Vagator

Day 17: There are quite a few beaches in Goa, so I had to do a bit of research to pick the right spot for me. Most people head to Baga or Calangute, which  are crowded with locals and tourists alike where you won’t find an empty spot on the beach, and will be bothered by 100s of beach vendors asking you to buy pieces of cloth and random bracelets and other such useless items. Arambol sounded like a cool spot, but it was a bit remote, and Candolim would have been great but I was unable to find a place that met my beach front requirement. So I picked Vagator, as it seemed slightly less crowded and mainstream, yet within walking distance to a myriad of places where you can eat, drink and party, not that I had much time or energy for the partying portion (that, and the fact that it was low season and there was not a lot happening). My criteria for a place to stay was that it needed to be nice/clean, not too expensive, and I could stumble onto the beach. Casa Vagator satisfied all of those very nicely, and although it cost more than the first place which I had initially booked, after a 10 hour drive it was worth every rupee :) The view in this picture is taken from the outdoor restaurant of the hotel overlooking Vagator beach. Yes, the weather was extremely hot as I had been warned, but the beach time was very welcome and much needed.

Note: this picture was specially taken for and dedicated to my friend Sebastien Nault.