Goa- Patnem and Palolim
N- Goa is paradise. I was ready to dislike the tourist covered beaches and flimsy yoga lovers rediscovering their inner spirit while swapping healing stories in the local juice bars. And while there is a bit of that, there is also no doubt why they are all here.
White washed catholic churches, mosaic tiled walls and house names like ‘del campo’ on terracotta plaques reflect the old Portuguese influence. The white sand beaches lined with arching palms and flat blue water look like the front of a travel brochure.
The days here seemed slip past so quickly. After five days in bed I had to make up for lost time. In relatively quiet Patnem, we stayed in a cute pink hut forty paces from the shore. Daily stresses included;
- Finding a lounger
- Choosing what to eat
- Reapplying sunscreen
- Finding two for one Kingfishers
We took to our new routine well. The food was exceptional. Fresh seafood, tapas bars, all day happy hour, it was a foodies paradise. George hired a scooter which was a fantastic breezy option in the 35 degree heat. We visited the nearby beaches of Palolim, Agonda and Galgwargh, all with their own vibe from picturesque tourist hangout to quieter stretches of sand.
The date of departure was timely. Although fond of our beach hut and ‘local hangouts’ our tans had come to fruition and we were restless for more adventure. On itchy feet we left to Hampi on another overnight bus.