Jules Nazareth – Hippie In Heels

What to do with your Friday, Saturday & Sunday Night in North Goa!

Jules Nazareth — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 09:52:28 +0000

Hello, Jules here, the local Goa expert for Hippie In Heels. Most people find themselves in Goa over the weekend, so if you are unsure of where you should be spending your evenings, here is a little guide for you.

I have been living in Goa for 5.5 years now and the nightlife has most definitely changed since I first arrived. It would be an understatement to say there has been an upgrade in the different and amount of options available. There used to be a few key clubs that tourists went to and some small bars and local spots in between but now Goa is full to the brim with all sorts from Salsa Nights to Jazz Evenings to Karaoke to Games Nights to Live Music, DJs and more.

Whatever you think you want, Goa has it. So, depending on the reason you came to Goa, there is something out there for you. Below are a large chunk of the options in North Goa that I would personally recommend.

Do note that you will need to book tables for most places that are not just dance venues and nearly all of the below have an entry fee now. Yep the price of holidaying in Goa has gone up!

Friday Night

Friday night is a big night in Goa and probably for the whole world. The start of the weekend for most, the end of the 5 day working week and the day everyone usually arrives for a weekend of fun!

Goa Collective Bazaar

The Goa Collective Bazaar – Vagator

If you are in Goa between December and April on a Friday then don’t miss out on visiting The Goa Collective Bazaar, a big and beautiful market in Vagator at Hilltop. Start your evening here with some cocktails and choose one of the many amazing food stalls to have your dinner at whilst also taking some time to shop. This market gets very busy in the evenings and sometimes turns into it’s own party until 2am when their license allows it!

For more information on The Goa Collective Bazaar have a read of this.

Thalassa Sunsets

Thalassa – Siolim

If you are in the mood for a big night of dancing, drinking and a lot of people, then head over to Thalassa in Siolim where you will find one of the best parties in town. Set in a beautiful spot overlooking Chapora River, with one of the best sunset views in Goa, this restaurant which is more like a club serves great Greek food, has a DJ all night and different shows including belly dancing, smashing of plates and fire throwers. Tables will need to be booked in advance.

Prana – Jazz Night – Anjuna

I say Prana in Anjuna because there is another Prana Cafe in Mandrem. The same owners but different ends of North Goa. Prana Anjuna is a very cute spot in the backroads of Anjuna surrounded by fields. On a Friday night they have a lovely Jazz evening with tables set out for dinner. This is ideal for a chilled Friday evening and a sit-down meal. Try their Prana Passion or Pornstar Martini if you are browsing the cocktail menu. Book your tables in advance.

Hideaway Live Music

Hideaway – Live Music – Vagator

This is one of my favourite spots in Vagator. A cute little open air restaurant with a beautiful stage ready to deliver a treat to your ears. Hideaway usually book very cool live bands that you wouldn’t usually find elsewhere. Not just DJs but bands from around India and also the world (pre-pandemic!). I have had many fun nights discovering new music and enjoying a Botanique (my favourite cocktail there) on their dance floor. They sometimes have a limited capacity so head there early if you don’t want to miss out and check their Instagram to see who is playing!

Cavala – Live Band – Baga

Cavala has been around for years and years. Situated in Baga, which is known for absolute madness, this spot is a little different. They have a live band that play all the old classics that not only the oldies will love. Think Red Red Wine, Chameleon, Macarena and more. The dance floor is always packed and there is always at least two professional Salsa dancers twirling the ladies around. For the rest of the week I think it is just a restaurant but on Friday is when the place comes alive.

The Patio – Pizza Delizia

The Patio – Arpora

This is a newbie in Arpora on a backroad with not much around at all. They have events on most nights of the week and have a great garden area with a beautiful sunset deck. On Fridays, they usually have a big party going on with either a DJ or a live band. Head here for dinner, drinks and dancing.

Saturday Night

I feel like Saturday is the busier night out of the weekend. Everyone has arrived in Goa who was planning to come for the weekend and everyone is ready for a proper night out. There are parties happening all over North Goa but below are some of the ones I would personally go to.

Prana DJ Booth

Prana – Anjuna

I love a Saturday night at Prana Anjuna! It is always a good vibe with a full dance floor and a great DJ set – sometimes a love band! They have great bookings that include some international DJs as well as those from all over India. Nights can vary from Disco to Techno to Jungle to Trance. Check the DJ and make sure the genre is your vibe before going. It usually gets busy here from 10pm onwards.

House of Chapora

This is a bit of a newcomer on the scene. Set in a hostel by the river in Chapora, they have big big parties here that seem to go on into the early hours like the good old days before all the license rules. This place is always packed and although I haven’t actually made it here yet, I have heard only good things.

Moyo

Moyo – Anjuna

This is a Japanese restaurant that also turns into a cool venue to showcase DJs. The layout of the place means the DJ is at the bottom and you are on different levels watching from above. They usually have pretty well known people playing here that are one-off gigs rather than weekly nights. So if you are in town on a Saturday check Moyo out to see who they have on their list. And if you are heading here be sure to stay for some dumplings!

Chronicle – Jamie Jones – UK DJ

Chronicle – Vagator

This is a great open-air venue just by the sea in a sort of coloseum, amphitheatre setting. In the main season of Goa – December to February – they can usually have big named DJs here, filling out the whole place and creating an amazing scene for a night out. It hasn’t been as busy as it used the be in the last few years but if there is someone good playing here then make sure you don’t miss out!

Titlie – Vagator

This spot is next door to Chronicle, mentioned above, so could be part of a planned Vagator party crawl. Titlie is a restaurant that has become a party restaurant as of late with lots of dancing and late night music. It has a sea view so you can get there for sunset and end up staying all night.

The Patio – Jazz Night – Arpora

In case you missed the Jazz night on Friday at Prana, or maybe you are hungover and need a chilled one, you get a second chance for the Jazz night at The Patio in Arpora. The live Jazz band will be set up in the garden where you can take a seat and relax with some wine and their delicious food. The Patio is also known as Pizza Delizia with a very extensive menu serving not only pizza but Mexican, fresh fish, steak, Italian and more – try the banoffe pie!

Sunday Night

On Sunday, most of Goa does start to wind down as the weekend comes to a close. The weekend holiday-makers start to get ready to leave and for most people living in Goa longterm, Sunday is a rest day which means beach day. However, there are still some people who need a more lively Sunday and below are a few of the choices I would recommend.

Hilltop Sundays

Hilltop – Vagator

Hilltop is the most famous trance venue in Goa that started in the 70s. It still has the same hippie vibe and still runs its famous Sunday day parties for free! Head over to Hilltop from midday onwards for proper day party usually full of regulars and old school hippies living their best lives. Make sure psy-trance is your scene before attempting a Hilltop session!

Thalassa – Siolim

Thalassa doesn’t seem to have a quiet day anymore. It is packed every evening all week (ok maybe Tuesday isn’t so busy), probably because the sun sets every evening and people can’t resist but also because you will always find the music pumping, the cocktails flowing and the delicious food being served. So if you are not done with partying and are in the mood for a big Sunday night, Thalassa is where you should be heading.

Lazy Goose – Evenings By The River

Lazy Goose – Nerul

This is a more chilled option for a Sunday. Lazy Goose is a cute river side restaurant in Nerul that in the day-time has beautiful mangrove views and in the evening feels nice and secluded sitting below a bridge. They have live music playing throughout the weekend but to me, Sunday seems like the best evening for some fresh seafood and some classics accompanied by a guitar.

I hope this list helped give you an insight into some of the options for your weekend in Goa. Let us know in the comments what your favourite night out is and where you like to go.

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The post What to do with your Friday, Saturday & Sunday Night in North Goa! appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

How to spend 11 Days in Ladakh, North India

Jules Nazareth — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 07:30:43 +0000

Are you heading to Ladakh but not sure where to start? Check out this 11 day itinerary that will give you a good taste of the beauty Ladakh has to offer!

Jules here, the local Goa expert finally taking a little trip outside of Goa and within the beautiful Mother India after what feels like over a year. India is full to the brim with culture, heritage, colours, sounds and absolute madness. There is so much to see and every state, village and corner seems to be different. After 5 years of wanting to make a trip to Ladakh, I finally did and wow!

Julley is how you say hello, goodbye, good day and all things nice.

When To Go?

The best time to visit Ladakh is between April and September. April to July being the warmer and busiest months and July to September cooling and slowing down. Once it gets to October, winter sets in and tourism is not so common as it can get to minus 10 degrees at night. I decided to go around the beginning of September and actually the weather was perfect. It was nice and hot in the day, sometimes even too hot and nice and chilly in the evenings. It also meant tourism was slowing down so it wasn’t as crowded as usual which is what you want when searching for tranquility!

I was able to take an 11 day trip to Ladakh which I feel was the perfect amount of time to do some exploring in a few different areas, have some time for relaxing and to incorporate the very necessary initial 2 days you need to take to acclimatise. Some people fly to Ladakh for the weekend but if you take into account the days you need to acclimatise this is not such a good idea. This is not a place that should be rushed and so if you have the capacity to stay a bit longer, then please do. Below are the full details on what I did, where I stayed and what I saw.

Where Is Ladakh?

Ladakh is up high in the Northern part of India, surrounded by the beautiful Himalayan mountain range. It is not the easiest place to get to and is still not considered the most safe due to its close proximity to China, Tibet and Jammu and Kashmir. However, I felt safe the whole time, the people are so friendly, everyone wants to help and the views will blow your mind. The only big reminder of potential trouble are the hundreds, probably thousands of army people you see everywhere. In all the remote mountain areas there are different army camps, with tanks and army trucks and all kinds of weapons. Fighter jets can sometimes be heard flying overhead and an important thing to remember is never take pictures of the army – this is not allowed and this will get you into trouble.

Leh from above.

At the beginning of September, we flew into Leh from Delhi on a small Go Air plane for a very reasonable price. They have quite a lot of planes arriving and departing everyday as Leh has suddenly become the Goa of the mountains. The views from the plane are just the beginning of what you are about to experience. If you can pay for a window seat on the left side of the plane, it will be the best 300rs you spend. When we were flying over the snowy peaks, our pilot was giving us a talk through the different mountain ranges and which monastery was which. If it is a clear day you will see absolutely everything and your mind will be blown! Once you land at Leh airport, you get down on the runway and although you will probably want to take a selfie or picture, hold yourself back, as photography is prohibited at army airports.

Leh is 11,480 ft (3,500M) above sea level and the more exploring you do, the higher you can go. You will be able to feel this as you soon as you get off the plane. Usually if you take the road and drive from Manali to Leh, your body will acclimatise as you go, but flying on a plane means you don’t get that time for your body to get used to the change. It’s a very short 1 hour and 10 minute flight and in that time you will have climbed up a fair distance. What you will feel is a slight headache and very out of breath. You will need to collect your baggage and take it very slowly. I walked up 3 or 4 steps and was out of breath as if I had sprinted up 25.

What Do You Need?

There is a foreigner registration desk at Leh airport which you will need to sign in to if you are travelling on a foreign passport. They will give you a C Form and they will just check on your safety while you are visiting. When departing from Leh airport you will have to go to the same desk so they can essentially sign you out of Ladakh.

To enter Leh you will need a negative RT-PCR test or a certificate to show you are double vaccinated. They will check this on your exit at Leh airport. There may be a testing facility available at Leh airport but it is worth having all your documents ready beforehand.

You will need to get different permits to explore different areas of Ladakh. These permits will be checked at different check-points throughout your journey and have your full details on them. Again I feel they do this for your safety and it is a way to check everyone who entered Ladakh, also exits. You have to select the permits you require for the different areas, so the best is to ask your hotel to help with this or you can do it yourself and choose all areas. The permit I used for my trip was 900rs and I used the official website. Do note you can’t get permits for one person and they usually need to be done in pairs. I also would not recommend travelling around Ladakh alone, it is definitely more of a shared trip, not only for your safety but also to be able to share the beauty.

Three life hacks for Ladakh that you should definitely listen to before your trip. Download all the offline maps of Ladakh while in Delhi. And download all offline music and movies you will want before the trip. In the 11 days I was in Ladakh I had absolutely zero phone signal and the wifi is not the best. Get yourself an Airtel SIM card either before you get to Ladakh or if you are an Indian National you can use your passport to get a SIM when in Leh. If you are a foreigner you will need your passport to get a SIM card but it will probably take a bit longer.

There is no nightlife in Ladakh, don’t go looking for a party and lots of alcohol. What you will find are peaceful starry nights and lots of opportunity for movie nights in your hotel room so make sure you are prepared!

Stok

We picked up a taxi at Leh airport and went directly to Stok which is even higher above sea level. If you don’t have your own working SIM then make sure you have the contact number of all hotels you are staying in as the locals in Ladakh will have SIM cards that do actually work – Airtel and even Postpaid JIO are the only ones that work apparently – and they will be able to call the hotel to check their location.

Kaya Homestay.

We stayed at Kaya Homestay, the perfect place to acclimatise and take it all in. Stok is a small village that doesn’t have as much going on as Leh and Kaya Homestay is in a small lane with it’s own home grown garden, panoramic bedroom windows, the BEST Vegan cafe and hot showers!

We stayed here for 3 nights. 2 of those days were spent doing pretty much nothing but taking it easy, watching movies, eating at the delicious cafe and staring at the beautiful mountain range out the windows. We went on very small walks in the day, nothing too major as you really do need to relax or you can get sick. Headaches came in the morning but were usually gone by the afternoon. Do not drink any alcohol or smoke for the first few days at least as this can really have adverse side effects and could ruin your trip and nobody wants that!

Whilst in Stok we took a trip to Leh to check it out. We hitched a ride with the owner of Kaya and went to visit the Central Asian Museum which has lots of history about Ladakh and also lots of stairs that you will spend a lot of time getting out of breath from. It’s only small and shouldn’t take any longer than 45 minutes to look around. There is also the Leh Palace which you can see up high but it wasn’t open when we visited. There are lots of shops in town where you can get the essentials you may need for your trip including medicines, toiletries, warm clothing and snacks for the the car journeys.

A rest on the steep steps.

Shanti Stupa, Leh Pagoda. @farhaddubash

There is also a beautiful Pagoda, Shanti Stupa, in Leh but it was up hundreds of stairs that I didn’t feel my lungs were ready to climb yet. I went up a quarter of the way to sit on the stairs and admire the view. If your lungs are settled and you are already a few days in then it is definitely worth visiting the Shanti Stupa for the views over Leh and beyond.

I would recommend not spending too much time in Leh and only passing through for a day or half-day visit. It isn’t the prettiest town and although it is nice to see the way of life there and the different fruits and vegetables they sell – lots of delicious apricots and apples – there are a lot of other quieter villages and towns that have more beauty.

Fresh fruit on the Leh streets for sale.

When you make it to Leh try Bon Appetit for yum food, The Tibetan Kitchen for the very delicious and traditional momos and The German Bakery for some bakery goodies. I also got some yum apricot jam and bottled Seabuckthorn juice which is the most delicious and apparently miracle liquid with all the vitamins you may need. Both are bright orange!

Golden Gautama Buddha, Stok

Back in Stok there is a huge golden Buddha a short walk away from Kaya. It is of course up a hill so again the walk needs to be taken slowly even after you have acclimatised. It’s a strange feeling of suddenly being very aware of your heart pumping away in your chest so take it slow at all times and listen to your body. This Buddha is sat up high with the most glorious view of the mountain range behind Leh. We ended up sitting here for at least 3 hours watching groups come and go and just enjoying the view from all corners. This was our first WOW moment and there were many more that came.

Bench with a view.

The Cafe at Kaya Homestay is now famous in Ladakh as they serve some of the most delicious and very instagrammable vegan food. Your mind will be blown and your taste buds will be alive. They have only recently opened up the Cafe to guests who aren’t staying so it does get busier now. There are also not many other or any other places to eat in Stok as it is not busy like Leh so when people make the trip to Stok they will also try the Cafe. My favorite was the Hummus Carrot sandwich which sounds very standard but the carrot was pulled out of the ground in front of us, the hummus was blitzed and the Ladakhi bread was freshly warmed. It was yum!

Breakfast at Kaya Cafe.

Our 3 Night Road Trip

We got our accommodation to help with a driver that he trusted to take us on what will forever be the most amazing road trip I have ever been on. If you are scared of heights, or have vertigo or find the idea of driving along cliff edges too stressful then these Ladakhi road trips may not be for you. But if you can find it within yourself to push through the fear you will be amazed!

We chose to do Stok – Nubra Valley – Pangong Lake – Leh.

Roads built into the side of the mountains.

The roads are literally built into the mountains and somehow seem to have enough room for 2 cars, the occasional overtaking and a lot of Army trucks that always seem to be in a very long convoy. Make sure you have your snacks packed, your music saved, your camera at the ready and literally just sit back and be ready to stare out the window for 6 hours at a time. The scenery just gets better and better and so you will end up having 20 pictures of the same mountain but from different angles!

The freezing view point of Khardung La.

Our first trip was from Stok to Nubra Valley. This took about 7 hours with a few stops, mainly for pictures as well as one very terrible wee stop. Terrible due to the smell of the toilet and me having to hold my breath but also trying to avoid dying by holding my breath as we are still very high up. On this route is where the ascent begins and you will have your first experience of cliff edge driving. It is scary at first but if you have the right driver, they have driven these roads a hundred times over and know exactly what they are doing. Here you will go through Khardung La Pass which is now the second highest motorable pass in the world. It stands at 17,852 ft (5,400M) high and you shouldn’t actually be up there for more than 5 minutes or so as it is bad for you. It is genuinely freezing cold with lots of snow but you will want to get out and take a picture next to the famous sign to show you made it. This was the busiest spot of the trip that day as lots of people congregate to get the perfect Instagram picture.

Nubra Valley.

Once you begin the descent after Khardung La the snow starts to melt and the amazing Nubra Valley range comes into view. It just seems to get better and better as you keep going and the colour of the mountains changes as you turn around the hairpin bends. We spent a lot of time in silence just looking out the window in awe. It really is mind blowing.

Make sure you have a read of the green and yellow highway signs that are dotted along all the roads you will drive along. They are written by BRO – Border Road Organisation and some of them will keep you smiling. A lot of them promote safe driving and keeping Ladakh clean and green. A few of my favorites were – ‘Accident Brings Tears, Safety Brings Cheers.’ ‘If you really think the economy is more important than the environment, then try holding your breath while counting your money.’ ‘BRO Be Careful on My Curves.’

Wisdom of Ladakh.

Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley Eco Lodge room view.

We stayed 2 nights at Nubra Valley Eco Lodge. This was a really beautiful spot with another big homegrown vegetable garden, the most amazing view of the mountains from the eating area and from our valley facing room. The food could be ordered during the usual breakfast, lunch and dinner hours and was nice North Indian food mainly. We didn’t book onto the all meals included option as we went out for day trips and had lunch elsewhere. However, there are no other restaurants nearby so you will be likely to end up eating dinner at wherever you choose to stay.

The door of beauty.

There was also a really cool door that lead out to the valley in front of our room and gave you a 360 degree view of the beauties. There was also a very random area with sand dunes and a bench, all natural and not man-made. This area through this secret door was my favorite spot in Nubra as you can find your own part away from anyone else and really take it all in. The weather seemed to change from 1 minute to the next and if it was suddenly super cloudy you wouldn’t even know the valley was there. We were lucky and had a lot of clear blue sky moments in the day and then an amazing clear starry sky in the evenings. Turn off the lights, sit on your room’s front balcony, crick you neck and watch the shooting stars fly past!

