Sun and sand........Agenda? Unplug, unwind and relax......It had been ages since I did just this. A wonderful holiday in Goa that I had with the best company ever - 'myself'.
Everyone kept asking me why am I going alone for a holiday with a look on their face 'is-she-crazy-to-go-to-a-holiday-alone-and-that-also-to-a-place-like-Goa'. The truth be told, it was planned with a few friends who ducked out later. So I was left with two choices - cancel or go nevertheless. The idea of going to Goa on my own was quite enticing but then going alone? A number of small voices were squabbling in my head .......... and bam!! I finally decided to take a holiday with myself to turn a long lost dream into reality.
So what happens when you go to Goa in a hotel with breathtaking views, a landscape characterised by coconut trees and sprawling lawns carpeted with grasses of soothing and vibrant green, a two leveled humongous pool, award winning spa and a pristine beach? You forget about the scorching heat of May, have the time of your life without any interruptions (no need to wait for someone, no strings attached, you'd do whatever you want and however you want it) and come refreshed and rejuvenated with a slight tan (and some skin rashes and breakout, which you wouldn't mind).
The spa at the hotel was a downer though, and was especially disappointing considering that the primary reason for picking Park Hyatt was its award-winning spa that I heard wonderful things about. Normally after a good spa I am so relaxed and loosened up that I feel drugged-drowsy. But even a full 90 minutes massage and pampering did no such thing for me. De-stressed, relaxed and rejuvenated? No I was not.
(1) and (2) Hitting the Arossim beach at 6.30 in the morning - did the world turn upside down?
(3) and (4) A delicious breakfast after a long beach walk, swimming and yoga session.
(5) and (6) Enjoying a stroll in the hotel and later lazing in the room reading with the lagoon view
(7) and (8) A healthy sandwich that was my lunch
Everyone kept asking me why am I going alone for a holiday with a look on their face 'is-she-crazy-to-go-to-a-holiday-alone-and-that-also-to-a-place-like-Goa'. The truth be told, it was planned with a few friends who ducked out later. So I was left with two choices - cancel or go nevertheless. The idea of going to Goa on my own was quite enticing but then going alone? A number of small voices were squabbling in my head .......... and bam!! I finally decided to take a holiday with myself to turn a long lost dream into reality.
So what happens when you go to Goa in a hotel with breathtaking views, a landscape characterised by coconut trees and sprawling lawns carpeted with grasses of soothing and vibrant green, a two leveled humongous pool, award winning spa and a pristine beach? You forget about the scorching heat of May, have the time of your life without any interruptions (no need to wait for someone, no strings attached, you'd do whatever you want and however you want it) and come refreshed and rejuvenated with a slight tan (and some skin rashes and breakout, which you wouldn't mind).
What was great is that the hotel (btw I stayed in Park Hyatt) was like a town in itself that I had a great time exploring. Welcoming swimming pool midst beautifully landscaped garden, the delicious breakfast with the unexpected and unusual like 'banana and papaya jam' (I braved to taste the papaya jam, and it was delectable, the best jam I ever had actually), the interesting village square surrounded by restaurants with outdoor seating, yoga classes (yes I did those too), quiet and clean Arrosim beach where Park Hyatt is nestled and the breathtaking views kept me caged in the hotel for most my Goa time.
The spa at the hotel was a downer though, and was especially disappointing considering that the primary reason for picking Park Hyatt was its award-winning spa that I heard wonderful things about. Normally after a good spa I am so relaxed and loosened up that I feel drugged-drowsy. But even a full 90 minutes massage and pampering did no such thing for me. De-stressed, relaxed and rejuvenated? No I was not.
---------------------------------------
I'm back catching up on work with a sudden realisation that I don't really need someone everytime to have a great holiday.
Exploring Goa on your own, strolling on beaches and watching things around you without any company gives you a whole different perspective of the place and gets you to see things that you otherwise wouldn't have done if you had company. It was a wonderful experience. I feel a little more wise with a smugness around me, concluding that I had an incredible time, more importantly, with myself.
Goa is a very safe place for even single women travelers but still you need to be careful about your things. Here are a few tips for single women travellers:
- stay in a reputed hotel if you are traveling alone
- avoid too late in the night.
- When you are in South Goa then make sure you enjoy your own hotel property by the night, as the place is very quite and deserted. If you would like to go to pub hopping then North Goa is a better choice as there are many beach shacks.
- Avoid talking to strangers.
- Take a taxi from the hotel itself, it wouldn't cost that much.
