Off beat Goa travel Destination and overall experience
I have been planning this trip for quite sometimes and finally, when I found flight ticket rates at reasonable level, I first bought my flight tickets. I bought non stop Indigo flight and 1 stop return flight from Goa.
We decided to stay in Majorda, Goa at Tree house blue. Tree House Blue has its own website - https://treehousehotels.in/hotels/treehouse-goa/ and profiles in several travel booking websites like - makemytrip.com (I prepaid and booked my hotel from here) ,goibibo, cleartrip.com, etc. This hotel contains quite good review in these websites.
However, certain things came to light during the stay.
Tree House Blue, Majorda, Goa - Ratings (was staying in room 108)
The day we landed, we took the boat cruise and before boat cruise, we went for Majorda beach (around 3 pm) and both of us did parasailing. It was pretty awsome and costed us each INR1200/-. 1 way airport to hotel costed us INR 700 for an A/C Mahindra Xylo. The pickup was arranged from the hotel on my request.
Something about the boat cruise
Ticket price - INR 300 per person and 1 hour time.
What we expected - Couples and families with dance and brushing with local goan dance, music and culture.
what we got
A converted ferry boat, freshly painted with upper level or roof converted into a dance floor and a makeshift stage with loudly blaring peppy,provocative bollywood numbers (songs which you would not want to be with with your son or daughter). Plastic chairs with a makeshift bar at the back of the boat. The people who were waiting were college or university goers (this is to give you an idea about age groups). Who seemed to be awaiting for bachelors party sort of facial expression.
We were the only couple to board the cruise. 2 minutes into boarding, my wife started feeling uncomfortable and I was feeling awkward too. So, my wife asked me to get the hell out. We got down and both of us were feeling really bad, mostly my wife was feeling really bad as going to the river cruise was her desire.
We had already invested INR1000 for 2 way hotel and cruise spot travel expense and 600 for cruise ticket cost.
We decided to wait and leave at the last moment. We saw few families and honeymoon couples. So, we went back and took seat at the end of the circus. So, the cruise started with every goan music and dance performance what followed was coaxing people from audience to come up on stage and dance on those peppy numbers.
It started with asking families who have brought children to send their children to dance. Then the host asked couples to come up and dance.Then asked all the bachelor party gang on stage who went up the stage with beer bottles "to dance". We tried to look outside rather than on stage. Families were also very silent. We were relived when the tour came to an end. It was a torture and tasteless and could be skipped.
2nd day
We went for Dudhsagar falls. We started on 7:30 am. We had to wait for 1 hour in a queue for jeep safari which will take us through the 45 min reserved forest. It costed as INR 950 for 2 persons, which included jeep safari + camera cost+ reserved forest entry fee + safety jacket). Every safari jeep takes 7 people.so, if you are a couple or solo traveller, you will have to wait to be teamed up.However, the guy in the stand will make your team.So, you dont have to run around to find a team and you will get a good,shady place to sit and wait.
WE took few pictures and went up ahead the road,journey and overall was quite nice. However, the space was quite small compared to the tourist crowd gathered. There is 1 hour compulsory time to return to your vehicle and start the journey back to your starting point. Being early on the spot did gave us an advantage because we later came to know from the driver that the forest department has a maximum cap of possibly 200 - 250 safari jeeps that can enter the forest per day.
After coming down, we visited spice plantation which costed us INR 400 each and that included a buffet goan lunch. The plantation was more or less a set up show. There were artificial figurines showing farmers and different equipments in use. A guide took us around a rectangular shaped cross section with different single spice plants placed with samples for visitors to smell,taste,etc with description of plants and to touch and smell the leaves too. Although, I refuse to accept it as an actual spice plantation but it was a nice experience.
After going through the spice plantation we were accompanied by the guide to the buffet place. The restaurant had several local dishes, as well as items to cater to European tastes. I saw several Russians trying only bread, fruit juice and salad mix and nothing else. Tables and benches were unpolised wooden material to give an natural look with hen and cats moving around. Dont doubt the hygenic part however, these items were what I presume to be part of the show. The bathrooms were quite clean and comfortable in terms of space and look possibly because Europeans (russians mostly) used them too. This plantation had several other packages like posing with an elephant, getting bath from an elephant, staying in that plantation and so on.
On our way back, we visited Loutolim and visited the Big Foot Museum and Portugues house where the shooting of few scenes from Singham (Bollywood movie) took place.