Self timer cameras saving lives.

The slightly sad thing about Eco Lodge is that the homegrown vegetable garden seemed to be only thing Eco about it. They kept giving out plastic water bottles and not offering the filter water they had, as well as using lots of single use plastic items for the tea, coffee, bathroom toiletries etc. Plastic is a big thing in Ladakh as they don’t have any recycling plants so all plastic that is used is just buried or burnt. They ask you to bring as little plastic as possible and to take any excess plastic home. The least you can do is carry your own re-usable water bottle as this really makes a difference to your plastic consumption!

Nubra Valley as seen through the door of beauty.

While staying at Nubra Valley, we hung out at the lodge but also took a little day trip over to Diskit and Hunder. This was a shorter journey of about 1.5 hours each way and took us to a very cool monastery that on a clear day gives you a great view over the valley.

Maitreya Buddha, Diskit.

Ladakh is mainly home to monasteries as Buddhism is the more prominent religion. These monasteries are usually built high up in the actual mountain faces. They have lots of prayer wheels that should always be spun clockwise for good luck whilst chanting Om Mani Padme Hum.

Next to the Diskit Monastery is another huge Buddha Statue, Maitreya, surrounded by prayer wheels. We got a really gloomy day so the view wasn’t as amazing as it could have been but these huge Buddha statues really are something else!

Bactrian Camels of Hunder.

Next we went to Hunder which is another natural sand dune area which is like a desert in the middle of the valley. They have a huge number of Bactrian Camels which can be ridden on the dunes for a fee. These are rare camels with 2 humps and a lot of fluffy fur. I decided not to ride them just because I am scared of camels and I try to avoid riding animals for tourist purposes. But I have to say they did look very well treated and pretty happy. The camel ride was not a long one and we watched a few people go on theirs. Behind the group of camels is part of the valley that is beautiful to walk through with lots of sheep, goats and dogs. Here you feel as though you could be in Scotland, Austria or Norway but are somehow in India!

Pangong Lake

The drive from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake is another 6 hour journey full of beauty. We passed through more mountainous valleys as well as roads surrounded by green grassy spots with wild horses and winding streams. Then pops up snowy mountain tops that tower over everything else and again your car journey will probably be filled with silence and awe. We stopped for lunch on the way at a small roadside place where you can eat traditional Tibetan food like Momos, Thukpa and Noodles.

Pangong Lake – No Filter.

When you arrive at Pangong Lake you will be blinded by the beauty. It does not look real. It’s hard for your mind to comprehend how blue the lake is. I actually spent the evening before watching ‘3 Idiots’ which is a must-see movie whether you are going to Ladakh or not. The ending scene of this film is at Pangong Lake and is now the main reason why the lake has been added to everyone’s Ladakh schedule. The lake is located at just under 14,000 ft (4,250M) which makes it very cold and the weather very temperamental. Most people actually just drive to Pangong to have a look and then carry on back to Leh but we decided to stay overnight and I would recommend this.

Pangong House.

Don’t expect luxury or big hotels by the lake. What you will find are tents, homestays and small rooms. For 1 night this is perfect and we stayed at a very cute homestay called Pangong House which was a concrete home with food cooked by the family. The room window looked out onto the very blue lake and the duvet was nice and thick. The issue with the tents is that although they sound cool and adventurous, they are actually pretty cold at night and I am not one for the freezing cold. Staying overnight at the lake also means you get the chance to see the lake in all its glorious blue beauty. The lake looks different from the morning to the evening and if there are any clouds above the blue can be hidden. We were lucky to have a completely clear evening with the most amazing stars (which I could only stare at for 5 minutes before retreating from the cold) followed by a very clear morning which gave me the chance to take the images you see below.

Not a green screen, the actual back drop.

Do note, Pangong Lake is not for swimming, it is deep and actually very choppy and more importantly, freezing. I went in to my ankles and that was more than enough for me. What is very interesting is the lake is actually 134km long and goes from india all the way to China!

Witness these blue views on a clear day.

Chuchot – Indus River Camp

Our final part of the road trip was from Pangong Lake back to Leh. This was the final 7 hour trip and this was probably the bumpiest part. The roads were not as good and the several ‘Avalanche Prone Zone’ signs were a bit scary but the views were as beautiful as ever. We crossed lots of snow topped mountains and saw lots of Yaks and even a little blue lake with a pedalo that I wish we had stopped at to ride.

Natural beauty everywhere.

Thinley, our driver heading towards an unforgettable view.

I saved Indus River Camp until the end as I knew from the reviews that it was going to be exactly what we needed after our little road trip adventure. And really it was all it was hyped up to be and more. They have 8 cottages set on a huge 40 acre property with the most beautiful and comfortable rooms looking onto yet another glorious mountain range. The Indus River flows by and the peace and quiet was perfect. We stayed here for 4 nights which allowed me to unpack, settle in and completely feel like I was at home.

Indus River Camp rooms.

The balcony of our beautiful room.

They have a communal eating space where you can also sit and play games and make use of the wi-fi. The meals are the best we had in Ladakh, with three-course meals served at dinner and delicious lunch and breakfasts offered. All meals are additional and you need to let them know in advance if you want to be included. We were in for breakfast and dinner everyday. Everything is freshly made and the starter was always the yummiest soup, followed by a curry, vegetable side, chutneys, papads and a dessert you may not be able to finish but will always try to.

3 course meals of dreams at Indus River Camp.

They also have the option of a bonfire in the evenings, morning yoga by the Indus River, a telescope to see the stars and planets on a clear night as well as bikes for hire and a walk to see the special sunset views. Nico and Mary, the managers, will do all they can to make sure your stay is as perfect as possible and ours really was.

Yoga by the Indus River.

I did not want to leave but after an amazing and unforgettable 11 days, it was time to leave our Ladakhi adventure behind and fly back to the madness of Delhi. I hope the pictures in this blog have done some justice to what we saw but really you need to see it with your own eyes. I have done a lot of travelling in my time and these places above showed me the most natural beauty I have ever seen. You will leave feeling closer to Mother Nature and more at one with the mountains!

Sunset adventures.

To summarise:

Day 1 – Flew Delhi to Leh. Stayed in Stok – Kaya Homestay

Day 2 – Stayed in Stok – Kaya Homestay

Day 3 – Stayed in Stok – Kaya Homestay

Day 4 – Road Trip Day 1 – Leh to Nubra Valley – Nubra Eco Lodge

Day 5 – Road Trip Day 2 – Visit Diskit and Hunder – Nubra Eco Lodge

Day 6 – Road Trip Day 3 – Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake – Pangong House

Day 7 – Road Trip Day 4 – Pangong Lake to Leh – Indus River Camp

Day 8 – Stayed in Chuchot – Indus River Camp

Day 9 – Stayed in Chuchot – Indus River Camp

Day 10 – Stayed in Chuchot – Indus River Camp

Day 11 – Flew Leh to Delhi

If this blog helped, please let me know in the comments. I would love to hear form you!

The post How to spend 11 Days in Ladakh, North India appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

Galgibaga: A Guide to the Most Peaceful Beach in Goa

Jules Nazareth — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 12:00:10 +0000

Even once you’ve decided where to stay in Goa and that you’d prefer the more relaxing south over north, there are still quite a lot of beaches to choose from! With the help of our local expert, Jules, we’re going to look at the best ones to visit. Here we have this little guide to Galgibaga Beach, Goa!

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I, Jules, only discovered this beach a few years ago and was pretty much sworn to secrecy about it. And here I am spilling the beans, being naughty but mainly wanting to help keep the very few businesses on Galgibaga alive!

This is definitely the most peaceful beach in Goa that has just a teeny tiny bit of civilization. Here you will find a full length beach without one single beach shack, a beach without any rubbish or litter overpowering the beauty and a beach that should only be visited if you can help maintain this beauty. A beach that is only for the simple beachgoers, the ones who pack their own umbrella, their own beach towel and enjoy the sound of the waves rather than some (terrible) EDM which can be found further up North.

So please only read on if you can promise to pick up your litter, promise to only share the secret of Galgibaga with other likeminded travelers and promise to help keep this beach as pristine as it is.

The reason behind the beauty and emptiness of the beach is because it is a conserved turtle site where turtles hatch every year! Yay! No beach shacks, no sunbeds, no loud music, none of that is allowed to help keep the turtles safe when they are ready to come and lay their eggs.

Another difference between Galgibaga and the rest of the Goan beaches is the lack of palm trees. Here you will find a pine tree forest that lines the back of the beach.

To get to this very secluded sweet spot you need to drive all the way down South, past Agonda, past Palolem, past Patnem and through a few very cute small villages. You then get to a small and quite stressful blue bridge that can only fit one car at a time.. Big cars won’t get through and bikes definitely cause less drama. I have a memory of my Dad driving way too fast in our Suzuki Swift, me trying to observe the absolute beauty seen on either side but shouting in distress as our tyres literally scraped the sides!

Do note, same as all other beaches in the South, Galgibaga usually opens for tourists from November through to April. Between May and October the beach is usually deserted with all beach huts dismantled and the monsoon season setting in.

Galgibaga Beach

A Guide to Galgibaga Beach in South Goa

Places to Eat in Galgibaga

There are no beach shacks on Galgibaga so the choices of where to eat are slim. They are all located a bit further back from the beach, still giving you a beach view but not as close up as other beaches. I have had some super delicious meals and some average ones. If you are there for a few days, split your business around, it is nice to give to everybody.

One thing to know is that Galgibaga is known for their fresh oysters straight from the river. You don’t usually find oysters around Goa, it’s rare to see them on a menu in North Goa so if these are your thing then definitely have a try! I’m not even sure I need to tell you to splash out as the price of them compared to the US or Europe will be unbelievable!

The Drunken Clam

This is a newbie on the scene, first opening at the end of 2019. It is a very much welcomed newcomer with an amazing menu curated by a group of friends using delicious fresh ingredients and lots of freshly caught seafood. This may be the place you end up eating at more than once.

Surya’s

I really like Surya’s. I have eaten here quite a few times and love the Chilli Paneer and Surya’s Special Chips. I believe Gordon Ramsey made a documentary once and recommended this place or maybe visited it so you will see on all menu’s ‘Recommended by Gordon Ramsey’. I wouldn’t question it, the fresh fish, prawns, oysters, mussels are all delicious. They can all be served Goan style, Rawa fried, butter garlic and if you want a bit of a kick ask for the Goan Recheado masala.

Santosh

Santosh is the neighboring shack of Surya. I am not sure if they are friends, enemies or brothers. They must fight for customers but strangely Santosh says he is recommended by Jamie Oliver. No idea if this is made up but it’s a nice little celebrity endorsement feud going on between the two. I would suggest sticking to Indian food and trying the same as recommended above – fresh fish, prawns, oysters and mussels.

Cassoi’s – The Veggie Turtle

This restaurant has a few nicer tables than the above shacks but I am not sure I have ever been completely taken by the food. It is part of one of the few places you can stay that has lovely rooms. There is special vegetarian menu and if you are not in the mood for Indian or Goan food then here you will find dishes to suit European cravings. Quiche, bruschetta, pasta, corn cutlets and veggie pate.

Where to Stay in Galgibaga Beach

When I used to go to Galgibaga there was literally only one place to stay. Now another option has popped up on the scene but as you can imagine this can mean places do get full very quickly. This is the one beach I would recommend booking your accommodation in advance. There is no walking up and down the beach to haggle for rooms as the competition and the options are minimal. So have a look online for the below options and confirm this part of your trip beforehand.

Casa Galgibaga

Casa Galgibaga

This place is open all year round as it is located about 1 minute walk away from the beach but is not directly beach facing, saving it from what can be terrible monsoon conditions. It is a beautiful Portuguese house with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room and a kitchen. When you rent it, you get all of this rather than just one room. It feels more like a home. It is a great place to stay for a couple of nights, a week, a month or even a few if you are looking for a peaceful state of mind. Message to book here

Cassoi By Ciarans

Cassoi by Ciarans

This is the other main option located a bit closer to the beach than the above. They have a few different room options of tents, huts and concrete rooms. I have stayed in the tent which is definitely more luxury than not with a big bed inside and a proper bathroom. Think glamping more than festival tent. I love the peace and quiet of this place and having the restaurant attached makes your morning masala chai with a beautiful view, possible. Book here

Talpona or Patnem Beach

If the above options are full then stay on the nearby Talpona or Patnem Beach and visit Galgibaga for a day trip. Try out the restaurants, enjoy the peace and quiet you won’t find anywhere else and head back along the coast to your room.

Talpona is the beach closest to Galgibaga and Patnem and is a little further away.

Things to Do in Galgibaga Beach

There really isn’t that much to do in Galgibaga and I believe that is the beauty of it. You go here to do absolutely nothing except read, listen to the waves, take a dip, eat, nap and eat some more. Don’t come here in search of a party because you definitely won’t find one.

Boat Trip

Speak to the owner of where you are staying and ask them to help organize a boat trip with a local from the village. You will need to take a short drive to get to the river where you can embark on the most beautiful and peaceful boat trip up the river and under the tiny blue bridge you would have crossed to get to Galgibaga. The palm trees are infinite, the reflections breathtaking and if you are lucky like me, you may see a herd of buffalo taking a little dip to cool off. This is best done in the morning before the afternoon heat sets in.

Best Sunset View

I have seen many many sunsets in my time but I think one of the best ones I have ever and will ever see was from Galgibaga beach. One of those ones where the clouds are all kinds of pink and purple and orange and it seems to get better and better as time goes on! Enjoy an unspolit sunset view with what will probably be a very small number of other people around.

(My picture does not do it justice!)

Beach Run

Yep this beach is perfect for a beach run when the tide is out. There is never a shelf or a steep slope so your ankles won’t be completely destroyed and if you are lucky you may see a few dolphins along the way if you are up and out early in the morning.

Swim Across the River

If you walk to the far South side of the beach the sea joins up to the river which is where the fresh oysters you may have had for lunch are fished. There is now an unfortunate and very ugly highway to your left which definitely does spoil the picturesque view and silence from this corner but the river gives you a nice shallow spot to cool off. You can swim across the river to a teeny tiny section of beach which really is like something from a paradise island.

Explore

There really isn’t that much to explore as Galgibaga really is tiny. But take a little walk back into the village and have a look at some of the architecture, the very random and sometimes terrible choices of house color and the cool church they have.

Relax

Read a book. Make a sandcastle. Count clouds. Do some yoga. Have a snooze. Meditate. Do all the peaceful things that are good for you. Galgibaga is the perfect scene for all of these ‘activities’.

Beaches and Towns Nearby Galgibaga

Patnem Beach

The nearest beach is Talpona which is a short drive away. There are some accommodation options on here and I am sure it probably is as peaceful as Galgibaga but I have never actually stayed here. Patnem is a bit further away and is still one of the more peaceful beaches of the South but definitely has a lot more going on than Galgibaga.

Once on the stretch of Patnem beach you can find the busier beaches of Agonda and Palolem.

And there you have it! A little guide to the very tranquil Galgibaga Beach in South Goa. Have you been? What did you think? Let us know!

For More Goa Travel Planning Guides:

Check out some of these posts to help you continue planning your trip to India:

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The Top 12 Sunset Spots in North Goa

Jules Nazareth — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 06:50:37 +0000

Hello, this is Jules here, the local expert for Goa. Here to help you find that perfect sunset spot!

I have been living in Goa now for over 5 years and would definitely class myself as a qualified sunset chaser! I have spent most of my time living a 3 minute walk away from the beach, so chasing sunsets has been a daily activity of mine for a while – lucky me! As Goa is on the West Coast of India, we are fortunate enough to be able to see these sunsets from all the beaches along the coast.

Goa doesn’t always have the best sunsets, it can really depend on the time of year but nothing can beat watching the big great ball of fire dipping right into the ocean – The Touchdown. On a clear day which is usually most of the days between November and April this is what you should be able to see.

And from June until end of September it is pretty much monsoon so the sky will usually be filled with dark, grey clouds and there isn’t much to chase at all.

However, in the month of October as Goa transitions from Monsoon to the high and very sunny season we get glorious sunsets nearly everyday as the clouds create orange, pink and yellow magic in the sky.

So if you find yourself in North Goa in the months that aren’t monsoon, then make sure you check out one of the below spots to chase the perfect sunset!

List is in no particular order, some are nature sunset spots and some are restaurants, bars or hotels.

Thalassa Sunset

1 – Thalassa Sunset

If you know Goa then you will know Thalassa is probably one of the most famous restaurants we have. The perfect spot for a beautiful sunset that will occur between two points of mainland over the Chapora River. Treat yourself to some delicious Greek food and enjoy the madness of Thalassa with their dance shows, fire breathing, smashing of plates and more – these shows take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tables for sunset will definitely need to be booked well in advance.

Vagator Hill Sunset Tree Pose

2 – Vagator Hill

This is a great spot up the very steep Vagator Hill. You get a beautiful panoramic view of the ocean across Anjuna Beach on the left side and Vagator Beach on the right side. Best to leave cars and scooters parked at the bottom and you can walk up the hill as the roads up are very steep, stony and not the safest. Once up, find yourself a spot to sit down and watch the show. Please take any litter back down with you!

Sinquerim Cliffs

3 – Sinquerim Secret Spot

This is a secret spot that I am not going to give away unfortunately but wanted to add it to the list so you can see it’s beauty. Up high on a clifftop that leads down to a very deserted and not so clean beach is this beautiful spot that gives you an amazing panoramic view. This is one of my new favorites and one that not many other people know. And it’s better it stays that way, sorry!

Badem Hill

4 – Badem Hill

This is a secluded spot up a hill surrounded by bushes with a nice space to put a blanket down and watch the sun do its thing. You can see the beginning of Morjim beach in the distance and the Chapora River to your right and the never ending ocean that spreads out in front of you. This is a very cool spot that actually sees the same view as Thalassa but from a different angle.

The Vaayu View – An Example of an October Sunset

5 – Vaayu

This is one of my favorite spots and where I can usually be found on Sundays. The beach, Mandrem, in front of Vaayu is empty with no beach shacks at all. This means there is lots of open empty space and usually less people. You can choose to wade through the sometimes high river to get on to the beach or you can sit at Vaayu and have a delicious smoothie, cocktail, taco or whatever takes your fancy from their yum menu. They have a special designated sunset spot up a spiral staircase as well as a whole deck on the other side that usually has DJs playing during the season.

Pina Colada at Pousada

6 – Pousada By The Beach

Another famous spot in Goa, is this cute upmarket restaurant set back on Calangute Beach. They serve delicious fresh Goan food, try the seafood, and in my opinion one of the best Pina Coladas in Goa. Sit at a table with your feet in the sand and a beautiful sunset view. They also have two very cute Labradors – Biscuit and Chai.

Calamari Candolim Beach Sunset

7 – Calamari Bathe & Binge

I like this spot on Candolim Beach as it is a bit less crowded than the usual cliff edge restaurants. It is a big beach shack, fancier than the usual ones, with lots of tables out on the beach or under the shade of the restaurant. They do delicious grilled fish, great cocktails and you get front row view to the sunset. And one of my favorite things is you can sit on the actual beach with sand between your toes and the fresh sea air blowing in your hair!

Lady of the Mount Views

8 – Chapel of our Lady of the Mount

This is a beautiful church in Old Goa up a very long hill that I would recommend driving up. You then get to a steep set of stairs which lead to this very old and cute chapel. If the Church is open, please do have a look inside but make sure you are dressed respectfully. Then to your left is a beautiful view over the Mandovi River stretching towards Panjim and beyond. You can see a few of the other churches from above nestled in between the sea of green palm trees.

