Captured by : Just another day at Baga, Calangute despite New Year being so close
PANAJI
It was December 30th, a day before New Year’s Eve, but the famed beach belt of Baga-Calangute-Candolim looked as though it was just another regular day. Rows of taxis were parked on a pavement in Sinquerim, while drivers struggled to solicit even a single passenger.
When asked how many trips he has made, a taxi driver sarcastically replied, “Two, and both the times I went to my house, once for breakfast and once for lunch.” His three other friends, who also drive taxis, waited in hope that luck would smile on them on New Year's Eve.
The road that leads to Candolim beach wore a deserted look, save for a few bars and restaurants, but even these places saw a huge turnout of foreign tourists who visit year after year. However, Indian tourists were hardly visible, which was very surprising as this is the same road that winds its way to the venue of the Supersonic music festival.
A British tourist, when asked to narrate the experience of his visit, replied, “I come to Goa once in two years. But I was shocked when the guy who supplies me t-shirts told me he didn’t have any stock for my size.” This is a clear indication of how the run-up to the New Year has been much lower than expectation this year.
Even amidst average activity, some restaurants were doing really well. For instance, Fisherman’s Cove in Candolim and Infantaria in Calangute were teeming with guests. Teama Bar & Grill in Candolim was brimming as well. But, most other restaurants and shops didn’t have a single customer. It was as if the season hasn’t even begun for them.
The going has been particularly tough for taxi operators, as cars with Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and even Madhya Pradesh and Haryana registered number plates are ruling the belt of Baga to Candolim. On the other hand, Goa registered cars were hardly visible.
But, there are certain things that still don’t change. A group of boys had a discouraged look on their faces when they were told by a popular club that it would take Rs 2,500 per stag to enter, while it costs just Rs 2,000 for a couple. They chucked the idea of entering the club and settled for a few vodka shots at Calangute beach.
In the midst of this subdued tourist turnout, one comforting takeaway is knowing that Goa's charm seems to be very much intact. A tourist from Punjab, who was on his very first visit to Goa, said, “I am really enjoying my trip. I have already spent four days here and I am just going to Sunburn. Goa looks like a far better state to me than Punjab.”
