Holy Cow! Agonda Beach, Goa – January 9, 2012
Goa’s lasting impression upon me has always been the cows sunbathing on the beach. These cows truly are citizens of the beach, or perhaps a regal caste of beach bums? They saunter onto the beach in the mornings, and find their perfect spot on the sandy beach to soak up the sun.
Cow striking a pose on Agonda Beach, Goa – January 9, 2012
As I was taking a picture of the other cows, this one stood up and quietly walked over to me. It was as if he was saying, “Hey, why aren’t you taking a picture of me?” Or perhaps it’s one of my ancestors (reincarnated) trying to say, “Hello”. Anything’s possible, and everyone needs their time in front of the camera :).
H2O Agonda
This is our beautiful hotel on the beach – H2O Agonda – street entrance. A series of beautiful breazy beach shacks that are built up in October, after the monsoon rains have passed — when the tourist season begins. Only to be torn down at the end of the season in April when it’s way too hot, and in preparation for the soon approaching monsoon rains.
Our heavenly shack on the beach – January 9, 2012
H2O Agonda beach-side view. There is nothing more calming and relaxing than waking up and falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves on the beach. We slept with our doors open, and brightly colored curtains swaying in the wind. Goa’s a place where it’s quite easy to be lazy. You can rent a scooter for about 200 rupees/day (at the time, the equivalent to $4.00/day). We hopped on scooters and drove off onto narrow coconut tree-lined roads, passed over quaint little bridges to discover secluded beaches along the Indian Ocean. Something about riding a scooter with the wind blowing in your hair under the backdrop of a modest tropical town is incredibly liberating. Makes you feel so alive. Wish I had my camera to capture the moment, and share the views with you.
Evening stroll on the beach – January 10, 2012
An evening stroll along the beach…
Housekeeping at H2O Agonda
The housekeepers at H2O Agonda wear beautiful bright green colored saris with blue plaid aprons as their uniforms. They are a beautiful vision against the neutral sand.
H2O Housekeeping, 2012
Inspired by the H2O housekeeping ladies… A beautiful sight
Sunset on Agonda Beach, Goa – January 10, 2012
A lovely sunset on the Indian Ocean at Agonda Beach. Agonda Beach is in South Goa. The beaches are clean, quiet and not as crowded in comparison to North Goa, which is known for its moon party raves on their beaches.
Cow Bouncer Guarding La Dolce Vita – January 10, 2012
Oh so Goa! Here’s a cow acting as the bouncer to our favorite Italian restaurant in Agonda – La Dolce Vita. Agonda, is filled with European tourists escaping the winter months back home. In fact, while in Agonda, I was the only Indian tourist there. After a day in this small beach town, everyone knew me by name. La Dolce Vita is a restaurant owned by Italians who fell in love with Agonda, and decided they didn’t want to leave. They taught their local cooks how to prepare genuine Italian meals. It was the only place on the trip where I was able to have an authentic cappuccino (verses the ubiquitous instant Nescafe or traditional chai). The pastas were unbelievable! As much as I love Indian food, it’s a nice change after eating spicy Indian food 3 times a day for 2-1/2 weeks.
Making friends with the Italians – January 10, 2012
My favorite part of Goa is making friends with other travelers. During our stay, Agonda was filled with Europeans. My friend, Simona, an Italian who lives in Paris, comes to Agonda every year. Sam and I met up with Simona in Agonda, and through her, we made friends with many other Europeans. We spent the day traveling to a secluded beach, via scooters 45 mins away from Agonda, and then met up for dinner. Here we are eating dinner at La Dolce Vita with our new Italian friends. They are the ones who introduced us to this lovely restaurant and its owners.
Fire Show at Sandy Feet
In the evenings we move on to Sandy Feet. Another set of beach shacks with an outdoor restaurant and bar under a thatched roof on the sand. Drinks and food are cheap, delicious and fresh. Just be patient, because it can take 2 hours for your dinner to arrive after you order it. It’s part of the Goan slow-paced lifestyle. One of the multi-talented bartenders puts on an impressive fire show for us at night. Scary with walls and roof made out of straw. The owner must really trust his skills.
Sick in bed for the day – January 10, 2012
Hazards of traveling through developing countries… I’m spending the day sick in bed. Not sure if it was from accidentally swallowing the ocean water while swimming, and being hit by a sneaky wave when coming up for air, or if it’s just a dose of traveler’s sickness. My stomach isn’t use to day-in-day-out of spicy food, regardless of how delicious it might be. All I know is that I received a complimentary cleanse from the travel gods, which I’m sure a Hollywood actress or two would gladly pay big bucks for.
H2O Agonda Boys – January 12, 2012
Five pounds lighter. It’s time to say good-bye. The guys at H2O Agonda were so incredibly nice. Everyone in Goa is super sweet, kind and relaxed. The hospitality feels like home, and there’s a sense of innocence in the people here that’s warming. Housekeeping ladies or “Aunties” as I liked to respectfully call them, were particularly kind — nursing me back to good health while I was ill the day before. Here we are on our last day taking our farewell pictures (this obviously isn’t the housekeeping aunties).
Leaving H2O Agonda – January 12, 2012
How strong are these guys?! There goes our bags. It’s time for me to head back to Mumbai, and then back home. As much fun as I been having, I have to admit that I’m getting home sick. I’m looking forward to relaxing in Mumbai with friends and family before heading back to the States.
travel with pallavi 