3rd Day(North Goa)
Since, we were staying in Majorda we were about 50 Km. away from North as well as from extreme south Goa. We first went to
Dona-Paula- We reached there by 8 am. It was empty and had less fog.So, it was beautiful, peaceful and silent. There was an uncle who was fishing along with another young guy who too was fishing.
There was a hell lot of street stalls which was closed and covered with tarpaulins. I could imagine how bustling and crowded it would have been if we haven't arrived here in the evening or in the afternoon.
Fontainhas - After Dona Paola, we went to Panaji/Panjim (Capital of Goa). There we visited this Portuguese neighborhood. Since, it was early morning and off beat place so the place was quite vacant and there were few foreigners (European/American) tourists. Our taxi driver drove slowly through the lanes for us to have a better view.
Church where the shooting of Films like Josh took place. This church too was nice but we didnt go inside the church.
Rios-Magos Fort - Here to we had the advantage of early arrival. the fort had another Portuguese family when we entered. The ticket price was INR 200 per person and camera carried extra charges. So, the lady issuing the ticket asked us to use our mobile phone camera which isnt chargeable.
This fort has underwent restoration and is pretty good in shape. We enjoyed the exhibits and overall experience was awesome. This fort was under seige for 2 years by Maraths but could not be conquered. This fort was later used as a jail for freedom fighters for Indian Independence. Thumbs up to the Goa Government for restoration work.
Aguada Fort ( Filming spot for Dil Chahta hai - Bollywood film)
The fort was quite big and no entry fee but pretty crowded. Nothing special though....
Calangute Beach - We reached by 1 PM and straight went for Souza Lobo's Restaurant which just opened for the day. So, we were the first customer when we entered the restaurant on that day. Interior decoration was nice with clear visual of the beach and sea while you are eating makes it awesome.
What we ordered?
2 rice,1 king fish curry and 1 breadcrumb muzzle. Food quality was good but our later expeditions into Goan culinary made us realize that it was quite expensive but it can be attributed to brand equity and publicity.
We later walked around the beach for an hour or so. The beach was dirty and the crowd is not what we very much liked. There was a young bachelor guys group who passed lewd comments to a girls group as they walked past each other.
Bom Mary's Church (World Heritage Site)
We drove to this church. the church was pretty nice in terms of architecture, overall environment and crowd. What struck us most was we saw a Muslim middle aged couple in full burqua and traditional dress touring the church. This was first time experience for us and it broke stereotypes in our minds.
Indian Navy's Naval Aviation Museum- It was quite an experience. There were actual decommissioned helicopters, plane engines, missiles, aeroplanes and fighter jets on display. Ticket possibly costed us INR 40 per person + INR 20 camera charges. You have to leave your bag in the lockers.
Visit to local shopping mall - We went there and purchased several packages pickles and babinca which is not available in my part of India.
Ashvik's Vintage Car World - Ticket price - INR 100 per person and cash payment accepted only. It had pretty exhaustive collection and nicely maintained. But it is an off beat location. therefore, you have to guide the driver to this location unless he is smart and proactive as ours. It is the 2nd-3rd shop at ground floor of a motorable by-lane.So, its more or less pretty near the main road.
4th Day
Palolim Beach
The human population was 30% of Calangute beach mostly foreigners. The beach is pristine and we walked for few hundred meters, when we were approached by boat guys who takes people out for dolphin sighting. Initially, they asked us for INR 2700/-, we refused stating that it is beyond our budget.
Then someone else approached with INR 500 per person, which appeared reasonable to us. We realized that these guys were tracking us and we were hooked up with a boat and another group of passengers who were 2 Km behind us on another part of the beach.
So, we got on the boat and went to another part of beach and then we went forward for dolphin sighting. Here too we had the advantage of early morning arrival and thanks to the inputs of our taxi driver Mr. Wilson ( Phone No-+91 9730115565; Phone number provided after consent from Mr. Wilson), we came to know that dolphins stay close by during early hours.
We had seen Irrawady Dolphins in Chilka Lake,Odisha/Orissa. Here, we were able to get clear shot of 3 dolphins multiple times. Then we went past butterfly island and landed for a brief time in Honeymoon island. We stayed and walked the beach for 1pm and then left for Agonda beach.
Palolim beach dolphin tour is highly recommended compared to North Goa Dolphin tour because it is less crowded and focused on Dolphins alone. North Goa dolphin includes some other things too.
