Arambol

Arambol - 1

Oct 3rd, 2008 by tilak

may mean nothing to many, it means nothing less than a ‘Heaven on Earth’ to many others.

In fact, of even the regular tourists a large number would not even know this place as it is not amongst the many popular beaches of Goa. But to many others, there are no other place in Goa they know, and they would like to spend all their leisure time there.

A narrow lane meanders through the curio shops as it approaches the beach. The lane shrinks so much as you progress, that eventually you cannot even turn your vehicle. You will feel a fool if you have landed in Arambol in a four wheeler. The administrative authorities are oblivious of the problem and are not concerned about develop a parking space near the beach (like all other beaches of Goa) as they feel it is not a requirement.

Those who, with abundance of wealth, own a car and only likes to travel in their vehicle, are better advised not go to that place. There are many other destinations more suitable for them in Goa, and most of them offer much better materialistic comfort for a stay; including many star resorts.

At this stage, it will be most unfair if I deny you the pleasure and the experiences of the beaches of Goa. I am tempted to take you to Arambol an ‘out of the world’ beach destination in Goa. The tiny State of Goa on the west coast of India is primarily famous for its magnificent golden beaches. With the influx of tourists in Goa many of them are now proud to have star resorts. I, very carefully, avoid staying in such places and often will avoid visiting those well known places.

Fortunately for me, and for many others, Goa still possesses many remote locations which still has only basic infrastructure and offers just the minimum facilities to survive and exist. Materialistic comfort is an absolute ‘No No’ there. Arambol is one such place; it still retains the look of a pure and primitive tourist destination ‘of the seventy’s Goa’. Peace prevails undiluted and in abundance.

I took sometime before introducing you all to a beach in Goa, as I feel, to enjoy a place one must have an idea of the heart and the mind of the people of that place. It is said that ‘beauty is only skin deep’; you enjoy the beauty of a lady much more when you can smell the aroma which comes from her heart. Only then you enjoy her beauty, even if she may not be beautiful to the eye of others. So I had to tell about the hearts of the people of this place before I take you to her seaside cottage.

After you manage to find a place for yourself, you walk down the lane to have a glimpse of the sea, the reason you have come to Goa and to Arambol. The rule here is to hire a small hut or a room for a family and a two wheeler for travel. Only a two wheeler can negotiate the by-lanes of this wonderland. You park the exhausted vehicle like a king (or a sage) in front of your dilapidated hut and enjoy your time like a Shahensha, even if with a little money.

Yes, Arambol has everything for the king of hearts and very little for the modern day materialistic executives.

As you approach the beach you see a cluster of restaurants, some single story and some double with a romantic balcony on top, from where one can enjoy the activities on the beach throughout the day. You see a variety of water-sports - surfing, water-scooter ride, para-sailing. You see people returning from a swim in the sea, clothes soaked in water and their minds completely soaked in happiness.

You seep beer from a mug and relax!

Excuse me while I briefly enjoy the visual of my memories of my beer and a deliciously fried Macarel Recheacdo. It has remained deeply imprinted in my mind and surfaces every time I think of that place. I feel like going into a trance of ‘socegado’.

Mid-afternoon is just the right time and Arambol is the perfect place.

Tilak Ranjan Bera | 26th September 2008