JOIN USEvery rider has a bucket list of places they want to ride to and Goa is always in the list of top 10 places to visit. My dream was also the same and luckily for me, this came true in November last year, when the India Bike Week happened.
I was a member of the 5th Gear Riders Motorcycle Club. We participated in the biking festival as it gave us opportunities to rub shoulders with the who's who of the motorcycle riders fraternity.
On the day, we were supposed to start by 5.30 am but we got late because of some unexpected developments. We stopped at Cafe Nandi in Karejavanahalli for breakfast and Bharani Family Restaurant on the Pune-Bengaluru highway for a tea break. Lunch was at Kamat Hotel in Sirsi.
We reached Goa by late night. We stayed at a homestay called 'Villa Travelo', located on Vagator Beach Road. It is run by a person named Deepak Singh. Three air-conditioned rooms with a big hall, basic amenities including cooking facilities, clean place with ample parking - we had all that we needed. The homestay was located close to the venue of India Bike Week as well.
Even though the next two days were about meeting riders from different parts of the country, we also took time off to explore the many sights and vistas of Goa. Beautiful architecture and sandy beaches make it one of the most picturesque places ever.
On day one, we started off with a visit to the Baga beach, due to its proximity to our villa. It did not disappoint. The clean sand and unspoiled shore made for a perfect walk. We ate breakfast at a nearby shack.
Vagator Beach, adjoining the famous Anjuna Beach, is a little more laidback and quiet. The sunsets here are to die for. As you face the sea, on your right is North Vagator Beach (Big Vagator) and on your left is Ozran Beach, more commonly known as Little Vagator Beach.
Close to this is Chapora Fort, the famous 'Dil Chahta Hai' location. It involves a walk of about 20 minutes (watch your footing, the gravel is a bit loose) but the view from the top is worth it. Plan for some time in Calangute Beach too, as it boasts of an extensive list of watersports to choose from, like parasailing, water surfing, snorkeling, fishing and jet-skiing.
The ferry ride to Divar, a little riverine island, is a beautiful experience. The place just has an old church and a temple by way of attractions. It's more about the peace and serene beauty of the island. Fort Aguada, a well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguese fort on Sinquerim Beach, and its lighthouse were also covered by us. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, takes one down the lanes of history. We also visited 'Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church' and 'Se Cathedral'.
Combining a visit to these places along with the thrill of being a spectator to the various sights and sounds of the biking festival was a magical experience. People often tell me it's the journey that matters, but in my case, the destination and the memories are what I hold close to my heart.