There have always been the 3 B's that have been associated with Goa- Beach, Booze and Babes (though not neccessarily in that priority), although an impishly perceivable mind can think of a few more B's. When i say, unconventional Goa, i mean those aspects of this scenic territory that often goes unseen or maybe ignored, but something that makes this place so unique. 
I got the oppurtunity of being a part of the big-bash organized by www.freshersworld.com, for their promising campus ambassadors. I was on my way to goa when i met this hermit, who was going to an Ashram in Old Goa. Now this guy was Awesome. His name was 'Baba Bhola' and i think i will need another post dedicated to this 'monk-who-sold-his-ferrari'
Anyways, this 'Baba Bhola' shared with me some wisdom about Goa, and he asked me to reach beyond the convention of this beautiful land.
The following day, we said our share of goodbyes and i had my eyes popped out to look for the unconventions.
The first night we stayed in Old Goa. It was almost dusk by the time we settled in, yet we put on our shorts and set the right foot out. We hailed an auto, oblivious about the plying buses. The auto-rickshaw was a closed,compact wagon with curtains and flowers carefully placed. We asked him to drive us to Panjim market, about 7KM from our present location, according to the hotel map, and the auto-driver demanded a whopping Rs. 120. We tried haggling, but the doors were opened without hesitation. We relented. That was the first of the numerous encounters we had with these omnipresent auto-drivers and by the next day it was clear to us that haggling does not work in Goa, because there is no dearth of willing customers.
However, we were saved by the plying buses between stations. These were small state run buses, with clear mandates for the number of people to be seated and stood, and by Jove, it was followed. However, Goa is low on chauvinism as the boys sit on the ladies seat unabashadely and the ladies in that for senior citizen.The conductor clad in funky clothes and flashy glares, never missed the fare. The buses had a pecularity, the small electric bell, that acted as a communication between the conductor and the driver.
Anyways, this 'Baba Bhola' shared with me some wisdom about Goa, and he asked me to reach beyond the convention of this beautiful land.
The following day, we said our share of goodbyes and i had my eyes popped out to look for the unconventions.
The first night we stayed in Old Goa. It was almost dusk by the time we settled in, yet we put on our shorts and set the right foot out. We hailed an auto, oblivious about the plying buses. The auto-rickshaw was a closed,compact wagon with curtains and flowers carefully placed. We asked him to drive us to Panjim market, about 7KM from our present location, according to the hotel map, and the auto-driver demanded a whopping Rs. 120. We tried haggling, but the doors were opened without hesitation. We relented. That was the first of the numerous encounters we had with these omnipresent auto-drivers and by the next day it was clear to us that haggling does not work in Goa, because there is no dearth of willing customers.
However, we were saved by the plying buses between stations. These were small state run buses, with clear mandates for the number of people to be seated and stood, and by Jove, it was followed. However, Goa is low on chauvinism as the boys sit on the ladies seat unabashadely and the ladies in that for senior citizen.The conductor clad in funky clothes and flashy glares, never missed the fare. The buses had a pecularity, the small electric bell, that acted as a communication between the conductor and the driver.
The people of Goa, are multi-lingual.They can speak English, Hindi and local language with quite ease. However, when it comes to writing, the spellings are often erroneous.
Wherever you go, you can listen to peppy, foot-tapping ,melodious songs and towards the evenings you can try your hand at the karaoke or jazz competitions. All it would cost you is a Tuna and bacon, and a bottle of beer.
Speaking of alcohol, which happens to be a convention, i would like to draw your attention towards the local alcohol, which is priced at Rs. 100-400 a bottle, depending on the quality. Its called Fenny and is available in several flavours, my favourite being Olive.However there is another local drink available in the beaches early in the morning called Amaya, that not many people know about. It tastes better than wine and stones more than a bong. Its every alcoholics desire,in Goa.However,its illegal.
Another very unusual thing about this place is the architecture. The houses built around the capital, have such a refined, pre-historic look. Some of them columbian enough and few deserving the flashes. The palm trees along the borders accentuates the panorama.
