I want to share my recent visit to Goa during last week of February 2024. It was too hot during day time and I should have planned the visit during January itself. We booked accommodation at Casa de Vida, North Goa.
We travelled by Tejas express from Mumbai which leaves by 5.50 am from CSMT railway station. It is about 580 Kms with 9 stops. Both breakfast and lunch were good. The train is scheduled to reach by 3 pm but was running late by 1 hr as I learnt that there is single track. There are lot of tunnels enroute. Most of the tourists got down at Karmali station which will be the best place to reach North Goa. We were also advised to get down at Karmali instead of Madgaon. But we booked a hiring car from Madagon station and so we need to get down at Madagon railway station. The agency handed over the Maruti Dzire automatic car. The rental is Rs.1300/- per day. We booked it for 5 days. The timings are 9 a.m to 9 a.m. Advance we have to pay Rs.1000/- at the time of booking. Balance Rs.6500/- we paid at the time of receiving the car. Also we have to pay Rs.2000/- as deposit which will be refunded when we return the car after checking the condition of the car. We videoed all the sides of the car. There was enough petrol filled which we should maintain at the time of returning.
It was one hour ride from the railway station to Casa de vida. The roads are good. It was already 6.15 pm when we reached. It was a nice room and we recommend. After fresh up, we went to Baga beach which is about 4 kms from there. It was very nice and full of celebration all along. In all the beaches we find parking places on payable basis and the charges vary. At Baga beach we paid Rs.25/-. There were enough vegetarian hotels and all over Goa there is no problem for food.
Day 2:
Today we planned to cover North Goa beaches and other prominent places.
To start with reached Arambol at about 8.45 am. Parked the car near the beach with Rs 100 as parking charges. He suggested to see sweet water lake by climbing few steps on the other side of the rock area. It is again a very good beach and we did not go to the sweet water lake as someone said that it will be very difficult to climb the steps. But after returning to Mumbai I was told that it is misguidance and it is not difficult to get there. So don't miss this place.
From there went to Ashvem beach . Parked the car near the beach and there were no charges. Spent about half an hour. We felt that all the beaches are similar in nature.
From there proceeded to Morjim Beach. On the way to Morjim beach had breakfast at Udupi restaurant. very nice. Went to Morjim beach. spent about half an hour. By that time it was too hot and we could feel the heat.
From there proceeded to chapora fort. We were misguided by Google map and the car got caught in a narrow lane. So please make enquiry with local people just when we are about half a kilometer to reach there. Parked the car on the road as we could not find any marked places for car parking. Top view point is very nice. There is nothing more in it.
Proceeded to Vagator beach. Faced problem to locate as it cannot be reached by car. After enquiring with local people we finally found that we have to step down about 50 steps in narrow passage to reach there. Spent about half an hour.
From there proceeded to Aquada fort. Jus to park the car on the road they are charing Rs.100/-. Entry fee is Rs.25/- We felt it is not so worth. This fort is meant for water storage purpose in earlier times. From this fort, there is dolphin ride point which is very close.
So proceeded there which was about 1 km from there. Parked on the road opposite to the counter. They charge Rs.350/- per head. The ride is for about 45 minutes. Could sight dolphins repeatedly. Felt worth. We could not take photos as we are not sure when the dolphins will come out and even when it comes out it will be only for few seconds. Came out and proceeded to Candolim beach. Parked the car for Rs.100/-
Proceeded to Calangute beach and wanted to see sunset but missed it as there was delay . Parked the car for 100 rupees. Was in the beach for some time and came out. There are lots of dry fruit shops and we can get at reasonable prices. After dinner went for night bazar which is organised on every Saturday. It was very grand and all items on sale were sold at exorbitant rates and we have to bargain heavily.
Day 3:
Today we planned to cover South Goa.
First place to visit was Old Goa church. Parked the car in the street adjacent to the church. They charge Rs.50/- for 4 hours. The Church is closed as some repairing works were going on. Adjacent to the church there are two lanes going steep with old architecrutal buildings and this area is called Fontanhans and it was not that much worth. Walked for about 1 hour and returned to the car parking place and proceeded to Relics of St Xavier which is about 8 kms from here. It was too hot and parked the car adjacent to the church road. First went to the church opposite to Relics of St Xavier. It is amazing with excellent architecture but no prayers are held. After coming out there was Museum of Archaeology department and entry is 10 rupees per head. The Mueseum was awesome in which hindu temple remains are kept. Spent about 45 minutes there. It is a very sacred place and irrespective of religious faiths alll the tourists are visiting this place.
