Goa Unplugged: 7 Days of Madness and Magic with Friends

Hello folks! Bharath here, and it’s time for another travel story, this time about our unforgettable trip to Goa — the land of sun, sand, and endless fun. This trip came together in a snap, but the memories we made will last a lifetime. So buckle up, because I’m about to take you through seven days of madness with my old friends-turned-lifelong buddies: Balasubramani, Dhanasekar, Surya, Meiyazhaghan, and, of course, yours truly. Let’s dive right in!

Day 1: Sleepless in Chennai

Date: Sep 18th
Route: Saidapet (Chennai) to Vasco da Gama (Goa)

Everyone dreams of going to Goa with friends, right? Well, we were no different! But here’s the catch: we were so excited the night before that we barely slept, finally knocking out at 3 AM only to wake up at 5 AM. Yeah, that’s right — running on two hours of sleep and a whole lot of adrenaline.

We took a local train from Saidapet to Chennai Central.
I got a special (and secret) sendoff from someone special😉
Once all five of us were aboard the train, the journey began at 7:30 AM sharp! Bangalore greeted us by noon, and after an auto ride to switch stations, we were on the train to Goa. Now, let me tell you, the route is mesmerizing — lush greenery, tunnels, and the famous Dudhsagar Falls. Bala and I stayed up at midnight just to catch a 30-second glimpse of the falls. Totally worth those groggy eyes!

Day 2: Samosas & Scooties

Date: Sep 19th
Destination: Vasco da Gama to Calangutte, Baga

“Goa, we have arrived!” That was the vibe as we rented scooties and began our road trip to Calangutte/Baga. Shoutout to Google Maps for guiding us through Goa’s twists and turns. After a Punjabi samosa breakfast that made us weak in the knees, we hit the road again.

Once we reached Calangutte, we scored a budget-friendly hotel and crashed — 26 hours of travel can do that to you. By evening, though, we were recharged and ready for the party life. The roads were alive with lights, music, and energy! Baga Beach was our playground for the night, with DJs spinning, people dancing, and us devouring spicy hakka noodles before calling it a night.

Day 3: Shopping Fail & Fort Fun

Date: Sep 20th
Destination: Aguada Fort and Caves

We intended to shop just a little in the morning, but guess what? It turned into a full-fledged shopping spree! Decked out in our new Goan outfits, we zoomed off to Aguada Fort. This place was majestic, perched right on the shoreline with sweeping views of the sea. Perfect for a group photo (or a dozen).

After fort-hopping, we checked out some caves before returning to our room, completely wiped out but happy.

Day 4: A Wet and Wild Morning

Date: Sep 21st
Destination: Baga Beach, Old Goa

The next morning, Baga Beach pulled a fast one on us. What started as a little paddling in the water turned into a full-on swimming session. Yep, we ditched our belongings on the shore and dived in. Classic, right? 🤣

After drying off and getting dressed, we set off for Old Goa. This part of Goa is like stepping into a different era. Our first stop was Xavier’s Church, which was unfortunately closed. Not to be discouraged, we visited St. Augustine Tower, which, though partly demolished, was still a sight to behold. Then came the Museum of Christian Arts, followed by a detour to the local bazaar. More shopping? You bet!

Day 5: Water Sports Mayhem

Date: Sep 22nd
Destination: Malvan Island

Adventure time! This day was all about water sports, and man, was it a blast. We started early, boarding a bus at 8 AM to Malvan Island, which is about 90 km from our room. First up was parasailing. Flying over the sea was as thrilling as it was terrifying, but the view? Absolutely worth the heart palpitations.

Next came banana rides, jet skiing, and the ultimate test of courage: scuba diving. Now, I was petrified at first (who wouldn’t be?), but thanks to the helpful instructor behind me, I actually managed to dive in. Breathing exercises, a hand over my nose, and bam! I was underwater, swimming with colorful fish. Big win for me!

The day ended at 11 PM, but not before we hit Baga Beach again for another round of Sunday night partying. Because why not?

Day 6: Tattoos & Goodbyes

Date: Sep 23rd
Destination: Shopping and Vasco da Gama

Our last full day in Goa began with one last trip to the beach for a photoshoot. We even got temporary tattoos to commemorate our wild week! Afterward, we hit up the Tibetan market for some final shopping (like we needed more souvenirs 😅).

By 2 PM, it was time to return the scooties and head to Vasco da Gama for our flight back home. But wait, there was one more surprise — we ran into Akshat Shrivatsava, the YouTuber! Yep, the guy who taught me everything about investing. We had a quick chat and snapped a selfie. A perfect end to a nearly perfect trip.

Day 7: Back to Reality

Date: Sep 24th
Destination: Chennai

And just like that, we were back in Chennai. The trip may have ended, but the memories, laughter, and inside jokes will live on forever. And hey, stay tuned for the next adventure — who knows where we’ll end up next?

Until then, Goa out! 🌞