Travel Her: Five Lessons That My Goa Trip Taught Me

"Refreshing, enjoyable and delectable" are the three words that perfectly summarise my trip to my favorite destination last week. During our four day stay, we tried to visit as many beaches and forts as we could. Besides memories, there were a few lessons also that I returned with.

The sea had a soothing effect on us. We also learned that just like sea flows rhythmically, we should also try to maneuver through life smoothly and happily.

Five lessons I returned with from my trip to Goa

1. A family trip is worth it

Solo travel is the norm these days but I definitely feel that a trip with your loved ones is definitely worth it. It was heartening to see my parents, aunts and uncles letting go of their usual selves and everyday worries to just have fun.  It was a delight to see my teenage cousins who otherwise remain buried in books struggling with their gruelling studies relax and rejuvenate. We were seven people who rented a flat and stayed together for four days. Reminiscing childhood memories, laughing at each other's jokes, playing dumb charades and dancing in the pool was a wonderful opportunity for us to rekindle the spirit of camaraderie.

Aguada Fort

2. Sea soothes your nerves

Who doesn't admit that the sea is therapeutic? We went to four beaches - Baga beach, Sinquerim, Vagator and Miramar beach. Their infiniteness made me realize one thing - how trivial our worries were and what a minuscule position we held in the web of life. It bestowed upon us the opportunity to contemplate our life and appreciate its subtleties. The sea had a soothing effect on us. We also learned that just like sea flows rhythmically, we should also try to maneuver through life smoothly and happily.

Sinquirem beach

3. Instant plans give you wonderful memories

Though we were following an itinerary, we weren't very rigid about it. The instant plans we made gave us the most memorable moments. We, for instance, decided to head to the famous Anjuna beach on foot. The hilarious part was that it took us approximately 90 minutes to reach there as opposed to 20 minutes that the shopkeepers had told us. We managed to reach there only to find that the restaurant we planned to dine in was another 30 minutes away from the beach. We returned empty stomach but the fun we had during the stroll is unforgettable. We didn't regret the decision of going there in the first place because we realized that sometimes meticulous planning ruins your chances to live in the moment.

Though we were following an itinerary, we weren't very rigid about it. The instant plans we made gave us the most memorable moments. We, for instance, decided to head to the famous Anjuna beach on foot.

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4. Disconnect from online to rejoice offline

In a highly connected world, the urge to capture every beautiful thing one sees and post on social media is fathomable but I feel that it is equally important for us to revel in the present moment and let your mind capture the magnificence of the places we visit. So ditch your gadgets for a few days during a trip and even relive them later on, when keen friends give you an eager ear to listen to your sojourns.

Scenic beauty of Goa

5. Bond with the locals

The local people will be glad to serve as your guide and arm you with all the knowledge you need before visiting a place. That's what we did. Our driver, a Goan resident, was our go-to person for all the queries we had. The person in charge of the flat we had rented also helped us plan our visits to different places. This helped us get a glimpse of their culture, traditions, seasons, heritage and beliefs and is a great way to know any place in depth.

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