Gone to Goa

- February 02, 2023

Been a while since I’ve talked about my travels around the world, however, it almost seems just last year, I went on this trip to another part of India…Goa (and boy did I have a blast), so without any further delays, allow me (Ethan Stranger) to talk about this trip from last year…

As you can from these Pictures (Top Center), COVID was still happening, but that ain’t stop me from having any fun, so one of the 1st things that I and my parents did upon arriving in Goa went on a Dolphin Tour (Pictures: Bottom Center), though as you can see, The Dolphins hardly wanted to put on a show for us tourists (this ain’t no Sea World so makes sense).

But there was more wildlife to be seen within another part of India, especially at the Hotel we were staying at, such as this flock of Geese and Koi (Pictures: bottom Center), I did remember seeing this Golden Water Snake, but couldn’t get a picture in time, for it was too fast.

There was also this Mother Feral Hog as well as some Langurs, this working elephant (felt sorry for this poor gentle giant), a couple of cows fighting alongside the road (really putting on a show for us)

We were close to going on this safari drive, however, because of COVID, it was closed, though they did offer us a chance to go in…but only by foot, but we didn’t wanna risk it, being out on the open road with no walking stick, who knows what deadly creatures awaited in that safari park, “Tigers, Indian Leopards, Sloth Bears, Cobras, Dholes, Striped Hyenas, Pyhtons”...?

So mostly, my folks and I just hung around the Beach, which wasn’t bad, it was actually quite relaxing and the pictures don’t lie (Bottom Center), friends from my Dad’s work also went to Goa as well, however, they went to a different part of Goa where the beach was crowded with cows. My parents walked some ways along the beach, even a bit further up from our hotel, from there, we would spot local fishermen's boats and a village on the other side, while there were also noisy villagers selling off their stuff, as well as villagers fishing with just a line and hook (no fishing pole needed), plus I briefly witness a stray dog wanting to conquer his fear of the ocean (something my Dog, Chewie, needs to do, but that’s a whole other story for another time).

(Cue the soothing beach music)

Plus, any beach trip wouldn’t be the same without pesky egrets begging for food, crabs that that so invisible to sandy beaches and too quick at times to snag a photo, and (of course), lots of shore birds (I would have difficulty walking on a beach populated by cows).

(Cue even more soothing beach music)

The biggest event that happened to be during this trip was I literally found myself out of my comfort zone as I (Ethan Stranger) for the 1st time in my life went parasailing, I’ll never forget, as we weren't taking off, I screamed “OOOOOOHHHHH SHHHHIIIITTTTT” so loudly, for I was so nervous, worried that if I would fall, though I’m not saying I’m afraid of heights, if I was then I wouldn’t be able to get on a plane and travel, I’m just not comfortable being so high with a something around to protect me (plus I suffer from motion sickness), which is why I avoid roller coasters, due to going too fast, making me feel like I have butterflies in my stomach. But overall I really had a great time 1st time parasailing, wouldn’t mind doing it again. On our last day (right before heading to the airport), my Dad and I rode on this inflatable banana boat, but it didn’t take us that far out to sea, the weird thing was before reaching back to shore), the boat driver asked us if we wanted to be “dunked into the sea”, like he would tip over the inflatable banana boat and having us walk about to shore (so weird, sure it was just part of the act).

(Now I know how Strange felt when the Ancient One sent him on that crazy trip, watch here)

Overall, I would say that this trip to Goa differs from my trip to Oman (read more on that in my “Onward…to Oman Post”), for it was very peaceful, I wouldn’t mind going back to Goa in the future (if I do get a chance too), for there was some much I wasn’t able to do like go on that safari, though we walk in some jungle area (Picture: Bottom Center) and luckily didn’t encounter any dangerous animals and maybe have another go at an another Dolphin tour, more parasailing or riding on an inflatable banana boat (just hope we don’t end up on a beach populated with cows). My Therapist (who is actually American and lives in India) went to Goa as a late Christmas traveling surprise, sadly, she didn’t do much with her family over there, since her kids were very young, she and her husband just hung around the hotel area and there were no pictures taken for me to see during her trip (so sad), I don’t remember if she was at the same area that we were in or where my Dads co-workers were (she did mention of seeing a cow on the beach).