Goa

I have always envied who spent their New Year's Eve on the beaches of Goa, or even been in Goa during that period. It's probably the hip thing of being in Goa to bring in the new year. So my Friend Noella's wedding provided the perfect reason to be there this 31st. And the added bonus is that you had your love accompanying you, to be with you at the bewitching hour when you say goodbye to the old and hello to new.

So what so special about being there. Goa has everything a beach town needs and yes even more. Beautiful beaches with pristine clear water, architecture steeped in history. Friendly people and and that laid back feeling. And what away for me to ring in the new year by visiting religious place around Goa, like the Basilica of Bom Jesus in old Goa, the Shantadurga and Mangeshi temples. Especially when you have that someone special with you and both of you praying for blessing for the other. Each of these places holding us in awe of their beauty and architecture and that feeling of reverence by the sanctity and peace these places offer you.

Though only managed to go only to Calungute beach but was taken in by its beauty. The clean sand and the alluring blue waves and people walking about freely. A unique mixture of people from all over the country and even the world, just walking about on the wet sands, swimming in the water, indulging in sunbathing and water sports, snorkeling in the shallows. Newly married couples busy clicking each other and indulging in some PDA, elderly couples, families with children running in and out of the water, making sand castles or randomly digging in the sand. People trying to lure tourist to their shacks or their restaurants or their wares. People getting temporary tattoos (me and my love included). All in all people enjoying a beautiful day on the beach in the sun. And yes not forgetting the beautiful lunch at Souza Lobo of chicken biryani and sausage fried rice, while looking at the beautiful shore.

But most importantly participated in one of the most important days in Noella's life, with my love by my side.