As I sit here watching the waves crash on the beautiful expanse of beach that we have called home for the last five days, I truly cannot believe that we are leaving India behind. South Goa has been plentiful with its charm and seductive beach-chill attitude and our stay has been filled with wave surfing, cafe hopping, yoga, and reading and just reflection in general.
We traded our first beach hut for another after we had dinner with an adorable family at another hotel and noticed that their huts were much nicer and were not much more expensive. This beach hut deserves a nod because it was exquisite. Imagine a little cabin facing the open waves of the ocean with your own private porch and with an eccentric outdoor bathroom containing an amazing rain shower to wash away the salt from the ocean. We had found our paradise for the last three days just being able to watch the waves roll in, go for a walk on the beach before our morning coffees, and fall asleep to the gentle swish of the waves. Bugs aside (I have never seen so many flying cockroaches- thank goodness for Josh's "unJain" like attitude"), I honestly don't know if we would return to North or South Goa, both are so perfect in their own way.
Agonda beach was lovely since the beach was virtually ours and ours alone and there are no hawkers to be seen (although rumor is they are cracking down on this in the North). The town was so small, there was nothing to it so one day we occupied ourselves with yoga. The class itself was way beyond our beginner level since it is meant for people training to become yoga instructors (a one month course) but that made it all the more fun for us. The people were amazing and could do things with their bodies you wouldn't believe possible; obviously the instructor gave us some "modified" moves and these were still tough! I really enjoyed the experience and it is something I have really wanted to get into for awhile. I have hopes to try it again in Thailand or Bali since yoga is much alive there as well but nothing can beat learning yoga in its birthplace, India.
We also rented a scooter (I know- I thought I was done with that too!) and we checked out Palolem beach a couple of times. This beach was also beautiful like Agonda but much busier. The town was bigger and more lively which would be welcome for people that want to shop but we were more than done with that after our two hour shipping debacle! I have decided that I am a somewhat risk-averse person and probably always will be since I never warmed to the scooter! I swear I thought I was going to die or be paralyzed half the time but yes I understand that is just me being melodramatic! Still can't beat it as a means to see the countryside though!
In a few minutes we leave for the airport, bound for an overnight plane to Bangkok. I am really looking forward to Thailand with its beautiful temples, markets, beaches, and food (my favorite type of food!) but it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to India. I think of all the countries we have visited and will visit, India will always be special for her uniqueness, challenges and life lessons however there is so much left to see and learn and we will return!
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