Tuesday 8 May 2012

Vix's Adventures in Goa - Part 1


Patnem beach, South Goa
Ready for some India pictures? 

Don't worry, I've included today's outfit just in case travel photos aren't your bag.


I meant to take this dress away with me but forgot all about it. Today was warm and dry enough to wear it for the first time.

Chilling on Palolem beach
We spent our first week rediscovering blissfully chilled out South Goa, staying in Benaulim and Palolem (better known as the beach Matt Damon jogged along in The Bourne Conspiracy).


This was our accommodation in Palolem, a stone's thrown from the beach and expertly haggled down by Jon to a very reasonable £5 a night room rate.

1960s Bajaj scooter
Both villages get crazy busy in the height of the tourist season but the humid conditions and high temperatures in April are too much for all but the most hardcore of travellers.

I'm a sucker for these hand-painted signs



Benaulim beach was almost deserted by day, this was the approach through the sand dunes from our guest house. That's the Arabian sea in the background and in April it's as warm as a bath.


Rooms in this pretty pink house in a Catholic fishing village cost a piffling £1.50 a night. We would have stayed here longer if it hadn't been for the six foot cobra we encountered on the stairwell one evening. I'm not normally bothered by snakes but that bugger was a bit too close for comfort.

Colom Beach
Despite it attracting thousands of travellers each year the majority of Goa remains virtually untouched by tourism.

Jack fruit growing at the road side.

 We love Goa as much now as we did on our first trip 12 years ago. 

Palolem creek

India's such a ridiculously beautiful place that even a completely untalented snapper like myself can still manage to take one or two decent photographs.

Benaulim Beach
At sunset these sands turn a spectacular shade of pink. This is my kind of beach, no sunbeds, no hawkers, no hassle, just miles and miles of palm trees and powdery white sand.

Contemporary Italian-made maxi dress (£2, Bridging The Gap charity shop), 1970s mohair shawl (20p, jumble sale) 
Still awake? 

Part 2 to follow shortly.
See you soon.

84 comments:

  1. I love having a nose at other people's holiday photos, tanks for sharing! Would love to visit Goa one day, you make it look beautiful x

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  2. You make it look and sound like a slice of Heaven , except for the cobra of course. Love seeing all your photos.

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  3. Wow this looks just like paradise, I keep going on at my boyfriend that we should visit Goa. I'm desperate to see it for myself!
    Sophie
    x

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  4. Good God, girl...I worried about finding a grass snake when I hacked back the pampas grass on Sunday!!! Did you get a picture????
    I adore that 2nd pair of hotpants in your last post. Absolutely fab!
    Z xx

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  5. I was jealous until cobra.

    As always, it does look amazing.

    C
    xxx

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  6. Looks like a truly fabulous place, and you always capture it so beautifully. It sure does sound like complete paradise xxx

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  7. Cobras or not it's so beautiful, I'd love to go. It looks fantastic and untouristy! You're so lucky. Maybe I can go one day. I love the cow!

    Lovely dress too! can't wait for more photos!!

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  8. What gorgeous photos Vix! I do love that dress too!

    I sent you an email btw!
    X

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  9. wow fabulous photos I love how the cow is just sat on the beach...brilliant.

    That dress is just stunning I bet you were annoyed to forget that as it look gorgeous on you xx

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  10. Gorgeous photos--looks like a great trip!

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  11. Now that I'm done with my motherly duties I can start spending the winters in better climes again... and I know where I want to go now! I can smell the sea and the sand and the sun!
    This dress needs to be worn in the English summer - it looks great on you! xoxo

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  12. it looks delightful, love that quiet and long beach pics, so peaceful!
    And you're gorgeous on your maxi & shawl ensemble, so simply pretty and romantic-chic!
    besos

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  13. Beautiful photos Vix, what a stunning place. I would have been terrified of the snake!

    X x

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  14. Thank you so much for let me visit such a beautiful place, I'd love to sit on the pink sand, watch the sunset and kick that cobra in the arse!!
    The hand-painted sign is lovely!
    I'm glad that it doesn't rain...you look spectacular in that long dress and mohair shawl!
    xxx

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  15. Beautiful dress, and you are a vision in it!