Agonda Beach
When we reached Agonda beach, it was already noon and beach was empty. there were no Indian tourists and the place is untouched. We went to a shack which had a pirate flag on it. All customers were Russians. We had Tandoor Sea Bass in spices and rice. It was really tasty and cheaper compared to Shouza Lobo's place in terms of quantity and quality.
The address of the place where we ate in Agonda (with the pirate flag ;-) ):-
Under the palms
Amar Chetri-8551064108
Cancona Agonda Beach, left side of church, south goa-403702
Email-amarmas36@gmail.com
Cabo-De-Rama Fort
The fort is in quite bad shape. However, Mr. Wilson (Our sole taxi driver) took us to see the view of the beach below this fort. It was awsome and we went back to the hotel.
Day 5: Full day at Majorda Beach
We spent the entire day at Mish-Mar, beach shack. Mish mar, I presume, is a Russian name but owner is a local. Majorda beach too is quite peaceful with less people and we ordered Tandoor white snapper and rice dish which costed us around INR 2000. We walked from hotel to Majorda beach.
However, the food was not as good as Agonda and Sea Bass fish is tastier than King/white snapper Fish.
What we missed?
We missed going for snorkeling and diving expedition. Cashless facility was absent. Before we went, we read online news from government agencies which claimed that Goa is now 100% cashless and we love cashless. But we were greatly disappointed and many times inconvenienced due to cash payments.
What special we ate for dinner?
Salmon fish fillet topping Pizza, a Salt water bowl with bits and pieces of prawn,octopus,squid called sea food soup. Each food item is no less than INR 200 per plate / per glass.So, every thing was pretty expensive.
We decided to stay in Majorda, Goa at Tree house blue. Tree House Blue has its own website - https://treehousehotels.in/hotels/treehouse-goa/ and profiles in several travel booking websites like - makemytrip.com (I prepaid and booked my hotel from here) ,goibibo, cleartrip.com, etc. This hotel contains quite good review in these websites.
However, certain things came to light during the stay.
Tree House Blue, Majorda, Goa - Ratings (was staying in room 108)
- Room Cleanliness - 4/5 (bed sheets and blanket covers were dirty and carried marks of past use)
- Staff Behaviour - 5/5 (Prompt and professional behaviour)
- Tipping - 5/5 (No tips solicited)
- Distance from Majorda Beach - 2.5/5 (We walked for 45 min to reach beach and many parts of the road were deserted, through open fields and not suitable for tourists during night) - Distance is more or less 3.4 Km for one way trip. The walking pace was leisurely not the pace you have on your way to work everyday.
- Functionality of Electronic Gadgets - 3/5 (Hole in set top box remote, Geyser functional but hot water came out when not expected ✊) This hotel being run on the model of studio apartments contains a lot of electronic gadgets - electric Chimney (not used), electric kettle, Microwave, TV, Geyser, Air conditioner.
- Security - 4/5 (known delivery guys from local food retailers were allowed to go to guest rooms).Please do note that the hotel is under CCTV cover. I saw cameras all over the place.
- Malpractice -charged for packaged water bottles, in fact charged double the MRP(max. retail price). Took payment in cash(No GST bill). I had complained about this to make my trip the day of my return home.Since, this hotel was make my trip assured. All they (makemytrip) did was a telephonic apology and closed the case.
- This hotel doesnt have a restaurant.So,you have to order food from local food retailers,some of whose details you would find in your room properly kept in display file.They also allow zomato deliveries. Except plain rice, none of the food for 1 person would be
The day we landed, we took the boat cruise and before boat cruise, we went for Majorda beach (around 3 pm) and both of us did parasailing. It was pretty awsome and costed us each INR1200/-. 1 way airport to hotel costed us INR 700 for an A/C Mahindra Xylo. The pickup was arranged from the hotel on my request.
Something about the boat cruise
Ticket price - INR 300 per person and 1 hour time.
What we expected - Couples and families with dance and brushing with local goan dance, music and culture.
what we got
A converted ferry boat, freshly painted with upper level or roof converted into a dance floor and a makeshift stage with loudly blaring peppy,provocative bollywood numbers (songs which you would not want to be with with your son or daughter). Plastic chairs with a makeshift bar at the back of the boat. The people who were waiting were college or university goers (this is to give you an idea about age groups). Who seemed to be awaiting for bachelors party sort of facial expression.
