Goa....Has lot of things other than 3B's

As I mentioned in the title Goa --- has lot of things other than 3B’s (Beach, Booz and Babes). The way in which I looked Goa was different from others…. It was on the Saddles with the bicycle…

The YHAI (Youth Hostels Association of India) Goa branch had organized a biking expedition in last December on which I was a participant for the inaugural batch…

The Journey Starts from Garden City:

For the first time in our trips and treks… we have changed the mode of travel… on 14 Dec. we left from Bengalooru in Vasco Express Train…. Long Journey to Vasco completed after 16 hours in the train…. Then we had to catch Kadamba (Local Bus service in Goa) to reach our base camp @ Panajim….

Reached Base camp of YHAI @ 8:00 Hrs on the next day. We had almost 8 hours to waste before the acclimatization started. In that period Badri and myself traveled to Calangute and Baga Beaches, which are the scenic beaches… (I had thought there would be some birds to watch… But due to the terrorist attacks @ Mumbai has made Goa bit “Banjaru Bhoomi”)

After a lite walk on the sand of Calangute and Baga, hunger was touching our stomach…had some pizza on the Dominos and we were again back to the Base Camp.

The Brand New Merida Bikes arrived:

At the time of acclimatization we met with the complete group…(It was a small group of 14 Ppl) and Bengalooru was rocking in the group as the majority of the group were from the Garden City. In the evening we drove to a place known as Dona Paula (which is named after Dona Paula de Menzes, daughter of a viceroy, who threw herself off the cliff, when refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias) as a test ride for about 8 Kms.


Day1: Biking from Base Camp to Assolna Camp:

We started biking at around 8:30 Hrs on 16 Dec. after the flag off to the next camp known as Assolna. We had to reach the Dona Paula to catch a Launch. The launch dropped us at the Mormugao Harbour. From the Harbour we headed towards Mangor Hill Junction via Baina and then towards the Goa Airport in the Highway.

With Couple of photo shots near BITS Pilani Campus Gate we headed towards Velsao Beach. As per the YHAI plans we had to cycle along the Beaches for more than 20 Kms. Due to the heavy tides on the beach we could not cycle for even 100 mts. Hence we were forced to hit the roads instead of Beach way. After cycling for more than 30 Kms we reached a place known as Mobor (The place where all the 5 Star Hotels of Goa are located) After having a Tea @ one roadside shop we headed towards an unknown river back waters which was again a scenic beauty with the reflection images on the still water. We crossed the river with a Ferry and again there was a drive for about 15 min. after which we reached the Assolna Sports Stadium. This ended our Venture for Day 1.


Day2: Biking Assolna Camp to Netravalim Camp:

As per the official timings of YHAI we left the Assolna Camp at 8:00 Hrs towards the Netravalim. We had to follow the road to Assolna Market and headed towards Banda. From Banda straight on to Cuncolim Market we cycled till the forest office @ Balli. The various temples at Balli in fact too good but due to lack of time we could not stop at any of the temples. From Balli we headed towards Shantadurga and to Cavrem which was our tea time junction. After a nice tea at one of the shops we headed to towards the Dark side of Goa (The mining Belts). Cycling on the mining belts were too tiring as there was no shades on the road and moreover due to heavy traffic of Mining Lorries and the Dust almost all the participants were exhausted. Once the mining belt was completed each and every one was happily cycling in the shades of trees with a nice wind breeze. The Stretch for about 10 Kms was too refreshing. After cycling for about 15 Kms we reached the destination point Netravalim. The place where we were staying was known as Tanshikar Farms, which was again a mixture of Beauty and intelligence (As per our Kannada Hero –Upendra). This day was our fastest travel in the entire expedition. After drinking some refreshing tender coconuts at the Farms we again headed towards Savari Falls. The drive to Savari Falls from Tanshikar Farms was about 6 Kms and a Trek for about 3 Kms. We spent some time at the Water fall by testing our skills on Hill Climbing. Once we left from the Falls it was almost Sunset Time. Once we reached back to the Cycles it was almost Dark. We headed back towards the Tanshikar Farms in Cycles without any lights in the Jungle. After some entertainment programs, the Ethical Goan Food was waiting for us to fill our stomach.

Day3: Biking Netravalim Camp to Doodhsagar Camp:

The day started with the photography of the Tents and the Campsite. Once the photography from myself, Badri and Shobhana was completed the group was divided in to two parts. Few people left the campsite early. As per them they were the slow cyclists in the team. After having the Breakfast and pack lunch we were forced to move to the upper camp near Doodhsagar waterfall that is located almost at the border of Goa and Karnataka.