    Goa is very high on my dream vacation list now, thanks to you. I love places that welcome visitors but are not touristy.

    That said, I hope that if I ever get there, the cobras stay hidden!

    Can't wait for round two. Thanks for sharing!

    xo, A.

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  16. Lovely photos. That snake story sounds a bit hairy though! My sister is a habitual traveller and often mentions creatures I would happily watch from a distance...but not up close.

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  17. I would have wanted to pet that giant cow/bull on the beach! It is so cute.
    The beaches are beautiful.
    (God I would have been scared to death of the cobra.)

    You look gorgeous in that dress!

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  18. Absolutely gorgeous.... you and Goa!
    A 6-foot cobra? I'd have needed new pants if I'd encountered that bugger!!!
    Looks like paradise... want to be there now :-)

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  19. wonderful photographs Vix! I'd love to go there! How long did it take to get there?
    I would have run a mile at the sight of the snake, I'm not usually bothered by them either but that would definitely have seen me off!

    Love the dress you're wearing too xxx
    Love Amie xxxxxx

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  20. Lovely pics Vix. Your dress today is gorgeous!
    Dx

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  21. Goa looks like paradise ... I would so love to visit one day. Love your dress. M x

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  22. Lovely outfit and great pictures - Goa looks so unspoilt, you always manage to find the best for the least amount of money x

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  23. Six-foot cobra! Now that's an adventure!

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  24. I don't know what is prettier Vix you in this slinky dress or these incredible beaches!!! I still can't get over how inexpensive it is to stay at any of these places. One night in a mediocre London hotel would have paid for a whole month in Goa, ouch that hurts!!!! I hope one year to meet up with you and Jon in Indian, Chris would never go for it but I would be right there with you laying on that beach reading until the sun went down.

    Cobras! I have one tattooed on my back but that is as close as I'll ever to get one. Your holidays pictures are refreshing, enchanting and oh so chill.

    Wuvyoubunches~
    Krista

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  25. Wow, what a wonderful looking place! And you look like the sun has blessed you beautifully! :) x

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  26. gosh where do i start? the dress - amazing on you.

    what is a jack fruit?

    i have never ever wanted to visit india but you make me think differently.

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  27. I am TOTALLY awake,and loving these beautiful pix.As always,I think just how simiar to Thailand it all is!That same chilled out atmosphere,the same warmth,lovely inexpensive accommodationa nd fabulous food!I SO have to get to India,I am so obviously going to feel right at home!
    That frock is sleek and sublime,darl,just like YOU.Yay the weather picking up a bit,I drove to work today as it is supposed ot piss down.........bleurgh!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  28. Eek re the cobra. Fabulous pix, Vix. I need to go back to India. xx

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  29. What a beautiful pristine beach.....you took beautiful photos! Admire the way of your travels....carefree..... reminds me of the way I used to travel many moons ago before the "kids". I get freaked out by a little lizard so that cobra would done me in!!

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  30. That looks like paradise. Snakes don't bother me, but I'd probably run if I saw a 6ft cobra, I certainly wouldn't sleep that night. It's worth it for that scenery though. Divine. xx

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  31. Stunning! And the India pics are pretty amazing too. Not too bothered by snakes when I was in SE Asia, and I saw quite a few, but I think a 6 foot cobra would have been enough to change my mind!

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  32. I love hearing about your frolics to India, your photos bring the place to life and I almost feel I am there! (Well I dream I am anyway). A lovely little bit of escapism, it must be so hard to drag yourselves back to chilly old Britain! Mind you I think I agree that a six foot cobra is perhaps getting a little too close for comfort! Linda xxx

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  33. Your photographs as always top notch Vix! I get horrified when I see the warning signs for the potential of the Michigan species of rattlesnakes when we go out for walks but I would dread the occurrence of actually seeing a cobra that huge!

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  34. looks fab, I actually wore only 1 jumper today....

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  35. Wow, I live near Florida and to see a beautiful beach with no-one on it is quite a thrill! How can a country with billions of people look so empty? The colors are amazing!

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  36. your pictures are fantastic! thanks for sharing! i had never heard of jackfruit until i visited tanzania this summer... did you love it? oh, and your outfit is awesome as usual!!
    xo
    k
    frou-frou-foxes.blosgpot.ca

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  37. *groans* The photos are heavenly. Goa tourism should hire you. I want to go there, now.

