Birthday Gift

Exploring the Unexplored

Has anyone ever wondered of gifting your loved one a birthday gift of getting lost somewhere to a distant land, exploring the unexplored, interacting with the local people, enjoying the local cuisine? If this idea sounds insane to you, then head further to read.

PS: This is a Gift to Me from Myself.:-P Looks ridiculous right? But this is me whose head is always teemed with bizarre whims and fantasies, peculiar longings and eccentric plans.

All alone was my choice. Having done few solo travels, taking up a solo travel wasn’t a problem to me. But the real problem was the taboo of the place where I was heading to.

Yeah!!It was Goa.

In fact, the huge number of floating population makes Goa a bit scary. But the actual Goan people are so humane. Having celebrated a birthday with one such Goan family, I would proudly say that Goan people are really kind hearted.

Having experienced the madness of North Goa, I decided this time I would make a visit to calm and serene beaches of South Goa.

I am usually someone who plans out every single detail before a trip. But for this trip, my couch surfing started only after I boarded train to Bangalore. Thanks to my friend who told me about the female solo traveler, Shivya Nath. I happened to read her blog and changed my plans from South Goa to North Goa. But this time, not for the beaches.

For all those who thought that Goa is all about beaches, bikinis and boozing, continue reading the blog to know the other side of Goa.

Just then I enquired a 500-year-old Portuguese-Goan home-stay(which was mentioned in her blog). But I was less hopeful about getting accommodation in that home-stay as I was trying at the last moment.

Much Awaited Dudhsagar Falls Trekking

I was waiting in Marthahalli for joining my trek group. I boarded the Xylo car by 10 pm and the journey to Dudhsagar falls started. I introduced myself to the other four trekkers. There were a gang of three and a male solo trekker in the group. I was relieved to see a girl in the trek group.

Four Co-trekkers :)

We reached Ramnagar around 7 am in the morning. After refreshments and breakfast in Ramnagar, we headed to Dudhsagar in car for our trek. 

There is always light at the end of the tunnel

Trekking in railway track was bit tough rather than trekking in forest. And our trek lead-Road Runner was like walking with his full energy. 

Road-Runner

We felt bad when we got to know that we might not be crossing any railway tunnels as it had been blocked by Railway department recently. After trekking 14 kms, we finally reached Dudhsagar Falls.

Trek trails

Trek Trails

View of Dudhsagar falls was bliss. We were lucky enough to get the view of Chennai express crossing the falls. We spent our time enjoying the serene beauty of the falls.

Dudhsagar Falls

After our strenuous trek, we were treated with the best local Goan homemade food. Since in our group, the other four were vegetarians, we had asked the host to cook vegetarian food for us. The host was little disappointed that they had to make vegetarian food, as the Goa cuisine will be best experienced in Non vegetarian. 

After savoring the rich vegetarian cuisine of Goa, we started pitching our tents. It was fun to be inside tents when it was raining outside. We camped there that night.

My Tentie :):)

We got up early in the morning and started trekking back to starting point for going back to Ramnagar for our refreshments. 
While returning in our car to Ramnagar, Karnataka, we halted at a place for chai. Look what we have got! A Perfect Photo-shoot place.

Moss-laden abandoned house

So proud of this shot!

After that, I bid bye to four co-trekkers and trek lead, to board the bus to Panjim.

My birthday gift doesn’t end with Dudhsagar trekking; the best part is coming next.

Journey from Ramnagar, Karnataka to Panjim,Goa was seventh heaven I would say. Mist laden route, full lush green, drizzling all along, chill weather, best songs on my music player. It was indeed the purest of joy.

Aldona, a quite hamlet in the bustling territory

As soon as I reached Panjim, I called my homestay host, Roberto, to know how to reach Aldona from Panjim. Forgot to mention! I luckily got my accommodation confirmed on the homestay I enquired- Cancio’s House.

I chose the public transport option as I wanted to know in and out of Goa. Being a light traveller, that wasn’t a tough option for me. Roberto was patient enough to explain me over phone on how to reach Aldona. He had even gone a step ahead and shared me the GPS location of which stop I should get down and stunned me by coming to pick me from bus stop. 

“A home away home”

The entrance to the home itself was like a picture from “Just like heaven”. Roberto showed me the Cottages in the front. Having booked at the eleventh hour, cottages have already been booked. So I had the honor of staying inside the 500 year old Portuguese-Goan home. Thanks to Shifti, India Untravelled who had persuaded the host family for my stay inside the home, as they usually offer the room inside their home for repeat travelers only.