The best part of the entire trip was the last day, when i broke out of my group , hired a bike,a rusty old splendour(i had no choice) and rode around the city. Its fun to read directions, get lost ,discover short-cuts and live in the moment. However, before that let me tell you, hiring a bike on a weekend is one hell of a job. You have to be smart enough to strike a deal. Don't try haggling after the rent has been quoted. I took help from a a random localite and struck the deal for Rs. 300 for 16 hours, apart from the security and DL proof.
The people of Goa are the best i have met so far. However, the brokers and middlemen continue to be as reprehensible as anywhere across our country. Perhaps they all share a breed.
From the moment i stepped into Goa, i never saw a cop. However, on that day when i was riding my bike at an unaccountable speed, i was gestured by a white uniformed guy to pull over. I could smell bribery, and was weighing my wallet, when a smiling face greeted me and asked for my DL. I produced it, surprised at the smile, or was it a smirk??
He glanced at it, warned me to drive slowly for my own safety and then moved away. For the first time in my life, i was stopped by a cop and let go without a penny lost. I was all respect for the guy.
Parking is at whim. 'No-parking' signals are just for the pigeons to perch.
I had been to beaches, done all crazy things that you expect a young lad to do in a beach. After 4 days of conventional shit, when i broke free of it and gave a brief stint to my unconventional pursuits, the road from panjim to old Goa attracted me the most.
Wherever you go, you can listen to peppy, foot-tapping ,melodious songs and towards the evenings you can try your hand at the karaoke or jazz competitions. All it would cost you is a Tuna and bacon, and a bottle of beer.
Speaking of alcohol, which happens to be a convention, i would like to draw your attention towards the local alcohol, which is priced at Rs. 100-400 a bottle, depending on the quality. Its called Fenny and is available in several flavours, my favourite being Olive.However there is another local drink available in the beaches early in the morning called Amaya, that not many people know about. It tastes better than wine and stones more than a bong. Its every alcoholics desire,in Goa.However,its illegal.
Another very unusual thing about this place is the architecture. The houses built around the capital, have such a refined, pre-historic look. Some of them columbian enough and few deserving the flashes. The palm trees along the borders accentuates the panorama.
The best part of the entire trip was the last day, when i broke out of my group , hired a bike,a rusty old splendour(i had no choice) and rode around the city. Its fun to read directions, get lost ,discover short-cuts and live in the moment. However, before that let me tell you, hiring a bike on a weekend is one hell of a job. You have to be smart enough to strike a deal. Don't try haggling after the rent has been quoted. I took help from a a random localite and struck the deal for Rs. 300 for 16 hours, apart from the security and DL proof.
The people of Goa are the best i have met so far. However, the brokers and middlemen continue to be as reprehensible as anywhere across our country. Perhaps they all share a breed.
From the moment i stepped into Goa, i never saw a cop. However, on that day when i was riding my bike at an unaccountable speed, i was gestured by a white uniformed guy to pull over. I could smell bribery, and was weighing my wallet, when a smiling face greeted me and asked for my DL. I produced it, surprised at the smile, or was it a smirk??
He glanced at it, warned me to drive slowly for my own safety and then moved away. For the first time in my life, i was stopped by a cop and let go without a penny lost. I was all respect for the guy.
Parking is at whim. 'No-parking' signals are just for the pigeons to perch.
I had been to beaches, done all crazy things that you expect a young lad to do in a beach. After 4 days of conventional shit, when i broke free of it and gave a brief stint to my unconventional pursuits, the road from panjim to old Goa attracted me the most.
The bylanes and boulevards and the ancient architecture located beside the calm and spectacular juar river was a speckle to the nitty-gritties of conventional Goa. I parked my bike beside the Juar dock and strode the 6 KMs up and back, while clicking some adorable pics.Sometimes, you want to savour a moment for lifetime. This was one such moment for me.
That night i was leaving for my hiking across Maharashtra and MP and i thought what better than a chilled glass of Amaya. However, it was dusk and i could not find it. However, i found something else, but its inappropriate to mention it, so i leave it to your wild imaginations !!
Foe more pictures on Unconventional Goa, click on the following link :
Unconvntional Goa !!
That night i was leaving for my hiking across Maharashtra and MP and i thought what better than a chilled glass of Amaya. However, it was dusk and i could not find it. However, i found something else, but its inappropriate to mention it, so i leave it to your wild imaginations !!
Foe more pictures on Unconventional Goa, click on the following link :
Unconvntional Goa !!
