Sunday, April 16, 2006

Bagha Bagha Sa...

Day 4 in Goa and that indicated that we had exhausted our limited supply of 3 days from 6 exotic holidays in Goa. With just 2 more days to go, we had to decide the place to visit today. We believe in making on the spot decisions. Be it a holiday or catching a movie. Everything is decided on the spot or just a day in advance. Finally, we came down to 2 options. Either Old Goa or some beach. As, most of our Goan Odyssey was used up Walking… we decided that today was a time to relax on some beach. So, finally we made up our minds to visit the Bagha beach. The last time I was here, I missed this beach.

I don’t think I need to mention but just for records we guys skipped our breakfast again. Walking today was out of question because today, except for a couple of guys nobody wanted to try out the adventure of “Keep Walking”. Everyone thought they had shed enough pounds and were not on a Goa March. Hence, we settled for a direct bus ride to the Bagha beach.

On the way, we were discussing about how the beach would be. I and Kandu were of the opinion that it would be a normal Goan beach with blue waters and golden sands. I know this is a very bad description of any beach in Goa. All the beaches of Goa are indeed beautiful except for the Miramar Beach in Panjim. But, as soon as we reached the beach, all our impressions vanished in thin air. Though each beach in Goa exudes its own charm, Bagha beach is in a different league all together. The Calangute and the Colva beach may be regarded as the best beaches of Goa but Bagha too competes for this enviable title.

The Bagha

The first sight that your eyes caught was the colourful shacks arranged tidily parallel to the shore where the blue water met the golden sands. The beach resembled an exotic Hawaiian shore with lots of people thrown in. In fact the beach was so crowded with shacks that we had to Walk (aha… “Keep Walking Syndrome struck again) down the beach to find a place for ourselves.

It did not take us much time to strip and jump into the waters. Kandu, the Jungle Boy was the first one to dive in. As usual, he can’t resist the sight of water and is always ready to strip down to his undies. Must be some close relationship with water.

The sea is very rough at the Bagha beach. But, not that dangerous. Just the right amount of danger and thrill to have fun in the water. I suppose, this is the only beach in Goa, where I saw people with surf boards and sails. The air is gusty which aids the sea to generate waves at will. The sea resembles more of a wave pool with each wave being generated in seconds. And the wave is not just another wave you see at the beach, but rather the waves here pack enough punch to throw a robust man on the floor.

And all this happens just meters from the shoreline. That is what makes the Bagha beach electrifying and exciting. It was the first time that I was wrestling with the waves and it was knocking me down with careless attitude. Now, just imagine Gala and Ali. They were literally being tossed mercilessly by the sea. To me, Bagha beach resembles a bowl of water which is filled with turbulent water.

After splurging for around 2 hours in the water, we all had ingested enough salty sea water in our lungs. My back too had turned sore with the ruthless lashings of the sea and the pitiless scorching rays of the sun beating on our backs. So, it was time to head to the shore and take some much needed break. Soon, everyone was out of the waters except for …. (Yep…. You all guessed it right) Kandu. He was like a dog rolling in the wet sand and enjoying every moment of it.

As everyone was basking themselves, Atul was working towards his dream. Yep, building sand castles. We have built an adequate amount of castles in the air that can put even the richest of empires to shame. But this time, we thought of building a concrete sand castle. Atul worked towards his Egyptian dream Sphinx while we decided to build another huge one inspired by him.

Soon, 8 hands and 8 feet turned busy in building a 2 feet and castle. We had no idea what we were building but only knew that we wanted to build something really big. Soon, another pair of experienced hands joined us. (Yes… Atul – the Sculptor). The only threat to the huge castle was the destructive Rehan. But, as he was also a part of the workers building the castle, this threat was ruled out.

After toiling in the blazing sun for 1 hour, finally our mound and foundation was in place. And then it was the work of skilled hands of Atul, which gave the shape of the Sphinx to the heap of sand. The Sphinx turned out to be so eye-catching and stunning that it made heads turn.

Builders of the Sphinx
Bagha beach plays a warm host to numerous foreigners, most of them Europeans. They enjoy sailing and surfing here. Also, of the many fun water rides in Goa, the 'Banana Boat' ride is the best enjoyed on the Bagha beach.. The 'Banana Boat' is a banana shaped tube specially meant for people who like thrills and love the feel of adrenaline rushing in their veins. It is a six seated ride, driven by a motorboat. With a life jacket firmly on your shoulders and the lifeguards by your side, you can relax for some time. But then the most thrilling part of the ride is when you are almost dropped in the mid sea.