Roberto showed my room upstairs. My room was really mind-blowing having a vintage effect to every single item in the room. From the famed water pot to the wall hanging, everything had an antique look. And I just loved staying there.

When you were offered such a view by your windowsill, would you ever leave your room?

That Alice in wonderland feel

Roberto asked me to feel at home and come downstairs to have a look at Roberto’s mother’s room being renovated. They were throwing a surprise party to Roberto’s mother who was returning from Pondicherry the next day evening. Roberto’s mother was an another brilliant personality I met during this trip.

Room of a Royalty

Roberto’s mother room looked like a room of a royalty. The room had been totally renovated and painted blue. Wirings were all sealed by wooden structures, which was hand painted by Roberto himself. Roberto introduced me to the whole family. Raquel nephew and his friend, who were also at home for the weekend, were attempting their hands to paint the bed sheet of Roberto’s mother. I also joined them to contribute a little to the painting. I was happy to have contributed a smallest part for their surprise party.

Final Outcome of Raquel's idea executed by three of us

I spent my evening playing table tennis with the three little kids and interacting with others. Be alone but never lonely. I was treated to an exemplary dinner of Rice, chicken xacuti, potato balls and fries.

Drive through a scenic expanse

After a scrumptious breakfast of Goan bread with homemade jams and mixed veg upma, I started my motor cycle diary for the day. Driving is always my favorite, that too when it is on a scenic region, how would I stop myself from enjoying it. The drive was phenomenal, crossing river streams, meandering through the paddy fields with a mind-blowing view of a distant hill.

Aldona-Mapusa-Tivim-Bicholim-Sequenlim-Aravellam falls-Sequenlim-Bicholim-Maple lake-Corjeum-Aldona

At first, I headed to Mapusa for some street shopping. After which, I had my lunch at Mapusa itself. 

Then I started my drive to Aravellam Caves and falls. The drive through that route was the best part. I pit stopped at a few places for pictures.

Aravellam Caves-Built in 17^th century. It’s on your way to Aravellam falls.

Aravellam caves

Aravellam falls-A hidden gem in Goa. It was incredible to see the roaring waterfall at its full flow. You can't take bath in the falls. There is a pool of water formed by the waterfalls where people usually stand. I stood there feeling the cool breeze of water being sprayed on me.

Aravellam falls

Bicholim River- En route Maple Lake, I came across a walkway built alongside Bicholim river. There were sit-outs in that pavement facing the Bicholim river. I wish I had a place like this in my town just to go for a walk in the evening or to sit and read a favorite book of mine.

Walkway alongside Bicholim River

Maple Lake – The Lake which seemed endless. There were boating options available in that lake long before. But I heard it had been laid off.

Maple lake

Corjeum Fort – A secret destination nuzzled in Aldona. The primeval, moss-laden walls of the fort offer mind-blowing views of Western Ghats. This fort is famous for its rich history.

 

Corjeum Fort

The Fable says that a Portuguese lady who had travelled the globe wearing men’s clothes, was unfortunately captured at Corjeum fort, Goa. Those were the times where women weren’t allowed to travel. God!!! I have born in this era.

My partner in crime

After Corjeum fort, I headed to the homestay as I had promised the kids that I would play shuttle badminton with them. While playing shuttle badminton with the kids in the lawn, I met another female solo traveller like me. She had an interesting personality. I was taken aback when I heard that her grandma and mom will be joining her after few days. Granny in Goa!!

After having a small chat with her in her room, I headed out of her cottage and met another lady who was standing in the porch of her cottage. Since it was dark, I couldn’t see her face properly. And I heard earlier from Roberto that a couple and a solo female traveller had been allotted the cottages. I was interacting with her for some time in dark.

My jaw dropped when I clearly saw the couples in dining table. When Roberto mentioned a couple is coming to cottage, I presumed it as young couple. While interacting also, the lady sounded really young at heart adding to my presumption. They were few of those youthful old couples whom I rarely meet. They were having a child of my age, yet they seemed really cool and modest.

As usual, Raquel had satisfied our taste buds with her exemplary cooking skill. It was a scrumptious dinner. Roberto had gone to pick his mother from airport. I was waiting for the surprise party to be thrown. I badly wanted to see the 82 year old mom’s expression of surprise.

