Goa 2023

Goa is the most popular tourist destination in India. Whether you're a teenager who wants to celebrate their schoolies at a beach or party at clubs, a newly married couple looking for resorts to spend your honeymoon, a group of friends looking for a place full of bars and restaurants or just looking for a weekend getaway, Goa is the place to be. Or at least that is what people say.

If you have ever been to Miami in the US, Gold Coast in Australia or Amalfi in Italy, that is where you are when you're in Goa in India. Albeit, much cheaper, more humid and slightly less clean 🤪

Growing up in India, it is likely you will go to Goa at some point. My first trip was as a 16 year old, with family. I wouldn't recommend going to Goa with family 😬 It was in this trip, after seeing a lot of rocky beaches and forts that I decided to come back to Goa with friends or cousins when I am 18.

Only a couple years later, I visited Goa with three of my many cousins - all of us boys and all of us old enough to drink. So we did what you thought we did, we drank a lot 😁

That was all more than a decade ago and Goa has dramatically changed since. As with any popular beachtown, Goa has become a lot more crowded and expensive. The beaches have become dirtier with oil deposits from cargo ships. The restaurants have resorted to average quality food at a premium price.

Also, in the past decade, I've moved and settled into Australia. I've been exposed to some of the world's best beaches here. I love the beach, seafood and cheap drinks but I don't think that Goa is enjoyable for me anymore. Especially after my most recent trip, just a few months ago. 🥲

Having spent very little time with my dad over the last couple of years, I wanted us to travel together to one of the serene mountains or less populated riverside towns of India. However, my dad wanted us to go to Goa. I was hesitant at first, mostly because I expected my reference point to set me up for disappointment. But, pivoting to the original motivation of the trip, I decided to book tickets anyway. ✈️

The days were extremely hot and humid and the water was not clean enough to swim in. We decided to spend most of the weekend relaxing in the hotel with the occasional beach visit. ☀️

Breezers (similar to Vodka Cruisers) are almost synonymous with Goa. When in Goa, you must try as many flavors (there are more than 2 dozen) as you can of this low alcohol, sweet, refreshing lemonade-like beverage! It is perfect for the hot days (or otherwise), with lunch or without. To be honest, one doesn't really need a reason - "it's just breezer mate"! 🍹

On the positive front, I visited a beautiful brewery (I believe it was my first Indian brewery experience). Funnily, we went so early that they had just opened after a 2-day closure and the beers weren't actually chilled! After trying really hard to defoam the beers, the bartender suggested we come back later in the evening. I am glad that we did! We spent a couple of hours in the cute courtyard trying a few different sours, ales and lagers. I would definitely go back to Insert Name if I am in Goa.

Experimenting with food is thrilling but also risky. You may have the best meal of your life or regret your decision to visit a place that few people have recommended. We had a similar experience in Goa.

Although the weather was not the best and the vibe not to my liking, the (much needed) time alone with my dad was enjoyable - we had many deep conversations, rode around Goa on a scooty with a flimsy helmet that my dad struggled to put on and take off many times a day, tried many different breezer flavors and visited many local favorites to savor the seafood delicacies! I look forward to our next trip together in Melbourne, Australia 🎾