After spending lots of time under the sun and in water, it was time to head for lunch. It was 4 in the evening and here we were… heading for lunch. But nevertheless, we were hungry. After changing into a comfortable pair of shorts, we started walking on the beach. We could see many firangs tanning themselves on the reclining chairs. But, I can’t forget a girl who I saw having a massage on the beach. She was an Indian wearing a pink T-shirt and white shorts. A true Indian beauty.

A quick local Goan Sea Food lunch later, we headed home. All the energy consuming activities on the beach had taken a toll on our bodies. So, we thought of spending a quiet evening on the beach watching the sun drown in the red waters. After having a quick wash we returned to the Calangute beach but Anna had some other work to do. He joined us later. In the meanwhile we watched a German duo play a game of Flying Dish.

The serene atmosphere of the Calangute beach is the perfect setting for any couple to whisper sweet nothings into the ears of each other, for a group of friends to reflect on their past, for a child to play with the sand, for a parent to watch their child play, for a lone lover to dream about his sweetheart.

We failed to realize how time just flew by. After eating some roasted Bhutta (Corn), samosas and a glass of tea, we left to have our dinner. Before we visit any restaurant, we check out the menu. We make sure that the rates mentioned don’t leak our pockets dry. And for this ritual, I and Rehan visit restaurants which catch our fancy and then ask the waiters for the King Fish. After enquiring everything about its length, breadth and size, its time to ask the most vital question on which our dining in that particular restaurant will depend. Yep… The rates on the Menu. The money we were saving was supposed to take us to the Tito's Lounge.

So, after trying out around 3 restaurants, we returned to a local restaurant. This time we turned a little more adventurous and ordered many new Sea Food items like Kala Mari (Squid), King Fish, Crab Xacuti, Fried King Prawn and much more. After dinner, it was time for Frooti. With a Frooti in our upper limbs, our lower limbs took us towards the Calangute beach. We sat there in a huddle, talking about almost all the topics under the sun… rather topics in the universe. From the Bermuda triangle to the Aliens, from the Solar system to our careers we all had opinions on everything. But, one amongst us chose to remain a mute spectator. He believed in the saying… “Silence is Golden…” Can you make a guess who the person was??? He was Rehan… It may sound unbelievable but it is true.

The beach looked so good at night as it does in the day. I wished I could lie under the dark sky forever. But soon, it was time to head home and play a game of Rummy. As normal, Kandu the Master kept losing. Shortly, we retired to our rooms and were lost in a world of our own - The Dreamland. Shhh!!! Let us sleep. I will be back with the rest of the journey very soon. Till then Bagha Bagha Sa

14 comments:

ThisIsMe said...

I am falling short of words ... i think u r too gud at describing!

DenziL said...

I just keep writing whatever that comes to my mind... Yes... I find it difficult to start... But, once I start VROOOMMMMMMMM ....... I go on and on..... I find it very difficult to stop..... hahahha... My writing doesnt have brakes...

Anyways..thanks for the compliment... I am honored....

Anonymous said...

Hey Denz once again superb post. U hav just gone through explaning each moment in Goa, tht's indeed very well done. Yes i miss the golden sand, the rushing waves, the beautiful sunsets in Goa..........
and most of all i definetly miss the silence of Rehan sitting on the shore wondering when v all used to talk on some topic.
Anyways Cheers Animal Kingdom...

Skinsleuth said...

Nicely written...i had been to Goa a month back but the way u have described it...i think i must have been to some other place...
maybe i should go there again...:-)

DenziL said...

Each and every part of Goa I have been to.... is really very very beautiful..... Each time I visit... I fall more and more in LOVE with this exotic place.... VIVA GOA!!!

Neha said...

wow.. beautiful place! looks great! awesome place to go on a trip with friends right.. unfortunately iv never been there :(

DenziL said...

Yes Neha... Goa is the most wonderful place to be in...be it with your partner... your friends... or anyone...or alone... Go Goa to feel it....

SeePearrl said...

very nice sand picutre there!

Sands, beach, sunlight...awesome day! :P

Janice D'Sa said...

Goa is really very beautiful.. I just love Panjim, Miramar, Campal, Dona Paula, Porvorim.. These places are soooo clean and cool too compared to the places in interior Goa.

Even Old Goa is worth visiting.

I visited Anjuna Beach recently. I was speechless when I saw the beach. It was simply beautiful.

I don't mind staying here in India for the next 100 years as long as I am in Goa!!

DenziL said...

Goa ROCKS!!!

I would love to own a beach house in Goa... Though it is a difficult choice... my VOTE for the best beach would either go for Calangute...

Kusum Rohra said...

hey landed here while searching for bagha beach, we are planning for a three day trip to goa, you guys rock!! u people went for SIX days !!!

*jealous*

DenziL said...

I hope my post covered everything you wanted to know about Bagha... Yep... we guys went for 6 days..and enjoyed each part of the day... I am not surprised that you are jealous... hahahah.. :-D

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