Nilaya Hermitage

9 – Nilaya Hermitage

This boutique hotel allows people to come up and use the pool for the day and have food and drink. I would suggest using the pool for the day and then staying for sunset. Nilaya is set up high on a hill in Arpora which gives you an amazing view of the stretch from Calangute to Baga Beach from above along with some beautiful green hills ahead. Depending on the time of the year the sun will set behind the hills or in the sea. Either way it is a really beautiful spot that not many people know about.

Chalston Beach Resort

10 – Chalston Beach Resort

This family-run hotel opens right out on to the beach in Calangute. They swap their sunbeds for chairs at golden hour to give you the perfect view. They have a cool sculpture made by Subodh Kerkar, a famous artist in Goa that really helps give you the perfect instagrammable sunset pic! Also, be sure to try the Pina Colada, another one of my absolute favorite places to drink them!

Burger Factory Views

11 -Burger Factory

There are now three Burger Factory restaurants in North Goa but the one with the best view has to be Morjim. Set back on the beach but with no shacks in front of it, this Burger Factory has the perfect sunset view. Get yourself a cocktail or my favorite, the banana peanut butter smoothie and choose from the wide variety of non-veg and veg burgers. This part of the beach doesn’t usually get as busy as others so it should be a nice interrupted sunset view.

Yum

12 – Eva Cafe

This is a very cute cafe set on the sea front down some very tiny and questionable Anjuna roads. If you plan to go here then take a scooter or park your car a bit further away before the roads get really narrow. The cafe is run by an Israeli lady who makes delicious sandwiches, salads and smoothies. It’s a very quiet part of Anjuna and if you go early you can be sure to get the perfect sunset table.

Disclaimer – Please don’t hold it against me if you venture to one of these spots and you don’t get a sunset like the ones pictured above. Sunset chasing is a sport full of risk, you can make all the effort to get to a spot but it might be the day the sky lets you down. But don’t give up, pick yourself up and get back to chasing the very next day!

Moody Sunsets

Here we have a crazy monsoon sunset taken in the month of May!

Let us know if you have any favorite sunset spots I missed?

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Guide to the Hustle, Bustle and Beauty of Palolem Beach

Jules Nazareth — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 12:00:41 +0000

I, Jules, have been taking trips to South Goa for over 15 years. There are lots of different beaches along the Southern coastline, all offering a different kind of break or holiday. Make sure you read up on some of the other neighboring beaches such as Patnem, Agonda and Galgibaga before making your decision.

Palolem can be reached via taxi from Dabolim airport or via local buses from Mapusa, Panjim and Margao.

I would describe Palolem as one of the original Southern beaches that has been busy for a long time. I am not sure how true this is, but I imagine the concept of stilted beach huts in India, probably started there. Think of it as a large beach with the most glorious palm trees lined all along the back and all leaning towards the sun. Combine it with the most night life you will find in the South (not much compared to the North) and add a huge array of colorful stilted beach huts. It really is the wonderful beach holiday from our cliche dreams.

Do note, same as all other beaches in the South, Palolem usually opens for tourists from November through to April. Between May and October the beach is usually deserted with all beach huts dismantled and the monsoon season setting in.

A Guide to Palolem Beach in South Goa

If you do plan to visit Palolem Beach, here’s a full guide to help you plan your trip.

Places to Eat in Palolem

I think Palolem and along the road leading up to the neighboring beach of Patnem have the most trendy, cool and chic Cafes probably in Goa. There are a lot of independent cafes run by locals and some run by tourists who got lost and never ended up leaving. Most places are vegetarian with a lot of option for vegans too. Below are just a few suggestions but I would recommend taking a walk along the road running parallel to the beach and not just sticking to the beach shacks and their sea view.

However, if you are looking for fresh fish and a BBQ then the shacks on the beach would be your best bet. And of course don’t miss out on Happy Hour which you will find at most beach shacks during the golden sunset hour.

Zest

This is one of my favorite vegetarian/vegan breakfast spots in the South. If you aren’t veggie or vegan, don’t let it put you off as everything is genuinely so delicious you might find yourself going back for lunch. And if you are veggie or vegan, you may end up eating here daily. Try the granola bowl (enough to share between two), lemon and ricotta pancakes, coconut chia pudding, Mexican bowl and the pizzas! Yum!!

Little World

Another veggie and vegan spot with a large menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A very cute place to sit for some peace and quiet with a book or just to watch the world go by. If you go for dinner you can enjoy the lovely added touch of the fairy lights that decorate the whole place. Try the vegan cheesecake, scrambled tofu, shakshuka and of course the masala chai.

Art Resort Goa

This is a beach front restaurant on the more Southern side of Palolem beach. It is a bit more of a high end beach shack with the prices being a bit steeper due to the more premium rooms they offer. They do great cocktails and delicious Indian food. You can spend the day on their sunbeds, chilling in their hammocks under the palm trees or swinging on their very cool outdoor swing bed!

Cafe Del Mar

This is one of the more lively beach front shacks with screens for sports and a pool table. I am not sure the food is anything extremely special but if you are looking for a bit more of an atmosphere alongside your lunchtime or evening drinks (or breakfast! No judgement allowed on your holidays!) then this is a nice shack to sit by.

The Rice Mill

This is a new spot in town and has been furnished and decorated beautifully! Another place with lots of vegetarian and vegan options to choose from. Some of the food served is from recipes passed down from the grandparents of the owners. Try the smoothie bowls, pumpkin soup, burgers and freshly bakes scones!

Where to Stay in Palolem Beach

The stilted beach huts of Palolem are famous for their design and different color options. These are the epitome of an instagrammable room so I highly recommend you treat yourself to one – right on the front to give you that real holiday feeling. I have to be honest and say I have never booked in advance for any of the beach huts I have stayed in but this can all depend on the time of year you go.

If you are going during the months of December and January then it may be best to book in advance as the Christmas rush lasts a while. As it starts to get to April, it gets a lot hotter and a lot quieter. These beach huts line the whole length of the beach so there will always be accommodation available, it just depends whether you can be bothered to haggle or walk up and down looking for your perfect hut. If not, head over to Booking.com where a lot of them can now be reserved in advance.

Remember you will pay more for a beach hut that faces the sea. The further back you go, the cheaper it is. Depending on the time of year and how far back or in front the hut is, prices can range from 500rs – 3000rs per night. If travelling around Christmas time, double any expected prices.

There will usually always be a restaurant connected to your accommodation so do try and eat at least one meal here during your stay to help give them a bit of business. It’s pretty difficult for anyone to get a fruit bowl and a masala omlette wrong!

Ciarans

This is a very cute little resort offering beach bungalows as well as beach fronted stilted huts. They have a man-made pond area among the lush tropical green gardens in the back. Book here

Art Resort Goa

Some of these rooms are a bit on the higher side of the price scale, with one room even having a very cool and very Instagrammable bath tub! If you are looking for something a bit more trendy and unusual then I would suggest splashing out here. Book here

Palolem beach is lined with stilted beach huts and beach bungalows so the options are endless. Above are just a few I would specifically recommend and here are a few other names to look out for – Royal Woods Beach Resort, Roundcube Beach Bungalows, Neptunes Beach Resort.

Do note beach huts and bungalows are not 5-star. Don’t expect luxury, expect the basic necessities with a lovely beach view!

If you aren’t looking for a beach front hut or want to stay long term in a room with concrete walls then the best option is to take a walk down the road that runs parallel to the beach. Here you will find a lot of guesthouse options and a few hostels. However, in my opinion nothing beats a beach hut!

Things to Do in Palolem Beach

Cocktails & Dreams

This bar has been in Palolem for well over 15 years. I can remember going here for New Years Eve when I was about 12 and it being packed and the place to be. It probably still is the place to be on Palolem Beach as they have a few pool tables, a never-ending list of cocktails and very loud music. Get yourself a cocktail and challenge a local to a game of pool!

Palolem Rock

Climb The Rock

I have mentioned this rock in a few other blogs as it is a challenge I still haven’t been able to complete. Not sure I ever will. There is a huge rock out in the sea that is swimming distance away and if the tide is right you can climb up the rock, with a bit of a struggle and the potential of some foot cuts (be careful with those!), and feel like the king/queen of the castle! Once up, the only way down is to jump off.

Silent Disco – Neptune’s Point

I really hope this is still open as at the far South end of the beach there is a silent disco that takes place on Fridays and Saturdays. Get yourself a drink, leave a deposit for your headphones and dance in silence with lots of randomers on a beach in Goa. What more could you want?!

Walk to the River & Monkey Island

Palolem is a really long beach so prepare yourself for a nice long walk. Take in all the different colored beach huts, maybe turn it into a shack crawl, try a different cocktail at each one – dangerous! – but try and end up at the far North end of the beach where the sea turns into a river and if there is a fisherman you can have a nice little boat trip. Many years ago they showed me the infamous Magic Rock which I assume must still be there. A huge boulder that is somehow and quite amazingly balancing on the edge of a cliff.

There is also Monkey Island which is the large island you can’t miss that is again at the North end of the beach and a little out to sea. When the tide is completely out you can actually walk to this island and I believe there is a little bar serving drinks. I am not sure whether there are actually monkeys on the island but it wouldn’t be unbelievable. If you do decide to walk over, make sure you head back before high tide or you will be walking with your valuables on your head!

Kayaking

You will find lots of Kayaks for rent along the beach. I would recommend taking one out early morning or when the sun starts to go down to help avoid that dreaded sunstroke! Believe me, it is real! Wear a hat. Palolem is not known for having huge waves so you should be able to get out easily enough and get that beautiful panoramic view of all the leaning palm trees!

Boat Trip

Take up one of the many offers from the boat men on the shore to go out on a boat for sunset, to see Butterfly Beach or to try and find some lovely dolphins. I once hit the jackpot with a boat trip in Palolem. We saw a glorious sunset whilst a fishing boat turned up and put some nets out, this net attracted a lot of dolphins as the fish were getting grouped together and to top it off the fishermen sang a cool and very strange song while they pulled the nets in. So if you’re lucky and you time it right, maybe you will experience this too!

If you do decide on a dolphin trip, please let your boat driver know you don’t want to chase any dolphins but are happy to see from a distance and not scare them. Dolphin chasing is a big problem as they really don’t like the sound of the motor.

Beaches and Towns Nearby Palolem

Patnem is the neighboring beach on the southern side. It is a 15/20 minute walk away down a quiet road with a few hidden gems (shops and restaurants) along the way. If you don’t feel like walking you can take the very short rickshaw ride next door for no more than 100rs.

I recommend taking the time to visit Patnem, you might even find you prefer this quieter neighboring beach which happens to be one of my favorites. Or you could spend the day at Patnem and head back to Palolem for a bit of a livelier evening.

Agonda and Galgibaga are both taxi rides away if you feel like doing a bit of beach hopping while you’re there but be sure to have a read of our guides to know whether you want to stay overnight or just do a day trip.

And there you have it! A little guide to the bustling Palolem Beach in South Goa. Have you been? What did you think? Let us know!

For More Goa Travel Planning Guides:

Check out some of these posts to help you continue planning your trip to India:

Goa Travel Tips

Goa Beaches

Trip Planning Tips

Logistics

Packing Tips

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Top 5 Swimming Pools in Goa

Jules Nazareth — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 14:45:46 +0000

Are you taking a trip to Goa, but not much of a sea swimmer? Do you prefer a calm pool to the salty sea? Our local Goa expert Jules, has a list of swimming pools you should be sure to take a dip in.

As I am sure you are very much aware, Goa is famous for its beaches. The whole of the western side of Goa is coastline with lots of lovely beaches. However, the seas can be rough and salty-sea-swimming is not for everyone. If you are more of a poolside lounger, do not distress, as Goa is also home to lots of amazing swimming pools. Most belong to hotels and although some may only let guests use them, a lot of pools in Goa are open to day guests at an extra charge. This means you can avoid the high price tag of some 5-star hotels but still benefit from the use of their luxurious pools. This is not something that a lot of tourists know so make the most of this and get to Goa and start pool hopping!

What to Wear?

Ok, so this may sound like a silly question. You are going swimming right, obviously you will be wearing a swimming costume. Well yes, I hope you will be, but note that in India, a large amount of local Indian tourists may not own swimming gear which is why you may see large groups of people swimming fully clothed. This is also because, swimsuits are usually quite revealing and although Goa may be more liberal with their dress code, this is not the case in most other Indian states.

However, it is unlikely to find people swimming fully clothed in swimming pools but more likely in the sea. So just in case you were planning on swimming in your clothes in any of the below pools, please note this is not allowed and you will need to get yourself a swimsuit, bikini or swimming shorts.

Nilaya Hermitage Pool

1. Nilaya Hermitage

I think this may be my favorite pool in Goa. It is not usually that busy as the road to get to it, is not the easiest. It is a very long and steep stretch that I would avoid trying to walk and would only drive if you feel confident. The pool is located in Arpora, a secluded part of Goa and set up high surrounded by lush green and lots of birds. The rooms are all really beautiful, each with a different theme – water, sun, fire, earth and more. However, even if you aren’t staying you can come and use the pool here if you phone in advance to let them know. The pool is pretty deep but has a shallow section at the back with a waterfall flowing from above. The last time I went, it was 600rs for use of the pool, a sun bed and a towel. They also serve some delicious lunch options, so I would suggest going early and staying for the full day, having lunch and ending it with a beautiful long-distance view of the sun setting in the sea.

Check them out here.

One Section of the Grand Hyatt Pool

2. Grand Hyatt

This is the pool of the very fancy 5-star hotel in Bambolim which I think everyone needs to pay a visit to at least once. The grounds of this hotel are really beautiful with plenty of green coconut trees and huge banyans standing tall and strong. The pool is big with a few different pools, a shallow area, jacuzzi fountains, a deeper pool and lots of sun beds surrounding it.

A great option is to go for the Sunday Brunch so you get a huge unlimited buffet beforehand and then the use of the pool is included – priced between 2000rs and 3000rs. This needs to be booked in advance and will of course be busier than other days. Or if you want to skip the buffet then you can pay 800rs to use the pool, borrow a towel and lounge on a sun bed.

Check them out here.

Wildernest Resort

3. Wildernest Nature Resort

I have never actually made it to this pool but it is on my to-go list. I am not 100% sure if you can use it without staying but as it is in such a secluded location, it is unlikely you would be passing by and only there for the day. Located in Chorla, this swimming pool has a breathtaking view over the glorious green Ghats and makes it look as if you are swimming on the edge of a mountain. The rooms are for those who want to be at one with nature and escape the madness that you can sometimes feel in Goa.

Check them out here.

Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa

4. Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa

Taj being the large chain of hotels they are, must of course have a cool swimming pool. Though I don’t personally think it is as fancy as The Hyatt, it has a very cool beach-side view with the perfect spot to catch the sunset. I think you are able to go for drinks at The Taj if you aren’t staying but I don’t think you are able to use the pool unless you can prove your room number.

Check them out here.

Alila Diwa

5. Alila Diwa

Another amazing 5-star hotel, except this time located in the quieter area of Majorda in South Goa. Surrounded by the delicious green paddy fields and coconut palms Goa is famous for, this really is the pool from paradise. Depending on the busy-ness of the hotel in the past you have been able to use the pool for the day but you will need to call in advance to book a spot. My favorite part is the sun loungers set in the pool to help you stay cool while getting that perfect tan. As you can expect the room rate is pretty high but if you are able to, I would add this place to the treat-yourself list.

Check them out here.

Rachel Lounging In The Pool at Alila Diwa

Read Rachel’s review about Alila Diwa here from 2015.

Please note, that due to Covid, there may be some additional restrictions to the use of pools in hotels. I would suggest calling beforehand to double check the pool is open and whether they still offer day pool passes.

Let us know what your favorite pool in Goa is!

And be sure to avoid any green pools like this one I always used to see from the window of my gym!! It would get worse and worse as the weeks went on!

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A Quick Guide to Calangute, North Goa

Jules Nazareth — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 17:40:47 +0000

Heading to Calangute in North Goa? Our local Goa expert has written a quick guide full of tips to help with your stay.

I, Jules, would say Calangute is like the London of England or the New York of America. And yes when you actually get to Calangute you may disagree due to what you see but I mean this from the perspective of how famous and well known the area is. When travelling around India, anyone you meet will want to go to Goa whether they are tourists or locals and more often than not the main place they will have heard of is Calangute.

I am from Calangute and this means I live there and half my family originates from there so this will be a positive blog about Calangute. I am sure you can find plenty online about why you should never stay here or visit here because it is too busy and too mad but actually between all the madness, Calangute has its own beauty and does genuinely have a lot to offer! You also wouldn’t travel all the way to London and not visit Leicester Square and you wouldn’t travel all the way to New York and not visit Broadway.

Calangute is also pretty vast. It has a huge span of beach that has very very busy areas that I would only suggest visiting for a short experience of the madness and it also has quiet parts where you can find very cool and empty beach shacks.

I wouldn’t say you should spend all your time in Calangute but have a read of my below suggestions and see if any of it appeals to you!

Calangute Beach on a Glorious Day – Cafe Roma

Where to Stay in Calangute

Villa Alina

A beautiful heritage property built on beach sand, this is an upmarket Villa that is rented out exclusively to one group. Sleeping up to 14, if you have more than 10 people, the high price tag doesn’t feel so much when split between everyone. Boasting a private infinity pool, daily maid service, 24 hour security and breakfast included, you won’t find another property with the same homely feel! Email julia@villaalina.com for more details or check here for more images.

Chalston Beach Resort – Beach Hut

Chalston Beach Resort

This family run hotel is located right on the beach with the most glorious gardens and beach-front restaurant. They have a range of hotel rooms for different budgets as well as some beautiful beach-side cottages. There is a swimming pool for guests and this is definitely one of my favorite sunset spots in Calangute. Book Here.

Le Meridien

A new 5-star hotel that has recently popped up in Calangute and isn’t too expensive. They have some amazing room options and a great pool for guests use. They offer a large spread for Sunday brunch and are connected to Noemi’s Spa which is a 1 minute walk from the entrance to the hotel. Book Here.

The Park

Part of the well known chain, also located in Calcutta, this hotel is built right on the beach. Known for its fancy decor and cool rooms, you will not be disappointed but it comes with a higher price tag. They also have a lovely rooftop bar with the perfect sunset view. Book Here.

Andores

This is a cute resort tucked away down side roads and a short walk from the beach. They have their own pool alongside a private gym and spa. The rooms are big and help you feel like you have your own little Villa. And to top it all off they have a delicious restaurant onsite serving amazing authentic Italian food. Book Here.

Where to Eat in Calangute

Goa is full of amazing restaurants popping up all over both North and South and Calangute definitely does not let the side down.

A Reverie – Fine Dining

A Reverie

This is probably my favorite restaurant in Goa for a special occasion or if you’re feeling fancy and you feel like treating yourself. The menu is amazing and will blow your mind with all the little added details and flavors. The decor of the place makes you feel like you are in a 5-star and if you end up leaving without having taken a photo of your food, you deserve a medal. A bit more on the expensive side but a must try! See More.

Infantaria

A very traditional place that you must visit for delicious traditional snacks. Since I was young we have always got our samosas, beef croquettes, chutney sandwiches, veg puffs and beef chops from here. There is a small counter to the right of the restaurant selling all of these and more but make sure you visit earlier rather than later as they always sell out. See more.

Navtara Thali

Navtara

Head over to Navtara for the most delicious North Indian veg food as well as a few Goan options too. They do everything from crispy dosas to xacuti to paneer chilli to pizza to thalis to chole, puris and parathas. My favorite is the Palak or Schezwan Dosa with extra coconut chutney!

