Chilling out at Calangute and Baga Beach – the biggest draws in Goa, India
A 13 hour ride through the winding roads of National Highway 17 took me from Mumbai to the beaches of Calangute and Baga in North Goa. The previous days had taken me to meet my friends at Mumbai, see the beauty of the hill station of Khandala, catch sight of the historic Sinhagad Fort near Pune and discover temple architecture at Badami, Pattadakkal and Hampi.
It was already dark when I entered the bustling town of Baga. I found myself a place to stay at a shack very close to the Baga beach. Shortly, after checking in and knowing that I had 3 days and nights to chill out at this lovely beach stretch, I paid heed to my tired body and tucked myself in.
The next morning, I was greeted with the sight of clear blue skies and blue waves lapping up the beach. The setting was fantastic. Every meal, I would drop in to a new shack and check out their wares. My drink would change colour with the time of the day or the colour of the sky.
Both the Calangute and Baga beaches are located on the Bardez coast. Calangute lies to the south of Baga. One can actually walk over from one to the other beach and this is exactly what I did.
Since, this was tourist season, the beaches were packed with action. Swimming and playing in water were the most common, which I indulged in too. But, apart from these, one could spot tourists playing racquet ball, frisbee and beach volleyball.
There were kids busy building sand castles and then there were hotties and oldies alike bathing in the winter sun.
And finally, water sports, from the jet ski to the banana boat ride to parasailing – this beach stretch offered it all. After soaking in all the water sport action, I also gave in the thrill of a parasailing ride.
As I was walking back from Calangute to Baga along the beach line, I was enchanted by the endless line of shops, shacks, restaurants and hotels. Both the beaches are very beautiful. The view of the Baga beach set against the thickly forested Baga-Anjuna hill is priceless.
My evenings would be spent at some of the biggest hotspots by night in Goa, which are at Baga or nearby. These would include Club Cabana, Tito’s and Mambos.
Overall, a short, but great beach vacation for me, where I got to soak in the sun, enjoy the blue waters, practice some water sports, do some beach walking, shopping, treat my palate to some great goan food and curry, sip into colourful cocktails and dance to the beat of Goan nightlife. All this possible at the very famous and beautiful beaches of Calangute and Baga in North Goa.
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