Last week I asked my Instagram followers in my Instastories which country they would like to read about next, and they chose India, so today I’ll tell about one hotel, where I stayed some 15 years ago.
Back then, when I travelled in India and visited Gokarn, I stayed in a hotel called Hotel Gokarn International. That hotel was a bit far from the beach but within a reasonable walking distance from the small center of Gokarn village.
Hotel room balcony at the topmost floor
The hotel was modest, very modest, with maybe some two stars classification, and till this day it happens to be among the worst hotels where I’ve stayed in India. But, I did like the topmost room balcony, which was at the same level with the top of the palm trees, and I did stay in this same hotel one more time after the first.
Hotel room interior
At that time there was no room service including food and I don’t know how it is now, but at least there was a restaurant in the ground floor of the same building serving some Indian foods. The restaurant was located next to the entrance which you can see in the image attached.
Entrance to hotel Gokarna
Hotel Gokarna International was still among the best accommodation I was able to find from Gokarn if you excluded the expensive 5 star resort found far away from the beach.
Hotel Gokarna balconies
The image quality is from the time when smartphones did not yet exist.
This video, filmed in 2006, takes you to South Goa and North Goa, by the road in India. It will show you the amazing surprises in Indian traffic, like cows on the road in some village. You can travel from South Goa, Cabo de Rama Fort to North Goa by the road.
See the local passangers carrying basket on their head, which is an exotic way for a European to deal with the things. Also you see how passangers use the same road for walking as the cars and buses and other vehicles and animals. You might think there’s nothing strange in that, but considering how narrow the road was, it did look scary sometimes. But these were the Goan roads in 2006. I don’t know how they are today.
You will also get to see how the local buses were in Goa, and lots of passangers driving on their bikes without a helmet, because at that time it was possible.
Around 3 minutes you get to walk as a pedestrian in some random sandy road at dusk and daylight. Sometime a scooter stops by you offering a ride, because you’re a woman walking alone. Little bit later you’re walking away from Anjuna Flea Market.
You’ll get to see how Calangute and Baga in North Goa looked like in 2006 and get to drive from Baga to Mapusa, the “capital” of North Goa, or at least it used to be.
After Mapusa you’ll get to see how dog can suddenly jump in front of your vehicle to cross the road and how you deal with that with the scooter. Or, if there are big vehicles like trucks and buses in front of you, how you weave between them.
The video shows also the interesting long and straight street lamps in North Goa, which have always looked unusual and charming to me. Also you’ll get an experience of how it is to drive with the scooter in a dark road without street lamps, when you’re stuck with a sandy road.
You’ll see the new road being built from Baga to Anjuna during the days, when the badly-needed new bridge was being built across the Baga-river. The old bridge from Baga to Anjuna had been really a nightmare for a traveller, since it was so narrow and dark and with a ceiling on top and a bumby road underneath. But even the road from Baga to Calangute has been fixed after filming this piece, so don’t base your opinion about the road on this video anymore. Rather I’d encourage you to see it from a historic point of view – how Goa used to be with all the greenery and all.
You’ll get to see lots of tourists riding a bike without a helmet, because at that time it was not a crime. In turn, two years back it was very easy to get a fine as a tourist on a bike, if one was without a helmet.
If you’ve ever wandered how is the traffic in Goa during Christmas and New Year, you’ll get a glimpse of that also in the end of this video, when the Goa traffic police is needed to guide the long queues in Calangute, North Goa.
TAXI FROM GOA AIRPORT TO NORTH GOA AND SOUTH GOA
When a tourist arrives at Goa Dabolim Airport, there is often a shuttle bus waiting directly for the hotel. If it is not a package tour, but the room is independently booked from a good-quality hotel, an airport pick-up can be booked through the hotel, with the air-conditioned taxi driver waiting for the customer with a name tag at the airport exit. The safest option for the self-employed traveler is to book and pay in advance at the airport for a prepaid taxi, which then takes you to the agreed destination at a pre-determined price. At the airport you can pay by card.