Pousada By The Beach

This is a famous spot in North Goa with lots of celebrities coming to taste the authentic Goan dishes in their peaceful beach side shack. The menu has a lot of traditional Goan dishes to offer and the owners, Neville and Josh are very passionate about Goa and what they do. A little on the expensive side but worth the visit even just for a Pina Colada and the Serradurra. See more.

Zwe By Golden Eye – Tea Leaf Salad

Zwe By Golden Eye

This is a new addition to Calangute and I am so happy it has opened. A Burmese restaurant selling some of the most delicious food I have ever tasted and just a 1 minute walk from the beach. Make sure you try the tea leaf salad, crispy beef, bamboo shoots and the famous Khao Suey. See more.

Pina Coladas at Chalston Beach Resort

Chalston Beach Resort

Their restaurant is right on the beach front with a great sunset view. On some evenings they have live entertainment and the food is great. Try some of the fresh fish from the tandoor as well as the prawn papad, crispy garlic mushrooms and my favorite – The Pina Colada! They also have a pool table and a table tennis table. See more.

Roboto – Tantamen Ramen

Roboto

Another newbie on the scene, this amazing Japanese restaurant opened and has survived through the pandemic. They have amazing cocktail options, delicious mains and some of the best ramen I have ever tasted. If you are looking for Asian food, go here! See more.

Fisherman’s Wharf

This famous chain has now opened its doors in Calangute. The original is in Panjim and is a well known brand. They have delicious fresh fish cooked all ways so if you are looking for fresh seafood like many who come to Goa then don’t miss this place. See more.

Nirvana

This place has been closed for a bit due to the pandemic but I would like to include it anyway for when it decides to open its doors. Usually buzzing and full to the brim, this is a common hangout for the Brits, Russians and Europeans. Their menu is vast and anything coming from the tandoor is amazing. They also do the best pies – fish, steak and kidney, veg – as well as a traditional roast on a Sunday.

What to Do in Calangute

Calangute Sunset at Aggie’s Cafe

Beach Shack Hopping

Calangute Beach is a long beach that sits in between Candolim and Baga. It isn’t that clear when one becomes the next but it is a long stretch of beach. And along the Calangute stretch you can find some very quiet beach shacks and you can also find some very busy ones that will be rammed with people dancing, singing and looking like they are drinking beer for the first time! (Remember alcohol is not so common in other parts of India!). It really depends what you are looking for but Calangute does have it all.

Paneer Chilli and Crispy Calamari – Cafe Roma

My favorite beach shack, and one I have been going to since I was born is Cafe Roma. Here you will find some peace and quiet but still with a bit of atmosphere and some really tasty beach shack food. Try the fries, tuna salad, crispy fried calamari, prawn fried rice and the traditional fish curry rice. If you do pop by, say hello to Anthony and say Jules sent you. Just nextdoor is Aggie’s Cafe, another childhood shack that has a bit more of a louder atmosphere with great fresh fish and a delicious BBQ option that can be sorted in advance. If you do go here make sure you have the famous Aggie’s Mojito to complement a famous Calangute sunset! And say hello to Aggie too!

Sunset Mojito at Aggie’s Cafe

Other shacks to try – Jukebox, Flying Dolphin, Pine Tree, Pedro’s, Rovers Return.

Party on Tito’s Lane

This is one of the main reasons why a lot of people come to Calangute and although the lane is actually in Baga I will mention it in this blog. Tito’s Lane is a famous lane with the very famous Tito’s Club at the far end. You will see their branding painted everywhere all over Goa. This lane is full of different bars and clubs and is a bit like the party strip you find in most party towns abroad. Think neon lights, people trying to get you in with free drinks and lots of loud music. If you are looking for a fun cheesy and very late night out then make your way to the lane. If you are girls out travelling solo, just keep your wits about you as it can get busy and very male centred too.

Head to Cape Town, Cocktails & Dreams and Tito’s

And if you are looking for a more sophisticated night out then head to Favela or Cavala.

Sparaddise

Spa Visits – Sparaddise, Snip Salon & Spa, Neomi’s

Treat yourself to a spa visit at one of these three tried, tested and trusted spas. All spread around Calangute they offer amazing massages, pedicures, haircuts, waxing and all the pampering you may need.

Visit a Calangute Church

St Alex Church

There are quite a few churches in Calangute but the most famous and iconic is St Alex Church which is just behind the dolphin circle at the end of the road you would use to enter Calangute from Panjim. This lovely white church stands tall and has a beautiful interior and a lovely cemetery. My Grandparents got married here and my Great-Grandparent’s gravestone can be found at the front by the entrance. You are allowed to join a mass if you are religious but please dress appropriately when entering the church.

I hope this gave you more than a few reasons to visit Calangute. If you do head this way, let me know what your favorite tips were!

Chulo at Calangute Beach

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Goa Beaches Explained – Which Beach is Best For You?

Jules Nazareth — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 10:15:38 +0000

Heading to Goa to lie on one of its glorious beaches? Our local Goa expert, Jules, is here to give you an idea of which beach is best for you.

Goa is a state with a coastline of beautiful beaches running all the way from top to bottom. It is famous for them and it would be pretty much impossible to take a trip to Goa without visiting at least one. The amount of beach options may be slightly overwhelming so I, Jules, am here to give you a little explanation of what each beach has to offer and hopefully help you decide which beach meets your holiday needs best.

Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself –

Do you want an actual sunbed? Do you want to be able to order food and drink? Do you want a calm sea or are you more of a wave surfer? Do you want peace and quiet or keen for some tunes on the beach? Are you looking for seclusion or do you want to meet some people, maybe make a few beach friends? Are you interested in water sports?

Please note I am not listing all the beaches in Goa as this blog would go on and on and on but hopefully below are some options that work for you. Also note that beaches look how they look below during the high season which runs from November – April. Outside of these months is when beach shacks are taken down, monsoon sets in and the beaches feel like a whole different Goa.

Check these other blogs for more help on where to stay, whether you should head North or South and what the nightlife scene in Goa is.

South Goa

Agonda Beach

Location: South Goa

Sunbeds: Sun beds are not actually allowed onto the beach here due to the turtle nesting but there are a few sneaky ones at the top edge of the beach near the restaurants. Otherwise there is lots of place for your towel or lungi to be put down.

Food and Drink: Lots of beach front restaurants serving food and drink.

Overnight Options: A large option of beach huts all along the front for rent.

Peace and Quiet: Many travellers will choose to stay here for a few nights to lap up the peace and tranquility. It very rarely gets too busy or crowded. You won’t find any water sports but there are options for dolphin and sunset boat tours.

The Sea: The water is a lot clearer here than most other Goa beaches. As this beach is set between two bays it is usually calm and friendly.

Find out more here.

Patnem Beach

Location: A smaller beach in South Goa.

Sunbeds: Lots of sun bed options set a bit further back from the sea.

Food and Drink: Lots of beach shack options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A few great restaurants on the main road behind the beach too.

Overnight Options: Beach huts are available for rent.

Peace and Quiet: Being a smaller beach it feels a bit busier but this beach is very quiet with no nightlife at all. By about 10pm, with dinner being over, lights will most likely be out and the glorious stars above will have come out to play.

The Sea: The sea can sometimes be a bit rough as it is a smaller beach and sometimes the waves can creep in but it is still calmer than most beaches up North.

Find out more here.

Palolem Beach

Location: South Goa, the neighbouring beach to the above Patnem Beach.

Sunbeds: Lots of sun beds available all along the stretch of beach.

Food and Drink: A large amount of options for food and drink from beach shacks all set along the front.

Overnight Options: This beach is where the stilted beach huts originate from. Think colourful huts on stilts facing the sea. Lots of options for rooms and huts.

Peace and Quiet: This is one of the busier beaches in South Goa and probably the most famous. It has the most beautiful set of palm trees lining the whole beach leaning towards the sun. The beach is quite a big stretch so there are definitely some quiet patches that can be found.

The Sea: The waves here are not so strong and the sea here feels more safe and chilled. There are lots of options for kayaking, boat trips and paddle boarding.

Galgibaga Beach

Location: This is pretty much one of the furthest South beaches. You used to have to drive over a teeny tiny blue bridge to get to it but now with the introduction of a highway it is a lot easier to get to.

Sunbeds: There are no sun beds at all on this beach. I think this must be the strictest turtle nesting site as there is not much sign of human life at all.

Food and Drink: There are 2 or 3 beach shacks on this beach serving food. All set back from the actual beach, because of the turtles, they serve delicious sea food and most famously oysters which are found in the backwaters of Galgibaga.

Overnight Options: There are a few options of places to stay in this very sleepy village. A few beach hut options that are set back and some set in the main village.

Peace and Quiet: This is probably the most peace and quiet you will ever find in Goa. Now with the highway I think there is a little bit more footfall but it wouldn’t be uncommon to find you are one of about 5 people on this beach.

The Sea: The sea is usually very calm but if you find it too choppy or the waves are too big you can walk to the most Southern point and swim in the part where the sea meets the river.

North Goa

Calangute Beach – the quieter side

Calangute and Baga Beach

Location: These beaches sit next to each other and are probably the two busiest beaches in North Goa.

Sunbeds: Sun beds are on the beach and are usually free of charge if you are spending money at the shack.

Food and Drink: There are lots and lots of beach shacks, some playing very loud music and all offering food and drinks.

Overnight Options: There aren’t many places to stay overnight directly on the beach but Calangute and Baga have a lot of hotel options in the towns.

Peace and Quiet: There are some quiet parts of Calangute Beach that are more towards the Southern side and towards Candolim but mainly it is busy and can get very crowded, especially at the Calangute main beach entrance. You won’t find that much peace and quiet here but you will be able to partake in a lot of people watching and can also tick jet skiing, parasailing or a banana boat ride off your list if it’s on there.

The Sea: The sea can be a little bit more rough here, more suited towards some wave surfing championships.

Little Vagator Beach

Location: This beach can only be accessed down some very steep steps that lead to a little secluded beach spot.

Sunbeds: There are sun bed options at the few beach shacks on the front.

Food and Drink: Food and Drink can be ordered and eaten and drunk on your sun beds.

Overnight Options: There may be a few beach hut options but it is not so common to stay overnight on actual Little Vagator Beach. There are places to stay back up the steep steps and along the roads.

Peace and Quiet: This beach can be very peaceful especially in the mornings unless an all night rave is still continuing from the previous night. There is a party place at the end of this beach which can sometimes have very loud trance music playing.

The Sea: The sea is usually very welcoming on this beach but there are a lot of rocks both on the beach and in the sea so see where others are swimming before diving in.

Morjim Beach

Location: The first of a very large stretch of beach along the North coast that begins with Morjim, moves on to Ashwem, Mandrem and then Arambol.

Sunbeds: This is also a turtle nesting beach so some areas won’t be allowed to have sun beds and will feel pretty secluded and other parts have sun beds and are much busier.

Food and Drink: There are quite a few beach shack options on the front as well as a few restaurants and bars set a bit further back.

Overnight Options: There are some hotels on the beach front in Morjim and a few beach hut options facing the sea and also set behind the beach.

Peace and Quiet: When the tide is out this beach can feel very vast and open. Water sports are not allowed and there usually aren’t bars or shacks playing music until the evening.

The Sea: The sea can be calm here in the mornings though there are also a few surf schools in this area which would of course suggest potential waves.

Find out more here.

Mandrem Beach

Location: To get to a certain part of this beach you have to walk across a river which can usually be pretty full in high tide and may mean you need to hold your belongings on your head.

Sunbeds: There are not any sun beds at all on this section of beach. Expect to take your own towel or lungi to lie on and if you are an avid beach goer, then your own umbrella too.

Food and Drink: There are one or two beach shacks along this stretch and lots of food options on the main road behind the beach (accessed via the river) so a beach picnic may be a better idea.

Overnight Options: There are lots of overnight options on the main roads and a few on the actual beach front.

Peace and Quiet: This is a very secluded and tranquil beach as there are no sun beds and due to the river crossing access point.

The Sea: The sea is usually very calm here. When the tide comes in there are usually little pools made on the beach and when the tide is out the beach is huge. This is a great beach to paddle board on, on a nice flat day.

Find out more here.

Please note any beach that has direct road access is likely to be busier than others. South Goa beaches are a lot quieter than North Goa beaches with a lot less nightlife and crowds. Most beaches won’t be as busy during the peak sunshine hours but as the sun starts to set is when everyone will start to come out.

Let us know in the comments what your favorite beach in Goa is.

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The Goa Collective Bazaar – Goa’s Best Friday Market

Jules Nazareth — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 10:15:54 +0000

Will you be in North Goa on a Friday night in high season? Our local Goan expert, Jules, is here to tell why you need to check out The Goa Collective Bazaar.

Hello, Jules here to give you a little update on the best market around town – The Goa Collective Bazaar. I have been living in Goa for 5 years now and have been to every single market possible, less so, now as a resident but a lot when I used to visit as a child. I have spent too-many-to-count hot Wednesdays at Anjuna Flea Market and lots of late nights at Ingo’s Saturday Night Market. I now spend every Friday at The Goa Collective Bazaar and below is why.

Markets are a huge part of Indian culture and also for me, a large part of the excitement of traveling. It doesn’t matter if you actually need to buy anything, I believe you should always jump at the chance to visit a market when in India. This is because, here you will be able to immerse yourself in what is usually organized chaos.

In Goa we have quite a few options for markets. Some smaller ones in villages and some famous ones where everyone goes to get their necessities.

You can find food markets, selling all the fruit and vegetables you will ever need, alongside meat and fish – my worst part, the smells! As well as flower markets, spice markets, fabric, clothing, basically everything.

There are day-to-day markets set up for locals to get their essentials for home and there are also weekly markets set up for tourists to get their souvenirs and goodies to take back with them. I would suggest going to both types of markets to really get a feel of local life vs tourist life. Set yourself a task of buying the juiciest watermelon and sourcing the spiciest chilies at the day-to-day markets and hunt down the Indian goodies you know you need to take home at the weekly tourist markets.

The Goa Collective Bazaar

Here we are going to talk about the newcomer, The Goa Collective Bazaar and the beauty that one can find when visiting this market.

DJs at The Goa Collective Bazaar

What Is The Goa Collective Bazaar?

The Goa Collective Bazaar has just completed its third season in 2021. Set up by 4 long term friends, it’s a different kind of tourist market that doesn’t sell the usual Indian tourist stuff (crap). Don’t get me wrong, every traveler needs to buy this stuff. It is part of the Indian traveling package and you can find that wall hanging or those elephant trousers you really need but this market offers more than that. Stalls are mainly set up by people who may not originate from India but are long term settlers of Goa. Here you can find more of a boutique vibe with people selling their brands of clothing, jewelry, artistic creations, spiritual gifts, cocktails and most importantly delicious food options!

If you are taking kids along I would suggest getting there early to take part in the art activities they usually have in the kids area near the entrance. You can also have your palms read and even your hair cut!

Every week there is an evening of music with a DJ and live bands until close. The live band is usually on until 11pm on the big stage and then after 11pm the party music comes out with a more house or techno vibe at the smaller stage until 1am. You can very easily end up spending 6 hours at this market by accident or on purpose!

When and Where is The Goa Collective Bazaar?

The market is on every Friday from 4pm until 1am during the high season which is end of November until end of April. It can be found in North Goa in Vagator at the famous Goan Trance venue of Hilltop. It’s 100rs entry per person with a stamp given to allow re-entry if needed.

What to buy at The Goa Collective Bazaar?

Studio Arpora

The variety of stalls at this market is huge. Every stall holder puts a lot of effort into their decoration and set-up which makes everything look so pretty, especially once the sun has gone down. Make sure you do a full circuit of the market but keep an eye out for some of my favorites! Studio Arpora, selling the most beautiful watercolor prints, cushion covers and very tropical tea towels. Get yourself the perfect shirt from Shoop Doop or the most amazing boutique designed outfits from Strange Shrew or Mermaid’s Boutique.

Hunt down the beautiful handmade fabric earrings and get yourself one of the strangest instruments I have seen, the very unique mouth harp. Stock up on incense and learn about the right stones you need for your spiritual journey or just hang out in the food section which is where you will find me!

What to eat at The Goa Collective Bazaar?

The busiest part of the market is the food court where there is a wide range of food stalls offering home-cooked delicacies. You will want to make sure you arrive with an empty stomach so you can try at least 3 different stalls. A few of my favorites are Go Local (this is actually my stall! Not bias obviously) for some delicious local Goan food and jarred Pickles, Eddie’s Khao Suey, Mama Kenya for amazing BBQ African chicken, Luna’s Pizza for the best pizza in town, Morgan’s for an amazing South Indian Dosa, Why Not? for North Indian street food you can be sure to trust and Smoke for meaty BBQ’d delights alongside lots of other stalls selling their delicious-ness. Think Thai, tacos, burritos, South Indian, momos, fresh juices, vegan treats, cookies, basically everything you could ever want and need. If you are like me and want to try everything, the best strategy would be to go with a group and all eat at a different stall and share. But maybe you are not all as obsessed with different delicious foods as I am!

Luna’s Cocktail Bar

Also do not miss out on trying the amazing cocktails from Luna’s Cocktail Bar. Not only are they tasty but they are also lethal. My favorite is the Elderflower Gin mix. If cocktails aren’t your thing then you can buy your standard beer and spirits from the other bars dotted around.

What to wear?

Do note this market is dusty. Very dusty. With a big footfall and a dry dusty floor, don’t wear your best trainers or shoes and even avoid white clothing if you can. But get your cool clothes out, dress the part as I feel this is the place to be on a Friday night for a lot of the cool cats in Goa! As with the usual dress code in Goa it is a lot more relaxed than the rest of India so feel free to get your legs, shoulders and stomachs out! Everyone else will!

How to get there?

Take a taxi to Hilltop and either ask it to wait or even better, just pick up another taxi on the way out. There are always some waiting outside ready to drop you home or on to your next destination. They also have a big parking area if you have your own car or bike.

I really hope you are in Goa during the right season and on a Friday, because it really is a magical market! And if you do end up coming, come say hey at Go Local!

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A Cool Staycation at Olaulim Backyards

Jules Nazareth — Thu, 20 May 2021 16:16:56 +0000

Looking for a cute place to stay in Goa? Our local Goa expert, Jules, recently stayed at the very cool Olaulim Backyards in North Goa. Here’s what to expect if you want to stay.

And in case you missed it, don’t forget to read about the first and second staycation at the very unique and cute Wigwam and Casa Jaali.

Jules has started this Staycation Series to bring some love to businesses around the state. She’ll be taking some staycations in both North and South Goa to highlight the cool, quirky, and sometimes slightly secret options Goa is lucky to have.

I am attempting to keep the beauty and excitement of travel alive whilst still realising the danger of it during the Covid-19 Pandemic. There are different rules all over the world to do with travel restrictions and all countries and places should be checked before you decide to travel, if you do. India has banned all International flights since March 2020 which is a big (and unfortunately necessary) blow for a lot of businesses who depend on foreign tourism.

Here in Goa, life is slowly trying to get back to ‘normal’ as businesses and people try to make the most of the monsoon season and reach out to the main crowd of domestic tourists. I want to help people realise the importance of supporting your local communities, businesses, restaurants, hotels, guesthouses and boutiques during this difficult time. This doesn’t mean you need to travel far and wide to find them, they could be on your doorstep, down the road or a little drive away.

** Please note that all staycations should be taken responsibly. Wear your mask, sanitise your hands, and don’t go if you are feeling unwell.

