A little bit of paradise every now and then - Goa !

Going to Goa for me for almost every second holiday, can be best described through the lyrics of song by Simon & Garfunkel - Homeward Bound :

"Homeward bound

Home where my thought's escapin'

Home where my music's playin'

Home where my love lies waitin' silently for me"

Candolim with a view of Fort Aguada

My love, is the sea ! The miles and miles of water, with no apparent end, brings me peace and calm like no mountain ever could. I have visited Goa on multiple occasions and across the various seasons. The unrelenting heat, the cool monsoon, the warm and balmy winters.

Monsoon in Goa

The most recent trip was with the kids - we just got back, tanned and happy. Some folks asked me what I did there for 5 days. My answer was pretty simple - the beach, and the pool ! Being water crazy people, me and kids were pretty much in the sea. When we were done with the sea, we were relaxing in the pool ! 

Goa, is everything I love. The sea, the warm weather, the shorts and t-shirts, the relaxed vibe.

This holiday, with the kids, I managed to drag myself out of Candolim. Since everyone knows how expensive cabs are in Goa, me and kids, took a bus and reached Baga. Baga beach and the famous Tito's lane, were quite disappointing. I had a much different thought of the place  in my mind and when I walked down Tito's lane till the beach, I just wanted to run back ! It's not my kind of place. The lane was probably ok to walk down with the kids as most of the places were closed, but I am sure after 6pm, I cannot walk there with my kids. The beach was dirty. We didn't even step into the water. 

From Baga, we took a bus again to Mapusa to change to Anjuna. A very long ride, with nice views of the Goan countryside, we finally reached Anjuna after about an hour. Anjuna, was a stark contrast to Baga. There suddenly had a relaxed and hippy feel to the whole place. We actually had to visit a particular place that came in on a very high recommendation from my brother, for Brunch. From  the bus stop, we walked via the beach and inside lanes of Anjuna into the scorching, winding road called Market Road ( named after the Anjuna Wednesday Flee Market Road ). The roads were long and winding, partly shaded with trees. The shops were suddenly selling OM t-shirts and the air might have been smelt of pot ! I could imagine the music festival happening on the beach ( though that happens at Vagator ). Anjuna seemed a little south Goa in north Goa. 

Anjuna 

Finally after a 20 min walk, we finally reached Orange Boom, sweaty and tired. But like the Orange, the place refreshed us. The owners were warm and welcoming, and we settled down to brunch. Hot and fresh sandwiches, mouth-watering waffles and pancakes, chilled coffee and mango shakes and ice cream ! We simply gorged on the good food and forgot about the heat. 

The place is made in such a way, that you feel you are sitting in the veranda of your very own Goan home, with an open kitchen ! This place is going to be on my regular must-visit places every time I go to Goa now on. 

The way back we were less adventurous and took a cab back to Candolim and we were back to doing what we are best at : sea bathing ! 

Shacking it out ..and totally lovin' it ! 

Time goes by slowly and at a leisurely place in Goa. One place where the watch is redundant. Goa is my favorite place in India. The relaxed vibe, the warm weather and endless sea, keep pulling me back ..homeward bound ! 

Marhabaa Dubai !!!

An oasis in the desert !! An often heard phrase, Dubai is the one city that truly encompasses this phrase in it's totality. My first visit to Dubai was in January 2005. I spent 14 days there at the Dubai Docks while our ship was under repair and maintenance. At the time, I didn't find Dubai all that impressive. Yes the regular structures were there - the Burj-Al-Arab, which is my favorite landmark in Dubai till date. The pristine white-blue building, stands calm in the blue-green waters of the Arabian Sea. 

Back in 2004, there was crazy construction happening in Dubai. The Burj Khalifa was under construction at a phenomenal pace. Every few days we could see it getting a little taller. There was reclamation of the sea's happening, dust everywhere. Public transport was limited to cabs. The largest mall at the time was the Mall of the Emirates - with the huge Ski Dubai and the largest ever Jumbo Electronics store I have ever seen till date.

For the first time, I ventured in the dhows, and saw the souks of Dubai - the Gold Souk is so novel to Dubai. The glitter literally blinded my eyes- all that glittered there was and still is gold ! Quite against the old English proverb. 

Fast forward to June 2016 and 12 years later I was back in Dubai this time with kids in tow. And the Oasis blew me away. Dubai had changed and how ! The change, and the new was all so visible. The Burj Khalifa stood tall - visible from almost every corner of Dubai. The Palm Jumeriah had taken final shape and wowed us when we viewed it from the 125th floor of the Burj-Al-Arab. The Atlantis hotel stood tall against the Arabian Sea. Jumeriah Beach Road, extended beyond what I had seen in 2004. The Dubai Marina had been developed into this amazing promenade, with apartments, walkways and boat rides- almost like a little Venice in Dubai.

The Mall of the Emirates, was no longer the largest mall in Dubai. The Dubai Mall had left it behind,by the many miles. The Dubai Mall is so huge, that during my six day stay there, I always managed a new exit. I don't think I ever manged to see the mall in it's entirety. The Aquarium at the mall was a hit with the kids and they were always excited to see the fishes, whales and sharks, swimming by every time we crossed the Aquarium.

The Dubai Mall seems to have become like a center of Dubai. With the Ho-Ho buses starting or stopping there, the musical fountains and the access to the Burj Khalifa also from within the mall, Dubai mall was the epicenter for almost every activity. 

