ಗೋವಾ trip

After lots of yes and Nos, we started again on Friday, the 29th of September 2006 to Goa. The Chennai- Vasco Express train’s scheduled departure time was 9.30 PM from Yashavantpur. We had booked the train tickets 2 months back only as it was a long holiday and obliviously there was a demand for the tickets.

We had the plan to leave from our office at 7.30 PM as per Garima. But we were at the gate of our office at 8.00Pm, waiting for another cab to come. After many lies from the second cab’s driver, we finally decided to take the auto for 3 people. So Uttam, Selva and Srawan took auto (for Rs.150) and remaining people went by Cab( Maruti Omini).

When we reached Yashavantpur railway station, it was 9.20Pm, just 10 min for the scheduled departure!! But when entered the station, there was a surprise waiting for us. The board was displaying that the train was late by 120 min (2 hrs). Me Garima and debutant to our group Mahima, went inside to search the place to sit…but the one was not available. So we sat at the entrance and took some snaps. After some time, when Garima looked at the display board, it was showing that train was 3 hrs late !!! Then we shifted to platform no.1, where train was supposed to arrive. As all were hungry, it was decided to have the packed dinner there only. Selva was confused as the whole platform was full of girls !!. We had dinner which was packed from Nandini. And then , train finally arrived at 12 mid night on platform number 2. As it was already late, we all slept without much talking and laughing. Me and Sravan went to other compartment.

Next day… on 30th September, when we woke train was still in Hubli…it was running 4 hrs late !! We had breakfast of bread, butter and jam in the train. It was really exciting when train was passing through tunnels..its was totally dark inside. As the train was full of youngsters, loud cheers were coming whenever train was passing through the tunnel. Enroute to Goa, we saw Doodhsagar, a waterfalls. Its just after Doodhsagar railway station. We decided to get down at Vasc instead of Margoa. So we paid around Rs.1000 to the TT, as it was decided to pay to to government and not to ‘bribe’!!

When we reached Vasco, it was 4.30 PM. We boarded the government bus and reached Panaji, which is 27km from Vasco. From Panaji, Donapaula, where we had booked Youth Hostel (Sea view hotel) is 8 km away and we took bus to go there. We booked the the tickets for Cruise from 8.150 to 9.15 PM there in the hostel itself. We got fresh-up and went to Cruise. Cruise is something like a part hall on the boat. In the lower section of the boat there was a Discotheque, where we tried some dancing talent before leaving the cruise. In the next section there was a small restaurant, where some snacks, soft drink and alcohol were served. On the top section there was a stage, where local dancers performed and there were special events for children and couples. It was a nice journey of 1 hr in the cruise.

Next day morning we went to Donapaula beach, which is near the Sea view hotel where we stayed. It’s the spot where climax scene of the movie “Ek duje keliye” was shot.