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  38. Overwhelmingly beautiful! I agree with you - i like the less touristy and more natural places. And you look gorgeous in that maxi! As aleays - perfect styling.

    >'.'<

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  39. Such beautiful photos - I love the subtle changes in the colour of the sky in each photograph. They look like hand-tinted postcards!

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  40. This looks like the perfect vacation, everything I dream of. I MUST GO TO INDIA!

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  41. If you ever decide to be a tour guide, please let me know. I'b be the first one to sign up.

    Love, Jean

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  42. the dress fits you so well. Several of these photos make the place seem enchanted. Love the portrait of the cow...and I wonder why you didn't snap a pic of the cobra.

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  43. You balked at a boa? I would have too. That is the best beach - no one for miles around. Your photos make me long to travel - I spent an idyllic couple of weeks on such a beach in the PRC a couple of decades ago! Around that time I also drove a Vespa.

    You are gorgeous in this earth-tone ensemble, very serene, although with all the seaside photos the gorgeous mohair shawl makes me think you are a mermaid caught in a fishing net!

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  44. Such spectacular photos, stunning views. I can see why you have fallen in love with India. Shame about the cobra, altho a lucky escape, could have been a different story. Looking forward to more holiday snaps x

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  45. Just stunning. I love all the colours. What a beautiful place.xxxxx

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  46. Such beautiful photos Vix - I want to go there right now!

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  47. Good to see you're both back, you're still looking reasonably and absolutely gorgeous Vix which is a delight of course.
    Glad you had a wonderful time and I look forward to more photos...
    Hugs.

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  48. Yay I was so excited to see more of this stunning country.
    It really is just so beautiful and so untouched. Your heart must sing when you step on to that land.
    Thank you for sharing, so thrilled there are more.
    Love v

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  49. Gorgeous photos, the place looks heavenly, as do you.... :)

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  50. Still awake? I'm WIDE awake. India has always fascinated me, I had my bedroom decked out with posters of Hindu gods as a teen.
    Breathtaking scenery, it must jar your senses returning to Britain, even with all the fantastic things you do.

    Can't wait for part 2.

    Beautiful colours on the outfit, so flattering. That shawl is the best I've seen.

    Lucy x

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  51. Wow, who couldn't fall in love. such a dreamy pleasant state to these pictures, I love the jack fruit!

    Nice shawl, very laid back =)

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  52. oh yeah you are back and jipppiiiieh i love travelling pictures!!!!even if they make me a bit jelous, i spent my holidays in ice cold finland and you in the sunparadise haha
    love and kiss,mary

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  53. I have spent many happy hours on Palolem beach, sleeping in the treehouses.... Thanks for sharing your photo's its reminded me how much I miss Goa xx

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  54. Oh Vix I love your photos, you show a side to India some of us wouldn't even know existed. No wonder you keep going back. Glad your weather is on the improve, ours is on the way to bleak. ♥

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  55. ahhhhh be still my beating hear....love Colom and a sun-downer at Bom Shankars...my friend lives at the back of Patnam beach behind Goyam's....didn't go last year but may have to this christmas....very different from Christmas 1979!!! Just typing that date has sent me reeling....how old must I have been...!!x

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  56. The phots are gorgeous - what a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing them.
    PS loved your shorts from curtains

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  57. Gorgeous! And you are looking wonderful!
    Jack fruit is one of my favs - what I wouldn't do to have some right now. Can't wait for Part II.

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  58. Oh Vix, it looks amazing. I so want to go on our honeymoon hopefully I can convince Andy. :) Will show him your posts tonight.
    xx

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  59. Your photo's are great! Lovely to get a flavour of real Goa. Love the glamourous outfit espesh the mohair shawl, 20p ?? You was robbed!

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  60. It does me NO credit to say this but I confess I am feeling VERY jealous! It all looks so beautiful and laid back and just a fabulous destination... I want to go too!
    I love your maxi frock, you look as though you have grown out of your garden like a beautiful slender sapling. That doesn't sound much of a compliment but it's meant as one! You look slinky and earth-toned and bronzed and gorgeous, and the shawl is dreamy! xxxxxxxx

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  61. It looks so unspoilt. Your photos are really atmospheric, and a wonderful reminder of a fab time. (Well, apart from the snake obviously!)

