The crowd of day visitors in the 'Calangute steps' area seems to be quite dense. Do they go away when it rains hard?
Lifeguards seemed bored a little further north, looking towards Baga. There were hardly any people around, a drastic change from the wall to wall sunbeds during the season.
The waves seemed to have brought up an unexpected gift for the crow, pecking on the eel. The sound of the waves may have distracted the crow, or it may have been awfully hungry to worry about my presence. I was able to photograph the crow with its dinner with my simple point and shoot camera at relatively close range as the crow flies.
Chalston Resort to Emmanuel Shack in Baga is a short 1.5 km walk, made more interesting by photographing the beach, waves, debris and crows along the way.
Robert's dogs (three this year) relax in the sun which has peeped out briefly.
The inside of the shack is as dry as it could be, with stone flooring, and well protected from the wind and rains.
The sun beds, several plastic chairs and most of the umbrellas have gone on holiday, till perhaps around October.
The few umbrellas planted outside furiously flutter in the strong winds, they seem all set to get ripped out of the sand. The life guard is making his way to the area where several people have gathered. The tide is high, not leaving mush space for people to splash around.
Just north of Emmanuel Shack, silly people are playing in the water. The danger during the monsoon season is that the waves gouge out huge chunks of sand in a random manner, and the resulting treacherous dips are impossible to tell from the outside.
Robert stands at the entrance, wondering whether any more customers are going to show up that evening. The high tide line has come up a good way up the beach. Only a few tables are occupied.
Mackerel grilled with Goan Racheido masala (used for grills) is an excellent choice that evening.
This is soon followed by yummy Goan Fish Curry and Rice.
There is really not much to tell one day from another during the monsoons. The common factor seems to be so few people on the beach. Except, as always, at spots where tourist vans and buses park for a while. This gentleman seems to be waving his arms around.
A closer look reveals that he is attempting to catch fish using a 'line'.
The lean season is a good time to remodel the 'Calangute steps'. Maybe the area will be called the 'Calangute ramp' from now on? The GTDC hotel seems to be in an utter state of disrepair.
Good old Souza Lobo near the Calangute-steps-being-renovated is a good spot to sample Chicken Xacuti and Fish Curry.
One can peacefully watch the crowds outside by the water. The helpless lifeguards keep whistling frantically and almost continuously at the senseless people who venture too deep. I suspect this area amounts to a 'punishment posting' for the life guard community.
Some folks believe that the water's edge is as good a place as any to play with their mobile
phones.
Quiet days turn slowly into evenings. It's been dry lately, with an occasional short, sharp shower. The sun peeped out now and then, for just a few moments. The very few people along most of the beach stretches is quite a contrast to the sight during the season in the same area.
As the sun sets, a group of crows line up in the 'attention stance' to watch sunset from Chalston Resort.
The sight of the massive grey clouds, and the crashing sounds of the hyperactive sea are interesting to crows, as well.
Next post: Old Boys' Reunion.
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Posts in this series:
Monsoon Washed Konkan Railway
Nivati fishing village
The Net fisherman of Vengurla
Redi Red and Shiroda White sand beach
Shiroda to Panaji at 10:30 AM
Calangute and Baga during the Monsoons
SJBHS OBA Connect 2013 Goa
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Monsoon Washed Konkan Railway
Nivati fishing village
The Net fisherman of Vengurla
Redi Red and Shiroda White sand beach
Shiroda to Panaji at 10:30 AM
Calangute and Baga during the Monsoons
SJBHS OBA Connect 2013 Goa
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