The safest way for a tourist is no doubt to take a taxi in Goa, but it is also a very expensive way. Here I’ll attach the taxi price list from 2019 and it will show you the prices and distances from Goa Dabolim airport to various villages in North and South Goa. Sedan is a common car with separate compartment for cargo and Suv means sports utility vehicle. Both the car models are air-conditioned. Their price is mentioned in rupees and euros, and it may have increased by now. The rate I used is 1e = 81inr. Note also that the night-time rate between 23-05 is about 35% higher.
While waiting for the well functioning public transport, here’s what the traveller will meet.
NORTH-GOA
Destination
Km
Sedan (price in 2019)
Suv
Candolim
44
1427 INR / 17,60 EUR
1700
Calangute
43
1372 INR / 16,92 EUR
1650
Baga
44
1427 INR / 17,60 EUR
1700
Arpora
46
1515 INR / 18,68 EUR
1780
Anjuna
48
1603 INR / 19,77 EUR
1860
Vagator
50
1636 INR / 20,17 EUR
1880
Mandrem
57
1961 INR / 24,18 EUR
2180
Morjim
55
1900 INR / 23,43 EUR
2130
Arambol
63
2010 INR / 24,78 EUR
2230
Ashvem
58
1933 INR / 23,83 EUR
2160
Mapusa
43
1372 INR / 1692 EUR
1650
Pernem
62
2148 INR / 26,49 EUR
2360
Tiracol
82
2258 INR / 27,84 EUR
2450
Miramar
34
1240 INR / 15,29 EUR
1530
Sinquerim
46
1515 INR / 18,68 EUR
1780
Porvorim
35
1240 INR / 15,29 EUR
1530
Panjim
30
1094 INR / 13,49 EUR
1380
Assagao
50
1636 INR / 20,17 EUR
1880
Aldona
50
1636 INR / 20,17 EUR
1880
Siolim
50
1636 INR / 20,17 EUR
1880
SOUTH GOA
DESTINATION
KM
SEDAN (price in 2019)
SUV
Mangueshi
42
1279 INR / 15,77 EUR
1560
Quepem
45
1372 INR / 16,92 EUR
1650
Benaulim
34
1094 INR / 13,49 EUR
1380
Canacona
68
2021 INR / 24,92 EUR
2230
Agonda
74
2159 INR / 26,62 EUR
2440
Loliem
87
2615 INR / 32,24 EUR
2780
Palolem
70
2059 INR / 25,39 EUR
2340
Mobor
44
1339 INR / 16,51 EUR
1680
Margao
34
1094 INR / 13,49 EUR
1380
Ponda
41
1251 INR / 15,43 EUR
1530
Cuncolim
43
1304 INR / 16,08 EUR
1650
Betul
52
1603 INR / 19,77 EUR
1860
Sanvordem
55
1629 INR / 20,09 EUR
1910
Sanguem
60
1812 INR / 22,34 EUR
2040
Colva
30
1014 INR / 12,50 EUR
1300
Chandor
34
1295 INR / 15,97 EUR
1480
Varca
36
1144 INR / 14,11 EUR
1430
Cavelossim
45
1372 INR / 16,92 EUR
1650
Majorda
25
964 INR / 11,89 EUR
1250
Curtorim
31
1196 INR / 14,75 EUR
1480
INDIVUE is not responsible for the correctness or accuracy of these prices. They are just approximate prices from a taxi booth in Dabolim airport in 2019.
For a comparison: In Delhi, you was able to reach 80km at INR 1200-1300 or get an air-conditioned taxi for 8 hours.
In Delhi, suitcases are tied to the roof of a taxi, but in Goa, suitcases are not necessarily tied to a car.
Note also: Cheaper and non-air-conditioned rides can always be found in India outside the airports, but a tourist can never take for granted the destination of those rides.