Checking into Olaulim Backyards: A Jungle Paradise

Olaulim Backyards, a jungle paradise, has been up and running for over 10 years now. It is run by the most lovely couple, Pirkko from Finland and Savio from Goa. Their passion for the place, the sleepy village of Olaulim and their crazy animals (more on this later) is apparent as soon as you step on to the property. It literally is a hidden gem in North Goa with no signboard outside just a strange ‘Beware’ sign on the gate that will help you know you have arrived at your destination.

Rachel loved this place and it was one of the first places she wrote about when starting her blog. Both Savio and Pirkko knew Rachel and Ben very well, even giving them their famous cat, Kitkat!

Olaulim, is in what I would like to call the ‘country side’ of Goa. It’s on the opposite side of the highway to the beach and is a very green and tranquil village with not much going on at all. There are no nightclubs, no supermarkets, no late night bars and very few restaurants. This part of Goa is not meant for the typical party Goa tourist but for the tourist or resident who loves nature, enjoys peace and quiet and is in need of actual R&R. Olaulim Backyards is the perfect place for this. With only 5 rooms available on the very large property, they have chosen quality over quantity. Each room is different and is named after a different type of bird species which can be spotted on their property if you are lucky. All rooms are large wooden huts with outdoor bathrooms and the option of doubles, triples or quadruples. Two rooms are located at the same level as the bar and dining area and 3 are located a bit further up at the back of the property up some steep steps. Myself and my friend Nishtha, stayed in one of these which had a beautiful view of the glorious green jungle below. Don’t expect a 5 star luxury stay, expect nature and comfort and homely feels. Rooms don’t have air conditioning, but the fan was very sufficient when I stayed in the hot month of April.

It is open throughout the year usually with a few weeks or a month of closure for maintenance or a break. Choosing to stay during monsoon amongst the non-stop rains and luscious green grass would most definitely be amazing!

Gloriously Green Balcony

When you first enter the property you will see their very beautiful and very blue swimming pool neatly placed under the palms and between their dining area, chill area and the backwater in front of their property. You will then also realise why they have a sign telling you to ‘Beware Dog/Donkey’ as their resident Donkey, Mantra, is likely to be grazing by the bar or taking a little drink from the pool. You genuinely should be a little bit aware of the donkey as he has been known to be interested in humans and want to give them a little love bite. They also have a beautiful shiny brown horse, a goat and 4 or 5 dogs.

Nishtha and Mantra.

Behind the pool is the backwaters which separates Olaulim Backyards from the fields and neighbours across the way. When sitting in the pool the silence of the place is pretty unbelievable especially when you live on the other side of the highway in the thick of it, like me!

Food

Breakfast is included in your room rate and is served in the cute dining area by the pool. They have communal benches where everyone can mingle and serve themselves some of the homegrown fruit, homemade juices and delicious eggs they have to offer. The pineapple, jamun, melon, papaya, guava and mangos are all grown on the property and the freshly made cashew fruit and bimbli juice I tasted, were delicious.

Breakfast Is Served

They have a honesty bar just near the pool which is stocked with beer, wine and most spirits. You can write down what you drank and pay for it later. If there is a specific drink you want then you can let them know and they will source it for you. In the months of April and May they may have some delicious Urrak which is served with Limca, salt and chilli. A delicacy in Goa!

Taverna Hama Hama

For lunch and dinner they have a new addition which is the Backyard Cafe by Nikita. This is located just between the main entrance of Olaulim Backyards and the little gate you use to enter. I had the most delicious iced coffee and a very refreshing kokum spritzer. The mushroom burger was amazing and the specials – falafel with pesto hummus – change weekly. The cafe is for anyone and not just guests at Olaulim Backyards so you will be likely to see lots of residents who live locally popping by.

Backyard Cafe By Nikita

Activities

There are lots of options for cool activities here. Things you don’t usually get to do living or staying in Goa.

Kayaking

I think the most exciting activity is the kayaking which can be done on the backwaters behind the property. It is a large body of water which goes around the property and into a nice big open space. There are a few fishermen with fishing nets so these need to be avoided but the views and the peace and quiet are amazing. You can kayak and see both sunrise and sunset which are the best times to beat the heat. For sunrise we were out in the kayak by 6:30am ready to see the big pink ball of fire in the sky. It is definitely the most beautiful and satisfying way to start the day, though you may need a little nap afterwards like me. They also have a rowing boat and a surfboard that can be used as a paddle board.

Ready For A Sunrise Kayak

Swimming

You can swim both in the pool and the lake. I would say lake swimming is for adventurous people unlike myself who is terrified if anything touches my leg. However, for others it may be the refreshing dip you have been waiting for. My sunrise kayak session meant the water in the lake was hot, like really hot, and could have easily been a jacuzzi if bubbles were added! The pool was the cool off that was most definitely needed in the heat of April.

Sunset By The Pool

Bike Rental

They have quite a few bicycles available for guests to take out and explore the local village. It is definitely worth taking one out and riding to the neighbouring villages of Aldona and Nachinola to see their local churches, beautiful houses and sleepy streets.

Village Walk

Pirkko, who honestly knows everything about all the plants, flowers and area surrounding Olaulim Backyards, if available can take you on a very cute walk around the village and neighbouring houses. Along the way there are beautiful flowers, lots of vegetables being harvested and dried out in the sun (see chillies below) and the views and experience of proper Goan village life. All the neighbours know Pirkko and Savio and it is very obvious they are all very fond of them and what they done with Olaulim Backyards.

Village Chillies

Chill and Chat

Take some time to chill. Take a seat on the swing, the sunbeds or the lounging chairs and immerse yourself in the peace and quiet. Read a book, play some of the board games and if you feel in the mood for it, meet the other guests. With only 5 rooms, this place can be as intimate or secluded as you want it to be. The communal bar and dining area is perfect for getting to know the stories of other guests and the very interesting story of Pirkko and Savio and their journey to where they are now. I am still amazed and very jealous to know, Pirkko speaks 10 languages and Savio speaks 5!

The Chill Area

How to Book

You won’t find Olaulim Backyards on any third party sites and so the best place to book is directly through their website which can be found here.

Also check out their instagram @olaulimbackyards which has more pictures and updates of their jungle life!

Tips

Take extra mosquito spray and be prepared for the annoying creatures to come out at dusk and dawn – best to keep your room doors shut when possible.
Don’t stay here if you are scared of nature and wildlife. You don’t have to be a huge fan, I am a born and bred city girl, but you need to be accepting of frogs in the bathroom, an occasional spider and a few noises out in the wild at night time.
Speak to Savio and Pirkko about their lives, about the village, their kids and about the future of Goa. They really make the homestay feel like home!
Get up for sunrise! It is difficult but it is so so rewarding!

A Rest After A Sunrise Kayak

The post A Cool Staycation at Olaulim Backyards appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

COVID-19 Charities to Help India’s Second Wave

Jules Nazareth — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 12:01:22 +0000

Hello, Jules here writing from a locked down Goa, India – 29/04/2021

India’s Second Wave Battle with COVID-19

I am sure most of you are aware of the second wave of Covid ripping through Mother India right now. The sudden increase in cases, hospitalisations and deaths is horrific. The scramble for beds, oxygen tanks, food and space to cremate family members is being documented all over the world. India really is in a bad way and could use any help it can get.

If you have ever been to India and loved it, if you have felt a special connection to India over your lifetime, if you regularly buy products exported from India, enjoy Indian food, have a trip to India planned for the future or just have the capacity to help then please have a read below for a few charities I have been following, to see if you are able to make a donation towards the different causes all specific to helping during these Covid times.

There are options below for donations in INR, GBP, USD as well as other currencies.

How Can You Help?

Hemkunt Foundation

Hemkunt Foundation is a non-governmental organization that aims to provide humanitarian aid to marginalized sections of society. They have many ongoing projects but as Covid has taken over as the need of the hour they are focusing on oxygen cylinder relief for Covid positive patients in Delhi. They have created a 24-hour oxygen drive through in Gurgaon, where positive patients can come to use a bed and use an oxygen cylinder for free. Their makeshift ward is all outdoors with air coolers to help with the 40 degrees/101 fahrenheit temperatures. They have been given vehicles to use by Mahindra and they are always on the look out for more cylinders. Their amazing team of volunteers are welcoming people all through the day and night, risking their lives through the exposure to patients who are all positive. Patients have the use of outdoor portable toilets as well as simple meals. To donate to this amazing NGO, you will need to pay from an Indian bank account. They can be donated to in the following ways:

Gpay – 9811097124

Paytm – 8448501113

UPI – hemkuntfoundation13@okhdfcbank

If you require a 80G donation receipt then please send an email to hemkuntfoundation13@gmail.com

Read more about their Oxygen Cylinder Relief here.

Follow all their hard work on Instagram @hemkunt_foundation

Khaana Chahiye Feeding the Hungry in Mumbai

Khaana Chahiye

Translated to ‘Want food?’ – this is an initiative set up to battle hunger throughout the cities of Mumbai and Thane. As Covid rips families apart and forces most to stop their daily work, many families are going hungry day in and day out. With Khaana Chahiye you can ‘report hunger’ and these volunteers will do their best to deliver meals as well as grocery kits and essential items. Many migrant labourers are stranded in cities that aren’t their hometowns away from family and resources with no way of getting home. As of 29^th April 2021 they have served over 4.6 million meals and delivered 20 thousand grocery kits. They have created a hunger map of Mumbai with their 200+ volunteers. Use the following link to find their GiveIndia fundraising page where you have to create an account to make a donation. Pick your home country location, if in India you can pay with Gpay, UPI and netbanking and if outside of India you can make a donation using an international credit or debit card.

Donate Here.

Give India

Give India is a crowdfunding platform with a vast range of different fundraisers. There is a special section for Covid with different missions that include boosting oxygen supply, donating food to families struggling with hunger, cash support for families of Covid deceased, helping patients get to hospital and not fight Covid at home, donating reusable sanitary napkins kits and more.

Please have a read through their site and pick which mission you want to contribute to. An international card is required.

Donate Here.

Follow them on Instagram @give_india

Disasters Emergency Committee

DEC is a charity based in the UK which acts as a platform to bring together 14 leading charities to help raise funds quickly and efficiently for disasters overseas. The Covid crisis in India has taken precedence and they are working hard to provide medical supplies, treatment facilities and logistics to help support overwhelmed health services. DEC had originally chosen 8 struggling countries to focus on, however new donations are being prioritized for the crisis in India.

Donate Here.

Follow them on Instagram @disastersemergencycommittee

The British Asian Trust

This group based in the UK are gathering funds to get as many ‘oxygen concentrators’ to hospitals as possible. These are an alternative to oxygen cylinders which only have a finite supply of oxygen in them. A concentrator works towards continually recycling oxygen from the air and delivering it to the patient. A JustGiving page has been set up where all donations can be made.

Donate Here.

Follow them on Instagram @thebritishasiantrust

AIF – American India Foundation

This foundation was set up to help bridge the gap between America and India and the need for financial support for the poorer communities of India. This is now phase 2 of the AIF Covid -19 response and you are able to donate in USD or INR. AIF is working with local governments, local hospitals and stakeholders to understand the requirements and needs in cities and rural villages.

Donate Here.

Follow them on Instagram @aifoundation

If you don’t have the capacity to donate, don’t stress, but feel free to share the blog with others. And if you have any of your own favorite charities that are doing their bit for the Covid struggle in India, please do mention them in the comments sections.

Thank you.

The post COVID-19 Charities to Help India’s Second Wave appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

A Guide to Morjim Beach in North Goa

Jules Nazareth — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 12:00:52 +0000

Heading to Morjim Beach in North Goa? Our local Goan expert, Jules, is here to give you all the details!

Morjim is the first of the furthest North Goa beaches after you cross Siolim Bridge (my favorite bridge in Goa because of the amazing views on either side). This section of North Goa’s coastline begins with Morjim then follows on to Ashwem, Mandrem and Arambol. There is no cliff in between to break the beaches up — they just somehow and somewhere fade into the next beach without you ever really realising. Even though they are basically the same elongated beach they are all still very different. Different vibes, different seas, different sand and a different crowd heading to each one.

I have to be honest and say Morjim isn’t my favorite beach out of the options of North Goa but I am not really sure why. It isn’t a bad beach and it really does have a lot to offer as you will find out below but I just don’t find myself visiting it very often anymore.

As a kid I used to go to Morjim frequently as it was usually emptier and had a lot less sunbeds and maybe less party music. It really is a wide beach that can feel like you need to walk miles to get into the sea when the tide is out. At the southern end, depending on the time of year, you can find turtle nests which are looked after by the forest department. Goa has quite a few nesting areas along the coast for the endangered Olive Ridley species and the safekeeping of these nests are taken very seriously. Yay!

Morjim Beach, Goa, India

You can also see Chapora from here where the sea becomes Chapora River. If you make it to Thalassa in Siolim for sunset this is the bay you will be looking at. Morjim then carries on as the wide spacious beach it is and you can then walk around a little corner to get to a part of Morjim Beach where there are no shacks at all, just a lovely empty beach. Somewhere along the way this fades into Ashwem Beach.

I would go to Morjim to eat some of the delicious food found at the restaurants mentioned below, to stay in some of these cool spots and to enjoy what feels like a pretty spacious empty beach.

Where to Stay in Morjim Beach

Jardin d’ Ulysses

Jardin D’Ulysses

This is a beautiful place to stay a little bit down the road from actual Morjim Beach, so it is not beach front but the rooms are really beautiful, the vibe is peaceful and it will feel like checking into home. They also have an amazing restaurant which I talk more about below!

Book here

Montego Bay, Morjim, Goa

Montego Bay

They have lots of different room options at this amazing beach side resort. This is on the beach front so you can literally walk out onto the beach in less than a minute. They have maintained it all really well with lovely gardens, a restaurant, bar and best of all it is a pet friendly hotel – so if you live in India and want to take your animals with you, you can. And if you don’t live in India but love animals it’s likely there will be more friendly doggos around to pet!

Book here

Artist Cottages, Morjim, Goa

The Artist Cottages

These are very cute cottages set back from the beach about a minute walk away. Perfect for some peace, quiet and Morjim simplicity. They only have about 10 rooms so need to be booked in advance. These are set back just a bit from Silver Sands which is likely to become the daily shack you visit if staying here.

Book here

Living Room Beach Resort

At Living Room they offer Chalets to stay in. A full Chalet with a living room as well as one bedroom options. This is located directly on the beach and has a great bar and restaurant with the perfect sunset view. I have been to one or two parties here in the main season time. So be aware that on weekends it may not be the quietest place to stay if you are an early bird.

Book here

Buena Vida

Buena Vida Beach Resort

This is another cool resort set on the actual beach front with cute beach hut style wooden cabins. They have a nice restaurant and lovely deckchairs out front to chill on. Burger Factory is just next door which is also a big plus!

Book here

Woke Hostel

If you are looking for something a bit cheaper try Woke Hostel, it has a pool and the usual hostel options of dormitories and private rooms. It is not located right on the beach front but on the main road running parallel to it next to lots of cool shops and restaurants. Book here.

Book here

Where to Eat in Morjim Beach

Beetroot and Goats Cheese Salad

Jardin d’Ulysses

A real hidden gem, not so much on the usual tourist trail is this amazing restaurant, shop and guest rooms – mentioned above. The food here is genuinely delicious with every dish I have ever ordered being amazing. They also have some fun live music evenings with a cool ambience and all outdoor tables. Try the Rum Steak, Coconut Prawns, Tandoori Rockfish and Spinach and Cheese Momos!

Burger Factory

These are most definitely the best burgers in Goa. And yes they are beef (did you know beef is only found and eaten in Goa?). You can also find vegetarian options. I am pescatarian and though I do miss a beef burger from time to time, the vegetarian options here are divine. The spinach and blue cheese or the black bean burger are the winners for me. For the beef eaters, try the mango, avocado or the cheese bbq bacon burger. Yum!

Tomato’s, Urba and Cape Town Cafe

Tomato’s, Urba or Cape Town Cafe

These are cute beach front spots with sun beds. They all have a good menu offering some great dishes from the tandoor – try the fish tikka, chicken tikka or paneer tikka from Tomato’s. They all have some fun cocktails and are usually one of the places playing music. So if you are looking for bit more of party beach scene, try this part of the beach.

Silver Sands

This beach shack is a bit more towards Ashwem and is slightly raised up from the beach. They have their own sun beds and are on a bit more of a quieter section of the beach. This is a nice spot to chill at for the day. To the left they now also have beach hut options which are new this season.

Khana & Love Cafe

This is the cutest, cosiest little cafe on the road leading up to Morjim Beach. They have great smoothies and delicious coffee as well as a little boutique with some cool clothes. They have a sweet terrace at the top where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. The service was not the fastest but the food was delicious!

What to Do in Morjim Beach

Party By The Beach

If you want to party while in Morjim then head to Marbela Beach Resort which is right on the beach and usually has big DJ bookings every month. Living Room also has some fun DJ nights in their beachfront restaurant and Rock Water is a cool venue with big parties usually going until dawn.

Solaris is found a bit further up North in Ashwem but also has big events and sometimes festivals going on.

Or if you are looking for something a lot more chill then head to The Rice Mill for their weekly jazz nights in their very cute venue which actually was an old school rice mill!

Morjim Surf Gang

Surfing – Octopus Surf School

If you are a beginner like myself then surfing in Morjim is what you should do. The waves are nice and friendly and there is a great school on the beach that offer surf lessons throughout the day for all levels. If you are experienced like Rachel, the Hippie In Heels founder, was then you can rent a board from them to take out yourself. This is a lot of fun and a great way to start any morning in Goa! Contact Eddie on Instagram – @surfinggoa for more details.

Konkan Explorers

Kayaking

Konkan Explorers is a great tour company who offer a kayak adventure along the beautiful mangroves of Chapora River. The meet point is at the Jetty in Morjim and you can pick different tour options. Friends of mine have done the 3 hour tour in the evening where you do some kayaking for about an hour and then spend time on a great boat cruising along the river. Book Here.

Beach Bumming

Of course you should never forget about just spending time on a beach and not actually needing to do anything except lie on a sun bed, take a dip in the sea to cool off and have a cocktail or a fresh coconut in your hand at all times!

Walking

As said above, Morjim is the beginning of one long elongated beach so if you wanted to, you could walk all the way to Arambol and though this would take you hours and you may get heat stroke, it would most definitely be a beautiful walk. To avoid the heat stroke, walk in the mornings or at sunset and maybe try and make it to Mandrem beach instead. See for yourself if you can feel the difference in the sand!

Khana & Love Shopping

Shopping

There are lots of nice stalls and shops in Morjim along the main road rather than along the beach. Here you can find the usual tourist Goa gifts but I have also stumbled on some great printed shirts for men and cool beach dresses for women. You can also find Fabindia on the main road which has some great traditional Indian clothing. If you are heading to Jardin d’Ulysses or Khana & Love then be sure to check out their boutiques too!

I hope this guide gave you an insight into what you don’t want to be missing out on when visiting Morjim Beach! Enjoy!

For More on Goa

More Beaches & Stays in Goa

For More tips on India

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A Cute Staycation at Casa Jaali, South Goa

Jules Nazareth — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 10:35:55 +0000

Looking for a cute place to stay in Goa? Our local Goa expert, Jules, recently stayed at the very sweet Casa Jaali in South Goa, Patnem. Here’s what to expect if you want to stay!

And in case you missed it, don’t forget to read about the first staycation at the very unique and cool Wigwam in Mandrem, North Goa.

