Shack Hopping | Part 2

A little ahead, Vagator Beach is a scamper down a dramatically stark laterite cliff side. The beach divided into Big Vagator; the Indian tourist filled main stretch, Little Vagator; the northern Tel Aviv Beach for the Israelis and Ozran or Spaghetti Beach in the south for the Italians. All back dropped by the Chapora Fort. The playground for some of Goa?s biggest raves; Disco Valley is now more famous for Kumar?s local Goan food, and Shiva Place in Spaghetti beach for its super rooftop machan.

Vagator Beach:

A little ahead, Vagator Beach is a scamper down a dramatically stark laterite cliff side. The beach divided into Big Vagator; the Indian tourist filled main stretch, Little Vagator; the northern Tel Aviv Beach for the Israelis and Ozran or Spaghetti Beach in the south for the Italians.

 

 

All back dropped by the Chapora Fort. The playground for some of Goa?s biggest raves; Disco Valley is now more famous for Kumar?s local Goan food, and Shiva Placein Spaghetti beach for its super rooftop machan.             

 

 

Beaches of Morjim-Ashwem-Mandrem-Arambol:

 

One of the last refuges of white sands and clean beaches, the Morjim-Ashwem-Mandrem-Arambol stretch, right up to Keri beach despite being a bastion for the hordes of invading Russians, still remains one of Goa?s more tranquil stretches. Starting from the nape of the Morjim River, Morjim beach once home to the endangered nesting Riddley Turtles, now however only pays homage with its Turtle Beach Shack. Along the beach Montego Bay, Bora Bora, Glav Fish, Gua.Ru, and Shiva Palace are nice for a dip, sun time and passable munchies, while Cafe Bar Susegat is one of the fancier bamboo and palm-leaf beach shacks. 

 

 

A walk down the black rock dotted beach, onto Ashwem and the first sign board to look out for is an inconspicuous blackboard saying PinkOrange. This vegetarian only shack, run by dreadlocked owners Jai and his girlfriend Alex has sandy toddlers running amuck, while their families lounge for hours on bamboo chattais and hammocks. Watch Ashvem?s surreal sunsets flow from pink to orange, while gorging yourself silly on Alex?s salads, juices and desert. Just down from there Gopal, Here and Now and Change your Mind are Ashvem?s best vegetative spots, with the sea at its best and the prawn curry at its tastiest. Try Gopal?s brownies  while checking out the surrounding cute boutique shops. 

 

 

 

A little further north, a discreet white staircase marks the entrance of one of Goa?s best gastronomic offerings. La Plage?s regulars (including us) have continued their love affair with the chic, billowing mulmul covered French restaurant despite an infiltration by more chi-chi crowds, who make this an essential daily stopover. Deck chairs, soft jazz or eclectic hip-hop and a finger-licking French cuisine make this one of the few places you actually need to reserve in advance.

 

 

Walking down the beach, Arabian Sea is a large shack, with a beautiful view of its moniker, where fancy bathrooms, a delicious molten chocolate pudding. If you?re lucky, some evenings see musician guests bring out instruments for impromptu jam sessions. The walk down towards Arambol through Mandrem is one of the loveliest beach walks in Goa, where amongst Arambol?s rocky beaches, Surf Club is a mini party place in a small shack.

 

 

 

Goan shacks throw up an astounding mix of places and vibes, with something for almost everyone. Finding your favorite is a bit of needle in a haystack task, which we hope we might have made slightly easier for you. However, don?t forget rule number one; half the fun is in the hunt. 

 

Wishing all your Globetrotters a fabulous Christmas and a spectacular New Year!