New Year 2015-16 in South Goa

Preparations to welcome the New Year begins a few weeks in advance, as evidenced by sights on the beach and streets. The tradition is that the year about to slip away has grown 'Old and Evil', and needs to be given a grand send off. The Old year is represented by a mannequin of a stuffed Old and grizzled looking man.

The Old man is made rather ugly to look at, and is formally dressed, often in a coat, tie and shoes, with fireworks stuffed inside. Fireworks are carefully preserved since the Diwali festival that is typically held during the months of Sept or Oct.

Our local driver Edwin lives right next to Pristine Resort. The Old man shown above is made with great care by Edwin and his friends. A small donation helps their cause. The boys and girls appear thrilled at the prospect of blowing the Old Year away, represented by the Old Man - along with all the evils accumulated over the past year - and to welcome the New Year 2016 at the stroke of midnight. It's one of the high points of their simple lives. 

During our visits to Magzika, Prajoy told us that he would be holding a big bash on the evening of Dec 31. The entertainment included a fixed menu and a live band. That would be a nice way to spend New Year's Eve on the beach and admire the fireworks, we thought.  

Prajoy and the staff at Magzika had made enormous efforts to set up a special New Year's eve. It would certainly be an evening to remember. 

Short eats were in plenty, the lads in the kitchen were able to cope up with the demand, until close to midnight, when they shut the kitchen for an hour because of super high demand that they were unable to manage.  

Tables draped in blue and chairs clothed in white added to the amazing atmosphere. 

How about an attempt at a selfie in the low light?

The hours rolled by, the breeze coming off the sea was cool, as the live music and lights added to the electric effect.

Unable to wait any longer, the fireworks started popping a few minutes before midnight. 

The sky lit up all along the beach.

We could see explosions of stars in the sky all the way from Arossim in the north to Colva and beyond in the south.

Some entertained themselves with Chinese Lanterns that rose gently up to the sky, as if attempting to catch the trails left for fleeting moments by the exploding fire crackers. 

We waited for Edwin to pick us up from a point near Nanu's Resort. It was well past 01:45 AM by then. 

Goa is colourfully dressed up during the X'mas period, with numerous Grottos set up all over the state.  

As for the 'Old and Evil' man representing the year gone by, well, all that remains is a mass of grey, and bits and pieces of clothing lying scattered on the ground. 

Welcome, 2016! 

Wish you all a happy and peaceful year ahead! 

All the posts in this series:

1. South Goa – A Walker’s Paradise

2. South Goa Sunsets

3. Lots of food and a little rest

4. New Year 2015-16 in South Goa

5. The last Beach Shack in South Goa

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Lots of food and a little rest

If anyone tells you that a holiday in Goa is easy, try not to believe them. There's just too much to be done. Hours of gazing at the sea. Kilometres to walk. Hundreds of menus to research. Tons to eat. Gallons to drink. Old friends to meet up with. And an occasional restful period to recharge the batteries. The cycle repeats. 

Magzika Beach Shack, Betalbatim (near Nanu's Resort) is one of our favourites. Prajoy, the young owner has also set up a Health Club in the vicinity. Those fond of Vegetarian food would be happy to know that the kitchen at Magzika has two separate sections,one for veg food and the other for meat. 

An easy 5 km stroll takes us from Pristine resort to Magzika just shy of the busy Colva area. 

We know the owner, staff and the menu quite well, so orders are swiftly placed.

Tuna Salad and Mixed Salad. 

Paneer Tikka cooked the colour of sunset in the tandoor.

There's usually a large variety of fish to choose from.

A Red Snapper for two, grilled with red Goan Racheido masala, accompanied with potato, rice, salads and fruit.

More eating and reading, perhaps?

Jungle Picture by Norah Burke was one of my English text books for the ICSE Exam many decades ago. I had bought the book online and read a few of the short stories while in Goa. Highly recommended for a glimpse of rural India and wildlife set in the early part of the last century, maybe.

The beach dogs have had a rough day, running around, playing and occasionally guarding their turf against a dog from the neighborhood that might accidentally wander in. Afternoon is a good time to catch a few winks. 

Both the shack dogs typically make themselves comfortable by our feet, their coats glistening in the afternoon sun.

The sea appears calm, while some folks laze in the shade of the large umbrellas. 

Long lunch done, it's time to head back.

Our first stop is a casual 3 km stroll away in Utorda, as we pass deserted stretches as well as a few somewhat crowded spots in Majorda.

We find a table by the water and settle down for the evening at Balton's Beach Shack. 

Balton's is a short walk from Pristine Resort, a little less than 2 km away, very easy to reach. Also accessible by the road used to reach Kenilworth and Royal Orchid. 

Candles appear on the tables as the sun sets.

Nothing to beat dinner with the sound of the waves in the background.  The music in South Goa is just about audible, mostly Western rock and soft rock from the '60s to the '90s, a refreshing change from Baga and Calangute in North Goa where loud Bollywood music rules the evenings and hurts the ear. 

Dinner is often at Balton's Beach Shack in Utorda, near Kenilworth and Royal Orchid. Balthazar runs the Beach Shack, with a little help from his better half. 

The Beach Shack is clean, decorated very well, and stays open till well past midnight. 

It's a good opportunity to say Hi to Tony and his better half who run the restaurant on the street located just outside the entrance of the Park Hyatt. Balthazar and Tony are brothers with vast, overseas hospitality industry and catering experience between them. The restaurant is exceptionally well maintained. The high standard has been constant since I first visited over six years ago.  

Another family favourite is Fishka, located just outside the Aliwa Diwa Resort a few km away in the Majorda-Betalbatim area.

Maybe we need to try the lunch thali some day. 

Excellent decor, food, service and ambiance. Always crowded, there is usually a waiting time after 8PM, unless you reserve a table in advance. 

After all this walking, eating and drinking it's time to rest up a bit and slip in a little more food and drink while we do so. Pristine Resort has been our favourite for several years. Tony and staff always welcome us back with a smile.

Sunrise views from Room 306 overlook fields, trees and grazing cattle. 

Breakfast in the shade by the poolside is a relaxing experience.

Bread, butter (for some!), jam, marmalade, a choice of omlettes, a potato dish, tea and coffee are adequate to keep us going until the next walk and meal. As a special gesture, Tony often serves us the local dishes that are cooked for the staff, like Poha and Pav with a local Curry. That's the yummy, non-tourist food! 

Pristine Resort is always quiet and relaxing, less than a km from Arossim beach. 

X'mas decorations add to the ambiance. 

The restaurant is a cool place for drink and food. The menu has quite a broad selection of drinks including local brews, Racheido grills and curries like Ambotik, Caldin and Vindaloo.   

Apartment 306 is well appointed - a large living room (with an extra bed) overlooking the pool, fridge, TV, and a bedroom overlooking the fields. 

All perfectly set up to help us along our 'lots of food and a little rest' journey over the 2015-16 New Year.

All the posts in this series:

1. South Goa – A Walker’s Paradise

2. South Goa Sunsets

3. Lots of food and a little rest

4. New Year 2015-16 in South Goa

5. The last Beach Shack in South Goa

-=-= end