a beautiful, almost dreamlike sight.

And how could we end the day without a touch of spiritual energy? On the way back, we stopped to pray and pay our respects at the Devi Bhagwati Prasanna Temple. It’s a massive temple, where many Goan Hindus come to worship and celebrate festivals.

All in all, it was a hectic day—but full of action, color, and sights from this wonderful city that’s already doing wonders for my health and well-being.

Goa has been getting a bit cooler as it rained the other day. The lazy elegance of the city of sand and sun has sunk into me as I wait for time to stop. But alas! I have only one more week left in the city.

It was a welcome change when my mate and I decided to go for lunch at a very famous heritage hotel in the city called Fort Tiracol. This is a luxury heritage hotel with its own restaurant and bar. One needs to climb a flight of stairs to get to the reception area, and on the ground floor is a huge chapel with a large statue of Jesus with both His hands flung in the air. There are seven rooms around the chapel area, each named Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and so on, which I found very unique. However, I did not inquire why they were named after the days of the week. The luxury and deluxe rooms are priced between Rs 13,000 to Rs 15,000.

Fort Tiracol

One gets an entire view of the bay area, and it is worthwhile just standing on the balcony to enjoy the breeze and the sea. A lot of stone and old teak wood has been used to make the walls and the furniture of this particular heritage hotel.

Lunch was chicken, fish with wine sauce, and chocolate cake with hot sauce. It was scrumptious, and I paired the entire lunch with a large glass of beer—just the treat I needed! Although I have been focused on my fitness and diet, consuming a thousand calories a day, I still manage to treat myself to a rich meal once in a while.

The charm of Fort Tiracol is that it has that old Goa feel, and one gets transported to the ancient era of the Portuguese as soon as one enters the large iron gates that lead to the fort. Just at the entrance, one can see a large memorial—a huge gun made of wrought iron with a ribbon made from steel sheets tucked onto the gun. The memorial was built in honor of the Goan freedom fighters.

After lunch, we drove to a sculpture shop to look at some marble statues. Goans are very artistic, and Goa has always been a place for artists. From writers to filmmakers to fashion designers, Goa is a very artsy place, and the government has also put a lot of resources into promoting art and culture in the city. Its cafés, art galleries, cinema halls, and exhibitions make it the perfect place for artists to gather. Along with Mumbai, I would choose Goa as a place for artists and thinkers to hang around.

We have been doing a lot of driving around Goa, and I have been behind the wheel most of the day. After a long time, I am enjoying driving and even managed to do some go-karting in Ani’s car at an empty parking lot. I drove the car at full speed and swirled around the parking lot a few dozen times like kids do. It was fun, as I was driving once again after almost a decade.

It gets hot in the afternoon, but one can go for a swim at Tiger Beach just to escape the heat. I did manage to take an hour’s swim at the beach, and by the time we returned, it was almost seven in the evening. But it was a full day—we were busy from morning to night, and that was the energy of Goa.

I want to thank Mannat, the lovely and very intelligent daughter of my Axis Bank banker, Tarun Dhingra, for creating beautiful and highly artistic portraits from my pictures. These are not photoshopped but rather an artist’s interpretation of my photos, which I took with my iPhone. They are truly funny and incredibly cute.

Mannat

So, thank you, Mannat, for these wonderful murals of love that you have created for me and your dad.

Goa is full of fascinating restaurants, and I, for one, dined in one called Peep Kitchen. Peep Kitchen was started by two brothers, Gaurish and Amey. They opened the restaurant so they could sell their mother’s cooking to the local Goans. The name “Peep” has a meaning: it stands for “Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place.” The AC section of Peep Kitchen is very spacious, and there is light background music playing all the while. The waiters are well-dressed, very cordial, and helpful as well.

I quite enjoyed the food, especially the Mutton Kolhapuri and the Crab Curry. The joint also has the best Scotch and single malt whisky. One must try the caramel pudding. Peep is located in Panaji, on Teligaon Road in Goa. The fish here is the best, from prawns and lobsters to crabs. One can get all kinds of fish in gravy at Peep. The Fish Thali is also very reasonably priced at Rs 150. It’s very economical—one gets lots of rice, prawn curry, battered fish, oysters, and even shellfish in the grand fish thali.

Peep Kitchen

At the entrance, there is a black slate with the main menu written on it with chalk. As one enters, you face the grand bar where all the foreign liquor is stacked. You have waiters dressed in black, taking orders and running around to serve the guests. The decor and look of the restaurant are very pleasing to the eye, with subtle shades of color used. Turquoise blue is the primary color of this particular restaurant. There is a large space in front of the restaurant for car parking, so one need not worry about that issue.

