Monsoon in Goa

This trip to Goa was long pending and somehow or the other, it would get postponed. We finally managed to do this trip thanks to the long week end. The time spent at the beaches is really therapeutic and the monsoon season makes it adventurous too.

The scenenic splendour of Goa during the monsoon is simply dazzling. The lush green paddy fields, hills and the country side are a sight for sore eyes. The roads though narrow are smooth and devoid of pot-holes ! The palm fringed beaches with the spectacular sunrise and sunset are the main attraction. Goa is a sea-food lover's paradise and one should not forget to mention the locally brewed "Feni". For the non-vegetarians, Goa is a gourmet's delight. For the vegetarians (like me) the choice is limited. I tried a vegetarian xacuti (eaten with rice) at the Crown Goa (Harbour Cafe) which was very delicious and I hope to try this out in my kitchen !

Since Bangalore is in the interior of Karnataka, we are deprived of these heavenly beaches. So, we had our fill of these wonderful beaches not only in Goa but also in Karwar and Gokarn in coastal Karnataka on our way back.

I am sharing  a few photos of these wonderful beaches.

Colva Beach - Dark clouds looming overhead

Aguada Beach - Sunny with a hint of dark clouds

Anjuna Beach - Clouds obstructing the view of the sun

Sunset at Anjuna Beach when the clouds cleared for a few minutes

Spectacular sky at Anjuna Beach

 Karwar Coast, Karnataka - Lush Green

Om Beach, Gokarn- Karnataka - Sunny afternoon with the waves splashing

P.S. 

For a detailed Goa trip report, you may see it shortly on my daughter's blog - http://ifornature.blogspot.com/

Part II - Somnath Temple, Sunset & the Hailstorm

The visit to the temple was on our agenda but we had thought of visiting it early in the morning. But God had other plans for us ( and I firmly believe his plans always works the best). The bright afternoon suddenly turned into a cloudy one followed by lightening and thunder and then the hailstorm! It was such a beautiful sight. Like pearls dropping from the sky on the green lawn in front of the cottage where we were staying ( I was witnessing the hailstorm for the first time). I tried to capture the beauty of this scene and hope I have done justice to it.

The evening safari was cancelled due to the hailstorm and so as not waste our day we thought of visiting the temple when the weather cleared a bit.

We managed to see the Temple (cameras are not allowed inside). Its a beautiful structure. We were also rewarded with a spectacular sunset which I managed to capture. The scene was absolutely breath-taking.

Front-view of the Somnath Temple

Silhouette of the Somnath Temple

Somnath Temple with the sun setting in the background
This photo has been published today(May 25, 2010) in the Deccan Chronicle Bengaluru edition on page 21

The sunset

The hailstorm - "Pearls " dropping from sky !

Close-up of "the pearls" on the lawn!

watch out for the next post - Part III