Goa Photo Shoot- 2025 January

 Photos by Dash. Location- a beach in Goa.

Tourism and Goa

 Goa occupies a unique spot in our psyche out here in India. Its tropical beaches stretch for miles, and give you an opportunity to swim or bathe in the sea almost any time of the year, except when it is raining heavily. Very few beaches in the world can compare. 

But more than this, it's an idea. Just the mention of Goa brings a smile to anyone's face. Stories of plans made to go there tumble out, many of which went unfinished. Some who actually made it want to do more of it. I have rarely met a person who does not wish to holiday in Goa, in all these years. It's almost a magical land.

Maybe, at a psychological level, it's a place where you can BE. Try and discover yourself, your limits. Not just the drinking limits, but in forgetting your routines, and immersing yourself-figuratively, in the sea. Enjoying the present, without a care of the past or the future.

Having been there about 8-10 times now, probably more, I can vouch for that feeling. You feel bad when you leave. Viva la Goa!

Long Awaited Goa Trip

 It finally happened. The family went on a vacation to Goa and stayed at a new place in Candolim called Lillywood Highland Resort. Also found a decent restaurant called Taste of Goa nearby and gorged on Xacuti Chicken, Chicken Cafreal, Pork Sorpotel, and a few other local specialities. Had a bit of Feni too, before the poll-induced dry days. All in all, had a bit of wine, whisky, beer and Apple Cider-different people, not me alone. Also picked up Kadamba, a Single Malt made here, for 2120 rupees. A good deal, I am guessing.

Satisfying, but never enough, as usual. Pics-

Calicut Biryani and More

 You wouldn't associate Calicut with biryanis. But thanks to my friend Ravi, who was my culinary guide, we tasted the Kuttichira biryani, a speciality of a locality near the beach there, and lots more. This is what friends are for, right? Pics from a couple of eateries that we visited. And more.. 

A dhow.. these are made at Beypore near Calicut, and were used for trade with the Gulf countries.

At IIMK.

Views from my hotel 7th floor.

IIMK, above and below

European Odesseys

I had two of these. Some pics-

 The Eiffel Tower, and the Eurail Pass that got us there-

 Tintin country. And fooling around at a sandy beach in Europe (below).

 Gondola=Venice and on a train.

 Marseilles- that Bond-ish feeling! Heidelberg, below.

 Rome, and Chateau D' If, above and below.

 Leaning at Pisa, and straightened at Mt. St. Michael, France.

 The Roman fountain, and postcards..

 Mostly Greek, with mythology as the central theme. picture perfect, below.

Bogmalo Beach

This was the first time I stayed close to Bogmalo Beach in Goa. I was impressed by the small community, with one or two good restaurants, and not too much crowd. The waves were of course the best part, and the view, the second best. There was a shop with a lady serving Irani chai too, which to me was a bi.....g bonus. I was reminded of the time when we hosted a Case Conference there. I stayed at a nice place called Swing by the Bay!

The last one is an interior decor idea from one of the restaurants with a bar.

Pondering in Pondicherry

 Me and the tree-in the Botanical gardens, Pondicherry.

 ..and going nuts with a Coconut in hand...worth many on the tree.

 He looks forward to the destination. You'll know why.

 Selfie attempted, and taken.

 A tree house and a car parked in front...wooden, of course.

This is why. We went to Paradise and lived to tell the tale.