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Sarvesh
Hina Talwar

Sarvesh and Hina Talwar trek through coastal Goa to relish the many beautiful beaches interspersed with mountains, jungles and a variety of small eating joints.

The picturesque beaches of Goa.

The coastal area of Goa offers a panorama of hills, silver sandy beaches, refreshing waterfalls, beautiful landscapes, breathtaking groves of palm trees, and unexploited waterways. The Western Ghats provide trekking trails as steep and different in gradient as the Himalayan climbs. Stretches of silver sand wetted by a rush of blue waters, the sky mirroring the sea below, the coconut trees, the sunny days, silk sand and long nights spent over the freshly-brewed fenny. The tiny, coastal State is a slice of the Mediterranean region.

We started our coastal trek from Vasco in Goa. As a matter of fact, one can start trekking from any place in Goa. We trekked through hills and small mountains. Our journey through the jungles was amazing and adventurous. The coastal trek area is 27 km long, comprising many small beaches. But the actual trekking distance is 65 km.

The beaches here are real good. They have become crowded with tourists — domestic and foreign — especially the honeymooners. Though a large inflow of tourists is good for the tourism industry, it has had an adverse effect on the ecology of the region. The coastal trek requires permission from the naval authorities. After acquiring the permission for our trek, we arranged for a local guide and picked up some quantities of canned food, as food and beverages are not available in the mountainous region.

We first trekked to the Bagmola beach, which was a wonderful sight. On the way was the Naval beach, another beautiful place. From there, we went to the Sancoale beach, our base camp for the trek, 12 km from Vasco. We stayed there for a night in the midst tall coconut trees. The silent night with only stars for company, accompanied by the gentle breeze of the trees and the sound of the waves, was a very refreshing experience.

The way to Sancoale beach could be very adventurous and thrilling. The trail, which passes through small mountains and jungles, is serpent-like and rocky, providing an unforgettable experience for the trekkers. There is a small river that flows near Sancoale. Sunrise and sundown could be best viewed at the Sancoale beach. One can find seagulls in plenty and it is interesting to watch them pick their prey (fish). They are quite friendly and playing with them could be a wonderful pastime. Next on the cards was the Benaulim beach, about 14 km away. We stayed at the Benaulim shore for two nights. We enjoyed nature which is at its veritable best here. We caught a glimpse of jelly and starfish on the beach. Most of the beaches have shops where you can eat, drink and buy clothes, shell made things etc. In some of the nearby hotels, one can get drinks especially the famous Goan fenny, made from cashew nuts. There are many small dhabas on the beachfront, wheretourists can relish seafood and enjoy the panoramic view of the beach as well.

We trekked for three days. While some beaches were crowded and noisy, some were very quiet. But altogether it was an awesome experience for us. An experience that will be etched in our memories for the rest of our lives.

Pictures by Sarvesh

Fact file

How to get there

By air: Dabolim is 29 km from Panaji. Most domestic airlines operate flights to Goa. Indian Airlines has direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai, daily.

By train: Konkan Railway connects Margao and Vasco da Gama to major cities in India. You can take trains from Delhi (1,874 km), Mumbai (490 km), and Bangalore (430 km) to reach Goa. The nearest railway stations are Thivim (25 km), Karamali (12 km), Margao (33 km).

By road: Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka State Transport Corporations operate from the Kadamba bus stand at Panaji.

By sea: Frank Shipping operates a boat service between Mumbai and Panaji.

How to get around: One can find bus as well as car rental services. A unique experience is that of the motorcycle taxi. Several ferry services are also available.

For more information, contact: Department of tourism, Government of Goa, Tourist Home, Patto, Panaji - 403001. Ph: (0832) 225583; 224757. Fax: (0832) 228819.

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