Goa!

I flew from Mumbai to Goa, and on the plane, they handed out this really delicious chocolate…

schmitten chocolates

yassss

The whole trip, I was thinking, “I hope I get another chocolate.” “Maybe the flight attendants will give out more chocolate.” “I hope someone leaves their chocolate on the plane, and I find it.” And then, as we were waiting to de-board the plane, THE GUY IN FRONT OF ME HANDED ME HIS CHOCOLATE! I said, “Are you sure? It’s really good chocolate.” He was sure:)

sunset over India

Also, during the plane ride, I kept thinking, “I hope I can find someone to share a taxi with.” I was thinking this because the taxi fare from the airport to my hotel in Candolim was supposed to be around $15. And no bus option. So, the whole time, I’m thinking, “Wow, it would be great to find someone to share a taxi with.” And then, as I was walking to the pre-paid taxi counter before leaving the airport, THE SAME GUY WALKS UP BEHIND ME AND ASKS WHERE I’M GOING. So, I told him, and he was going to a town just a little further north of Candolim!

And then, A GUY COMES UP BEHIND US AND ASKS THE OTHER GUY, “Hey, did you say you’re going to Baga?” And, “Yes, do you want to come in the taxi too?” So, suddenly, I’m only paying $5 for a cab, instead of $15, and I was the first one to get dropped off. Awesome. Just very funny because I was putting positive energy towards these two things happening, and they happened☺️

Goa is a state actually, not a town (which I didn’t fully comprehend until I went there). I have stayed in: Candolim (North Goa), Panjim (or Panaji) (Goa’s largest city, in North Goa), on Bambolim Beach (still considered North Goa), and in Cansaulim near Arossim Beach (South Goa).

Candolim has a cute town, with lots of restaurants and bars catering to tourists, and a cool beach.

candolim town

welcome basket – only good thing abt my free Club Carlson hotel in candolim..?

Panjim is on the Mandovi River, and it has the casino riverboats. I read about the casino industry in Goa before I went, so I understood the process. You have to pay to get into all of the casinos in Goa, but they give you OTP ‘one time play’ chips of various quantities, which you can use at some games, to ‘get your money back’. You also get buffet lunch, snacks, buffet dinner, and drinks complimentary.

I paid 3,500 rupees to get into Deltin Royale, and the time of day I went has the best OTP redemption, so I got 3,500 rupees of OTP chips. I played roulette and blackjack, and I got all 3,500 rupees back in real chips. Then, I quit and played slots😂 The slots sucked. Didn’t pay, and even worse – THE SOUND WAS TURNED OFF!? But it was really fun, and I’m glad that I got to experience an Indian casino.😄

taking the boat, to the boat on Mandovi River

deltin jaqk & casino pride boats

casino pride 2

deltin royale boat

i guess it’s owned by Horseshoe?

indian casino chip:)

I had a lot of fun exploring Panjim because of all of the interesting little streets and buildings. It was busy, and some people throw their litter everywhere😢, but it was still really nice. I really liked it!

panjim street

our lady of the immaculate conception church, built ~1600

panjim street

woodsy and hilly

After Panjim, I went on to Bambolim and stayed at the Grand Hyatt. My TOTALLY FREE hotel was amazing. And because of my Platinum status, I got a free upgrade to a bigger room, with an ocean view…

grand hyatt goa

room

grounds

balcony

There is a really cool chapel on the property that was built in the 16th century and was used by fishermen for centuries…

16th century chapel

chapel

chapel overlooking the ocean

old

so old.

The Bambolim Beach is nearby…

bambolim beach

feet in sand

bambolim

lovely rocks

bambolim

beach dogs!

One night, someone put on a fireworks display for me, and I had a wonderful view, right from my balcony. (When rich people get married, sometimes everyone wins.)

Next up: Kochi