More about Goa Travel - Best Hotels in Goa Review
Exploring Goa on your own, strolling on beaches and watching things around you without any company gives you a whole different perspective of the place and gets you to see things that you otherwise wouldn't have done if you had company. It was a wonderful experience. I feel a little more wise with a smugness around me, concluding that I had an incredible time, more importantly, with myself.
Goa is a very safe place for even single women travelers but still you need to be careful about your things. Here are a few tips for single women travellers:
- stay in a reputed hotel if you are traveling alone
- avoid too late in the night.
- When you are in South Goa then make sure you enjoy your own hotel property by the night, as the place is very quite and deserted. If you would like to go to pub hopping then North Goa is a better choice as there are many beach shacks.
- Avoid talking to strangers.
- Take a taxi from the hotel itself, it wouldn't cost that much.
More about Goa Travel - Best Hotels in Goa Review
You went alone? :O Looks like you had a wonderful time :)
ReplyDeletewww.chpdzn.blogspot.com
Hey, yup alone and had an incredible time.
Deletehey wow u didn't cancel and went on your own that's great
Deleteand some awesome clicks there esp the feet and the fruit platter
sorry about the spa ... hard to believe na!
this looks like paradise!!
ReplyDeletehttp://kellinasthoughts.blogspot.com/
Hey Kellina, ya Goa is awesome and the quieter part that I stayed in was really like a paradise. You must visit Goa and stay in Park Hyatt.
DeleteLovely photos! I'd love to visit Goa. :)
ReplyDeleteKrista / http://imaproductofmyowndesign.blogspot.com
yah you must, Goa is excellent. You get the best of both - u can have a great party time on fun filled beaches like Baga Beach in Goa with its shacks and party scene or completely detach yourself from everything and de-stress in southern Goa with its awesome hotels like Park Hyatt
DeleteOh wow !!
ReplyDeleteThis is more than paradise..how in the world could you leave back home from that place ? :)
it's just amazing, and the pics are great !!
xoxo
http://prettypink05.blogspot.com/
Talk about it.... wish could have stayed a bit more longer, but work calling :(
Deleteseem like a great place! you sure had yourself a holiday :)
ReplyDeleteLove,
Pudding Monster
hey,,, yah has a wonderful time :)
DeleteAwesome Pics and a well written post!!! Hope you had a wonderful time
ReplyDeleteGoa... beautiful and historical place! I loved the pics :) this place is so important to portuguese people!! Kiss. Would you like to follow each other?
ReplyDeleteAmazing Blog... congratulations!
ReplyDeleteNice day!
hmm, do you design anything for fat, forty, burnt baigans? let me know
ReplyDeleteGoa..such a paradise..lovely pictures dear:)
ReplyDelete*Love*
Elegance Stylized Blog❤
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S J,
ReplyDeleteIt is so good that you enjoyed your Goa holidays and are back fully charged up. Company is good for such ventures but it is no bar to have fun alone too.
Take care
Beautiful pics and you have a very sweet blog..:-) Thanks for dropping by.Keep blogging..:-)
ReplyDeleteOn your blog after a long time. How have you been?
ReplyDeleteI love GOA..Used to go a lot from Bangalore when I was studying <3
love
http://www.meghasarin.blogspot.com
I had stayed in Hotel Riveria once. Beautiful property <3
ReplyDeletelove
http://www.meghasarin.blogspot.com
Hey SJ, lovely post, if you wish you can submit your blog at our simple blog directory, we are just creating it, have a look http://etherealbloggers.blogspot.in/
ReplyDeleteif you wish you can submit your blog to our simple blog directory etherealbloggers.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for messaging me on IFB! I love meeting fashion bloggers from India :)
ReplyDeleteWhat else do you do besides blogging? Just curious.
Keep in touch! x.
--
Elvia
The New Outlet: http://the-new-outlet.blogspot.com/
Wow... too bad they ducked out. They missed half of their life.
ReplyDeleteI wish I am spending my day on a nice place too. I'm still at home doing nothing but blogging at all.
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Beautiful images all!! Very well composed and shot..
ReplyDeleteNothing like being comfortable with oneself...
Some great images which recognize me the cherish movement of my life.
ReplyDeletewow lovely photos...I really really want to go to Goa very soon
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and now following :)
Laura x
www.sidestreetstyle.com
wow i love the pix,
ReplyDeleteso professional looking!
your newest follower,
Sara xx
The pictures are lovely! And the idea of goin to a holiday alone is really cool! I so appreciate ur writing style, love it! Am a new follower! :)
ReplyDeleteBtw, thanks so much for commenting on my blog! Being a newbie, I need some genuine suggestions! ;)
Much love,
xoxo
http://realconfessionsofafashionista.blogspot.in/