We were the only couple to board the cruise. 2 minutes into boarding, my wife started feeling uncomfortable and I was feeling awkward too. So, my wife asked me to get the hell out. We got down and both of us were feeling really bad, mostly my wife was feeling really bad as going to the river cruise was her desire.
We had already invested INR1000 for 2 way hotel and cruise spot travel expense and 600 for cruise ticket cost.
We decided to wait and leave at the last moment. We saw few families and honeymoon couples. So, we went back and took seat at the end of the circus. So, the cruise started with every goan music and dance performance what followed was coaxing people from audience to come up on stage and dance on those peppy numbers.
It started with asking families who have brought children to send their children to dance. Then the host asked couples to come up and dance.Then asked all the bachelor party gang on stage who went up the stage with beer bottles "to dance". We tried to look outside rather than on stage. Families were also very silent. We were relived when the tour came to an end. It was a torture and tasteless and could be skipped.
2nd day
We went for Dudhsagar falls. We started on 7:30 am. We had to wait for 1 hour in a queue for jeep safari which will take us through the 45 min reserved forest. It costed as INR 950 for 2 persons, which included jeep safari + camera cost+ reserved forest entry fee + safety jacket). Every safari jeep takes 7 people.so, if you are a couple or solo traveller, you will have to wait to be teamed up.However, the guy in the stand will make your team.So, you dont have to run around to find a team and you will get a good,shady place to sit and wait.
WE took few pictures and went up ahead the road,journey and overall was quite nice. However, the space was quite small compared to the tourist crowd gathered. There is 1 hour compulsory time to return to your vehicle and start the journey back to your starting point. Being early on the spot did gave us an advantage because we later came to know from the driver that the forest department has a maximum cap of possibly 200 - 250 safari jeeps that can enter the forest per day.
After coming down, we visited spice plantation which costed us INR 400 each and that included a buffet goan lunch. The plantation was more or less a set up show. There were artificial figurines showing farmers and different equipments in use. A guide took us around a rectangular shaped cross section with different single spice plants placed with samples for visitors to smell,taste,etc with description of plants and to touch and smell the leaves too. Although, I refuse to accept it as an actual spice plantation but it was a nice experience.
After going through the spice plantation we were accompanied by the guide to the buffet place. The restaurant had several local dishes, as well as items to cater to European tastes. I saw several Russians trying only bread, fruit juice and salad mix and nothing else. Tables and benches were unpolised wooden material to give an natural look with hen and cats moving around. Dont doubt the hygenic part however, these items were what I presume to be part of the show. The bathrooms were quite clean and comfortable in terms of space and look possibly because Europeans (russians mostly) used them too. This plantation had several other packages like posing with an elephant, getting bath from an elephant, staying in that plantation and so on.
On our way back, we visited Loutolim and visited the Big Foot Museum and Portugues house where the shooting of few scenes from Singham (Bollywood movie) took place.
3rd Day(North Goa)
Since, we were staying in Majorda we were about 50 Km. away from North as well as from extreme south Goa. We first went to
Dona-Paula- We reached there by 8 am. It was empty and had less fog.So, it was beautiful, peaceful and silent. There was an uncle who was fishing along with another young guy who too was fishing.
There was a hell lot of street stalls which was closed and covered with tarpaulins. I could imagine how bustling and crowded it would have been if we haven't arrived here in the evening or in the afternoon.
Fontainhas - After Dona Paola, we went to Panaji/Panjim (Capital of Goa). There we visited this Portuguese neighborhood. Since, it was early morning and off beat place so the place was quite vacant and there were few foreigners (European/American) tourists. Our taxi driver drove slowly through the lanes for us to have a better view.
Church where the shooting of Films like Josh took place. This church too was nice but we didnt go inside the church.
Rios-Magos Fort - Here to we had the advantage of early arrival. the fort had another Portuguese family when we entered. The ticket price was INR 200 per person and camera carried extra charges. So, the lady issuing the ticket asked us to use our mobile phone camera which isnt chargeable.
This fort has underwent restoration and is pretty good in shape. We enjoyed the exhibits and overall experience was awesome. This fort was under seige for 2 years by Maraths but could not be conquered. This fort was later used as a jail for freedom fighters for Indian Independence. Thumbs up to the Goa Government for restoration work.
Aguada Fort ( Filming spot for Dil Chahta hai - Bollywood film)
The fort was quite big and no entry fee but pretty crowded. Nothing special though....