Dubai also came across as a very child friendly destination. With so much to do ( and most of it expensive and not free !! ) the kids had a blast. The Aquarium, the Desert Safari, 125th floor at the Burj Khalifa, one the largest and longest book stores I have seen in my life, Atlantis, the Wild Wadi water park or simply a walk on Jumeirah Beach, we had lots to do and see there. The place is so safe, there was no fear of any thing happening or even them getting lost in the crowd. Dubai is a great change for any parent wanting to take their family on a kid-friendly vacation.

night in the middle of the desert

With food not a problem at all, and public transport sorted out there with their metro, along with the quaint Dhow's and the regular taxi's, Dubai should be visited. It an example of wealth and money, power and tall, taller, tallest. 

My favorite place in Dubai- The Irish Village , just behind the Jumeriah Creekside Hotel. A lively place every evening, the place has a very Irish feel, with many pubs, open air seating and original Guinness Beer, the place is great for an evening out. 

Burj-Al-Arab

All that glitters is gold @ the Gold Souk

Dubai- The city has changed, the skyline is ever changing. In all this change, there have only remained two constants. The sail shaped white-blue Burj-Al-Arab and the ever so glittering Gold Souk. 

Pondicherry- Forget about life for a while !

Finally,after many many years, a plan got made to visit the quaint little sea town of Pondicherry. Having always heard about the very French town of Pondi, me and the kids with the grandma in tow, made it there. An early morning flight to Chennai and then a two and half hour road trip later, I was in Pondi. First impression- oh my god ! I am surrounded by Tamilians... ok!ok ! I am also a Tamilian but this was crazy. Chennai- the airport and arrivals - noisy and hot.. and Pondicherry city- noisy and hot. The road was fantastic - we came via the Villapuram by-pass and it was a fantastic road. 

Checked into our hotel- The Accord Pudducherry ( as pondy, is now officially known as ) and we were exhausted. Now Pondy, is all of just 10kms in a circular radius. And this was new Pondicherry- so it was totally Tamil and no French. In the evening, we figured out how to reach French Town and it simply blew us away. Beautiful villas and buildings, relatively quiet and clean roads, and an amazing Promenade ( also know as Goubert Ave ) .. the sea beyond,splashing on the rocks and a road closed for traffic every evening - it was the stuff I dream of a holiday. It seemed everyone in Pondy was there that evening, yet you could find your own space of peace and quiet. Since we were tired, we just walked around a bit and on my son's insistence came back to the hotel for dinner. 

one of the many French streets 

Day 2 - I finally figured out the Ola's are available in Pondy and we took a cab down to Auroville. The entire trip to Pondy was worth it after visiting Auroville. Now anyone who knows me, knows I am a non-believer in God but Auroville isn't about God. It's about finding your peace in what makes you happy. Everyone who goes there finds their own worship. The Matrimandir is surreal ... with sprawling lawns and an amphitheater. The 1.5 km walk to the Matrimandir was literally through a forest - with the most amazing Banyan tree formation I have ever seen. It is supposed to the the geographical center of Auroville. Its easy to move around in Auroville - you can walk or cycle or even take a complimentary bus. After many photo's and oooh's and aaah's we came back to French town and strolled into a cute little pizza place. The evening was even better- Serenity beach. 

Banyan tree spreading it's roots 

The Matrimandir

the best part of the holiday

The calm but deceptive- Bay of Bengal

Happiness !!!!!

Now Pondi isn't a beach town. It's not Goa. Serenity beach isn't Candolim lined with shacks. Its just a little beach with waters nice enough for a splash. The kids went totally ballistic. Finally it seemed like a holiday to them !!! Vivaan even visited the Ganesh temple in French Town - he was absolutely fascinated by Laxmi - the resident elephant giving him blessings. In face he went there twice. 

Day 3- Back to French town, we explored the Aurobindo Ashram which was just a quick 10 minute trip for us and then we explored French Town on a cycle rickshaw. The world seemed to travel back in time that afternoon - life was a tad slower, a little more scenic, a step back and breath short. We soaked in the most beautiful part of Pondy - the world war memorial, the Dupliex statue, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral -a beautiful Portuguese church with white and gold columns. 

Favorite picture 

Favorite picture 

Our evening was again spent strolling at the Promenade, with the kids and their grandma having Chundal ( something with chickpea's and raw mangoes ), a pasta dinner at an open air sea side cafe and topped with Gelato's. Cést La Vie!!!!!

Pondi is great place to visit but keep in mind that it's not as French as we believe. The French influence is limited till French town and a Bakery called Bakers Town. The rest of the town is very Tamil and we were lucky to have my mom around, who thanks to the Tamil roots, was our translator. Else it is tough to get around. The auto guys take you for a ride on the price and almost refuse to negotiate. Use Ola's - much easier and less bumpy. 

We spent about 3 days in Pondi which is ample. While we stayed in New Pondi, it makes sense to stay in French town - which is where most of the tourists stay. On our return, we took the famous East Coast Road - brief views of the sea greeted us once in a while. We stopped at Mahabalipuram to see the caves, Krishan's butter rock and the shore temple but even more interesting, was a visit to India's only Sea-Shell Museum. Owned by a private collector, it was absolutely amazing to see the many many varieties of sea-shell's. The icing on the cake, was however the fish pedicure, which at Rs. 100/ per person was a steal !!!!!! 

Krishna's Butter Rock made for a natural slide down

We stayed a day in Chennai before coming to back - after almost 20 years Chennai is still the same ! 

Pondi is a great place but for about two to three days. It makes for a great place to just do nothing - I wouldn't mind spending sometime again there - with the sea and a lovely Promenade for a walk, its a lovely place for unwinding and forgetting about life for a while.