Don’t forget to check out our Insider’s Guide to Goa

Here in Goa life is slowly carrying on as businesses and people try to make the most of what’s left of the tourist season (November – April) and reach out to the main crowd of domestic tourists. I want to help people realise the importance of supporting your local communities, businesses, restaurants, hotels, guesthouses and boutiques during this difficult time. This doesn’t mean you need to travel far and wide to find them, they could be on your doorstep, down the road or a little drive away.

** Please note that all staycations should be taken responsibly. Wear your mask, sanitise your hands, and don’t go if you are feeling unwell.

Checking into Casa Jaali: A Dream by the Sea

This is my second staycation in Goa and this beautiful gem of a place definitely did not disappoint. I made the 2 and a half hour journey from my home in Arpora with my lovely friend Saffron along the cutest village roads to the very blissful and tranquil Patnem Beach in the South of Goa. Casa Jaali is not directly on the main Patnem Beach but is set on a piece of land that juts out adjacent to Patnem Beach and essentially creates the divide between Patnem and the neighboring Colomb Beach.

Casa Jaali only very recently opened their lovely doors to guests in the middle of January 2021, yep even during this pandemic, and I am so glad they did. It is run by two lovely women – Kate from South Africa and LJ from England – friends who have lived in India for over 10 years. This is the sequel to their already flourishing Jaali Cafe which is set on the road behind Patnem Beach. Jaali Cafe has been open since 2015 and after my discovery of it only in 2019, is now my favourite place to eat in the South. This left me with nothing but great expectations for Casa Jaali and I was not disappointed.

The rooms at Casa Jaali are some of the cutest and cosiest rooms I have stayed in and this doesn’t mean they are small this means they are homely and inviting with the kind of duvets on the very comfortable beds that make you want to curl up into a ball and miss breakfast (definitely don’t miss breakfast, it’s great!). All the room interiors have been specially designed with all the curtains, bedding, quilts, towels picked out and created to match their colour scheme of pink and green. They have 4 Non-AC rooms which were very comfortable and cool for my stay mid February, 3 AC rooms and a very cute Cottage with 2 bedrooms and a sofa bed sleeping up to 6 people. All rooms are en-suite (except in the cottage) and they are working towards adding AC into every room by the end of March 2021.

Breakfast Is Included at Casa Jaali

Parking is a little bit tough as it is down a small beach road. If you are arriving in a car do contact them beforehand so they can let you know where their designated parking spots are. The staff will be happy to help with your luggage on the short walk to your room. On arrival you will need to walk across a cute wooden walkway which leads to the unbelievably beautiful spot that is Casa Jaali. First is the Cafe which serves a delicious breakfast that is included in your stay. Their options include Chai or an Americano, Granola or Eggs and a delicious cup of freshly squeezed Orange Juice. The rooms all face towards the sea and give a great view of Patnem Beach from a distance. They have also placed a few very cute bamboo benches along the front giving you the perfect spot to write your diary, have that (un)necessary business call or just stare out into the sea and get lost.

Food

Casa Jaali Restaurant

Prawn Tacos and Cauliflower Tahini Tacos

The Cafe at Casa Jaali has a special Early menu for breakfast and a taco menu for dinner (for both guests and non-guests) with some delicious cocktails on offer – The Passionfruit Margarita and Prawn Tacos come highly recommended. They also have a smaller menu you can pre-order from for dinner which needs to be done before 6pm. And if you feel like taking a short walk (which I can’t recommend enough) to Jaali Cafe then you can order from their very extensive lunch and dinner menu. Guests of Casa Jaali get 10% off their bill but make sure you let the waiter know before ordering. Also note Jaali Cafe is closed on Wednesdays and on Thursdays they have their weekly party night with a DJ and a dance floor! My favourite dishes include the Tahini Cauliflower, the Squid and whatever amazing brownie they have on offer – Chilli Jam stole the show for me!

Spicy Peanut Noodles and a Bacon Cheese Panini – Yum!

If you want to try a few different places to eat they have lots of beach shacks a few minutes walk from Casa Jaali that have tables on the beach with candlelit dinners and the option of fresh fish. Zest, Cow Corner, Home, Ourem88 and The Mill are also all good spots to try out, some are walking distance and a few a rickshaw ride away.

Activities

A Glorious Sunrise

The cherry on top for me was the possibility of being able to see the sunrise a few footsteps away from your room. I always feel a sunrise is worth a little bit more than a sunset because you usually have to go to a little bit more effort to watch one. This usually means getting yourself up and out of bed literally before the crack of dawn. However, in February the sunrise was at 6:56am so waking up at 6:45 and watching a sunrise in my pyjamas from the cute bamboo bench felt magical. I then crawled back into my comfortable quilt and snoozed for a little longer. Definitely, the easiest yet equally beautiful sunrise I have ever seen.

Kayaks can be rented from Patnem Beach to take out to sea on a little adventure. I think the best time to go would be morning or pre-sunset to try and beat the heat of the day. The waves are usually pretty calm but be ready to capsize whilst on your way out of the sea and back to shore – I have seen this (and laughed) many times but it is definitely worth it for the views and experience.

The best sunset viewing spot is from Patnem Beach so take a seat at one the beach shacks, get yourself a cocktail and watch the great big ball of fire work its magic.

Empty, Silky Sands of Patnem Beach

Patnem Beach is pretty small on the whole so a beach walk wouldn’t last too long but if the tide is out you can go around the rocks on the Southern end of the beach and walk to Rajbaga Beach which is completely empty of shacks with nice white, silky sand.

How to Book

Casa Jaali is open from September until mid May so get your booking in while you can. You can book here or also on their website and definitely check out their instagram @casa.jaali for more pictures and information. If you do make this trip, make sure you mention you heard about them from Jules!

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A Guide to Ashwem and Mandrem Beach in Goa

Jules Nazareth — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 12:00:41 +0000

Visiting Ashwem and Mandrem Beach in Goa, India? Here’s all you need to know!

Hello, Jules here, your local Goa expert hoping to give you all the gossip on places to visit, stay, eat and most importantly, where to chase sunsets. Here is the perfect guide to Ashwem and Mandrem Beach which is one of my favourite parts of North Goa. You will find me at one of these two beaches every Sunday in season time (October – April).

Ashwem Beach leads on to Mandrem Beach, it is not clear which part this changeover happens at exactly but this is a large stretch of beach in the North that begins with Morjim and leads on to Ashwem, Mandrem and then Arambol. You could actually do a very long walk along all 4 of these beaches if you wished, but be prepared for at least a couple of hours of walking.

I am going to write about Ashwem and Mandrem in this guide as these are my favorites of the four and are the two which I think have the most to offer.

The Beaches

Ashwem Beach

Ashwem Beach is the beach you will pass first, of the two we talk about in this guide, when coming from the airport up North. It is a pretty beach with lovely palm trees lining the back and lots of happening beach shacks with sun beds and good food. Sadly, a lot of rocks have come up this season due to sand erosion so it is not as beautiful as it once was but it still beats a lot of the beaches before it.

You won’t be bombarded with loud shack music though you may be asked several times if you would like a foot massage or whether you want to buy a lungi (sarong). When I spend the day on this beach I always end up going home with 2 more beautiful lungis I did not need! But these ladies are very nice and will appreciate any business you can give them.

I come to this beach when I want a sun bed, a calm sea, some quiet and the best fruit salad around – (Change Your Mind beach shack):

Always ask for yoghurt and coconut on top!

Mandrem Beach

Mandrem Beach is my favourite beach in North Goa as it is much emptier than the rest and doesn’t have many beach shacks at all due to it being a turtle nesting site. This means shacks and sun beds aren’t actually allowed and you will need to bring your own towel/beach mat and umbrella if you have one. This is not for everybody but if you are looking for more peace and quiet and are fine without the option of ordering food and drinks on the beach then head this way.

Mandrem River Crossing

There are a few shacks which can be found along Mandrem but it is mainly empty and these are the best spots to set up for the day. This requires a bit of walking along as there isn’t that much access via road. The way I usually get to Mandrem Beach involves the crossing of a river which, depending on the tide, can mean carrying your belongings up high over your head and avoiding the sneaky sharp rocks which can be found below. This adds to the adventure and is probably also a reason why it is quieter than others during the day. I also find the sand on Mandrem Beach that little bit finer, silkier and whiter!

As mentioned above there isn’t a clear indication of where Ashwem becomes Mandrem Beach so a lot of the options on where to stay and eat are all in a similar vicinity but some may be more Ashwem Side and others more Mandrem side. So this is how I will categorise them below.

Where to Stay

Ashwem Side

Leela Cottages

Very cute cottages set back a little bit from the beach with their own private sun beds up on a grassy patch just a few steps up from the beach. Book here

Palm Grove Resort

Palm Grove

Beautiful stone huts set back behind the Palm Grove restaurant that is directly on the beach. These are a bit more upmarket and usually get booked up pretty quickly. Book here

Babu Huts

Simple beach huts with a nice beach front restaurant. These are more traditional beach shack style and not as fancy as their neighbours but still very cute. Book here

Anahata Beach Resort

Anahata Retreat

These are some of my favourite huts with a very cool restaurant on the beach and their own sun beds. They also have a yoga deck and a nice upper deck perfect for a Pina Colada at sunset. Book here

Mandrem Side

Vaayu

This is a very cool place to stay with nice concrete rooms, a river-facing hut or the option of the Vaayu Villa too. They have a great cafe – Prana Cafe – serving delicious food, smoothies and cocktails as well as different activities on offer such as paddle boarding, surfing, a weekly farmers market and other events. A morning paddle board on the river in front of Vaayu is definitely a beautiful way to wake up! Book here

Elsewhere and Chulo

Elsewhere

This secret but also not-so-secret spot is hard to come by as they are usually fully booked and you can see why when you see the pictures. These are beautiful Portuguese houses situated on the beach among the palm trees with nothing else in front to block the view of the sea and the sunset. If you get a chance to stay here, please do! Book here

Jamboree Creek

These are very cute wooden huts all with different and amazing outdoor bathrooms. Situated behind the river there is a nice sized swimming pool, very cute lounge chairs perfect for a day of reading and a very cool cafe serving delicious and simple food. Book here

Lazy Dog – The White Sand of Mandrem Beach

Beach Street

This is part of Lazy Dog which is a great restaurant on the beach over a rickety wooden bridge. They have lots of wooden beach hut options with yoga classes, a swimming pool and lots of sun beds. Book here

Wigwam

This is not on the beach but located inland, sort of on Mandrem Side but also coming towards Arambol. These are amazing tipis situated in a very green garden with the loveliest outdoor bathrooms. If you are looking for somewhere unique and different to stay, choose Wigwam. You can then borrow the Wigwam bicycles to take the short ride to the beach! Book here

Riva Resort

This is a lovely beach resort with its own access to the beach over another ricketty wooden bridge. They have fun reggae parties on a Sunday here and they have a pool and large grounds with different room options. Book here

Dunes

These are wooden beach huts set back from the beach behind the Dunes restaurant serving typical beach shack food. They have different options for yoga classes and also host retreats here too. Book here

Where to Eat

Ashwem Side

If you are looking for the beach shack scene then try Gopal’s, Change Your Mind, Silver Sands or Babu Huts. These all have sun beds and a wide range of options for food including great seafood.

Goa 108

On the main road, so not beach-side, there is La Cucina for some great Italian and one of my favourites – Goa 108. They have a very cute rooftop bar, usually with some live music happening and an amazing menu offering some delicious options.

La Plage

If you want to sit at a beach front restaurant or more upscale beach shack then try Anahata’s restaurant – L’Atelier, Palm Grove and of course the very famous La Plage.

Wasabi Tuna at La Plage – My favorite of all time!

Mandrem Side

Head to Prana for some delicious smoothie bowls, tacos, salads and cocktails, not located directly on the beach but all with a sea view. Verandah is on the main road and has a special Gin bar serving delicious Gin cocktails and great pizza. Jamboree Creek has it’s own in-house cute cafe and Dunes is one of the few beach shacks on the beach facing the sea just near Lazy Dog. Lazy Dog have their own pool and restaurant set a bit back from the beach but still with an uninterrupted view.

What to Do

Both these areas are predominantly beach based which means there isn’t really that much to do except the expected beach activities. These include lying on your sun bed for the whole day with a coconut in hand (easier to do in Ashwem at a beach shack), reading a book and watching the world go by. If this doesn’t float your boat then you can try some surf lessons at Vaayu (Mandrem) or even just rent a board from them if you already know what you are doing.

Paddle Boarding along the river in Mandrem or out at sea if the waves allow it, is also a favourite activity of mine (that I don’t do enough!). The peacefulness of the river is really beautiful. These paddle boards can also be rented from Vaayu.

Take a nice long beach walk and explore the whole of Ashwem and Mandrem on foot. It is a lovely long stretch of beach with beautiful palms and silky sand.

Explore some of the shops on the main road in Ashwem for some cool clothes and jewellery as well as the little market, Vibrant Marche’ Des Createurs which is just behind La Plage and has lots of cool brands and shops all in one place.

Go for a swim in what is usually the pretty relaxing waters of Ashwem and Mandrem. The sea is a lot calmer here than the beaches found a bit further South in Calangute, Candolim and Vagator.

Mandrem Beach Sunset

I hope this post helps you find your around Ashwem and Mandrem. I am sure you will love these beaches as much as I do!

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A Unique Staycation at Wigwam, Goa

Jules Nazareth — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 13:00:59 +0000

Looking for a cute place to stay in Goa? Our local Goa expert, Jules, recently stayed at the very cute Wigwam in Goa’s Mandrem. Here’s what to expect if you want to stay!

Jules is beginning this Staycation Series to bring some love to businesses around the state. She’ll be taking some staycations in both North and South Goa to highlight the cool, quirky, and sometimes slightly secret options we are lucky to have available.

Don’t forget to pick out our Insider’s Guide to Goa

Jules, here, trying to keep the beauty and excitement of travel alive whilst still realising the danger of it during the Covid-19 Pandemic. There are different rules all over the world to do with travel restrictions and all countries and places should be checked before you decide to travel, if you do. I have family in England who are completely locked down and won’t be going anywhere for a while – both due to fear and restrictions. India has banned all International flights since March 2020 which is a big (and unfortunately necessary) blow for a lot of businesses who depend on foreign tourism.

@Farhaddubash

** Please note that all staycations should be taken responsibly. Wear your mask, sanitise your hands, and don’t go if you are feeling unwell.

Checking into Wigwam, Goa: A Unique Stay in Mandrem

Wigwam is in its fourth season now and is owned by a lovely couple from the UK – Tanya and Nic. It is definitely one of the coolest spots I have ever stayed in Goa, beginning with the insanely cool reception desk that leads on to the very Instagrammable tipis.

@Farhaddubash

They have seven of these beautiful tipis, two wooden cottages, and two apartments on offer. I was lucky enough to stay in a tipi, Number 7 to be precise. It is a surprisingly spacious structure with a very comfortable bed and mosquito net in the middle. The excitement of staying in a tipi is real, with a funny mesh door and a hole in the roof at the top where the bamboo poles meet and allow some of the morning blue sky to shine through. We also had Jax the resident dog sleeping outside the entrance of our tipi which was extra cute.

Each tipi has its own bathroom, not inside but found just next door, down your own little path. This beautiful outdoor bathroom is a real treat – I had 2 lovely palm trees growing in mine. I have always said there is nothing quite like showering under the stars or amongst the luscious green jungle. It can never not be special!

@Farhaddubash

The grounds of Wigwam are breathtaking with the gardener definitely needing some sort of medal. Each tipi or wooden cottage has its only little path to get to it, surrounded by all different types of palm trees, glorious green leaves and flowers. There are different areas for guests to chill in, with beds, sofas and chairs scattered around.

Food

I checked in on a Sunday. This is when they have their special BBQ night with a DJ, fun cocktails and a great BBQ selection. We tried to lamb shawarma, hummus falafel, corn on the cob, and the aubergine dip – all delicious. I recommend the strawberry daiquiri or espresso martini to get you in the holiday mood. The very cute cafe area also serves breakfast and lunch with an amazing selection of smoothie bowls.

Activities

Wigwam has a few bicycles you can take out to explore the sleepy village roads surrounding it. If you take a right out of Wigwam you can cycle up towards Mandrem beach which is not far at all and happens to be my favourite beach in North Goa. I think cycling is the best way to explore a new place. You actually have time to take it all in and can of course stop for photos any time you want without holding up traffic or nearly being run over or crashing into a cow – all very possible in India!

They also offer different types of morning yoga and meditation classes. They have a board up in the cafe with the timings for the week. Classes are all donation based and take place on a very cute decking surrounded by the lovely green jungle.

Make sure you also check out the clothes shop before you leave, just next to the cafe area. They have some of the coolest denim jackets I have seen with very cool patches and prints sewn onto the back! I need one in my life!

@Farhaddubash

How to Book

As I said above, Wigwam has tipis, wooden cottages, and apartments. Definitely something different if you’re looking for a cool and unique space to stay in Goa.

While you can book here, you can also check out their website and their Instagram, @wigwamgoa, for more information. Mention that Jules sent you!

Where else in Goa would you like to see? Let us know!

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75 Unique Things to Do in Goa You Don’t Want to Miss

Jules Nazareth — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 12:00:17 +0000

Back in the day, Rachel once wrote a bucket list of fun things to do in Goa. While you can still do a lot of her recommendations today, many suggestions are no longer open! We’ve given her original list a much needed update to help you plan your own trip.

I, Jules, have lived in Goa now for 4 years and have been lucky enough to have family and friends visit quite a few times over the years. I have had to become lead tour guide for a lot of groups and because of this I have a lot of Goa’s must-dos, must-sees, must-eats, must-haves all up my sleeve. Below are the best things to do in Goa – some slightly random, some very important, and some only a “local” would know.

Planning your trip to Goa? Don’t miss our ultimate Goa ebook with everything you need to know about the area! You can also buy our ultimate India ebook for even more insider advice!

Agonda Beach, South Goa

Classic/Touristy Things to Do in Goa

1. Visit the Spice Plantation.

I highly recommend a trip to the Spice Plantation in Ponda to walk through a tropical plantation and learn all about the spices that are the backbone to most of the food you will be eating throughout India. It really is very interesting and you get lunch cooked with the same spices from the plantation. I would not recommend riding the elephants as they seem to be the only ones left in Goa and they are not treated very well.

2. Check out the old churches in “Old Goa”.

“Old Goa” is one of the only places you will need to dress appropriately. Cover your knees and shoulders, mainly directed at females, so worth bringing a sarong or a cardigan you can put on when needed. This can be done on the way back from the Spice Plantation. Have a look at the Patron Saint of Goa, Francis Xavier’s, embalmed body and take the drive up the steep hill to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount for a beautiful view over Goa. If you would rather join a tour try this one.

3. Get a photo of the cows on the beach…

…make sure they aren’t eating from your plate as you snooze on your sunbed and if you are feeling adventurous maybe even try a cow selfie. Cows in Goa are usually pretty friendly and love a little stroke or neck scratch but watch out for the bulls and their horns!

4. Visit Mapusa Market

Mapusa Market is a big bustling market full of bright colors, weird, wonderful, sometimes terrible smells and lots of shopping opportunities. Friday is the busiest day of the week for Mapusa Market but you can go any day, the earlier the better to beat the heat. Make sure you visit the fabric shops, flower section, fruit and veg, fish market if you dare and the meat section if you can stomach it. Here you will see lots of ‘typical Indian scenes’ – ladies sat in beautiful saris behind piles of their local produce – a great day out for any budding photographers!

