11am
After disembarking the Konkan Express from Mumbai at Margao in South Goa, get a prepaid taxi from right outside the station and head for Margao Residency, a better than budget hostel/hotel in the centre of Margao. The hostel has a selection of dorm or private rooms and will cost you between 800 - 1200 rupees depending on the season. They provide a laundry, internet, shop, and restaurant within the hostel as well as restaurant within walking distance nearby. Margao is the unofficial capital of South Goa and is situated so that all major amenities are reachable in a very limited time.
Tip: South Goa is the quieter area of Goa and so good for families, older travellers, or people looking for a more relaxed atmosphere.
12pm
Head right across the road for a late breakfast at Longuino's. They have a great selection of food on their menu including Indian, Chinese, and European dishes and a number of dishes have a strong Portuguese flavour to them as the Portuguese were the first colonisers of this area. Your first Kingfisher of the day wouldn't go astray either as you have just come off a long overnight train journey.
1pm
Grab an auto-rickshaw and head 5mins out of town to Colva Beach where your first taste of sun, surf and sand can be experienced. Everything "beachy" is situated here including fantastically warm surf, lazy beach shack restaurants with menus to make your mouth water, and budget surf shops for your well deserved shopping fix.
Tip: As with most of the beaches in the state of Goa, if you are there in the quiet period of the year (July-August), the fisherman will have been out for their catch and any fish that are not wanted are just thrown over the side, making swimming a little unpleasant. You will also find that some of the beach restaurants will be closed until the busy season (November-January).
2pm
Grab a taxi and ask the driver to take you the spice plantation in the town of Savoi Verum which is 10km north of the City of Ponda and about a half hour taxi ride from Margao. Here you will experience a traditional Indian welcome, lunch, a tour of the plantation including explanations of the cashew fruit, vanilla, and other spices, and an Indian Elephant experience. You will be expected to pay a fee to tour the plantation which is around 500 rupees and they almost expect you to buy some sort of herbal remedy at the conclusion of the tour.
4pm
Using your same taxi and driver, head for Old Goa to experience the religious sector including visiting the numerous old churches and the body of St Francis Xavier whose remains are almost perfectly preserved for your viewing pleasure. Once you've paid your respects, head into the Old Goa Museum and experience the history of the Portuguese colonialists and the founding of the state of Goa.
Tip: Touts, beggars, pick-pockets and sellers are in abundance in Old Goa so if that's your cup of tea, bring lots of cash for plenty of souvenirs and make sure your personal belongings are secure.
7pm
Get your driver to drop you off at Bogmalo Beach in the north part of South Goa. This beach is very quiet and serene and a great place to just relax. Head for one of a number of beach restaurants and order Goan sausage with a Cashew Feni (strong cashew flavoured nip) to wash it down. Then cleanse your body in the tropical waters after dinner before making your way back to Margao.
Tip: Payment for your taxi driver for the afternoon may be a bit of trial and error. You will most likely find that he will ask you to name a price for him. Think about other trips you've taken in India and compare it with the distance you have been and then depending on your service, give him a decent tip also. Remember, he has given up other fares for the afternoon to guide you around the state. 1500 - 2000 rupees plus a tip would probably be sufficient.
9pm
Take your well deserved beauty sleep for the night at Margao Residency and prepare for another hectic day tomorrow.
Tip: If a night-cap is needed before hitting the hay, pick yourself up a bottle or two of the famous Goan Port (fortified wine). This can be found at one of a bunch of liquor stores in Margao and is well worth your while.
6am
After an early morning wake up call, head upstairs to Margao Residency's hotel restaurant Preethi Classic, which serves pretty decent coffee for India and great milky, sugary tea.
7am
Take your pick of one of many cabs right outside the hotel doors and make your way to the exciting, exhilarating North Goa beach of Anjuna. Here you will find arguably the best beach in the state of Goa. Again, beach restaurants and sun, surf and sand are in abundance and if you're looking for a pretty well designed henna tattoo, this is your place. Plenty of stalls have been erected for your shopping pleasure and be sure not to miss the world famous Anjuna Markets which run in the high season usually only on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. Here you can find the real Indian shopping experience with fruits and vegetables, clothing, jewellery and all sorts of Goan treasures at your disposal.
Tip: On your trip up from Margao, keep a close eye out for elephants which can be seen from the roadside, usually with their owners, completing tasks as if you were living a century ago.
Tip: Accommodation in Anjuna is very easy to find with plenty of places on or in the vicinity of, the spectacular and relaxing beach.
Tip: The night life in and around Anjuna is fantastic with plenty of clubs, pubs and beach parties to satisfy your soul and arouse your senses.
There are plenty of other places to visit in the state of Goa which have not been mentioned because you wouldn't be able to fit it all into 24 hours which is what this article is based around. Some other things you might like to see or do on your trip could be:
- Hire a scooter and guide yourself around the state. These are pretty cheap to hire for a day, around 300 rupees, and can be organised at your hotel. However, fairly easily to get lost and the roads rules don't seem to apply in India at times remember.
- Visit Panjim, the capital city of the state of Goa. Here you can take an entertaining cruise on the river and it's a great place to replenish your cash money as it's one of the only places in Goa with a Thomas Cook money exchange.
- Visit Calangute Beach which is the other hot spot beach in Northern Goa. Like Anjuna, it's where a lot of the Goan action happens. Don't miss it.
For more information and experiences on Goa, have a fascinating read of Rask Balavoine's piece A Different Goa or Krish's piece Unforgettable Trip to Goa.
Peace.
