Calangute ... 'Queen of the Beaches' - Goa

This is the most happening beach (alongside with Baga, obviously). It's a must visit for the tourists coming to Goa. Most of the people like to stay @ Calangute / Baga in North Goa, which makes both of these areas full of people, hotels, B&B's, restaurants, pubs, spas, shops ... Also, night life is awesome here!

We came to Calangute @ mid-day. There are a lot of options to eat around here... we did took some considerable time to zero down on a restaurant for Lunch. Post that, the rest of the day was dedicated to the beach!

As you approach the beach, the road is filled with a lot of restaurants and shops having all kinds of stuff that will surely keep one busy. If you have right skills, you can get a good bargain here ... ;-)

The Restaurants/Pubs on the way to Beach

Roadside eateries... (don't look for hygiene here)

Coming to the beach, people mostly come here for two reasons:

1. Water Sports: The best place for water sports in Goa. Also, if you are visiting during off-season, the prices are very low (less than 1000 INR for 3-4 sports) ... They have - Paragliding, Speed Boats, Jet Ski, Bumper and Banana rides.
   

   

   Most of the crowd can be seen enjoying the sports...

2. The Shacks: This beach has the most options for shacks. And all of them are free to sit (till you are buying food/drinks from them). Best place to relax, have some beers and enjoy the sunset. Also, do enjoy the local food, it's worth it!
   
   
   

   

   Awesome view of Sunset from our shack

   
   
   

   

   The candle(s) lit by the owners on every table... lovely!

All that definitely makes this beach very crowded (and obviously, as a side effect of that - DIRTY). But as long as you are having fun, these things can be ignored.

There are also many artists seen here, we met a sand artist (from Germany) who had made a beautiful sand castle right in front of the beach entrance!

Also, this is a good place to get yourself inked (temp tattoos, don't rely on the locals for a perm) for a good price.

It was a fun day @ Calangute ... especially the evening at the Shack followed by awesome dinner!

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A fun filled Saturday @ Ingo's Night Market - Goa

This is not just ordinary Goa'n market which you'll find near all the beaches. It's different in many aspects and that's what makes Ingo's a must visit in Goa!

Note: A fun filled *Saturday* since it's a 'Saturday' Night market. Do plan your visit accordingly.

Located in Aprora (Near Baga and Calungate beach), this one is not difficult to find. The market is situated in a huge open area with ample parking space, sometimes it's a bit difficult to find the spot because of the heavy rush... The parking and entry is free (there are guards and metal detectors on all the entry gates).  

 

Entry Gates

Yes, It's a drug free zone :)

We stopped at Ingo's for a quick detour but ended up spending the whole evening there! 

 

A little history first:

The market was started in the 70's by a German guy called Ingo. Anyone was allowed to pay up and open a shop. Started as a low key affair where people used to collaborate to open small shops and trade along with enjoying their beers, this has now become a phenomenon in Goa.
 

 

What all is here?

In simple words -- Shop + Eat + Enjoy!

 

Shop-o-holic

A variety of shops and stalls where all kinds of stuff is available at great bargain. Also, other than that we found a lot of unique stalls by the foreigners. The designs are good and unique, & also at a good bargain!

A maze of numerous such lanes make the market.

A lot of foreigners can be seen here.

 

Some nice artifacts I saw there...

Puppets...

Interesting Fact: Almost every local Goa'n shopkeeper there speaks fluent Russian! We were amazed by their communication skills. An owner of one of the shop told me that there are a lot of night schools in Goa teaching Russian (almost everyone learn it as approximately 80% of the tourists in Goa are from there).

If you are skillful, there is a lot of scope of bargaining..!

 

Food Food!

There is a dedicated space reserved for the food stalls... and we found a mix of all the international cousines being served there. All the best restaurants have a stall there... A great place to try out all the different cousines at one place!

 

Yes!

The food Stalls..!

Kebabs.. Burrito's...

And the Fun!

Music is everywhere. There is a stage in the middle of the market where many visiting artists from all over the world perform. There are lot's of performances which can't be missed. There is a seating area and a bar around the stage (which is most occupied all the times). We saw some awesome jam sessions and performances by a visiting Dutch couple...
There are a couple of restaurants with a dance floor (and a DJ) also.

Photo booth... tag along in FB!

The live performance...

Ingo's is definitely a fun filled evening. Try reaching there early (by 5-6PM) to get the most of it!

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