The portions are large, and I had to have my mutton curry packed. But what I liked most was that the gravies were not overtly spicy, and I felt they were just right. Generally, I am not able to enjoy very spicy food as it doesn’t suit my palate anymore, but the mutton gravy was perfect for me. I quite enjoyed it with parathas and a portion of naan. I skipped having the single malt as I had already bought a bottle of Glenlivet for Rs 6000. If one has a double peg of single malt whiskey at a restaurant, it costs Rs 2000. It’s much better to buy a bottle, and it’s much cheaper as well.

Yes, I am back—well and truly back—in Goa after spending the last few weeks in Delhi. It took me a few days to settle back into my Goa routine, as my mind was still occupied with thoughts of Delhi and an investment deal, I had just closed. But there was still a bit of restlessness in my heart. The only way to shake it off was to find a new dining spot in Goa—a restaurant called Mom’s Recipe.

This is a typical Goan restaurant that serves moist, succulent chicken vindaloo, along with crab curry and jumbo prawns. Mom’s Recipe has a charming ambiance and well-designed interiors. There is a vintage Lambretta parked just outside the restaurant, like a showpiece or a trophy of some sort. I even managed to get a picture clicked on the scooter, which is nearly sixty years old. The Lambretta was first manufactured in Italy in 1974, and it is displayed in all its glory in front of Mom’s Recipe.

Mom’s Recipe

The interiors were beautifully done, and I tucked into a delicious chicken vindaloo with rice, while my mate Ani enjoyed fish and prawns. We ended our meal with a delightful caramel pudding. During my visit, I had the chance to chat with the owner—a gentle lady who runs two outlets of the same restaurant in Goa. I introduced myself and showed her my blog.

“Madam, I am a travel blogger, and I would love to cover your restaurant and promote it on my blog,” I told her. She listened with keen interest, and by the end of my pitch, she was convinced. In return for my promotion, she even offered me a 15% discount on the food!

The food was truly traditional Goan, with puddings and serradura as desserts.

Here are some pictures of this quaint restaurant, Mom’s Recipe, which is situated in Milroc Colina, near a heritage venue. The restaurant has been serving authentic Goan cuisine for over twenty years. It was founded by Maria Suzette and Rony Floriano as a tribute to their mother. The concept is unique—as the name suggests, the restaurant has hired many mothers as part of its staff, which is why it’s called Mom’s Recipe.

The owners have resisted the temptation to turn it into a multi-cuisine restaurant. Instead, they honor the traditional cooking of mothers and grandmothers, who have been preparing tantalizing prawn curries for generations. In a heartwarming touch, each dish is named after the chef who first created it.

Mom’s Recipe was also awarded the Top Restaurant Award in 2017.

I wanted a fine dining experience, and what better place to try out the best Asian cuisine—Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Chinese—than Mama Mi Gardens? I loved it! A fine dining restaurant located right next to a quiet, sandy beach—truly the perfect spot to enjoy some amazing sushi and Nasi Goreng. The wine and liquor selection were excellent, and there was a cozy corner where a guitarist performed ballads and songs, keeping the dinner guests entertained at all times.

Since I had just gotten back into driving, I took the wheel at all times. My mate, Ani, sat beside me, gripping his seat with palpitations every time I took a turn or made a sharp cut.

Creamy Sands of Goa

The team at Mama Mi Gardens also did a promotion with me. A new brand of whisky had just been launched at the restaurant—Makazai. The name sounded very Japanese to me, but the liquor itself was sweet, seemingly brewed with jaggery. It reminded me of a Jamaican liqueur called Drambuie—sweet, but with a sharp aftertaste. I liked it a lot and enjoyed three small glasses of it.

I even posed with the bottle alongside the marketing manager of the company. I highly recommend this whisky, Makazai. It’s not too expensive—only Rs 650 for a bottle—so go out and try it! The high is smooth, and so is the taste of this fine brand of liquor.

Just before dinner, we walked along some of the finest beaches in Goa. The sand was creamy in color, and the skyline glowed orange. I sat under a shack, sipping my favorite beach drink—Piña Colada.

The sushi was excellent—I had a whole boat full of it! Crab, prawn, lobster, and raw fish. For dessert, the fried ice cream was exactly what my palate craved, and it was my absolute favorite.

The restaurant is well-lit and has a groovy vibe. There were plenty of foreigners enjoying the flavors of the Far East. A must-visit fine dining experience for anyone visiting these shores.

This post title surely sounds like the name of one of Ram Gopal Verma’s wacky and crazy films, but that’s exactly how I feel about this trip to Goa. It has been one hell of an invigorating experience for my mind, body, and soul. The food, the sun, the air, and the sea have kept me completely engrossed. I feel more in control and even more aware of my thoughts and actions—I have become more watchful. The dizzy spells of being lost in the deep recesses of my mind have faded away. I see my thoughts with more clarity, and just by observing them, I ensure they have no impact on me. They simply come and go as they please.