The drive till Collem was bit tiring as the roads were with the slope at an uneven terrain for about 30 Kms on the Highways and village roads. After biking for long time from the Netravalim Camp through Forest till Timblo via Kurdi, Vaddem and Barazan Bhathi, again the dark side of Goa was started (The mining area). A drive on the mining area had made us too tired after which we had to stop for the Lunch. Again after the lunch break we had to cycle for more than 25 Kms, which was divided in to the normal village road and the off road trails from Collem.

On the off road trail we had to cycle for more than 8 Kms on the mud road to reach the Doodhsagar camp. The speed of cycling from the group was decreased drastically as we had to cross the river and road been completely filled with the hug number of pebbles. We were the tail enders in the group to reach the camp. The Sun was also set and myself, Badri, Shobhana and Vishal had to cycle in the dark with one torch light on the jeep road. While coming in the dark we met some of the trekkers of YHAI who came in search of us who helped us to reach the camp on time. At last we reached the camp by 7:30.

Oh… Yes I forgot to mention this. This day was birth day of Shobhana. We celebrated the birthday party under the moon light with a piece of Plum Cake and the candles. I believe this would be the memorable birthday party for her too…. After the Camp fire which was in fact held without fire we celebrated the birthday party of Shobhana and it was time to call it as Night.

Day4: Visit to Doodhsagar Waterfall and Biking from Doodhsagar to Bondla Camp:

The night was cold for us as some of our team members including me could not sleep for the whole night due to the snoring of Praveen bhai…..

In the morning the day was started with a morning walk to the Doodhsagar waterfall. After some group photos and some enjoyment over there we were back to the camp at 7:30. The breakfast and the pack lunch were waiting for us. After having those, the cycling for the day was started slowly. As per the preplanned route of YHAI we took the service road in the Bhagavan Mahavir Sanctuary and reached Mollem junction. On the way we visited the Devils Canyon also. After reaching the Mollem junction we had finished the off-road cycling. We cycled to Tamdisurla Temple (which was built in 13th Century by Kadambas). It was almost post lunchtime when we reached the temple. The Limbu Soda @ one of the shops in Tamdisurla was refreshing for all of us. Post lunch it was only cycle to the Bondla Camp (which was located in the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary). The road to Bondla was not that enjoyable. On the way to Bondla we visited a Cashew Factory, which was native place of our Guide Manoj Laad (Raju). Some of the group members purchased the cashew nuts from the factory at a very cheaper rate.

Again it was a long journey for us to reach the Bondla Camp. On the mid way it was almost dark and we were inside the Wildlife Sanctuary. With one small torch of mine we cycled in the dark. Oh…. God it was too scary for us as there were some amount of elephant dung in the middle of the road. At last we saw the headlight of Raju’s bike. At around 20:00 Hrs we reached the Bondla Camp. The day was ended after some more amount of biking.

Day5: Biking from Bondla Camp to Base Camp Panaji:

The last day of cycling had arrived. For some of us it was a great relax as they were going to finish the cycling. As per the schedule the biking was started at 7:30 Hrs. For the first time each every one in the group were happy, as the route was a downhill for some time. Everyone started biking and few stunts in the bicycles were also made. A video shooting by Badri, Cycling without holding the handle by me…The ride was joyful for some time till we reached Usgao Circle. From Usgao Circle the group had hit the Highway. A small break for the Tea @ Usgao and again we started cycling. After cycling for about more than 25 Kms in the Even Terrain roads (As per YHAI…) we reached the Khamburjua Ferry point which was our lunch place…. After having the lunch we crossed the river and entered the Old Goa. We again hit the National Highway (NH 4A) near the Basilica of Bom Jesus: St. Francis Church. After some photo shots near the church we again started cycling towards the Base camp. By 16:00 Hrs our cycling expedition was ended.

A Grand Welcome @ the Base Camp:

As our batch was the inaugural batch for the Goa Biking Expedition we had a grand welcome from the YHAI @ the Base Camp. A Cake and Snack party was also organized for us for successful completion. As per the YHAI people the group photo of our group would be the Cover Page of the Youth Hostels Magazine…
And now the Journey in Goa was ended for us. We had to catch the train at the same day and Our Happie Moments in Goa was ended with out enjoying the BIG B in Goa (Yes… You are right… As per my knowledge our group would be the first group who had been to Goa but didn’t enjoy Boooozing there)

Pic: Sunset @ the Mobor Beach with the Cycle... Taken by Divya...