5. In Arambol, check out the sweet water lake.

It’s just near the beach and is pretty cool to take a dip and some photos. It has become quite a common spot for tourists now so you are likely to share the lake with a lot of people. Please remember to take your rubbish with you when you leave. Here’s a little guide to Arambol.

Palolem Rock, South Goa

Adventurous Things to Do in Goa

6. Try SUP (stand up paddle board) at Vaayu.

Vaayu in on the road facing Mandrem Beach. You can also rent surf boards from them or try kite surfing classes. Their cafe, Prana, serves up delicious breakfast burritos, fish tacos and smoothies. This is a very cool place to hang out for the day.

7. You can go white water rafting.

Not even many locals or Goa residents know you can go white water rafting in Valpoi. This takes place in the off season when the rivers are full and raging. This would be great fun in a big group or a good way to meet new people and see a different part of Goa.

8. Have a surf lesson at Surfwala.

Surfwala is between Mandrem and Arambol. You can hire out surfboards or get yourself an instructor to help you conquer the not-so-large waves of Goa. You can spend the day chilling at Surfwala.

9. Try bungee jumping at Mayem Lake.

There is a new attraction in Bicholim where you can bungee jump off a 55M platform over Mayem Lake. This is one for the adrenaline junkies. You won’t find me anywhere near here!

10. Go-Karting in Arpora.

There is a Go-Kart track in Arpora next to The Saturday Night Market. Rachel was a Go-Kart lover; she and Ben used to test out a track in most places they visited together around the world. This one in Arpora is not really the most exciting but is a fun option to change it up from the usual Goa activities.

11. Kayaking at Patnem Beach.

Rent a kayak on Patnem Beach and go for a little paddle. And by little I mean a slightly strong paddle as the sea can be tiring. If you paddle out towards the South of the beach where the sea meets the river, it’s lovely and still. I was once surrounded by a mum and her baby dolphin here. Kayaks can be found to rent at most beaches in South Goa.

12. Take a B:Live Electric Bike Tour.

Try an electric bike tour where you can literally sit back and power the bike with the flick of a wrist. They have lots of different location options including Old Goa, Panjim, Chorao and Divar Island. If you are a bit nervous on the bike I would suggest one of the islands as the traffic on those is pretty non existent and you get to go on a little ferry across the river. Tours can be booked here.

13. Climb up to Chapora Fort.

Take the steep climb up to Chapora Fort to see the view over Vagator Beach. It isn’t the most exciting fort but it is a nice activity to get you away from the sun bed. And fits in perfectly with a deserved juice from the famous Chapora juice shop which is spoken about below.

14. Climb the huge rock in the sea at Palolem Beach.

Swim out to the huge rock at Palolem Beach, attempt to climb up, view the beautiful palm tree lined beach from a different angle and jump back off into the sea. It is easier to climb the rock at high tide and be careful of cutting hands and feet!

15. Go for the perfect beach run.

This may not sound adventurous to some but actually a great beach run can be a game changer for your day. Especially if it is at sunset or you are lucky enough to see dolphins – this happened in Agonda. Not all beaches in Goa are good for running and a lot of time it depends on tide timings as running on a slope isn’t so good for your knees. You can run any time of the day at Morjim, Mandrem or Palolem and only at low tide on Calangute, Patnem and Agonda.

16. Volunteer with the animals!

Rachel wrote about a few of the options here. This is pretty adventurous as you are likely to be out of your comfort zone whether it is helping out with animals or people. There are lots of great organizations needing your help and these add some really rewarding experiences to your travels. It can even be something as simple as taking a few dogs for a walk.

17. Get a tattoo at Inkfidel with Duncan.

If you are thinking about getting a tattoo in Goa please don’t go to one of the 3 million tattoo shops we have on every corner of every street. Duncan is the guy you need to speak to and the man who has drawn all over most of the residents of Goa. His work is great and he can help with any designs or ideas you want to create. Obviously only get a tattoo if you really want one as it is there forever! Check out @inkfideltattoo on instagram.

18. Go crocodile hunting in the mangroves.

Ok not actually hunting, no crocodiles will be harmed but go searching for the crocs that believe it or not, do live in Goa and hang out by the mangroves of Chorao and Divar Island. I did this trip recently with Uday, The Crocodile Man and we saw a HUGE sleeping crocodile. It is also just a lovely boat trip around the island. Contact Uday on +91 9021918613 to book.

Thalassa Sunset, Siolim

Relaxing Things to Do in Goa

19. Watch the sunset from Thalassa Restaurant.

Thalassa has moved to a beautiful spot in Siolim right next to the mouth of a river and a glorious sunset view. This is a bit over budget for a backpacker but if you had to treat yourself to a holiday experience whilst backpacking this is it. Dress up and eat lots of delicious Greek food.

20. Enjoy the lounge chairs at Antares in Little Vagator Beach.

This was a secret of Rachel’s, that if you eat at Antares you can use their sun beds which face the sunset and they have their own staircase going down to Little Vagator Beach. No seems to use these beds so you could have them all to yourself.

21. Take the long drive up North to Keri Beach.

Keri Beach is the last beach before Goa becomes Maharashtra. This is a very secluded area with not much going on at all. If you want the beach to yourself, take a picnic and your own umbrella and enjoy paradise for the day.

22. Let yourself have a foot massage on the beach.

Depending on which beach you are sat on, lots of ladies will come around asking to massage and thread you…give in, let yourself be pampered! You can also buy sarongs, anklets and other things you probably don’t need or want but it’s always nice to give them a little something. Just be firm that once you are done, you are done or they could end up sitting by your bed for the rest of the day offering another massage just in case you change your mind!

23. Go to the “secret” beach.

I won’t name it here, but please check out Rachel’s article and review for the hidden beach resort or you can skip and just use this link to book and see where this resort is ;)

24. Go to Snips Salon & Spa for a massage.

It’s much cheaper than back home and is fantastic. Treat yourself to a massage, hair spa, manicure, pedicure or all of the above if you are feeling fancy! There are two salons in North Goa now – Calangute or Porvorim.

25. Spend the day at Nilaya Hermitage’s swimming pool.

Pay Rs 500 to spend the day at Nilaya and use their amazing swimming pool. This is my favorite swimming pool in Goa. Have lunch here, try the grilled fish, and soak in the beautiful view over Arpora.

26. Get an amazing gel manicure to last your whole trip!

If chipped nails stress you out then go to Tanya at Sparaddise in Calangute where you can get the best gel manicure you will ever have. This is an inside local tip that most visitors won’t know about. Girls, thank me later!

27. Watch a sunset from Vagator Hill for a full panoramic view.

This is not such a common tourist spot as you have to know where to park your car but if you drive past La Rive in Vagator and leave your car at the bottom of the hill you can walk up to the top and have a beautiful panoramic view from Anjuna to Morjim.

28. Go bird watching at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

Take the car ferry over to Chorao Island and have a walk around Salim Ali bird sanctuary. There are lots of beautiful species of birds in Goa with lots of them being seen around the quiet mangroves. You can also take a boat trip around the island which is a great way to see a quieter side of Goa.

If bird watching is your thing you could also try this bird watching tour.

29. Hit up Fort Aguada Taj Hotel for drinks.

Take in the amazing view over an old Fort, sit in a fancy chair and order yourself a fancy cocktail at the Taj. This is a lovely hotel so dress up and try and make it for sunset.

30. Stay at Jamboree Creek!

If you want a cute jungle hut and swimming pool at decent prices, this is it. They have daily yoga classes, meditation classes and private access to the beautiful Mandrem Beach. Book a stay here.

Food Stalls at The Goa Collective Bazaar, Vagator

Foodie Things to Do in Goa

31. For traditional Goan Food…

Strangely it is actually quite difficult to find good Goan food in Goa. Try Bhatti Village in Nerul which resembles the kitchen of an old Goan Grandmother. The menu changes depending on what is available. And Nostalgia in Panjim which has recently opened in Fontainhas selling all the Goan delicacies. Try the xacuti, prawn rissois and beef croquettes.

And if you make it to The Goa Collective Bazaar, I have a food stall called Go Local where you can taste freshly made local food only on Fridays. The caldin, cutlet pao and tendli pickle may change your life!

32. Try “rava fry fish” and squeeze lime all over it.

This can be found all over Goa and is a must have if you are trying something new. Seafood in Goa is usually fresh and delicious, so try some prawns rava fry, mussels rava fry, fish rava fry, everything rava fry. It is basically fish coated and fried in spices and semolina. Yum!

33. Taste a bite of South India at Gunpowder in Assagao.

This was Rachel’s favorite restaurant that she always made time to eat at and was conveniently located not so far from her house. The veg curry and chili pork ribs were Rachel’s go-to but the chicken curries are what most go for. I love the andhra prawns and potato ishtew. And definitely get a couple of heavenly malabar parathas!

34. Eat Goan Sausage, Ros Omlette Pao, and drink a Sweet Lime Soda.

Goan sausage is apparently the Indian chorizo. Try a Goan sausage dish at a restaurant or a choriz pao at a street side vendor. You can also try a ros omlette pao which is Xacuti (coconut based curry) gravy with an omelet inside a soft pocket of bread known as poie which is the local Goan bread. Yum! A fresh lime soda, either sweet, salty or mixed is exactly what you need daily to keep you hydrated in the Goan sun. If you’re really branching out you can try the local liquor, cashew feni, which in my opinion smells like nail varnish remover. You are guaranteed to have a fun night and a sore head in the morning drinking feni cocktails.

35. Chill out and have a juice at the famous Scarlet’s juice center in Chapora.

This juice center is famous in Chapora with lots of locals hanging out here. This is a fun people watching spot, a great place to meet new people, or to just watch the world go by.

36. Take time for a long lunch at La Plage.

This is a beautiful lunch or dinner spot set back on the beach at Ashwem. It usually opens in December and closes in March so if you are in Goa in that window make sure you don’t miss out. It can be busy on weekends so you will need to book – which you rarely need to do in Goa unless you are a big group. The tuna is their famous dish but everything on the menu is amazing. Their Bloody Marys are very unique with an added curry flavor and are a huge local favorite. If you are with a big group or you love dessert, order the chocolate Thali, you will not be disappointed!

37. Eat at as many food stalls as possible at The Goa Collective Bazaar – The Friday Market.

The Goa Collective Bazaar which takes place every Friday from 4pm onwards at Hilltop in Vagator, is not just a market for shopping but also has some great cocktails and a huge food court. There is food from all over the world and lots of seating available. Come with an empty stomach and have a little nibble from as many as possible. Some recommendations are Eddie’s Khao Suey, Morgan’s Pizza, Bean Me Up, Irori Sushi, Freshly Baked Cupcakes, Falafels, Burrito Boys, and, of course, Go Local.

38. Have a coffee at Old Quarter Hostel in Fontainhas.

If you are planning to explore Fontainhas, the Portuguese style streets in Panjim, then stop for a coffee and rest your feet at Old Quarter. Bombay Coffee Roasters operates here so if you feel you are in need of an actual coffee and can’t bear to look at a Nescafe instant ever again, this is where you need to be.

If you would like to join a tour of Fontainhas, you can book here.

39. Have a beer at Joseph’s Bar.

Joseph’s Bar is a very old school hangout in the small back streets on Fontainhas in Panjim. It is a tiny bar with 2 tiny rooms that give you the real Indian feel. Sit down, have a beer, have a snack, and speak to the owner about how long he has been running it and all the issues they currently face with the neighbors and noise complaints.

You could also join this bar crawl of Goa which takes place in Panjim.

40. Eat a traditional Portuguese lunch or dinner at Venit.

Venit is down another great, tiny Portuguese-style lane in Fontainhas. You will feel you like you are in Portugal if you choose to dine on one of the tables with the balcony overlooking the street. The walls are covered with wise words from travelers who have been and gone and the menu has some of the best traditional Goan/Portuguese food.

41. Taste some typical Goan snacks from Mr. Baker in Panjim.

This bakery has been around since 1922 and has some delicious traditional Goan snacks you can munch on while you explore. These are the kinds of snacks that are served at all weddings, anniversaries, birthdays all over Goa. The options include beef chop, prawn rissois, beef croquette, veg chop, meat/veg samosa and lots more. If you are feeling adventurous try the dessert, Bebinca, which is a Goan cake that uses 24 eggs!

42. Treat yourself to a whole new eating experience at A Reverie.

Book yourself a table at A Reverie in Calangute where your taste buds will be in for a treat and you will be 100% wowed by the menu and the food presentation. They have amazing cocktails and dishes usually have a twist. You could feast alone on the starters as these are the most fun but the mains are also delicious.

Try the mushroom chai, Mexican pani puri, Goldrush coconut chips and the chicken lollipops. If you manage to have space for dessert the de-constructed Banoffee pie and the chicken or the egg are amazing. This place comes with quite a steep price tag compared to what you will be used to paying elsewhere but is a lot cheaper than what you would pay in your hometown. Highly recommended.

43. Try some of the best gelato in town.

Head to the local hangout in Anjuna, cream choc gelato, for the best ice cream in all of Goa. Yep in all of Goa! They have a nice seating area outside with a few cute resident dogs, including Tripod, the 3 legged dog that Rachel rescued after he was hit by a car. Try the salted caramel, dark chocolate and the delicious fruity sorbets!

44. Eat the famous chicken at the Saturday Night Market.

This chicken is genuinely famous in Goa. The queues are always huge and if you decide to line up you will know why. Ask anyone where the chicken man is and they will point you in the right direction – note he is only at Ingo’s Saturday Night Market.

Seasonal Things to Do in Goa

45. Celebrate Holi in Goa.

Holi is always a lot of fun in India. In Goa, it is nowhere near as crazy as other states as for some reason different neighborhoods celebrate it on different days and the Hindu community isn’t as comparatively large in Goa. However, you can always find some colorful powder to buy and some people to have a little color fight with. The best option is to go to an all day Holi party. Try La Rive, Sinq Pool Party or Hilltop. And of course you need to wear white!

46. Hit up the carnival in Arambol.

Arambol is probably the hippiest place in Goa although it wasn’t back in the day (Anjuna was). They have their own carnival every year in February. Head up to Arambol to celebrate the hippie lifestyle with drum circles, live music, hula hooping and lots of fancy dress.

47. Make sure you’re here on a Saturday for the Saturday Night Market.

There are now two different Saturday Night Markets, both in Arpora which can be confusing. The original one is called Ingo’s and is located just next door to the go-kart track. This is my preferred option as I know my way around it and there are some great food and shopping stalls here.

The newer market, Saturday Night Bazaar, sometimes has a fun fair – which I wouldn’t recommend – and always has a full car park. Be careful as some taxi drivers will pretend the other market is closed. This usually begins beginning of December. It has a great vibe and is a great evening out with shopping, live music and food.

48. Don’t miss the Panjim Carnaval.

This “Carnaval” takes place along North Goa as different areas compete for the best floats. The parade begins early in the day so make sure you go early to get a spot and witness all the creative and sometimes very weird and random floats. This is a great day out and a real treat if you are here during your travels. End the evening in Samba Square with live music and lots of snacks and drinks.

49. Go Narkasur hunting in October/November.

A Narkasur can only be found in Goa on the evening before Diwali. It is a strange tradition where different areas build the biggest demon possible and then burn their creation at a silly time in the morning. It is amazing to see the efforts people put in and the size they are able to build these monsters. I went on a little car journey with some friends to see what people had done. Each Narkasur usually has a group of people surrounding it dancing to some terrible EDM until the early hours!

Hideaway, Vagator

Nightlife Things to Do in Goa

50. Definitely experience a trance party at Hilltop or Curlies OR Shiva Valley or Soro.

There are a lot of trance parties in Goa. A lot. Goa is so known for this way of life that you really should experience the scene for yourself. Check wug.com for dates and this post on the best party places in Goa.

51. Watch some live music at Hideaway.

If trance is not your thing, like me, then head over to Hideaway in Vagator for some great food, great cocktails and an amazing vibe. They usually have a live band on a few nights a week so check their Instagram or Facebook page for updates. This is where you will find lots of locals and residents spending their weekends.

52. Go to the silent disco at Neptune’s Point on Palolem Beach.

At the furtherest South point on Palolem Beach is Neptune’s Point where they have a weekly silent disco every Saturday. Depending on the time of the season (not during monsoon season), it could be packed or it could be pretty empty. Either way, experiencing a silent disco on a beautiful beach in Goa is always going to be a win.

53. Catch a late night DJ set at The Goa Collective Bazaar – Friday Market.

The Goa Collective Bazaar which takes place every Friday always has a few live acts on throughout the evening. As the evening goes on and some of the stalls start to pack up the techno/trance DJ set begins until about 2:00 AM on good days. If you are in the mood to carry on, head to La Rive which is a short 5-minute drive away.

54. Hit up Soro for some old school Hip Hop on Thursdays only.

The only authentic Hip Hop night in Goa that actually plays good tunes. Head over to Soro in Assagao for a fun and very busy night.

55. Watch a great Indian dance show on Wednesdays.

This is a slight secret but if you head over to Chalston Beach Resort on a Wednesday evening and have dinner at their restaurant you can also watch their live Indian Dance Show for free. The show has quite a few different outfit changes as two amazing dancers take you through the different types of traditional dances found within India. You are encouraged to get up and move for the last one so wear your dancing shoes!

56. Hit the dance floor in Cavala on Fridays for retro music and some salsa.

If you are looking for some old school retro music then Cavala is where you need to be. Filled with lots of local regulars who have been dancing at Cavala for years, you will have a great time singing along with the band and watching the famous salsa dancers.

57. Check the ever-changing evening DJ line up at Prana Cafe.

Prana Cafe is not just great for lunch and a smoothie bowl; they also have select evenings with cool DJ lineups. The DJ area is pretty cool with a large lit up tree as the backdrop. Try the Piña Coladas and Tropical Rum Cocktails.

58. Don’t miss the shows at Thalassa on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Table bookings are essential for Thalassa. Probably the most famous restaurant in Goa, it is buzzing nearly every day of the week. Sunset tables are usually booked way in advance but if you are coming to party then the book the evening slot and stay until it closes which can sometimes be 3:00 AM. They have a large dance floor, a huge cocktail menu and a few shows that take place through the evening. Fire throwing, a very special Greek dance, a robot laser dance show, and sometimes the infamous male belly dancer. This place is not really backpacker budget friendly but you are definitely in for a fun night.

Shopping Things to Do in Goa

59. Buy some spices and tea as souvenirs.

You can’t come to India without buying some of the very colorful spices from the very cliche picture you hopefully took at the market. You’ll see them so much that it’s hard not to and of course they make great gifts. See what else to buy in Rachel’s India souvenir guide.

60. You better be here on a Wednesday too!

The Wednesday Flea market is one of the most famous hippie markets in the world. It’s located in Anjuna leading up to the beach and goes until sunset. It is a huge market that is very easy to get lost in. You could easily spend the whole day here but due to the heat it is better to get there early, make your way through the market, and then end up at Cafe Looda for a drink at the beach.

61. Buy an “India” scarf for the perfect souvenir from Fara.

These beautiful scarves are hand drawn onto silk and make great gifts or the perfect treat for yourself to remember your trip to India.

62. For more shopping, hit up Alchemy in Ashwem.

Fara (from above) and Studio TIA opened up a shop together called Alchemy, and it’s located in Ashwem. You can see some of her outfits here and check out her shop on Etsy too! These are beautifully designed pieces of clothing that you won’t find at home in your high street stores.

63. Get some clothing tailored and make your own fun designs at great prices.

You can take one of your favorite dresses to a local tailor who can copy for you in any fabric you desire. This can be great fun whether you want to make a suit, a new beach dress or the perfect festival shirt. Here’s how to get clothing made in India.