The sun beats down mercilessly in the afternoon, making it best to stay indoors and enjoy a siesta. It’s only after five that one feels like venturing out into the city.

I have eaten the fish thali, had my vitamins, enjoyed shopping at the flea market, walked on the beach, and fought with the waves. I have made new friends and won new hearts.

This has been a delightful treat of sun and sand—the alcohol museum, the churches, and even an impromptu gate-crash into a Goan wedding! Most of all, I enjoy strolling along the footpaths and wandering through the narrow street markets. I lose myself in idle window shopping. My distracted mind wavers at times as new thoughts come and go, but I regain my alertness from time to time.

I have pampered myself at hair salons and bought some amazing Goa memorabilia. I am so grateful I came here to relive memories of my past.

Tourism is big in Goa, and the entire city of Panaji is being dug up to lay cables as part of the government’s plan to transform it into a smart city. You do see some streets and corners under construction when driving around, but that is normal here. New flyovers are also being built to ease traffic congestion.

Goans like to relax, and on Sundays, most shops and offices are closed. Even in the afternoon, many Goans shut their shops for a nap as it gets very hot.

There is always a carnival happening in Goa, with laser shows and fireworks lighting up the night sky—especially visible from my balcony. I have indulged in the local cuisine and savored the shellfish here. But what I crave the most right now is some sushi, which I will be enjoying very soon.

When one is in Goa, a visit to a cigarette shop is a must. Goa has many such shops, all selling rolling tobacco, papers, glass hookahs, lighters, and whatnot. I just did that and was amazed at everything the store had to offer.

Most of the grocery shopping we did was from local stores like Farm Fresh and Café Farm Fresh, which were well-stocked. I have really enjoyed grocery shopping, not to mention the coconut water I have consumed in this city.

Sometimes, to break the monotony, I would also dine at the local McDonald’s for a change. The city of Goa is vibrant, with its cafés, bars, gymkhanas, old churches, and many beaches. The leisurely shacks and the Goan beer keep me occupied, not to mention my daily swims in the pool. The swim and the walk on the beach are especially invigorating.

Cigarette and Hookah Shops

The locals are helpful, and the place is teeming with foreigners. The casino business is booming here, and property prices have gone up. There is a lot of new construction of flats and villas as more and more families move to this holiday destination.

When not grocery shopping, Ani and I enjoy night drives, which often remind me of our MBA days when we would drive all around Delhi, losing our bearings from time to time but always finding our way in the end. I guess that is what life is—one keeps losing one’s way from time to time, but eventually, we always reach our destination and finally get what we want from our lives.

This visit to Goa has been a nostalgic one for me, but I have managed to get a glimpse of who I once was and the life I once lived.

The only drawback of this beach town is that it gets very hot in the afternoon, and the tropical weather hardly changes throughout the year. Even in winter, the sun is out, so getting a tan here is easy. It took me ten days to get fully tanned in Goa.

The Mario Gallery is another fascinating place one must visit in Goa. This is a curio and artist boutique that sells everything from T-shirts to paintings, posters, and mugs, along with bubblers and other interesting wall decorations that embody the Goan vibe. It is a shop owned by the well-renowned Goan artist Mario.

Just in front of the shop window stand three huge statues of characters from the world of Mario—one is a waiter, another is a smoking drunk, and the third is a fat man playing the trumpet. The shop has a Disney-like feel, but there is enough to keep you interested, and one can easily spend an hour just wandering around the store.

Mario Gallery

There are exotic pillow covers, wall hangings, and other decorations that bear Mario’s trademark style. I managed to get a few wall paintings and even gifted one to my friends. The gallery is a must-visit if one wants to buy something that will remind them of their trip to Goa.

The afternoon sun was beating down on us, and I decided to get on the wheels once again. As I told you, I have once again started enjoying driving.

Our next stop, across the lazy winding roads of Goa, was an ice cream shop that sold gelato—something I now enjoy with relish. After that, I drove towards the open fields of Goa, and we found a scenic spot in the open wilderness with a large water pond in the middle. With the sun beating down on us, this was a perfect place to take pictures and soak in the beauty of Goa’s open landscapes.

The Goan air makes one dizzy and lightheaded. We have been dining at the Goa Gymkhana quite regularly, and I just can’t stop ordering the fish thali—it has become my favorite meal these days.

This is a city where hardly anyone honks, and the traffic is very well regulated. Thus, driving is fun most of the time, but one must watch the speed limit.

I have kept a strict diet of fish, fruits, poha, and khichdi, which has helped with my weight loss as well.