Baga Beach Goa 7 Nov 2010
How to describe Goa? Baga Beach where we are is not too different from Bali's Kuta or Legian in vibe. There seems to be even less concern for central planning and the entire strip of beach from here south to Calangute is covered with shack style restaurants and bars. There was plenty of warning from the various guides and forums I read that the laid back vibe of the 80's and the full moon trance party culture of the 90's were things of the past but still the reality of the extent of the commercialism here is a little disappointing. Last night the streets and clubs were overflowing with revellers and today the beach was swarming with hawkers, jet skis, paragliders and the like.
Still, we are in a lovely quiet cull de sac here at Hallmark Guest-house and Chris, our friendly host assures us that most of the people will leaving tonight after Dewali weekend and the place will slow down a bit. Apparently the further north you go along the coast the quieter and less commercial it gets so I may have erred a bit in deciding to stay in Baga which is apparently the clubbing epicentre of the whole Goan Universe! Serves me right for buying an out of date copy of the Rough Guide to Goa.
When the sun goes down the beach shacks look fantastic with all the lights and being able to eat dinner in a deck chair, by candlelight a few metres from the waves makes up for a lot. Cost us all of $10 for 2 for Goan fish curry and couple of drinks tonight. We had a pretty decent banana cake for desert on the way home for 75c so the budget is looking good.
We haven't done a whole lot except eat and sleep so so far mission accomplished. Tomorrow we are going to try and start the day with a long walk and fresh juice, try to lull our nervous systems in to starting to relax. We don't have internet in our room and I keep going to pick up my laptop to check Facebook or BigFooty Boards before realising I can't so I pick up my book or Guitar instead.
I feel almost sad that the Internet has made the world such a small place. It used to be that being overseas meant no contact with everything at home for long periods but now it's all just a mouse click away. The isolation that travel used to bring also brought time and space to ponder ones life and the direction you were taking through it. I suppose we could always leave the laptop and cellphones at home next time. I've done that in Bali but just find myself drawn in to Internet Cafes. I think I lasted 5 days last time without Internet which is my record.
Of course India is a big place and we are not very far yet off the beaten track. I'm sure we will find the space to unpack out worries and concerns as time goes on and we get further from our jobs and the stresses of moving house. For now it's enough that we are well fed and comfortable. It's 8.30 and Karen is already fast asleep.
Tomorrow we will take our rental motorbike and head up the coast a bit. Have a look at Anjuna and perhaps Arambol which is supposed to be much more laid back than here in Baga. There is old Goa with it's Portugese Cathedrals and the National Park with it's famous waterfall to look forward to some time.
I haven't gotten the hang of carrying a camera yet but I'll post what pics are worthwhile if I can find a wireless internet connection.
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