Blue waters, warm sun rays, golden sands…yes summer! Living
on one of those pristine beaches nestled between lush hills has always been my
idea of a perfect summer vacations. We found ourselves chilling in the cozy comfortable
beach cottage we got to call home for three days, taking a dip in the
bioluminescent sea at midnight and sipping on chilled beers as we watched the
sun go down, all while basking in the summer sun and getting the tan that will
remind us of the good time for days to come.
It was one of those long weekends, when Anjali and I decided
to ride towards the pristine beaches of South Goa. Since it was almost end of
the season in Goa, we weren’t very sure what to expect. The bustling Palolem
and Agonda could just be dead, but nope, we were in for a sweet surprise. Read
on to know about how we spent this wonderful weekend in a beach cottage (wooden
beach hut) right ON the Palolem beach.
We got delayed and reached there only post sunset on
Saturday evening, thus brushing off the chances of catching the sunset. But it
did not disappoint us, considering our cottage was just the best thing! The
balcony, which had a hammock and a couple of easy beach chairs was something I decided
to spend my mornings at! But before that, it was time for some beer and chill
time!
So off we went to unwind at the most happening place around –
Ciaran’s – which was playing live music and had the nicest crowd, which also
included a bunch of dogs. That’s the thing about places like these – pets and
animals coexist and no one bets an eyelid. After a couple of chilled beers, we
asked for a plate of chicken tikka which was so delicious with the chutney,
that we asked for a repeat.
The night was spent taking walks on the beach, rolling on
the warm sands and taking dips in the water. And that’s when we surprisingly
saw the first bioluminescent wave of the night! For a moment we thought we were
hallucinating, but within no time, we saw another one and we were sure that the
WAVES WERE GLOWING! Yes, the most whimsical thing I saw that night. Though I’ve
always wished to spend the night by the sea waiting for turtle eggs to hatch,
this wasn’t on the bucketlist, but I’m glad I witnessed it.
I slept like a baby that night after the long ride and woke
up early to sit in the balcony and enjoy the empty beach. It truly was
spectacular, because the slight warmth of the sun enveloped me and the wind
made it a very pleasant time. We headed for a walk on the beach when Anjali was
awake before heading out for breakfast.
Breakfast happened at the spectacular Little Earth Café, a
short walk from where we were staying. Again a cozy and arty little space that
attracted the best crowd, of course, because of the vegan and healthy food they
served. Their menu was so interesting and what was surprising was it was made from
the freshest ingredients. For example, they did not have strawberries in stock
and were quick to inform when I placed an order for a Strawberry smoothie.
We gorged on the omelette served with a homemade brown bread
toast and butter, and the most delicious salad I’ve ever eaten. And washed it
down with some a delicious mango smoothie and passion fruit cooler. We ended
our breakfast on a sweet note with a perfectly made vanilla waffles served with
ice cream, pomegranate (instead of strawberries) and maple syrup.
Then we spent some time shopping around the little shops
across the street and headed to Cabo de Rama fort to soak in the magnificent
view from the cliff. I also saw the recently renovated church (it was under
renovation the last time I was there). After spending some time there, we
headed to the pristine Cobo de Rama beach which has a lagoon as well. This is
by far one of the prettiest beach tucked away in a valley among the hills.
Post that, we got lost trying to find our way to Cola beach
and in the bargain, missed out on lunch. The problem with little villages is,
it’s pretty tough to be able to find restaurants to eat at. So we decided to
have a late lunch along with our sundowner session after freshening up! After a
quick shower, we went to Café Del Mar, to watch the sunset, grab some beer and
food!
The food took forever to come (or we were just too hungry),
but it was well worth the wait. The beef steak sizzler was delicious and
filling with a large chunk of beef smeared with sauce, potato chips, buttered
veggies and rice. The chicken pizza wasn’t the best I’ve had, but pretty good
(yes, thin crust!) They had an offer on beers running, and we got the tub,
which was a great decision!
The night again was spent by the beach. I even took a dip
this time, because there was hardly anyone around and the weather was pleasant.
That was supposed to be our last night here, and we saw stars that night. I
rolled on the sands and fell asleep there, to wake up a few minutes later and
head home. I wish I could sleep there – it was so soothing and relaxing!
The next morning was again spent just chilling in the
balcony and soaking in the wonderful view, before we headed for brunch. We had
a few people recommend a couple of nice places, but we couldn’t find any of
those. So we just entered the restaurant Sabina’s Inn at the far end of the
beach and asked for food.
The view here was different, with the hills in close
proximity. Kayaking was going on and come adventurous souls tried to battle the
waves and maintain their balance. Our food arrived soon and I couldn’t help but
dig into our breakfast platter, crispy chicken and fries, and washed it down
with juice. Post chilling for a while, we rode back the winding roads with the
most magnificent views!
How to get there?
Palolem is approximately 60 kms from Panaji and a drive/ride
down there is recommended. Taking a cab can be a pricey affair and public
transport is really poor. It can be a day’s trip as well, but staying over for
the night (or two nights, like we did) is a great idea.
Where to stay in
Palolem?
The beaches of Palolem and Agonda has ample beach cottages
(also called as beach cottages or beach bungalows). Do not mistake them for
beach resorts. These are more basic, yet very comfy and offers a great view of
the beach and are located on the beach. They are quite higher as compared to
the beach shacks and are constructed on pillars, which feels like staying in
wooden tree houses. The tariffs are higher during season time, but since it was
off season, we got a night’s stay for INR 1,500 at Cuba Beach Huts. The rooms are basic, with a comfortable
bed, fully functional bathroom, cupboard, dressing table and the loveliest
balcony which has a hammock and table/chairs.
What’s the ideal
budget for a weekend getaway to Palolem?
It definitely varies depending on the season you wish to go,
places you chose to stay, where you chose to eat and whether you chose to
drink. Ours was approximately INR 8,000 for two people (for everything I
mentioned above).
What to do in Palolem?
Chill by the beaches, meet travellers, swim at the beaches
or lagoons around, trek in the hills, go kayaking, practice yoga, attend an art class and indulge in
some healthy food.
What are the near-by
places to visit from Palolem?
Since Palolem is along the western-most coast of Goa, a
quick ride to the pristine Agonda, Patnem, Cola, Galgibaga or Cabo de Rama
beaches is recommended, if you are there for a longer time. A visit to the Cabo
de Rama fort is also a great choice. Or else just chill around the beach or
cafes on the main Palolem road.
Hope you liked this post. Comment below your thoughts!
Text: Flexcia D'souza
Photos: Anjali Sonawale & Flexcia D'souza
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