Goa Galore

I finally managed to land in Goa. 
Sometimes, serendipity is for real. Just talking about your wishes can get them to be true.

It was a trip so perfect. Perfect because it was so short that it makes me yearn for more.
For most of the people not from Goa, a vacation there only means two of the things - booze and bikinis.
Honestly, there was indeed a lot of reasonably priced alcohol available. 

And also, a lot of women in clothes we don't really see them sporting in the bigger metropolises either.
What enticed me was, Goa is cool in the real sense of the word cool. 
You can be a hippie or a preppy. You'd be be at home in Goa.
Goa doesn't judge you.

What's great is the fantastic freedom-y vibe that's all so pervading, you'd just want to dance and sing. And it's possible even at three in the morning. Or five, if you so please.

We went to a quieter and cleaner beach called Candolim. The resort was just a couple of minutes walk away from the beach.
The walk was great - we went through a small village and voila, landed at the beach!

Drunk on the peace and the sounds of the waves crashing, I had to be literally dragged away for breakfast. 
I promised to return.

Baga was a different world altogether. With musical shacks and great food, the swell of humanity engulfed us in their happy sounds and happier spirits. Strolling on the beach was a great way to spend good part of the afternoon. 

I can still taste this pizza! Yum.

Anjuna. Okay, so this is a different animal altogether. Boasts of an old old party place called the Curlies. Where West meets East. Literally. Most of the parties with the 'western' sounds and people happen here. Or so the legend goes. 
We had a great time standing at the terrace overlooking the big black sea up ahead of us. There were people strewn on the beach, laughing so loud, we could hear them even over the din. Or maybe it just felt they were laughing, i could feel the joy seeping through.

The people are friendly in Goa, if you are friendly with them. We had all the cab/auto drivers chitchatting and giving super tips on where to go and what to do.

Driving one day over the bridge, we chanced upon a spectacular sight 
Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, I...I love you

Baga at night is what romantic dreams are made of. For the average Indian traveler, it doesn't get more real than this. 

The Shacks-by-the-day go all out and spread out their best wares on the beach. There are tables with candles (because, no electricity on the beach) and easy chairs.

With servers scurrying around from table to table. Interestingly, drinks are once again easier to come by than the food. 

We walk through the night on the beach, and then sit down and then walk again. Only to enter a club at 1 am to see tourists(mostly women) dancing on table top, not giving a damn to the world. 
If this is not freedom in India, then I don't know what is. 

Triveni Terrace Cafe

Delhi has a lot of hidden gems, be it for food or shopping. Food more so, maybe. After all it is not the food capital of India for nothing!

Relishing food, of course includes but is not limited to just the taste. Ambience plays a very important role in the overall experience as well. This is where Triveni scores! 

With a choice of indoor or outdoor seating, we chose to sit outside, next to a fantastic 'green' open air theatre. 

Designed in the unmistakable style of Joseph Allen Stein, the Art gallery provides a perfect backdrop for the tranquil café. 

Albeit a limited menu, the choices seem abundant for a first time visitor. The regulars have the ease of not having to consult the menu and can straight away place the order - by writing down on their own, which a first that I saw. 

This is something that while saving the servers' time also makes them more efficient than the regular cafés dotting the city's food scene. 

There were two of us and we ordered the following - 

Veg Toasts(3/5), Aloo Tikki Chaat(4/5), Brownie(4/5) and Cold coffee(5/5) 

Had ordered for the Pakoras earlier but changed last moment for the Aloo Tikki Chaat. The food was hot and brought in quickly. Each portion was enough for one and filling. 

Very reasonably priced as the total bill came for 287/- for all of this, plus the ambiance was priceless. :) 

Would go again for - Pakoras, Coffee and Aam panna. 

And all the Art that makes us happy! :)