Goa Express
An Enjoyable Journey on Goa Express
I have always felt connected with the sea since childhood. While growing up in Mumbai, I used to go for short trips to places like Lonavla and Alibaug. However, a trip to Goa eluded me during this formative years. However, I got an opportunity to fulfill my long cherished dream recently when one of my childhood friends, Luis invited me to Goa to attend his tenth marriage anniversary.
A week after receiving the invitation, I along with my wife set out from Delhi to Goa on the Goa Express. We hadn’t experienced such a long train journey before. Travelling through four states, we had a complete view of the rural landscape across the different regions. We reached Margao station in the evening. To ensure a relaxed, tension free trip, I had booked a hotel in advance.
Both of us were extremely tired after a long & tiring journey. To get over the tiredness, we took a food massage at the hotel. The presence of ultramodern amenities such as tea/coffee makers, mini bar & flat screen, LCD TV made our stay at the hotel a highly convenient one. Here are some of the major highlights of our Goa trip: -
Major attractions around Goa
We spent the first day celebrating the marriage anniversary of my friend Luis. On the second day, we set out for sightseeing. Our first destination was the Basilica of Bom Jesus. It is the most popular church in Goa & is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture.
The church’s three storied façade was created from black granite and is a combination of Doric & Corinthian styles of architecture. We then visited the Chapora Beach which is close to the Chapora Fort which was once a Portuguese stronghold. The area of lush green surroundings, the presence of coconut palms & black lava rocks complements the white sandy beach perfectly.
The Impressive Goan Cuisine
Goa is well known for its sea food. Therefore, to experience authentic Goan cuisine we headed to Panjim. The Goan Prawn Curry cooked in coconut milk, had a distinct taste because of use of black pepper, turmeric and vinegar. We followed it up with the Chicken Xacuti which was made using a wide range of spices. Served hot with rice, it was the tastiest mat preparation which we had enjoyed in ages! We concluded our lunch with the Bebinca, a Goan dessert prepared from eggs, butter, flour & coconut milk. We were highly impressed by the culinary skills of the chefs.
Nightlife at India’s Most Happening City
We had heard a lot about Goa’s unique lifestyle and wanted to have a firsthand experience of the same. So, we visited a night club based in south Goa. The presence of 3D laser light shows, fire pits and pyrotechnics created a unique experience which we hadn’t felt even when we visited the trendiest nightclubs of Delhi. We enjoyed a few cocktails while enjoying the music before heading back to our hotel during the early hours of the morning.