Goa diaries : Your Next Travel Destination

A few months back, I decided to do the thing — you know, solo travel. Everyone on the internet keeps screaming, “OMG, you HAVE to try solo travel! It’ll change your life! You’ll step out of your comfort zone!” So, I thought, “Alright, let’s go for it!” And where did I decide to go? Goa. The land of beaches, sunburns, and… well, friends (usually). Honestly, I was nervous, a little scared, but also kind of excited. I mean, when you’re solo, you can expect the unexpected, right? Thank goodness, I made it through safely — no major mishaps, just a few awkward moments 😂. God bless, I’m safe and sound!

Monday Morning

Day 1: Before I left, I swear I said a little prayer. I set off from home bright and early, around 5 a.m., buzzing with excitement despite the drizzle. All geared up and ready to go, I hopped on my trusty motorcycle. Just so you know, I planned a 4-day trip — 3 nights and 2 days in Goa, with 2 days of travel. The journey took around 7-9 hours, including breaks. Here’s a snap of me all set from Hometown!

Mangalore Highway Route

So, about the ride… I was fully geared up like a REAL rider, and honestly, I felt awesome. That feeling of being a rider and the confidence when people look at you — it’s just something else. I remember people staring at me and my bike, and I was like, “Yep, this is cool.” It was such an amazing experience, one I’ll remember for a long time!😊. On the way, I stopped for breakfast — had some pulav and puri bhaji near Kundapur Cross. It was pretty good! Since the restaurant had less crowd, I ended up just staring at my bike, thinking, “Wow, you’re so handsome!” Haha, typical boys behaviour. Here’s a pic of that moment.

Trasi Beach is located in the Udupi district, Karnataka, India, along the Arabian Sea on the west coast. It’s a bit off the beaten path, which makes it a quieter spot to enjoy the coastline. I swear, anyone travelling along this highway would want to stop, take a peek, and enjoy the refreshing breeze. It’s the perfect spot for a peaceful break from the usual tourist spots.

After taking a bunch of breaks along the way, I finally made it to the Goa-Karnataka border. It was such a relief; I was pretty tired and just wanted to crash into my room and sleep. I’ve got some cool clips from my YI action cam that I’ll post on my YouTube channel later. By the way, Karwar is absolutely stunning with its naval base and beautiful beaches right alongside the roads. Definitely worth a visit!

Finally, after a long 6-9 hour journey, I reached my stay at C Pearl Guest House. It’s pretty neat, and get this — I’m the only one staying in the entire apartment right now! 😂 Here’s a little tour of the place. Plus, Majorda Beach is just a few minutes’ walk away! Not so crowded but a very calm and clean beach. Loved it. It was worth visiting. ( Please ignore the BG thats not me at all!)

Majorda Beach Morning and Evening View

Day 2: North Goa

Started at around 6:30 a.m., and to be honest, I had no real plans up until the night before! I researched a bit and found a few spots to visit. The first stop was Fontainhas a heritage colonial quarter in the centre of Panjim, where the influential Portuguese rulers lived. It was early morning, slightly drizzling, and there were no people around. I felt a bit disappointed but also kinda happy to have the place to myself. Next up, I headed to Baga Beach. I have to admit, I felt a little left out being there alone. I ended up taking a long walk along the beach and instead of zoning out, I was observing everything around me. Noticed a couple of guys with DSLRs. They were charging ₹20 per photo, so I got like 10 photos clicked. Good shots, I liked them!

Afterwards, I visited a temple, prayed, and then made my way to another spot and bought some Goa chocolates, cashews, and almonds from this sweet shop owner who was super nice and originally from Rajasthan. Then, I headed to Reis Magos Fort and finally to Donna Villa. The Panjim routes were amazing — straight highways that made the ride so much more enjoyable!

South Goa

Now, onto my favourite part — South Goa! I started the day by chilling at the nearby beach, spending some peaceful time there. But, let me tell you, the major mistake I made was booking a room instead of a hostel. I felt a bit left out because of that. The first stop was Cabo de Rama Fort, and wow, the route there was amazing! The place is super scenic, especially the view of the beach from the hilltop — worth visiting either in the morning or evening for the best views. Then, I headed to Agonda Beach. Honestly, I wasn’t a fan — the place wasn’t that clean, so I left a bit early. But I did have a nice chat with some locals working for a resort promo. One guy was around my age, and we had a good convo. I also met three girls from Bangalore who were originally from Arunachal Pradesh. They were heading to Bangalore the next day, and I was off to Mangalore.

Overall, I covered 1,000 km on this ride! 😅 I was a little anxious about my bike giving up on me, but luckily, everything went smoothly. At Cabo de Rama Beach, they had kayaking under the coconut trees, but because of this year’s crazy monsoon, a lot of the construction got wiped out. Tons of coconut trees had fallen, so they paused the kayaking for now. Heads up if you’re visiting, it was closed as of September, but they’re working on restoring it. Hopefully, it’ll be back up soon!

Visited Palolem Beach and tried to reach Colva Beach, but that was a full off-roading adventure, and I got scared halfway through, so I turned back. Locals say it’s one of the best beaches with kayaking and everything, but I couldn’t make it. Palolem Beach didn’t really impress me either — too crowded, and more people means worse conditions. I checked out the market though, but everything seemed overpriced. Ended up buying a T-shirt and a toy car anyway. Had a Goa-style vada pav and juice — beachside stalls are super expensive, by the way, so be careful!

Finally, I headed home. The roads in South Goa are just so beautiful, that anyone would fall in love with the ride!

Full Video here

Here’s a friendly wrap-up of the lessons from your solo Goa trip:


Here are a few things I learned along the way:

  1. Solo travel isn’t always glamorous – There were moments when I felt a bit left out, especially when everyone around me seemed to be with friends. But it’s also freeing because you get to do things at your own pace!
  2. Planning helps, but don’t overdo it – I had no real plans until the night before, and honestly, winging it made the trip more fun and spontaneous. You can discover new places and experiences just by going with the flow.
  3. Hostel vibes > hotel rooms – Booking a room felt isolating. Next time, I’m going for a hostel. You meet more people and share stories, and it’s just a better vibe for solo travellers.
  4. South Goa is a gem – The roads, the views, and the peaceful beaches are unbeatable. It’s quieter and perfect if you’re looking for some calm away from the crowds.
  5. Don’t forget the small joys – Whether it was getting photos clicked at Baga Beach or chatting with locals at Agonda, these little moments were the highlight of my trip.
  6. Overpacking is a thing – Traveling solo taught me to pack light because carrying all that stuff alone isn’t fun!
  7. Bike trips = total bliss – The ride itself was one of the best parts of the trip. Especially the scenic routes in South Goa, they’re just made for riding.
  8. Expect the unexpected – Whether it’s the weather, closed activities, or meeting new people, solo travel is full of surprises. Just roll with it, and you’ll have a blast! And some people would never understand this feeling, so don’t waste your time explaining them 😂.

Hope these capture the spirit of your trip!

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