When Roberto’s mother entered her room, her surprised expression was having a striking similarity to those of “Miss World's expression”. She was really awestruck at the arduous efforts being put up.

Turning 27 can never get better than this

Birthday dress

Day of my birthday! I had few 12 am calls in the night. I got up early in the morning and got ready. When I went to dining area, already everyone was at dining table. I was greeted with heartfelt wishes from everyone assembled there. I started having breakfast along with others. I didn’t notice Roberto and Raquel slip in between our conversation. Out of blue moon, arrived Raquel with a cake in her hand and followed by Roberto playing a guitar.

Birthday surprise

Roberto playing guitar

I was really overwhelmed by their whole-hearted efforts to make my birthday special. Getting blessings from an 82 year old brilliant personality on my birthday was the noblest of all. It was indeed the best birthday ever.

Birthday can never get better

Day started off really well with a startling surprise. Apart from friends, I received birthday wishes from two of my school teachers. I was stunned by their care. They never forget to call me on my birthday.

As it was raining outside, we decided to hire a car and proceeded for the day trip. Uncle was driving and I did the navigation part. I should say that I tested uncle’s patience by making him take reverse at many places. We started to Chorao island. It was drizzling.

En route Chorao Island, we came across a beautiful church and halted there for sometime.

Entrance to the church

Chorao Island - We reached the ferry point. From there, a ferry took our car along with us to Chorao island. On top of the small hill, there was a church. The best part about this church was the view it offered.

While Ferrying through

Church in chorao island

Chorao Island to Bicholim – Since we needed to fuel our car, we drove to Bicholim. The drive was awesome with stunning scenery on both sides.

Chorao Island to Bicholim

Aguada Fort- Unlike the Corjeum fort, this fort was crowded but much bigger. The view of the never-ending sea conjoining the fort was incredible.

Aguada Fort

We called it a day after visiting Aguada fort and headed towards Aldona.

After reaching cancio’s home, the solo female traveller in our gang had gifted me a free angel card reading. I chose cards from the set she offered and she explained to me what the angels were trying to convey by the cards. I should say it was as interesting as her.

Roberto had pre-booked a cab for dropping me at airport by 10:00 pm. But I was totally engrossed in the conversation and too hesitant to start from homestay, that I started only by 10:30. I reluctantly bid bye to all, promising to come back again.

Promising to come back again

Genuine to the words “All that begins well ends well”, my birthday wound up really well.

Much more than a Homestay

Cancio's Home in night

Cancio’s home is much more than a homestay for any traveller who visits their home, as their care for the guests comes directly from their hearts. I had become a member of the family in those two days. I had got friends for my lifetime in Cancio’s house. My birthday wouldn’t have been such a fun without the host family. And I loved those dining table conversations I had with others.

My birthday was at its best in Cancio’s Home just because of the people I met during this journey.

Being someone who doesn’t attach happiness to materialistic things, these experiences are something which I value a lot in my life.

“Materialistic things depreciate. But experiences don’t.”

Month of Trip      - Aug'16
No of days of trip - 4 Days
Overall Trip cost - INR 13000

Prince Charming

When I was thinking of penning down my solo birthday trip this year, my thoughts had taken me two years down the memory lane.

I was about to turn 25. Weird longings were swirling in my brain. Birthday directly under stars, soaking up myself in the surreal nature, enjoying the serene peace of jungles. Yeah I wanted to go on a trek to some beautiful lush green trail. By the way, did I make it?

It’s a big “NOOO”.

I was having the fear of unknown. Like every South Indian girl, I ranted about being born a girl. I waited for my Prince Charming to take me on an epic trip.

There I was two years back thinking of being born a guy to have explored all the places by myself.

Then came my DSLR. Having invested a lump some amount on my DSLR, all I wanted was to make the best use of it. I backpacked to so many places in India just to explore and click the glory of it.

Yes. I was hit by a travel bug.

A travel bug which had literally made me on toes, reading lot of travelogues, wanting to visit every single place on earth, packing and unpacking my backpack to various places in India, joining a group of like minded strangers for a trek had become a way of life for me.

For all those girls who are still thinking I should have born a guy to have explored more.

Break the rules..
Cross the bar..
Sail away from the safe harbour..
World is all yours to explore..
Travel… To add little flavor to your normal life..
Stop procrastinating and Start Exploring..