Goa: Throwback to 2012
- Annie
- Aug 18, 2016
- 2 min read
Think back to 2012... Where did you go? What did you do? What were your dreams?
Way back in 2012 I was on an International University Exchange to India. Exploring India had always been one of my dreams and when I had a chance to combine this with my fashion degree, I knew things were going to get good. Studying fashion, India was the ultimate treasure trove of fabrics and inspiration, which gave me an excuse to explore far and wide to source the best artisans and Indian crafts, not as if I needed an excuse to travel!
Being apart from Sean for 6 months was hard work, however we had a middle of the trip reunion planned to look forward to! In search of a slice of tranquility out of the weird but wonderful chai curry pie that India is, Goa was the destination we were drawn to, with its stretching white sands lined with beach shacks bursting with live music, chilled Kingfisher beers and fresh fragrant curries.
Yes, Goa has become increasingly popular over the past few years, and it has probably differed even since we went there about 4 years ago now. However if you select the right beaches to lay your towel and the right beach huts to lay your sandy head, then you'll hit an Indian jackpot and never want to leave!
PALOLEM BEACH
We chose this beach as our base, the most idyllic of Goan beaches right at the Southern tip, apparently voted one of the best in the world! With its stretching crescent bay fringed with swaying palms and eclectic beach huts, the South side is more tranquil compared to the North which has a handful more candlelit bars later into the night. Apparently Palolem Beach is 'famous for parties and nightlife', however I would greatly disagree. It is a total chill out zone, with not much going on after 11pm, so if you do want to carry on afterwards we suggest pre-buying a few Kingfisher beers from the local shop, packing your playing cards and heading to your beachfront balcony! If you want a party, head to the North of Goa where Anjuna flea market is held every Wednesday. Trance music perpetrates the stalls and incense swirls as all the artisans in the local area gather to sell their creations. Live music goes on late and there is always someone up for a trance-dance with you!
Right at the Southern end of the beach, Papillon beach huts await you with open arms. Rustic but comfortable, Indian but not over the top, this is a holiday not a travellers retreat. Luckily, that was exactly what we were looking for this time: a break from the bustling cities of Ahmedabad and Manchester, a place to reunite and totally relax. It's in our nature to explore so we discovered the nooks of the surrounding areas including a few neighboring beaches by tuktuk. There are always thing to do locally, including yoga and authentic cookery classes. You might not need the cooking though as Papillon's food was particularly good and extremely well priced for one of the best beaches in the world, looking out onto one of the most stunning sunsets.
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