Random Travels: Goa, Pune, Bombay

Recently I went to Goa, Pune and Bombay during the holidays. It was a different experience and thoroughly enjoyable.
It was the beginning of the off season and so I thought, why not Goa? After dithering for 2 days and failing to convince Jitu, I and VP set off for the fabled land. As train tickets were pretty hard to come by, we took a bus from Anand Rao Circle near Majestic.
As expected, the bus was less than half full. It really seemed to be the off season. After a ride of almost 13 hours, we arrived at Panjim at around 9 in the morning. Unsure of what to do, we sucummed to the lure of a taxi driver’s version of the beaches and decided to base ourselves somewhere near the beaches.
After looking through a couple of places, the driver grew exasperated and finally landed us on Pedro’s Guest House, near Calangute beach. It was not bad for 500 a night though I still felt the rate could have been bargained further.
After freshening up, we hired a Kinetic scooter and started exploring. Although I had a map of Goa, we hardly used it. The roads were pretty much straight forward and there were signs all around. We headed off to Baga, and then Vagator and Morjim. The beaches were good, and there was a hint of rain in the winds. Soon, we were down on fuel and strangely the nearest petrol pump was quite far away and we had to buy petrol from roadside vendors who sold them in 1 litre mineral water bottles.
It rained and it was fun riding the scooter with the drops of rain on my face.
The next days turned out to be pretty much the same. We went off to Vasco and also explored Panjim and Old Goa. And surprisingly everytime I rode, it rained while the moment VP took over, the rain gods eased things. Seemed like he had a secret pact with them!!!
Despite being the off season, there were a lot of Indian tourists; perhaps students like ourselves hoping to get a good deal during the off season. Finally on the 3rd day, I left for Pune from Mapusa around 7 in the evening.
I was in for a rude shock. I had booked a ticket on a sleeper bus. It was only when I boarded the bus did I realise that I had to share the seat with a complete stranger. Believe me, it was not fun. The guy just would not shut up!!!(I know, I am pretty much the same, but you have to take my word for it, he was just way too much.) After an ‘engaing’ discussion on organic chemistry and learning English, he finally decided he wanted to sleep. And the space just was not enough.
After a bumpy ride, and a solemn promise never to board a ‘sleeper’ again, I alighted at Swar Gate station, Pune. Got to my friend’s place at Kothrud. The next two days were spent just lazing around. Rode his Apache 180, which was quite powerful and went to places like the Osho ashram, Kayani bakery; had awesome Biryani and Cad-B.
I liked Pune, especially how it still retained that small town feeling while maintaining itself as a growing city. Besides, the bada pavs were both cheap and tasty!!! Sad, i have not found such an eatery in Bangalore yet. A search for this trimester perhaps!!
Next stop was Bombay. Went to Mihir’s place at Thane. Awesome place, especially the scenery from his apartment. His parents were awesome too and I also got some wonderful home food for the first time.
Bombay was fun. Saw the Taj and all. Most importantly loved the thing called Queen’s necklace; the view from the side of the sea. Listening to the waves; that was peace man. Made me want to live there, work there. But then, the place is expensive as well. Still, some day:)
The local train was also quite an experience, especially taking the last local for the day. The hustle bustle of the day contrasted with the silence of the night.
Finally, I have visited the big 4 Indian cities. Hopefully the remaining 3 years in India will involve a lot more of these travels!!