The pool has been shut for a while due to maintenance, and I’ve tried going for a swim in the colony next to us, as they have a large infinity pool. However, I was told it was only for residents. So instead, I’ve been taking long, ten-kilometer-plus walks around Dona Paula and its many roads and streets.
Early evening, around five, is the best time to take long, leisurely walks around Goa with its undulating terrain. People here are very health-conscious, and it shows—walkers, joggers, and runners crowd the pavements in the evenings. Football and cricket are the main sports here, along with ocean swimming and surfing, though those are more for the beach bums. Most of the youth are engaged in some kind of sport or physical activity. Of course, the sun, the air, and the tropical climate all contribute to the fitness and health routines of many residents.
Meandering Walks
Long walks are the best way to soak up the sun and get some much-needed vitamin D for the skin—the suntan helps give the skin a healthy texture. I love these evening walks and often burn up to 800 calories. Sometimes, I step off the high pavements and meander into winding forest roads, walking down hills and even circling gardens. Taking photos of my walks—and of the people who enjoy them alongside me—is also a joy.
It’s best to focus on your breathing, but it’s also important to look around at blooming flowers, statues, or simply the sun beaming from the sky. I’ve really been enjoying these walks and have been taking them for over a week now.
One of the best parts is walking up and down inclined roads. For that, I have to bend my back a bit—and that strengthens it. All of this is part of my preparation for my Everest trek, which I assume will be all uphill. I walk with a peculiar style, swinging my arms to give my strides more energy and grip.
The best part is simply watching the people and the crowd. I once photographed a group of four ladies walking up and down the pavement and then down a hill with me. They were gossiping and cracking jokes as they walked leisurely. It’s truly the best way to burn calories, and the fresh air is great for the lungs.
I usually end my walks with a loop around a garden near the bay, sometimes sitting on a bench for a while, just gazing at the vastness of the sea and watching gulls and crows fly by. It’s a deeply invigorating experience, and after over two hours of walking, I find myself sweating from head to toe.
I leave you with some pictures of my meandering walks around Goa and its many scenic streets and hills.