Calangute Beach - We reached by 1 PM and straight went for Souza Lobo's Restaurant which just opened for the day. So, we were the first customer when we entered the restaurant on that day. Interior decoration was nice with clear visual of the beach and sea while you are eating makes it awesome.
What we ordered?
2 rice,1 king fish curry and 1 breadcrumb muzzle. Food quality was good but our later expeditions into Goan culinary made us realize that it was quite expensive but it can be attributed to brand equity and publicity.
We later walked around the beach for an hour or so. The beach was dirty and the crowd is not what we very much liked. There was a young bachelor guys group who passed lewd comments to a girls group as they walked past each other.
Bom Mary's Church (World Heritage Site)
We drove to this church. the church was pretty nice in terms of architecture, overall environment and crowd. What struck us most was we saw a Muslim middle aged couple in full burqua and traditional dress touring the church. This was first time experience for us and it broke stereotypes in our minds.
Indian Navy's Naval Aviation Museum- It was quite an experience. There were actual decommissioned helicopters, plane engines, missiles, aeroplanes and fighter jets on display. Ticket possibly costed us INR 40 per person + INR 20 camera charges. You have to leave your bag in the lockers.
Visit to local shopping mall - We went there and purchased several packages pickles and babinca which is not available in my part of India.
Ashvik's Vintage Car World - Ticket price - INR 100 per person and cash payment accepted only. It had pretty exhaustive collection and nicely maintained. But it is an off beat location. therefore, you have to guide the driver to this location unless he is smart and proactive as ours. It is the 2nd-3rd shop at ground floor of a motorable by-lane.So, its more or less pretty near the main road.
4th Day
Palolim Beach
The human population was 30% of Calangute beach mostly foreigners. The beach is pristine and we walked for few hundred meters, when we were approached by boat guys who takes people out for dolphin sighting. Initially, they asked us for INR 2700/-, we refused stating that it is beyond our budget.
Then someone else approached with INR 500 per person, which appeared reasonable to us. We realized that these guys were tracking us and we were hooked up with a boat and another group of passengers who were 2 Km behind us on another part of the beach.
So, we got on the boat and went to another part of beach and then we went forward for dolphin sighting. Here too we had the advantage of early morning arrival and thanks to the inputs of our taxi driver Mr. Wilson ( Phone No-+91 9730115565; Phone number provided after consent from Mr. Wilson), we came to know that dolphins stay close by during early hours.
We had seen Irrawady Dolphins in Chilka Lake,Odisha/Orissa. Here, we were able to get clear shot of 3 dolphins multiple times. Then we went past butterfly island and landed for a brief time in Honeymoon island. We stayed and walked the beach for 1pm and then left for Agonda beach.
Palolim beach dolphin tour is highly recommended compared to North Goa Dolphin tour because it is less crowded and focused on Dolphins alone. North Goa dolphin includes some other things too.
Agonda Beach
When we reached Agonda beach, it was already noon and beach was empty. there were no Indian tourists and the place is untouched. We went to a shack which had a pirate flag on it. All customers were Russians. We had Tandoor Sea Bass in spices and rice. It was really tasty and cheaper compared to Shouza Lobo's place in terms of quantity and quality.
The address of the place where we ate in Agonda (with the pirate flag ;-) ):-
Under the palms
Amar Chetri-8551064108
Cancona Agonda Beach, left side of church, south goa-403702
Email-amarmas36@gmail.com
Cabo-De-Rama Fort
The fort is in quite bad shape. However, Mr. Wilson (Our sole taxi driver) took us to see the view of the beach below this fort. It was awsome and we went back to the hotel.
Day 5: Full day at Majorda Beach
We spent the entire day at Mish-Mar, beach shack. Mish mar, I presume, is a Russian name but owner is a local. Majorda beach too is quite peaceful with less people and we ordered Tandoor white snapper and rice dish which costed us around INR 2000. We walked from hotel to Majorda beach.
However, the food was not as good as Agonda and Sea Bass fish is tastier than King/white snapper Fish.
What we missed?
We missed going for snorkeling and diving expedition. Cashless facility was absent. Before we went, we read online news from government agencies which claimed that Goa is now 100% cashless and we love cashless. But we were greatly disappointed and many times inconvenienced due to cash payments.
What special we ate for dinner?
Salmon fish fillet topping Pizza, a Salt water bowl with bits and pieces of prawn,octopus,squid called sea food soup. Each food item is no less than INR 200 per plate / per glass.So, every thing was pretty expensive.
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