Goa, when it started to feel like Home - Chapter 3

My mind keeps telling me, “Explore new places! See the world! Try a different continent!” But my heart? My heart just whispers one word: Goa. It’s a conflict I’ve had for years. It’s not that I don’t love exploring, but when I think of a vacation, Goa feels less like a destination and more like a second home—a place where my soul exhales and my feet feel at peace.

I’ve been to many beach destinations, but the unique charm of Goa is something no other place has quite captured. This time, we decided to brave North Goa, a region I usually avoid due to the crowds. Our destination? The serene, laid-back haven of Arambol. I wanted to experience the North without the Baga-Calangute madness, and Arambol was the perfect compromise. Little did I know, the madness would start long before we even got there.

The Great Flight Debacle: My Vacation Was Canceled by a Phone Call

We were in the taxi, just minutes from the airport, when my phone rang. The caller ID flashed “SpiceJet.” My heart sank. I answered, and an automated voice calmly delivered the worst news a traveler can hear: "Your flight to Goa scheduled for 11:15 AM has been canceled."

I looked at my wife, my face a mask of disbelief. "It's the Boeing 737 MAX," I said. "It's been grounded." We had no idea our flight was on that very aircraft, which had been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Our vacation, it seemed, was grounded before it even took off.

We arrived at the airport to pure chaos. The airlines' counter was a scene straight out of a disaster movie, with a mob of frantic travelers demanding answers from beleaguered ground staff who only offered a reimbursement. I wasn't here for the money; I was here for the beach, the beer, and a break from reality!

My wife, a master of productive nagging, began her work on the ground staff. "We have a vacation to save!" her eyes seemed to say. While she distracted the troops, I got hold of an absolute angel on the SpiceJet customer care helpline. I explained the situation, and she offered me three seats on a 5 PM flight via Mumbai with a six-hour layover. I told her that was a non-starter with a kid in tow. After a few more minutes, she offered seats on a 7:30 PM direct flight. The catch? She couldn't guarantee it wouldn't be canceled.

I was in a dilemma. My resume proudly proclaims "Risk Taker" in bold, but this felt less like a career move and more like tempting fate. Meanwhile, other passengers were frantically rebooking on different airlines at a much higher cost. The phone angel sounded confident. "Based on my experience," she said, "there's a good probability the flight will take off."

"Risk Taker I am," I said to myself. “Okay, please book it,” I told her, my fingers crossed so tight they probably turned purple.

The next 9.5 hours were the longest of my life. My mind was a battlefield of doubt and hope. It was a whole day wasted, just sitting in a chair, contemplating the great mystery of air travel. Finally, the evening came. We were about to board, and I still had my fingers crossed. I would only relax when the wheels were up. And just like that, we were off! We landed at Dabolim airport at 10 PM, crashed into our hotel in Arambol two hours later, and slept like the tired babies we were.

The Arambol Retreat: The Vibe Was More Than Right

The next morning, we were all recharged. We had breakfast and walked just a minute to the beach. This is it, I thought. This is what it's all about. The chaos of yesterday melted away. We jumped into the water, built sandcastles, and found a sunbed to call our own. Arambol has dozens of shacks, all with delicious food and cheap beer. I ordered a tuna, a fresh catch, and when it came to the table with all the veggies and sauces, it was a work of art. The beer just made it taste even better.

That night, we walked along the beach, content and full. The next day, we repeated the routine, but picked a different shack. This one was all about the ambiance, with soft candlelight and lamps. The food was decent, but the vibe was magical.

Arambol's nightlife is fantastic. Many shacks have live music, and there's a market nearby perfect for picking up souvenirs. My son bought a toy beach buggy, which is now sitting on my study table, slightly broken. A perfect souvenir for a chaotic trip.

Arambol Beach

The Day We Left the Sunbed: A North Goa Excursion

We followed our beautiful, lazy routine almost every day, except for that one day we hired a scooter. We set out to relive some memories. Our first stop was Fort Aguada, which had been closed on a previous trip. It was a redemption mission. We also got caught by two guys who tried to sell us a club membership, a classic North Goa scam that wasted 20 precious minutes of our lives.

On the way to Chapora Fort, we stopped at a local restaurant for a Goan Thali. The fish curry, with its local spices, was a revelation. Then it was time for the final push to Chapora Fort to catch the sunset. I wished there was a lift—but no, just stairs. My dignity took a hit, but a friendly dog joined us for the climb, which was a nice gesture. We reached the top, only to find the entire place packed. We settled for "less fortunate" seats, but the view was still breathtaking.

That night, we had a table booked at Thalassa, one of the most happening clubs in Goa. We were dead tired, but the moment we entered and heard the music, our exhaustion vanished. We danced, had dinner, and left feeling revitalized.

Fort Aguada

Chapora Fort

View from other side of Chapora Fort

View of the Sea

Sunset from Chapora Fort

Thalasa, Goa

The Takeaway: Why Goa Is More Than a Place'

The next day, we were back to our routine, and that's why I love Goa so much. Even the same old routine feels new and beautiful. It's a place to simply exist, relax under the sun, and let all the stress melt away.

And then came the most depressing day of our vacation: the day we had to go home. We packed our bags with heavy hearts and left for the airport, promising to return soon. No matter where my mind wants to go, my heart will always lead me back to Goa.