This article is part of the INDIVUE – Trip to Goa – consider following me in social media and you will get the updates to it easily!
The latest addition to my YouTube channel is a visually captivating exploration of Prague, highlighting its enchanting sights. This video, filmed by a Finnish photographer, that’s me, forms a segment to my digital project “INDIVUE – Trip to Europe – Visual Travel Guide.” This online guide provides an insightful overview of various European destinations, alongside offering genuine travel advice for the continent. Watch the video of the best sights of Prague here –
Video duration: 1:13
Video of the best sights of Prague
Today, as of early 2021, the ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19 render tourism challenging and, in many instances, unfeasible. However, I encourage viewers to delve into my other Prague-related content.
For those with a penchant for spicier cuisine, my post on Prague’s Indian food offerings is sure to intrigue. Additionally, I have shared my experiences in a charming Prague hotel in a Finnish article from 2019, which details my stay at a remarkable location. Film enthusiasts might find interest in my 2012 post about a notable movie shot in Prague; the recommendation remains relevant and worthy of attention.
Reflecting on the myriad of stunning global images, I find motivation to remain patient and adhere to safety measures, like mask-wearing, for a few more months. This discipline is essential for defeating the pandemic and reopening doors to new adventures. My empathy extends to readers who have faced challenges in visiting and supporting loved ones, particularly overseas, due to flight restrictions and lengthy quarantines. The impact of COVID-19 and its accompanying restrictions on long-distance relationships is profoundly felt.
In the interim, I advocate for creative virtual exploration, educational pursuits, maintaining a healthy intake of vitamins, and regular exercise to stay invigorated until we can safely embark on our next journeys. I also welcome additional suggestions on coping strategies during these times.
Charles bridge in Prague
The Timeless Allure of Charles Bridge: Prague’s Architectural Masterpiece
The photo in this article portrays the Charles Bridge in Prague. In the heart of Prague, the Charles Bridge stands as a testament to the city’s medieval heritage. This photograph captures also the serene beauty of the Vltava River as it gently flows beneath the bridge’s formidable arches, framed by the silhouettes of the Old Town’s iconic towers and spires.
The Charles Bridge, or Karlův most in Czech, constructed in the 14th century under the auspices of King Charles IV, is a storied walkway that has witnessed centuries of history. As the day transitions into evening, the golden hues of the setting sun bathe the sandstone bridge and its surroundings, evoking a sense of timelessness.
To the left, the Old Town Bridge Tower, a gothic marvel, rises into the sky, its blackened spires a striking contrast against the warm tones of the sky. This tower has served as a silent observer to the ebb and flow of the city’s life, enduring as a gatekeeper to the Old Town’s winding streets and hidden courtyards.
Directly ahead, the symphony of baroque and renaissance architecture that typifies Prague’s skyline tells a colorful tale of the city’s eclectic past. The spire of St. Nicholas Church pierces the skyline, while the dome of the National Theatre adds a note of grandeur to the urban tapestry.
Below, the bridge is a hive of activity; tourists and locals alike traverse the cobblestone path, often pausing to admire the series of baroque statues that line the balustrade. Each statue whispers its own story, contributing to the bridge’s reputation as an open-air gallery of religious art.
In the river itself, leisurely boats glide by, offering passengers a unique perspective of the city’s historical core, a view unchanged in the face of time. The reflections in the water mirror the city’s duality—its ability to be both a bustling, modern European capital and a preserved jewel of history.
This photograph invites the viewer to contemplate Prague’s past, present, and future. It beckons the wanderlust spirits to walk the same path as kings, artists, and revolutionaries. For a moment, one can be part of the timeless narrative of Prague, etched into the very stones of Charles Bridge.
As the world navigates through the uncertainty of the times, images like this serve as a poignant reminder of the resilience and beauty of our shared cultural landmarks. Prague’s Charles Bridge, with its enduring charm and historical significance, continues to capture the imagination and hearts of all who have the pleasure of experiencing its majesty.
