Frankly, I did not want to blog about it. I have a tendency to write stuff in my diary, and in my blog, in order to get closure. It helps me "archive" my memories, freeing up my mind for the present and the future, knowing my past is secure in some book, and now, on some hard disk in Googleworld.
But I did not really want to do that with my Goa memories. For the first time in a decade, I could switch off my mind from work and tensions - really switch off. I could close out any thoughts of revenue targets and utilization ratios. I did not carry my laptop - no mails, no IMs. Even my cell tried to help - it fell in a bucket of water, died out completely for three days, and only started working once I was back in Pune (it was a different matter that I could borrow Shweta's cell for two days).
For me, the holiday meant forging relationships with team mates I barely knew before the trip, but who grew to be close friends by the end of the trip. It also meant losing some close friends - it was inevitable, really - apparently, misunderstandings have a gala time on picnics! It meant showing off my beautiful Goa - its food, its natural beauty, the warmth of its people, its hospitality. It meant sharing memories of my childhood, and showing where I grew up, my home, my school. It meant taking them to Nerul, for a walk to Miramar, for a dip in the sea at Reismagos, for a ride in the ferry. It meant making sure they tasted the best in food, from Crab Dry Fry, Chilli Chicken Goa Style and Prawns Masala Fry at Ritz, to Stuff Crabs and Cafreal at Sea Pebble.
We stayed at Bomfin, a beautiful villa hotel bang next to Tito's and Cafe Coffee Day in Baga. At 1400 per night, with 3 people in an AC room, I think it is a steal. And while we never really required it's swimming pool , the location of the hotel makes it just perfect for that perfect team outing.
Shweta had arranged for a minibus to pick us up early in the morning, as soon as the 12 of us got down from Amrutyog in Panaji after a fun-filled overnight journey from Pune.
After freshening up, we all came to Nerul, where we had a truly sumptious breakfast, even by Goan standards. The star of the table was some hot Bhaji Pav from Vishwanath's.
After a tour of the house and the grounds, we visited Reismagos and Kegdevelim, and then on to Panaji for lunch at Ritz. We had good fun at the beach - here on the left, you see Urvish, Anjali, Harsha, Prajakta, Darshana and Rakesh doing what we call the Amruta jig :)
In the evening, it was Dona Paula and Miramar - bhutta and coconut water, walking on the beach, coffee in the rains at Coffee Day, and some bhel puri. The sea had receded far out, and the sand bars made it possible for us to walk right out into the sea, completely inaccessible in normal times! Met Yogesh and Jai there, too.
Dinner that night was at Nerul - from masala crabs to fried fish and prawns, followed by some delicious fruit salad. Siddha, Shweta, Yogesh, Deepa and Jai, with Puchan Kaki, Sudha Kaki and Sunanda Atya also added to the experience of dinner with a Goan family :)
We came back to the hotel by 11, and played cards into the late night.
Sunday morning, day two, was dedicated to masti on the beach, and the team got a chance to experience the amazing water scooters - most going for two helpings :) Interestingly, once back in Pune, I used one of the videos I took of Amruta on the water scooter, as an example of what life at Persistent is about - more on that on my other blog - do check it out! Afternoon meant two hours in a lovely shack on the beach, resting in the breeze, and we enjoyed some awesome Cafreal and Prawns along with the music.
In the evening, we visited the Aguada Fort, and then the Taj, waiting for the sun to set. Some of the team went to see fishermen in action, others walked on the seashore, exploring the rock formations.
Once it was dark, we came to Panaji. Siddha-Shweta hosted us for high tea (prawns pattice and pastries with soup and juice), and then we all enjoyed the amazing ambience of Sea Pebble, out in the sand on the shores of the sea, at the foot of the majestic Dona Paula rock.
And the fun had just begun. On day three, Monday, we took off for Cabo De Rama, in the far South. I had never been there myself, so I was as much a tourist as everyone else. The area is far too beautiful to enjoy from inside a bus, and we all got down a couple of Kms before the destination, clicking dozens of pics and enjoying the flora and fauna of the place.
The fort itself is pretty ordinary, but the vistas are worth the trouble! After exploring a bit, we discovered this most beautiful and isolated beach close by, and climbed down the cliff to it. Didn't ever want to leave after that!
But we had to, we had not even had lunch - which we finally did at 7 pm at Nanutel, where Salil made sure we got the best :) Then it was off to Persistent's office at Verna, then to Old Goa, and finally, back to Panaji. We were still all in an adventurous mood, so we ditched the bus and took the ferry instead - Urvish even managed to take a short stint in the cabin!
Some of us visited Mambos at night, then came back to the hotel for cards and chats - the rest stayed the night on the beach, coming back only at sunrise! Rakesh was chased by a not-so-welcome breed :) while I had to fend off a drunkard who insisted we should come and help him bash up a shack owner!
Day 4 was our last day in Goa, and we decided to make it even more special - so we hopped onto some bikes, and took off, the MTP Roadies, visiting Pilerne, then Old Goa. I had a Pulsar, and I was riding after a long, long time - and I still managed to take a 2 km stretch of slope handsfree, with Amruta as my pillion rider, who was such a darling and trusted me enough to take the S curves too! Finally, dusty and hot, but happy and excited, we reached Panaji, and had a delicious lunch at Goenchin.
Before long, it was 4 pm. We had to come back, and with a heavy heart, we packed our bags, took the bus for Panaji, and crawled into our berths for Pune. Siddha and Shweta had come to see us off, and while I am used to these departures, I could sense more than one of us had tears in our eyes at what had been the end of a most beautiful Goan experience.
We played some games, we sat and talked about the fun we had had, we played Uno, and we joked about the dinner place. But our hearts were not in it - they had been left behind in Goa.
At the end of the day, there was only one way to console ourselves - a promise that we would all come back soon!
For more pics, visit my photo albums on Flickr. You might get some idea of the fun we had - you just might!
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