Goa: Europe in India

Goa, the smallest but the richest state of India, is situated on the west coast of India and is bordered by Maharashtra to the north, Karnataka to the east and south, and the Arabian Sea to the west. The state is a famous tourist destination, especially for the Portuguese and the Russians. It has a 101 km long coastline along the Arabian Sea with a few affluent rivers like the Mandovi, Zuari, and Terekhol. The natural beauty of Goa cannot be explained even by writing an essay that includes many eco-friendly beaches, gardens, forests, and waterfalls.

India gained independence in 1947, but it could annex Goa only in 1961, after a 450-year Portuguese colonial rule beginning in 1510. No doubt, thousands of Portuguese shed tears at the time of leaving Goa.

We got on board an Indigo Airlines direct flight at 10:30 am from Kolkata, and after three hours we had arrived in Goa.

Portugal is in Europe, but you can see it if you go to Kolkata and, the next day at 10:30 a.m., get on board a plane and reach Goa after nearly three hours. Goa, the hidden gem of India, still nurtures European culture, and you can discover it all in a package if you visit from 25 December to 31 December. I deliberately selected the time but not the way, though I never knew my destiny had stored something startling for my family and me when, after enjoying a few memorable days in Mumbai, we traveled to Goa from Mumbai by train. It was simply unthinkable, the experience when our train entered 18 tunnels through mountains, most probably the wonder of architecture in Asia. I behold, captured, and recorded all but an experience of Europe in the Indian subcontinent that was deleted when my Android phone was lost. If I ever long for any cherished memory, I will try to glue on those lost videos that recorded an amazing, unforgettable dawn and morning, probably one of the best dawns in my life. Oh! Life is too short to remember and tell that story.

I had seen the last resort—the way to Dudhsagar Waterfall. On the way to reach the Jeep station before sunrise, and during sunrise, I entered an unknown territory, a haven for romanticism and wanderlust. I had seen so many unseen trees, plants, bushes, foliage, creepers, and flowers on both sides of the jagged, bumpy road, and as guests in the special spice garden, we were garlanded by flowers, gathered knowledge about spices, and entertained with a special Goanese lunch. 

But the best of the lot was the way to Dudhsagar Waterfall from the jeep station, where people from all over the world had gathered to see how milk-like water falls from the top when just behind it, a train passed. Simply unbelievable! People became crazy and hilarious when they confronted the waterfall like me. Not only that, but I also captured a rare moment when a jeep seized its engine amid a brook, as there were three brooks we had to cross, and in waist-deep water, the travellers had been trying their best to restart it.

I witnessed many memorable incidents on 25 December, and if you want to view European nightlife, it is better to walk all around the Baga Beach on that particular night, starting from the evening of 24. Anyway, as my cell phone was lost, all memories were lost. Many outstanding beachfront parties were held that night. Here are a few snaps of the evening of 24 December.