64. Visit Paperworks in Panjim for all your stationery needs.

This is a semi-secret shop in the far end of Panjim with a very confusing entrance. But once inside this shop will make you want to throw your clothes away and fill your bags with all the beautiful stationery they have to offer. Everything from beautiful writing paper, painted cards, wrapping paper to journals, diaries, bags. Everything.

65. Treat yourself to a trip to Rangeela.

This beautiful shop can be found in Assagao. Make time for a visit to see their beautiful collection of treasures the owners have found around India, Bali and on their travels to Africa. It is impossible to leave this shop without picking up at least one, if not more, treasure to take home.

66. Buy a secondhand book from Literati, the beautiful book shop in Candolim.

Check out Literati in Candolim for the perfect secondhand book for your travels. Or have a look through the shelves that line every single possible wall for the perfect brand new book. Books are a lot cheaper in India than in your hometown, so definitely worth buying them along the way rather than filling your bag. If the cafe is open, stop for a sweet lime soda and a sandwich.

67. Venture to the Friday Market for some premium goodies.

Yes, I have mentioned this market in nearly every section but it deserves to be here! It really has everything you will need for your Friday night out. So head to The Goa Collective Bazaar for your not-so-common shopping experience at Indian markets. Here you will find good quality items, one off designers and lots of premium goodies.

68. Buy some local art from Studio Arpora.

Check out Studio Arpora, the cutest gallery in Goa with the most beautiful paintings by Shireen Mody and the loveliest illustrations by her daughter Saffron. Prints can be bought that can be easily packed and added to your luggage. Don’t miss out on seeing Shireen’s palm tree series in real life!

Villa Alina, Calangute

Luxury Things to Do in Goa

69. For a “splurging out” stay in South Goa…

Try the beautiful Alila Diwa in the South. It was Rachel’s favorite 5 star hotel in all of Goa and she treated herself to a few getaways here.

70. Treat yourself to a Sunday Brunch at the Grand Hyatt.

This really is a special treat but is so worth it. Spend a lazy Sunday at the Hyatt in Bambolim. Fill yourself up at the mouth watering food stations and then roll yourself out to the sun beds to make the most of their lovely pool. I would recommend booking ahead for this one as it does get busy. Lots of 5 stars offer Sunday Brunch deals so if you don’t feel like trekking to Bambolim have a look at some of your closer options.

71. Stay at Villa Alina – perfect for larger group stays!

Villa Alina offers six bedrooms to a single group of up to 16 people. Treat yourself to a whole villa experience with your own private infinity pool, daily maid service, 24-hour security, sunset views, breakfast included and the comfiest beds in all of Goa!

Check here for even more luxury stays in Goa

Expat Things to Do in Goa

72. Consider renting a house.

If you do end up staying in Goa for a month or more, it may be worth looking into renting a furnished place rather than staying at hotels or hostels. You can look on Airbnb or you can just stay in a guesthouse until you find somewhere. Here’s a guide to renting in Goa. There are lots of cute little Goan houses available for long term rent at great prices.

73. Take some classes at Tito’s Whitehouse or Artjuna.

You can do kickboxing, yoga, pilates, and more. Classes are affordable and happen every week. It’s a great way to meet people who live in Goa.

74. Sign up to the Sensible Earth co-working space.

Sensible Earth is a beautiful spot in the backstreets of Porvorim. They are a co-working space dedicated to finding sustainable solutions to help the world become a better place. They have an amazing open space that allows the breeze to fly through whilst being surrounded by trees and all things green. This is also a great way to meet new and like-minded people.

75. Catch a movie at the Inox Cinema at Mall De Goa.

This is one of my favorite activities in Goa that makes me feel like I am back home in London. The cinema in India is way better than in London. Your chairs recline; you can eat mixed cheese and caramel popcorn (yes this is the best thing ever!); they have an interval in the middle so you don’t have to miss any of the movie for a toilet break; they usually have air conditioning (take a jacket it can get cold!), and the price tag for one ticket in London is about the same as going 6 times in India. Try it, it’s a nice break from the non-stop travelling if you have been on the road for a while.

Hopefully this list of things to do in Goa will keep you going for a long time! Let us know what you enjoyed or if you have any must do’s you think should be added. Enjoy!

For More Goa Travel Planning Guides:

Check out some of these posts to help you continue planning your trip to India:

Goa Travel Tips

Trip Planning Tips

Logistics

Packing Tips

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Corona Diaries – Lockdown in Goa

Jules Nazareth — Sat, 23 May 2020 16:00:09 +0000

As the world closes down and takes a break due to Covid-19 we are faced with a new way of doing things. Masks on, distance kept between everyone, closures and a real emptiness. As you may all imagine, keeping distance, peace and quiet doesn’t really come to mind when thinking about India. Below are some images of what I am seeing in Goa and how we are handling the situation.

Here is the line for the supermarket Newton’s on the first day of opening after 3 days of full closure on all shops in Goa. Crazy!

When shops were finally allowed to open, the rules were clearly stated. No mask, no entry!

The tips on preventing the spread of Covid-19 are put up on main roads. This is Panjim

Everyone in Goa has to wear a mask when out on the streets. A sari is a perfect makeshift mask

Ferries to Divar Island are usually full with cars and scooters but here we have lots of room and motorists with masks

The Lady of Immaculate Conception in Panjim – A million rupee shot, usually impossible to get a picture of the church without people or someone taking a cheeky selfie

Fruit shopping with masks and an impossibly empty road. Other than at 4am, you can usually never find a road without traffic

The lockdown has meant a lot of dogs are starving due to there being no scraps from shacks, food carts or anyone walking the streets

The new attire necessary for any beach walk – Calangute Beach

Delfino’s, one of the main supermarkets in North Goa has implemented a socially distanced queuing system

An impossibly clean and empty Calangute Beach. This is the main staircase of Calangute that is usually filled with at least 1000 tourists!

The new norm for vegetable shopping

Street Sweepers in Goa

Middle seats blocked off in Manipal Hospital to help enforce social distancing

Southern Calangute Beach resembling paradise with no beach shacks, no people, no watersports and no rubbish. Notice the clear horizon line due to the reduction in pollution

Mango roadside shopping with masks and distance kept

The usually buzzing Mapusa Market is completely empty with all stalls banned. This is the street normally full of fruit stalls

‘No Mask No Liquor’ is a common notice seen around Goa now. As well as lots of ‘No Mask No Entry’ for shops

Hope the images helped give you a little insight into lockdown in Goa and maybe you even recognised some of the places you have visited. We can only hope things will slowly open up and go back to normal soon. Goa is missing its people and its tourism.

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10 Cool Things to Do in HAMPI: Chasing Sunsets and Climbing Boulders

Jules Nazareth — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 12:00:43 +0000

Rachel first visited and wrote about this beautiful landmark back in 2014. You can read her original post here. With the help of one of her close friends, Jules, we’ve given this post a much needed update. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Hampi today!

I, Jules, first made a last minute trip to Hampi in 2016 on my last holiday to Goa before I decided to move there. It was a crazy trip squashed in the middle of a jam packed 2 week holiday with 15 people. We decided we didn’t want to be away from Goa for too long so 5 of us thought it would be a good idea to do a rapid overnight trip to Hampi and back. Looking back it was great but wow it was quick with a lot of time spent in the car and I am not sure I would recommend going for that short of a time. Instead I’d spend at least two nights here.

We left at 10am from North Goa and arrived in Hampi after the sun had gone down and actually the boats across the river had stopped. This left us no choice but to take an illegal Karnataka coconut boat (these are explained below) trip across the river in absolute silence and complete darkness so we didn’t get caught by the police. We stayed one night, did one full day of temple sight-seeing, watched one glorious sunset, and got back in the car and drove 8 hours back to Goa.

My second trip to Hampi was in 2017 where I gave myself a more reasonable 2 night stay which included a huge thunder and lightening storm, two glorious sunsets, and some of the same and a few new temples.

Before I tell you all about Hampi, I want to make sure you know about the India Guide ebook which is literally everything you need to know about traveling in India safely and will make sure you see all the best “do not miss” places here on your budget, which can be under $20 a day if you wanted it to. Buy it here. Read more about the book and see reviews here.

Hampi is like something straight out of the set of Jurassic Park. The huge boulders don’t seem to make sense. How are they placed in such strange positions? Why aren’t they rolling down hills and squashing all tourists in their paths? Not to mention the sheer size and open landscape of it all. It is literally a magical town where they must have used some form of magic or sorcery to build the temples all those hundreds of years ago… To have all those beautiful boulders scattered around as they are – some are even purposefully balanced on top of another. Apparently some of that magic is erosion but we will come on to that.

If you can fit Hampi into your trip schedule, do not hesitate and if you can’t then you should try and re-work your schedule. Hampi has the right balance between history, beautiful architecture, nature and fun backpacker vibes.

What is Hampi?

Hampi is a UNESCO world heritage site in Karnataka, India, about 7 hours from Bangalore or 10 from Goa by overnight bus.

While you can only see it in ruins now, it was once one of the richest cities in the world. Yep, the whole world, not just India. It was the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire for over 200 years. Once upon a time, you would enter an ancient metropolis adorned with temples, palaces, markets streets, and religious monuments. It flourished between the 14th and 15th century with most temples and monuments being Hindu alongside a few Jain temples and one Muslim mosque and tomb.

In 1565, everything changed after the battle of Talikota took place and the city of Vijayanagara was defeated. Armies spent 5 months destroying monuments, and what you see today is what remains.

As Rachel said, unlike Stonehenge, where the attraction is a small area, the entire town of Hampi is the attraction. This city is in the middle of nowhere and you can spend days exploring different corners.

Hampi Travel Tips

When to Go to Hampi

Don’t go in the hottest months (April and May) as sightseeing will be unbearable.

How to Get to Hampi

By Bus

If you are travelling from Goa, a bus can be taken from the bus stands of Mapusa or Panjim, directly to Hospet. This is an overnight bus and takes around 11 hours. Have a look or on Redbus and if traveling solo think about booking 2 sleeper beds next to each other to avoid having a stranger in your compartment.

The bus stop is also a small market.

By Train

Additionally, you can take a daytime train from Vasco De Gama in the South of Goa to Hospet. Check all my tips for booking a train here. If you want to book, you book here.

Once at Hospet take a rickshaw to your chosen accommodation in Hampi which should be approximately 13km away.

Getting Around Hampi

The best way to explore Hampi is by rickshaw (more on that below). If you want to stay on the same side of the river as Rachel did, do not drive there, it’s a huge wrap around. Instead, take the taxi boat across. It only takes 3 minutes, BUT it stops running at 5:00 PM, and there is no way to the other side except to drive for an hour. If it’s late at night you’re bound to get lost in the jungle as Rachel did!

Where to Stay in Hampi

2020: Please check the area you have booked is not Anegundi, across the river as most places are unfortunately closed awaiting demolition

View From the Room

Boulders

Another great and slightly more expensive option is Boulders. It is located outside of the main tourist area of Hampi and is approximately 7km from the main World Heritage sites. It is set on the banks of the Tunghbadra River in the Yamini Hills. Perfect for nature lovers and travellers who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the usual India. The accommodation can help with a driver to take you around sightseeing during the day. Check prices here

Shanthi Guesthouse

Rachel originally stayed at Shanthi Guesthouse which was 12,000 INR for 3 nights, although she thinks they could have negotiated better had they not been fairly intoxicated the majority of the time. That price included breakfast and laundry and was in December at peak season (when rates are doubled). The cottages are along the rice paddies and you are GUARANTEED a badass view of the greatest sunset of all time from a swinging porch bed. Check prices here

Sloth Bear Resort

Another spot Rachel also stayed was at the Sloth Bear Resort, which is part of a National Park and you can, as you might guess, see sloth bears on safari. Read the review here and check prices here

Mowgli Guesthouse

If you want another option for where to stay in Hampi, Rachel also stayed at Mowgli Guesthouse which is pretty identical and has similar reviews online. They have the same exact view from the rooms, which are now called “vista rooms,” as well as many guesthouses in Hampi.

The service wasn’t great. It’s the view that counts. Hampi doesn’t have a lot to offer for accommodation so these are your best bet. Check prices here

Hyatt

When Rachel’s parents came, these were booked and nothing else looked appealing so they stayed 45 minutes away at the Hyatt, which was in a unique workers complex. Check prices here

Check here for more places to stay in Hampi

Places to Visit in Hampi

When visiting Hampi, be ready to spend your day exploring temples. There’s a lot, like really a lot, of incredible landscapes to see and unbelievably huge boulders you’ll want to take photos next to. Rachel walked through mazes of boulders wondering how in the hell it all came to be, and when it is your turn, you will be feeling the same. After doing a quick Google search you will find out that geologists state after millions and maybe even billions of years of erosion from rain, sun and wind, the monoliths began to crack, break and fall into what we see today. Still sounds pretty magical!

The Vijaya Vittala Temple is famous for its intricately carved chariot while the Virupaksha Temple is an impressive 49-meters tall. The Narasimha Statue, which was Rachel’s favorite and also one of mine, is carved from one single stone, and the Hanuman Temple sits on top of a hill. There’s also the underground Shiva Temple which remains partially flooded all year round and many many more temples you’ll want to see!

Rachel wrote that Hampi is said to be the Vanara Sena, or Kingdom of the Apes, which as Hindus believe, is where Lord Rama fought in the Ramayana. You will understand this reference when faced with the large groups of monkeys trying to steal the bananas you were coerced into buying from the local salesman – be careful!

10 Things to Do in Hampi: What Not to Miss!

From Rachel’s trip with her mom and dad

1. Hire a local rickshaw driver to take you around all the sites for a day

There is a lot see in Hampi so maybe narrow it down. If you have time, split your temple visits across a few days. After a few temples I know we all can feel a bit temple-d out and then miss the beauty of what we are meant to be seeing. My advice would be to find a rickshaw driver you like and ask him to take you to 3 temples, somewhere for lunch and one sunset spot each day.

If you are lucky some rickshaw drivers will tell you information about each temple as you are about to enter it. However, I suggest buying a little information book from the bazaar with facts and pictures of each World Heritage Site to help explain the beauty of what you are seeing. Your rickshaw driver may also have some secret spots to show you, away from the crowded tourist track! And if you are lucky, he might even let you have a sneaky test-drive on the deserted back roads of Hampi. It is definitely more difficult that it looks!

The price you should pay per day really depends on the amount of sites you visit, the distance covered and how much you enjoyed the day. I would suggest between 500 and 800 INR per day per rickshaw – not per person.

2. Take the taxi boat across the river to the “hippie” side of Hampi, Anegundi.

2020 Update: Unfortunately, Anegundi is currently going through some major developments with a majority of the area about to be demolished. Hold off any plans to stay on this side for now and hopefully we will have some good news by the beginning of next season – October.

Don’t forget to see both sides of the river! As Rachel said, this is so you can take part in drum circles, dread-lock making, and whatever other hippie activities. This also puts you on the side of the reservoir where you can experience the quiet of Hampi. You will usually find a big hippie community with hostels, restaurants, movie nights, bouldering groups, and lots of lovely luscious green rice paddy fields.

3. Catch the sunset from Hanuman Temple on top of the hill

This is a beautiful spot that gives you a 360 degree view over the amazing and unbelievable selection of boulders in Hampi. It is a 572 step climb so don’t make the mistake of trying to conquer this hill during the daytime heat and don’t let the step count put you off as it really is a view you shouldn’t miss. It does get busy at the peak sunset hour so if you are feeling motivated, try and make it for sunrise instead. You will need to hire a rickshaw to take you to this spot – ask for Monkey Temple Hill or Hanuman Temple.

4. Go cliff jumping and cool off in Hampi’s lake – watch out for the crocs!

Cool off in the large swimming lake a short drive outside the main sites of Hampi. This lake has a huge warning sign for crocodiles painted on the rock but Rachel never saw any and everyone there was swimming. Locals said there aren’t any in the lake, only the river. You’ll see a group of people laying out near the main cliff, and if it’s empty that day, ask a guide where people jump. The water isn’t clear, but people have been jumping from this same place for years! Take a rickshaw or ask the locals for directions to the swimming lake.

Colorful Guests Visiting the Elephant Stables

5. Be amazed by the size of the Elephant Stables.

The old Elephant Stables are on the same grounds as the Lotus Mahal. Venture inside what used to be where the Maharajahs would keep their elephants and compare the size of these to your usual horse stables. Have a seat in the shaded grassy area with a freshly cut coconut and think about the unlucky soul who had to clean each one.

6. Enjoy views from Matanga Hill after all your temple sightseeing.

This is a slightly more challenging climb that doesn’t have a specific route, more like a climb up along some man-made rock steps. It should take no more than 30 minutes with reasonable fitness and gives you a 360 degree view of Hampi including some of the World Heritage Sites. A great place to see the full beauty of Virupaksha Temple from a distance. Another great spot for sunrise and sunset.

Rachel did it with a guide who gave her some cool bits of information. For example, the statue of Ganesh (who is her favorite god!) has a snake around his stomach. The guide/driver shared that it was to keep him from eating too much food!

7. Get a guide at Vijaya Vittala Temple – Chariot Temple

You are probably sick of being offered guided tours around every single site you visit but if you are going to choose one in Hampi, do it at Vijaya Vittala Temple which is also where the famous carved stone chariot is. I suggest a guide here because they will show you how to play music on the 56 musical pillars (probably/hopefully not all of them) at the Ranga Matapa. If hit in the right way each pillar makes a different note. You can have a try yourself but good luck finding the right pillars!

8. Hire a Karnataka boat and driver to take you out in the lake. Go for a swim!

The boats are traditional fishing boats for the state and are made from trees and tar. Maybe even buy the boat, like Rachel did. On the Hampi lake you shouldn’t pay any more than 250 INR for a little boat trip around the lake. These are the same boats that were used to cross over to Anegundi before the introduction of the actual motor boat, and the same boat I had to sneak across the river in on my first trip to Hampi!

9. Take a break at Mango Tree

On the same side of the river as the Virupaksha Temple there is a great restaurant for backpackers called Mango Tree. Take a break from the Hampi heat and have a mango shake or a thali. Word has spread about this place so it can be difficult to get a seat at peak times.

10. Go bouldering

I am sure you are well aware by now but in case you aren’t, Hampi is full of boulders. All different shapes and sizes that keep you waiting for a dinosaur to pop its head around the corner any minute. If you are feeling like you can’t see another temple or you’re in the mood for a challenge then pay a visit to to one of the few bouldering centres located in Anegundi. Tom and Jerry, Goan Corner – Boulder Centre (also a great hostel) and Sunny’s Bouldering School. We don’t have any personal testimonials but check out their TripAdvisors page for the latest reviews. And if you are lucky you might even get a few dogs to oversee your climb!

Again seeing as this is taking place in Anegundi, we will need to wait for some more information regarding the demolition and update you in October, until then please do contact the centres directly as the boulders will be there, demolition or no demolition.

And there you have it, all the best things to do in Hampi. Have you been? What did you think?

General India Travel Tips

Can’t go to Hampi, if you can’t get into India. Yes, you do need a visa, even if you’re only here for a short time. It’s super easy, and you can get it right on iVisa.
Don’t forget to get some travel insurance! Especially if you’re going to do some of the more adventurous activities. We always recommend World Nomads, and you can even easily get a quote on the sidebar or going here.
For cheap domestic flights, compare on Kiwi.
If you need a phone while in India and you can’t use SIM cards, try out Trabug.

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