From there proceeded to Manjesh temple. The approach road just before the temple is very nice. Free car parking. After parking we have to walk about less that half a kilometer to the temple. It seems the temple is run by a family for last several years as displayed in the plaque kept outside the temple. Just outside the temple we can find one sweet shop and they prepare and sell hot Mysore Pak and jilebi. We enjoyed it and it was very tasty.
Then from there proceeded to Dona Paula beach. We cannot get into the beach as there is no approach to it but there is one view point. They charge R.50 per head. We decided not to go because the same view we could get from the place where we were standing.
Came to Miramar beach around 4.45 pm. Parked car in one marked area. There was not much crowd there. After spending some time there we decided to return back to room. On the way near Panjim saw cruise ships. One agent approached us and said he will arrange car parking and also cruise for 500 rupees per head. It was very much worth and there was full of music and dance. It was one hour trip.
Day 4:
Today we planned for Dudhsagar water falls. Previous day we booked online in https://dudhsagarjeeps.com website. They allow 1666 people in a day. Though different time slots are shown in the website we can choose only one time slot. Timing is from 8 am to 3 pm. The total charges are :
|
Sr.No |
Description |
Prices (Rs) |
GST% |
|
1 |
Jeep Charges |
560 |
5% |
|
2 |
D.T.O.A Charges |
10 |
18% |
|
3 |
G.T.D.C Charges |
150 |
18% |
|
4 |
Life Jacket Charges |
40 |
0% |
|
5 |
Forest Entry Fees |
100 |
0% |
|
Total |
860 + GST |
·
Pay
Online Rs. 257 against charges of Sr. No. 2,3,4 and G.S.T. of Sr.No.1,2,3,to
reserve you seat(s).
·
Pay
Rs.560 ( Jeep Charges) and 100 (Forest Entry Fees) at site on the day of visit.
We started around 8 a.m. It is about 74 kms and reached there around 9.45 a.m. Just before reaching the place, many people tried to stop the car by blocking the route and we ignored them and proceeded. We can park the Car in private houses and they charge Rs.100. Changed my clothes. Found one pure veg restaurant just opposite to DTOA counter. Had plain dosa. It was good. He advised to take one water bottle as it may take around 4 to 5 hours inside. Went to the counter and showed SMS of online booking. He asked to go to adjacent counter. The counter clerk asked whether we want full Jeep or sharing. As it is waste of money to take a full jeep by paying for 7 people I said we will wait for 7 people to gather. We have to pay 560 per head directly to the jeep owner. After that counter staff make entry in the register and allot the jeep. One WL number is there for every jeep and we have to remember that number. This is required as we have to return by the same Jeep back. Driver took us to the jacket counter. He also noted the SMS details and gave jackets. Got into the jeep. Driver said we have to pay 100 per head by ATM card only as entry to the forest. We argued that they should accept cash also. He got angry and said he is only telling the procedure and if no one is having card we can all return back. Luckily one of the co passenger was having Card and we gave him cash and he took tickets for all of us. It was bumby drive for about 1 hour. Reached exactly at 12 pm. He said we get 90 minutes and we have to return by then and get into same jeep WL403. It is about 10 minutes trekking from there. There are many Monkeys and they try to pull the bags we are carrying. So better to avoid bags. It was not awesome falls. Only beauty is that it is falling from a height and braching out. Water is collected at the end of the fall and we have to take bath there. There is a place for changing the dress and many people are not aware of that because there is no proper display. After all the 7 people returned back, the driver started going back to the base. Reached around 2.30 p.m. The driver collects the jackets to return. We felt it is not so worth for one full day.
From there proceeded to Anjuna beach and reached around 6 pm. Parked the car before the beach for Rs 100. We have to walk about 500 mtrs. We were lucky to enjoy sunset.
From there proceeded to wax museum. They charge Rs.250 per
head. It is not worth. They have combo package offer of Rs.600 for wax museum, fish aquarium and 9D
show. We have not shown interest and went for wax museum. 29 celebrities
were there. Virat Kohli was the best. Modi should have been better. Foreign
actors were more. It takes just about 15 to 30 minutes only. We can take photos but
should not touch.
We just relaxed in the morning and checked out the room and proceeded to Madgaon railway station and handed over the car and collected the deposit amount after the vehicle was checked by the agency. We booked tickets in Vande Bharat train to Mumbai.
On
the whole a satisfied trip.