    Love the boats, and I must check out jack fruit - maybe we can get it in Brum.

    You look so relaxed and chilled in spite of coming back to god-awful weather here. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about your trip xx

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  62. Vixcita,
    I always adore looking at your vacation photos.
    India is so beautifully peacefull.
    Cant believe how cheap it is to stay there.
    I would ran from that king cobra too.
    You look xtra slithering gorgeous in green frock.
    Besotes

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  63. It looks beautiful & so do you! The handpainted signs are fab.

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  64. I love seeing your photos Vix, they are wonderful xx

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  65. Gosh, it all looks so amazing! I'm dying to go on holiday & go travelling, I've never even been out of Europe yet! XO.

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  66. Sea at bath temperature - now that sounds like perfection. Your traveling posts are definitely wakening a wander-lust.
    FAbulous dress and shawl too. But brrrrr - bare arms. it still feels too much like winter today.

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  67. Lovely pics, looks very tranquil...apart from the scary snake! eeeekkkk! I wouldn't have stayed there any longer either :) x

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  68. It's always a joy to see your holiday snaps - you travel to the most beautiful places, places that I would probably never get to see during my life.. not because we wouldn't be able to afford it but because I wouldn't be able to stand the heat!

    I love the cow just chilling there on the beach, that isn't something you'd see everyday in this country and many others! He does look like a wise old cow doesn't he :D

    You always seem to get a lovely tan from your travels, if it were me I'd just burn and peel! Love the shawl! xxx

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  69. So beautiful! Love India and can not wait to get there!
    I heard about Goa, my yoga instructor said it is rule by the Russain Mafia, have you heard of this?

    Take care lovely

    Ariane xxx

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  70. You are hardly an untalented snapper. These photos are great and it makes me want to visit Goa. The dress is very sexy and I love the blue nails.

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  71. Welcome Back...Loving the pictures!! I was so disappointed I did not make it to India when we were all the way over in that direction. Maybe one day I will .....for now I will enjoy your pictures thanks for sharing you were missed!!! and you will never believe it but I found a vintage maxi dress a real vintage maxi dress lol!! I haven't worn it yet so I will post pictures of it soon maybe you can help me figure out an approximate date for it ...xx Love Heather

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  72. still awake. the view both India and you, are breathtaking.

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  73. Just want to go there! It's on my list of places to go ONE DAY! Great photos. x

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  74. It looks truely beautiful. You took some amazing shots i to love an unspoilt beach and to have no sunbeds even better. I loved seeing the scotter and the lady in her home dress in the back ground. That snake was def to close for comfort that would have freaked me right out. Im shuddering now just at the thought. Look forward to seeing part 2. dee xx

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  75. You look stunning chick, and it's wonderful to see your snaps of Goa. I'm glad you're back I've missed your blog.
    Kandi xx

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  76. The photos are wonderful. Many of them remind me of visiting Kerala last year. I met my fiance's parents and we stayed at their house for three weeks. Luckily, I was able to visit many temples. The fashion is much more conservative down south - I couldn't wear sleeveless tops or shorts. I ended up buying several tunics and a salwar kameez outfit. I'm glad you had such a great time!

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  77. Oh it looks so serene, maybe I'll get my ass over there one day!

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  78. I absolutely adore seeing your travel photos. I am fairly sure that you are behind my newfound desire to see India.

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  79. Beautiful indeed.
    Lovely shawl over your maxi, sadly I have to pass on anything mohair, as I must be a bit allergic to it.

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  80. Beautiful pictures and great outfit :D Love it!

    Sal x

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  81. Thank you for your sweet comment!!

    Take care and have a nice week :)

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  82. Hello !!!

    Very nice post i really like all this pics & your provided information. One suggestion for you should keep all this pics in one personalized photo books to make more attractive all the pics.view more


    thanks a lot for sharing this lovely blog

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  83. When I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the
    -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from
    now on each time a comment is added I receive
    four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service?
    Thank you!

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix