Aruba, the south Caribbean’s popular island paradise, is home to a plethora of restaurant options. And I did the “hard work” to create a guide to Aruba’s 5 must-do dining experiences:

In This Aruba Article You Will Discover:

• Where to après dinner party
• The island’s best sunset dining
• The newest gourmet restaurant

Ah, Aruba. Home to white-sand beaches, tourqoise water, bronze skin and blaze-orange sunsets. If that’s not enough, it’s also home to a colourful dining scene. Read on for five top restaurant picks:

White Modern Cuisine

Mixology at work at trendy White Modern Cuisine.

One of Aruba’s newest high-end restaurants, White Modern Cuisine is nondescriptly housed in a mall in the Palm Beach area. However, the restaurant is anything but nondescript — from the uber-modern décor, to the artisan-crafted drinks (try the Aruba Arriba) to the locally-sourced foods crafted and presented more as works of art than a simple meal. When I visited, a tasting menu was prepared using primarily locally foraged flora — including a salad with more than 51 different ingredients. No matter what’s on the menu during your trip, you’re sure to agree it is one of the Caribbean’s finest dining experiences.

Papiamento

Papiamento is a wonderful taste of “old Aruba.”

Tucked away in the quiet town of Noord, Papiamento occupies a 126-year-old heritage home — fully restored and transformed into an intimate fine-dining restaurant. Highlights include the plentiful century-old antiques speckled around the property and the 1,800-bottle wine vault, with offerings from around the world and ranging from $22 to more than $200 per bottle. Food is crafted using local spices and herbs, and the extensive menu caters to diners of all tastes. Make sure to order an appetizer of Keshi Yena, a traditional Aruban dish.

Carubbian Festival

Carubbian Festival takes over the streets of San Nicolas every Thursday.

While not a specific restaurant, Carubbian Festival — a celebration of local culture with dancing, music and loads of food — is a must-do during your visit to Aruba. Held every Thursday night in San Nicolas, come hungry and dine on hot-and-tasty street food (I enjoyed grouper with “peace” sauce), sip a cold beer and dance alongside colourful costumed locals during the night’s-end parade. Visit during February and you’ll see the festivities in full swing with the month-long annual Carnival.

Pinchos Grill & Bar

Pinchos — come for the sunset, stay for the food.

If this restaurant isn’t home to the nicest sunset view on Aruba, I don’t know where is. Located on a pier at Surfside Marina and with unobstructed views of the western horizon, make sure to reserve early to get a seat at this popular eatery. Fresh-caught seafood is always on the menu, as is top-quality beef and unique desserts; pair with a tropical drink or selection from their extensive wine list. It doesn’t get more “seaside” than this — a perfect Caribbean meal.

Moomba Beach Bar & Restaurant

Moomba Beach — dine or party, your choice!

Located surfside on popular Palm Beach, Moomba Beach Bar & Restaurant consists of a sprawling open-air palm palapa with panoramic ocean views and refreshing trade winds to keep you cool. Aside from the fresh seafood (love the grouper sandwich!) and cold Balashi, there are two more reasons to stop by Moomba: beach tennis during the day, as this eatery is located next to for-rent courts; and dancing by night, especially on Sunday nights when seemingly half the population of Aruba descends on Moomba to party until the wee hours.

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Join me on an underwater snorkelling adventure in the calm, cerulean waters of Aruba. With up to 120 feet of visibility, this could be the Caribbean’s best snorkel destination.

In This Video Blog You Will Discover:

• The unbelievable clarity of Aruba’s waters
• The colourful tropical fish
• Stunning coral formations

Captain Anthony Hagedoorn, owner of Tranquilo Charters, promised me that Spanish Lagoon and Mike’s Reef offered Aruba’s best snorkelling. Mike’s Reef is named after his father, who pioneered drift snorkel tours here in 1977 — so while Anthony may be biased, he’s surely not wrong. Mild waters with staggering clarity, abundant fish life and otherworldly coral formations beckon to watermen like myself. But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nUoqogc3ss

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Welcome to Part Two of my India Photo Essay. Join me on an exploration of the sights, people and culture of the world’s most fascinating country.

In This India Photo Essay You Will Discover:

• The Landmarks of the North
• India’s Tropical Paradise
• Mosques & Rajput Architecture

How long would it take to fully explore India? A year? A lifetime? Most likely the latter, as this country is moving forward at a breakneck pace — set to exceed China in population and America in GDP by 2030. It is a tourist destination like no other, rich with landmarks, beaches and fascinating culture. Explore India with me — welcome to part two of my India Photo Essay:

Days of relaxation in peaceful Goa.

Lost in the Taj Mahal…

In total awe of the Taj Mahal.

Delhi’s Qutub Minar, a must-see in the country’s capital city.

Westerners: you will have “paparazzi” hounding you throughout your trip.

People say Goa’s beaches are crowded and spoiled. Don’t believe everything you hear.

The sundial in Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar at exactly noon.

Jama Masjid — one of the first landmarks we saw in India.

Jaigarh, one of Jaipur’s lesser-known gems.

The Saturday Night Market, Arpora, Goa.

Oh, the cows of Goa. Funny, yet really annoying sometimes.

Mumbai’s famous Gateway to India.

Expect to spend a couple of hours touring Jaipur’s Amber Fort.

Agra may have India’s most chaotic streets.

Rajput architecture in Jaipur’s Amber Fort.

It remains India’s number-one attraction, and for good reason.

The spectacular Amber Fort of Jaipur.

A 900-year-old tomb, with its de facto guard dog.

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Welcome to India — home to more than a billion people and more than a billion photo opportunities. If you’re thinking of visiting this dynamic, spectacular, bamboozling country, pack an extra memory card. Here is my photo essay of India, part one:

In This India Photo Essay You Will Discover:

• The Architecture of the North
• The Confounding Cities
• The Beaches of Goa

After a month of touring India it is fair to say I have barely scraped the surface of this fascinating country. I already have plans to return to continue my exploration. As my tuk-tuk driver in Jaipur asked, “What is impossible in India?” (I guessed: silence.)

“No, that is possible.” (It is, I would find out.)

“The answer, my friend — is nothing. Nothing is impossible in India.”

He was right.

The Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur.

If you accept a Sikh offering, you gotta eat it…

Inside the busy Old Fort, Agra.

Walking up the stairs of Old Delhi’s Jama Masjid.

Jama Masjid, one of Delhi’s most wonderful mosques.

In awe of the world’s most beautiful building.

Approaching the spectacular Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal close-up: staggering in grandeur.

An 1800-era Catholic Cathedral in Old Goa.

Moments of quiet are fleeting in the north; enjoy them when they arrive.

The “peasant’s view” of the Taj Mahal.

Jaipur’s chaotic streets, as seen from the Hawa Mahal.

The smoggy city of Jaipur, as seen from Nahargarh.

The Baby Taj, Agra’s third-most-popular attraction.

Inside the imposing walls of Jaipur’s Amber Fort.

Looking out over Jaipur’s Amber Fort.

Amber Fort, on the outskirts of Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Ah, Goa. There’s nowhere like it.

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With only one day left on our trip through India, we try to cram in as much of Mumbai as we can. Can you do Mumbai in a day?

In This India Article You Will Discover:

• An Important Fact About Elephanta Island
• Accommodation Recommendations
• Cool Mumbai Neighbourhoods

Erin and I wedged Mumbai into our month-long trip to India as a bit of an afterthought. Desiring to draw out our stay on the beaches of Goa as long as possible, we decided that one-day in Mumbai would suffice. And while we managed to get a taste of India’s most cosmopolitan city, the sprawling, bamboozling metropolis of Mumbai simply cannot be fully done in a day. But you can try…

Arriving late in the evening, we had booked a hotel near the airport — our first mistake. While the Hotel Kohinoor Elite was quite lovely, its location was of little use. A 30-minute taxi ride from the airport (in Mumbai’s staggering traffic) was hardly any handier than would have been the hour-or-so to southern Mumbai. The difference would have been the convenience the next day; rather than a second, 45-minute taxi, we could have walked to the Gateway to India. (There would turn out to be another, even more important difference between staying downtown and the suburbs too, which I’ll explain later…)

Mumbai is a sea of taxis — convenient, if a little confusing.

We pass through Mumbai’s legendary slums as our grouchy cab driver grinds through stop-stop-go morning traffic from the airport-area — the suburbs — to downtown. Tin shacks line the freeway, with bumblebee-hives of electrical wires connecting the homes to one another. Some of the huts are barely 10-feet-by-10-feet, yet many have satellites on the roof and flat-screen TVs hanging on the wall — with families gathered to enjoy the latest cricket match. This is surprising — the people in these shacks are not homeless, they are the working poor.

Mumbai Harbour, as seen from the Elephanta Island ferry.

The famous Gateway to India marks Mumbai’s southern edge. This is the best place for exploring the city. From here, much of what you can see and do in a day is walkable. And we see a Pizza Express; don’t judge, it suited our cravings perfectly. While splitting a peperoni and a Caesar salad, our waiter encourages us to check our Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on an island an hour’s ferry ride from the harbour. Home to a labyrinth of caves with 1500-year-old carvings and dubbed “…the most serene sight you witness in India” by The Lonely Planet, it’s too enticing to pass up.

“Isn’t it closed on Mondays?” I ask.

“No, it’s open today. For sure,” he responds.

The ferry boat to Elephanta Island. Don’t go on a Monday.

We wander to the harbour and pose for photos beneath the imposing basalt archway of the Gateway to India — it is teeming with tourists, foreign and national. The iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel sits just behind it, mirroring the Gateway in stature and significance. Jamsetji Tata built the Taj 110 years ago after he was refused entry to a European hotel on account of being a “native.” Today, Tata’s hotel is one of the world’s finest, and the Tata family remains one of India’s wealthiest.

The ferry to Elephanta Island departs every half-hour, and costs 130 Rupees. Up top seating is an additional 10 Rupees, and it’s obviously worth it. The view of Mumbai from the water is second-to-none; we pass tankers and offshore docks, fishing vessels and tourist boats as we cruise toward Elephanta. The only downer is watching Indian families pitch their garbage into the ocean. Pop cans, chip bags… it is even more objectionable as there is a garbage can onboard and easily accessible. This isn’t cultural, littering sucks.

The caves on Elephanta Island are closed every Monday. No exceptions, not today, not any Monday. Cursing our waiter and regretting the healthy tip we had left, we decide to cut our losses and jump back on the ferry rather than spend time wandering the sleepy island. The return ferry ride is slightly less exciting, but I always love being on a boat. Any boat.

Mumbai’s chaos welcomes us back, and we window-shop the streets of the city’s Colaba area, popping into the antique and curio shops — one which sold particularly interesting antique Rupees — and even stopping into the Nike Store to pickup an authentic Sahara jersey (India’s International Cricket Team). Mumbai is a remarkably European city, and while crowded, seems no more confusing than Manhattan during tourist season — save the occasional “cobra in a sack,” as offered by roaming touts. The cobblestone streets and relative affluence of the area surrounding the Taj Mahal Palace in particular was a stark contrast to anything we’d seen in Delhi or Jaipur.

Southern Mumbai is a trendy, cosmopolitan area.

With night beginning to fall and our time in India coming to an end, we pop into Leopold’s Café, a classic backpacker eatery now filling up with evening revellers. A pint of beer and a dessert that never comes later, we hop a taxi and discover the second reason one shouldn’t stay in the suburbs.

We had left our backpacks at the Hotel Kohinoor Elite, and gave our driver instructions to first take us to the hotel and then to the airport, to which he agreed. An hour into our meander around the suburbs, it becomes horrifyingly apparent we are lost. The driver has no idea where the Kohinoor is, and neither do any of the locals we stop to ask directions from. As time ticks nearer to our flight’s departure, and nervous sweat beads on our foreheads, we begin to drum up a Plan B. We would go to the airport, then call the hotel, then get them to send a taxi… and all of a sudden a familiar landmark — a neon-signed mall — appears, followed by the Kohinoor Elite. We made it, somehow. A more welcome sight I have scarcely seen.

As we step out of the taxi at the airport, I decide to give our driver a healthy tip for the inconvenience, and he decides to increase his price for the same. Whatever. I hand him a mitt-full of Rupees and, with that, bid India adieu and enter the Mumbai International Airport just in time to check-in.

Namaste, India. It’s been… unforgettable.

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Welcome to Goa – the land of expansive sandy beaches, hippy backpacker culture, swaying palm trees, seafood curries and seaside cows. It’s a must on any traveller’s bucket list — and if you need inspiration, here are 12 of my favourite photos from Goa:

In This India Photo Essay You Will Discover:

• The Architecture of Old Goa
• Beach Culture in India
• Surprises on the Sand

Two weeks in Goa wasn’t nearly enough. Time simultaneously flew by while seeming to stand still. Days were spent lazing on the beach, town-hopping via scooter, shopping at markets, swimming in the Arabian Sea and snoozing in a beach shack. It’s tropical perfection at its finest. If you haven’t been, you must go. Here are 12 photos to inspire your own trip to Goa:

The famous Tomb of St. Francis Xavier, in Old Goa.

Kids play a game of pickup cricket on Patnem Beach, in southern Goa.

Our lovely beach shack, home for seven nights in northern Goa,

Waking up to this each morning was one of the highlights of our month in India.

Cows roam the beaches of Goa – like this lazy bovine on Agonda Beach.

An 1800-era Catholic church in Old Goa.

Village Susegat, northern Goa. Relaxation is the key word.

Not a welcome sight. (Morjim Beach, north Goa.)

Rajbagh Beach, in far-south Goa, is one of the quietest beaches in the state.

A cow roams into a restaurant in Palolem Beach — before being chased out by the presumably-Catholic owner.

Old Goa – a juxtaposition to the lazy beaches of Goa’s coastline.

The culinary highlight of Goa is dining on fresh-caught fish every evening.

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When people decide to go on a vacation during their holidays to run away from the hectic life, they would normally wish to visit some new place that they haven’t explored before. The Caribbean is one of the most popular vacation spots that attract tourists from all around the world. With few of the world’s most gorgeous beaches and exotic islands, the Caribbean is undoubtedly one of the most wonderful tourist destinations. If you are planning to visit the Caribbean, you need to find out the best spots to visit in the region.

Here is a list of the Top 6 Caribbean vacation spots; check out what’s special about each of them in the following sections.

Anguilla

If all you want to do during your vacation is to relax and enjoy a peaceful time, you should not miss out on visiting Anguilla, which is an island off the coast in the Caribbean Sea. Though it is a small island, it has good reputation as a holiday destination in the Caribbean.

Things to do: You can visit historic sites, art galleries, ride on horseback into the mountains, dance to the island music or explore the world under the sea.

Aruba

This island in the Caribbean provides vacation deals throughout the year that are ideal for individuals who love the sun — a perfect spot for a thrilling vacation! Aruba has plenty to offer for outdoor action, owing to its tropical warm weather all through the year.

What to do: The amazing hidden beaches are the most interesting places to visit in Aruba. Activities that keep tourists engaged include surfboarding, snorkeling, casino, boating, nightlife, and much more.

Barbados

If you are trying to find a place that fits within your budget and if you love nature, look to Barbados. There are several all-inclusive packages offered to fit into the budget of tourists who don’t want to shell out a fortune. This splendid coral island is located in the East Caribbean Sea.

Popular Spots: Few interesting places to visit in this island are whitesand beaches, exceptional botanical gardens, and sugarcane plantations.

Curacao

This is the perfect place for people who love to relax and enjoy on exotic beaches. With 38 beaches lining the island, this spot is highly recommended for beach lovers. All these beaches are well known for their hospitable locals and sparkling clean beauty.

Main Attractions: Curacao is also the home of a huge national park for guests who love hiking. Casinos and the island’s nightlife are great pastimes in this place. The 68 diving sites on this island are what attract tourist traffic to this island.

Cayman Islands

The natural beauty of Cayman Islands is a must see for nature lovers — there are three islands totally. An absolutely entertaining vacation spot with strange things like feeding iguanas while dining at a local restaurant!

Heaven for the Adventure Lovers: It is a great place to enjoy extensive shark diving, waterfall climbing, swimming with the stingrays, fishing, island hopping, and shopping. People who love rock climbing will undoubtedly enjoy climbing the bluff of Cayman Brac.

Jamaica

Jamaica is one of the popular islands in the region, popular for its fabulous resorts and beautiful beaches. Among the best things to do in this island are shopping in the open markets and visiting Dolphin Cove; here you can enjoy swimming with stingrays and dolphins. Thousands of tourists visit this place every year.

These are just few of the many exciting vacation spots in the Caribbean that you can visit, while also ensuring that the trip will be a memorable one. Click here to get an affordable Caribbean vacation packages.

Relatively empty streets and freedom to roam from town-to-town, beach-to-beach? I loved my scooter tour of India’s quietest state: Goa.

In This India Article You Will Discover:

• How to Get Around Goa
• Must-See Stops
• Scootering Tips

Goa was the first place in India where we enjoyed total freedom to roam — no longer dependent on tuk-tuks, taxis, trains and flight schedules, we hopped on a rough-and-tumble scooter and headed off into the jungle. It was refreshing not to have to barter every time we felt restless; even though we’d had some wonderful drivers thus far.

The streets of Jaipur, Agra and Delhi are utter chaos. On the India Mike forum, while responding to a query regarding self-drives in the country’s large cities, one poster put it best: “You need a check-up from the neck-up.”

Not much room for a scooter when busses and trucks pass one another.

I had remarked to our driver in Delhi how incredible it was that seemingly few crashes occur on these wild streets. He raised his eyebrows — we just hadn’t seen any yet. According to him, more than 120,000 people lose their lives on India’s highways every year. And that’s just the reported number.

It’s a different story in Goa. Panjim and Mapusa get a bit busy, and you’ll want a motorcycle capable of highway speeds to cruise the freeway, but other than that, you’ll discover the freedom to roam in relative safety. We were there over Christmas — peak season — and some roads in the far north and south were essentially deserted.

Scooters and motorcycles are a part of everyday life in Goa.

It’s not to say that “any idiot” can scooter around Goa. Even in small towns like Chaudi (in the south) and in and around Calangute and Baga, things get tight. Keep your eyes wide open, scan all intersections, look three moves ahead and never stop honking that horn. Honk to slow down, honk to speed up; honk to turn, honk to go straight. Honk around corners, honk at intersections; honk for cows, honk for kids. Just honk. Don’t be timid — it’s India.

Cows are constant road-hazards — especially pesky black ones after the sun sets. Keep an eye out for them, they won’t for you.

North Goa

Scooting from Morjim, a tour of northern Goa is a good introduction to the area’s motorcycling etiquette and safety. Head north past Mandrem and Arambol, the latter being a nice place to stop for lunch or tea, and carve through the jungle-rimmed streets to Querim and the ferry to Fort Tiracol. Watch out for trucks and busses — it’s best just to pull over when they come rambling up. Especially watch for trucks and busses coming in opposite directions at the same time. They edge by one another with centimetres to spare — or not. Plug your ears if you hate the sound of scraping metal-on-metal.

Crossing the Terekhol River from Querim to Fort Tiracol.

Fort Tiracol is a lovely spot to sip a cold drink (non-alcoholic, you need your wits!) while enjoying expansive views of empty Querim Beach and the Terekhol River estuary. Keep a special lookout for dolphins.

South again, past Morjim, you’ll scoot across the lengthy bridge into Siolim. Stop for ice cream, then scoot west to Vagator Beach, and Anjuna, then ride south past Calangute and Baga to check out Fort Aguada at the mouth of the Mandovi River. It’s a bit of a hike, so feel free to take in the view of this ruined Portuguese Fort from below.

South Goa

In the far south, near the golden-sand stretches of Palolem Beach, you’ll find similar scootering as in the north — perhaps even less crowded. Scooter rentals can be had for 300 Rupees per day (or less) at Palolem Beach, right at the main beach access. This is your best bet for finding an available bike — although often they’ll deliver them right to your hotel (for a tip).

Chaudi, one of south Goa’s main hubs. On market days, the streets can be much more crowded.

Palolem, as lovely as it is, is a tad busy during higher seasons, so we cruised to the lovelier (and far less crowded) Patnem, about three kilometres south. From there, a nice, 25-minute ride takes you to Agonda, a beach with a similar vibe to Patnem, though with a few fancy high-end accommodations offsetting the budget shacks.

The road to Agonda is as empty as any road in coastal Goa will ever be. Enjoy the temperature changes as you dip from sunlight to shadow, as you rise in elevation and drop again, as you skim past rivers and down to the ocean. Ride the day away. It’s freedom, Goa style.

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Are you headed to Goa? Well, good for you! Here is your guide to six things you must do while spending time in India’s beachside paradise.

 In This Article You Will Discover:

• The Best Markets
• The Best Accommodation
• Top Destinations

 Welcome to Goa — India’s beachside paradise destination. While it’s tempting to let the days drift by, lounging on the beach sipping Kingfisher, don’t forget to get out-and-about during your time here. If you need a little inspiration, here are six must-dos in Goa:

1. Anjuna Flea Market

Barter hard at the Anjuna Flea Market — prices are always laughably high to start.

This is a classic Goa experience. One of the original “hippie markets,” in operation for a few decades now, the Anjuna Flea Market is held every Wednesday in a dusty field on the outskirts of the main town. Expect to see an equal mix of local Goans fleecing poor-bargaining tourists and expats from the world-round flogging their wares in an attempt to finance just a few more months in paradise. Most of what you’ll see is typical junk — mirrored bedspreads, trinkets, designer knock-offs, silly T-shirts, but every once and a while there’s something truly interesting for sale… in our case, a merchant selling actual vintage designer sunglasses (Chanel, etc.). Food, drink and live music abounds. Barter hard, initial prices are always ludicrous.

2. Rent a Beach Hut

Rent a beach hut for the ultimate Goa experience — I recommend Village Susegat (pictured).

Accommodation in Goa ranges from rickety shacks with communal bathrooms, tucked away in the jungle and available for pocket change, to the Taj Exotica, where a night will cost several hundred to $1,000 or more USD. However, for the best experience, find a beachside hut with an open air café. Sleep to the sounds of a whirring fan and the crashing surf. Kick your shoes off and don’t put them back on for a week. Goa is best done as such; simple and authentic.

3. Fort Tiracol

The view from Fort Tiracol — spectacular.

Quite literally the farthest point north in Goa before you hit Maharashtra, this cliffside 17^th century Portuguese fort is accessed via free-of-charge ferry ride from Querim, a 30-minute scooter ride from Mandrem. Here, you can take in expansive views of the Goan coast, complete with empty sand beaches, ever-flowing river estuaries and the occasional pod of dolphins frolicking in the surf. Fort Tiracol offers accommodation (130 euros), though it might be a little boring to stay there more than a few hours. The restaurant is quite nice, though — we whiled away the afternoon, sipping cold Pepsi and getting a sunburn. (It was worth it.)

Let time and tide drift endlessly by on the sunny shores of Goa, India’s hippie backpacker tropical Nirvana. I know I did…

In This Goa Article You Will Discover:

• Tropical Bliss
• Reasons to Visit Goa
• How to Relax in India

Specific time does not exist in Goa. The sun rises, and the sun sets. That is all you need to know. And that in itself is a reason to spend days, or weeks, on the sandy shoreline of India’s smallest state, watching the palms sway, the waves crash and the tide ebb and flow.

Erin and I arrived in Goa sick as dogs, reeling from a bad chicken curry dinner in Jaipur the night previous. By the time I flopped into bed, following an epic eight-hour layover in the Mumbai Airport drifting in and out of consciousness as my body tried to rid itself of the toxin, I could not even appreciate my proximity to the waves, the gentle sea breeze and the silence (the latter a first since arriving in India a week-or-so earlier).

But awakening just after sunrise the next morning, a welcome by-product of jet-lag, antibiotics coursing through my veins, I immediately realized we had, in fact, truly arrived at the paradise we had flown 18 hours to find.

Morjim Beach, Goa — one of the state’s quietest beaches.

Morjim Beach is empty, save a couple of joggers and the morning’s last fisherman returning with the day’s catch. It is already in the mid-20-degree Celsius range, and the sea is just cool enough to be refreshing but warm enough to offer time-unlimited swims. The mercury will spike to the mid-30s today, with little breeze.

We nosh a light breakfast. This bout of food poisoning came on hard and fast but is leaving us quickly. The only lasting effects are to be an intolerance for curry that lasts for another 10 days, limiting us to simple seafood dishes and British pub grub. Could be worse.

Our first day is easy — a swim in the sea, followed by a long sit in a cozy beach chair, followed by another swim. Little time seems to have passed before we head into our local café for a cold drink, thinking it perhaps 10:00 a.m.; just time for a mid-morning refresher.

Wandering Morjim and Ashvem beaches; letting time slip away in Goa.

It is already 2:30 p.m. And this would set the tone for our two weeks in Goa. Time is meaningless. Rise when you rise, sleep when you sleep. Do as you feel in the hours between. In Goa’s far north and far south, away from the legendary Trance parties and gap-year crowd, it is tropical bliss as you’ve always imagined, although, perhaps, have not yet found.

As the resorts and crowds expand outward from Calangute and Baga in the north-central, quiet stretches of sand, like Morjim in the north or Patnem in the south, will no doubt lose a touch of their charm. However, for now, Morjim remains the Goa of your dreams, a place not where time stands still, but where it moves forward at the pace you set for it.

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Welcome to India’s tropical paradise — Goa! With beaches too numerous to list, it can be difficult to decide where to stay. After considerable research (i.e.: sunbathing), I’ve put together an essential guide to Goa’s 5 best beaches:

 In This India Article You Will Discover:

• How to Find Seclusion
• White Sand Beaches
• Travel & Accommodation Tips

Ah, Goa. Lapped gently by the Arabian Sea, it is one of the world’s quintessential tropical paradises. And despite the area’s popularity, secluded strips of sandy beaches fringed with swaying palm trees and beach-shacks with a low-key backpacker vibe are all easy to find — if you know where to look:

Morjim Beach

Morjim Beach, North Goa.

I think there is a conspiracy afoot regarding Morjim Beach. The latest edition of the Lonely Planet India gives this wondrous stretch of silver sand merely a few sentences, not all of which are positive. Methinks the travel writer clique is trying to keep Morjim for itself… As this is the Goa of your dreams. Sparsely populated, expect relative seclusion even around peak season. The water is warm with just enough waves to have fun in. Dining options include the spectacular Sublime (400 rupees for a five-star meal); accommodation is best found at the lovely Village Susegat ($2,250 Rupees/night with a minimum seven-night stay). Let the days drift by, rent a scooter and explore the area, dine under the starlight, spot Olive Ridley Turtles hatching under the full moon… I wish I was there right now.

Ashvem Beach

Ashvem Beach, North Goa.

Consider Ashvem as Morjim’s (slightly) bigger brother. Located just to the north and with a similar environment — a few more palm trees compared to the arid backdrop of Morjim — this beach is more developed, complete with higher-end resort-style accommodation. There are even a couple of surf schools, for when seasonal waves are large enough, and the town offers a good selection of restaurants and shops to peruse. If you fancy an off-the-beaten-path beach, but still like it a little bit lively, consider Ashvem the best of both worlds. La Plage is a popular restaurant, and Marbela Beach Resort offers trendy, high-end cabanas.

Palolem Beach

Palolem Beach, South Goa.

Just a few years ago, Palolem was considered Goa’s “undiscovered gem;” an unspoiled paradise of whitesand beaches backed by thick jungle. Well, people have certainly discovered it nowadays — but the whitesand beaches and palms remain. In peak season, Palolem can get quite busy, but it is a lovely place to stay and eat (Magic Pizza is a good bet for dinner) — and for those who like action and nightlife, Palolem is far-south Goa’s liveliest choice (still quiet when compared to Calangute and Baga). Rent a scooter, rent a kayak… go for a boat tour, have a Kingfisher beer at a beach shack… peruse the souvenir shops, people-watch to your heart’s content. You won’t get bored in Palolem.

As summer approaches and motorcycle riding season comes into full-swing, it’s time to daydream about the world’s ultimate two-wheeled adventures. Here are my three dream trips:

 In This Motorcycle Article You Will Discover:

• How to Hit Dizzying Highs
• Long-Distance Touring at Its Finest
• A Land Without Fences

When I dream of adventure, I picture myself on two-wheels, alone, riding unfamiliar and expansive terrain — not stuffed in jam-packed buses or jet-setting overtop oceans. Motorcycle travel is a tactile way to experience the land — one experiences every nuance, from a bump in the road to the smell of a pasture .

Here are 3 Dream Motorcycle Trips I’ve got in the works:

The Pan-American Highway

Passing through 18 countries along its 48,000 km length, the Pan-American Highway is the longest motorable road-way in the world. Officially stretching from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, it is unbroken save a 159-km near-impassable stretch between Panama and Colombia known as the Darien Gap. From boreal forest, to desert, to metropolis, to coast and more, this is the world’s ultimate motorway — it has been called an “idea as vast as Pan-Americanism itself.” I expect the journey will take three months, although technically I won’t be completing the whole length, as I will depart from Vancouver, BC, rather than Alaska. Still counts though, right?

Himalayas By Enfield

After I spent a month in India, I returned with a stronger-than-ever desire to tour the country by motorcycle. By Royal Enfield, (India’s signature steed) to be specific. Sure, I rambled around Goa on a scooter… but it’s not the same as true adventure touring. And I’d do it in the chilly north, not the sun-baked south. As I’m a sucker for one-of-a-kind roadsigns, a ride along Khardung La — the world’s highest motorable road at 5,602 metres — would be worth it just to pose by its famous altitude marker. The scenery of Kashmir and the isolated Himalayas would be icing on the cake.

Mongolia on Two Wheels

Vast wilderness, foreign landscape, unique culture — the world’s least-populated country calls out to every true adventure rider. Pick a direction and ride; you are a nomad in a country of nomads. Gobi Desert with camels in the background? High altitude peaks interconnected with valleys of tundra? The path once ridden by Genghis Khan? My only worry is whether I’ll be able to stomach sheep testicle soup. The riding excitement is a sure thing.

When riding, having the right motorcycle gear is paramount. Get geared up with a good motorcycle textile clothing and your trip will be infinitely better.

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Special Sponsored Post: Where to Find the Sunshine in Ibiza This Spring.

We’ve seen it a hundred times. The weatherman stands in front of a map and promises us that for a few precious days we will be bathed in “spring-like sunshine”. What they actually mean is “spring like sunshine… for 20 minutes before it clouds over and rains.” This spring, grab a cheap flight to Ibiza and guarantee yourself good weather, beautiful beaches authentic food.

Discover your own secluded beach in Ibiza

Ibiza is not all nightclubs, glow sticks and … well, noise. The Balearic Island of Ibiza has some of the most beautiful and secluded stretches of beach in Europe.

Cala Llentrisca

Picture this: Crystal clear blue water washing gently against unspoilt stretch of sandy beach bathed in warm sunshine all day through. If idyllic is your thing, then Cala Llentrisca is just what you need. A rickety old timber jetty cutting into the water gives the bay a nostalgic romantic feel. It makes for a perfect diving board or simply a quiet spot to sit and reflect.

Es Portitxol

Luscious green clifftops are not what you would think of in Ibiza but they can be seen in all their dramatic glory from the bay of Es Portitxol. This beautiful beach is cut into the sprawling overhanging cliffs to form a natural harbour of turquoise water. Relax watching the local fishermen come and go as they have for centuries. This secluded little spot is the perfect place to take in some Spanish spring sunshine.

Es Boldado: Put the fine in dining

For a dining experience you’ll never forget head to southwest Ibiza near San Jose to Es Boldado. You can eat al fresco in the seating area and watch the sun go down over the stunning coastal rocks.

If you like seafood you won’t get much fresher then picking your own crab or lobster from the restaurants’ swimming pool. The menu is typically Ibizan, fresh salad starters, paella with crab, cod and mussels. For dessert you can sample the local cinnamon spiced bread pudding, Gaixonera, a light and fluffy way to end the meal. The view is priceless and three courses with a bottle of wine will set you back about 30 to 40 Euros.

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The Las Vegas Strip is the home to several iconic casinos that exemplify all of the excitement associated with the gambling industry. Visitors from around the world come to Las Vegas every year to play casino games here. One of the most iconic casinos located in Vegas is the Bellagio. Most notable for its fountains, the Bellagio also offers a botanical garden as well as fine art gallery. Within the Bellagio casino the most popular section is the poker room. However, it does offer all of the expected casino games within its casino.

The famous fountains of the Bellagio.

When one thinks of Vegas, another iconic casino which may be thought of is Caesar’s Palace. The casino first opened its doors over 50 years ago and it’s still going strong. Its appearance in many movies has helped to catapult it to iconic status as well as its long history for providing casino games. Caesar’s Palace offers some of the same games found at online casinos. You can expect popular casino games such as craps and baccarat as well as Pai Gow Poker. Visit here to practice online before your trip. Six card poker is one of the less common casino games played here. With this poker variation, players compete against the dealer with this heads up game.

Caesar’s Palace is one of Las Vegas’ most famous hotels.

Within Caesar’s Palace probably the most action filled room is the Poker Room which caters to both new players as well as experienced ones. Poker can come in many forms including stud poker where players are unable to discard unwanted cards for new one. Draw poker games are when players are able to discard certain cards and receive additional ones from the dealer. Community poker games, such as Texas Hold ‘Em are quite popular as these games feature a set of cards face up on the table that any player can access in building their poker hand.

We were in Goa last December when news of Delhi’s infamous gang-rape hit the papers. We read reports of the repugnant details, horrified, praying for both the victim and for India’s societal and legal evolution. The victim was not to recover from her unfathomably savage injuries — but what about India’s societal adjustment at-large? Protests on the streets of Delhi indicated such change was in the wind.

There was a sliver of muted optimism when we returned home to Canada to discover the news had made worldwide headlines. Every society has its breaking point. Perhaps this was to be India’s?

In the face of the most recent high-profile gang-rape, this time of a Swiss tourist, it seems not much has changed since the protests in Delhi. Yes, the latest rapists (“alleged,” I’m supposed to say) have been arrested, but clearly they, and too many others, thought little of the crime to begin with.

Uma Shankar Gupta, Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh, summed up his thoughts on this attack with this pedestrian statement:

“What happened is unfortunate for our nation,” Gupta said to media.

Following the assault in Delhi last December, a law was passed that made voyeurism, stalking, acid attacks and the trafficking of women punishable under criminal law.

Consider: a law passed only in December of 2012 made the above crimes actually punishable.

In fact, from December of 2012 until today, there have been cases of rape in India ranging from that of a two-year-old child in the nursery ward of a hospital (while her mother was giving birth to a baby in a nearby room), to a copycat gang-rape on a bus in Indore. It is estimated that a woman is raped every 20 minutes in India.

Here is another pearl of wisdom from India’s higher-ups, this time from Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament, Ramesh Bais:

“The rape of grown-up girls and women might be understandable, but if someone does this to an infant, it is a heinous crime…”

Note the first 11 words of that quote. It is not surprising that little has changed when elected officials hold such views.

My reason for posting this article was to address not only these crimes, but the underlining issues within Indian society that facilitate them, some of which we saw first-hand during our time there — albeit to an infinitely lesser extent. I simply could not post another article promoting the beauty of India before I addressed this ugliness.

Of course, we’ve now seen similar sentiments expressed in the USA recently too, following the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Ohio — the convicted attackers have been lavished with sympathy by news agencies such as CNN. CLICK HERE to see the clip; these problems are not India’s alone.

After a month travelling around India, we returned awestruck. It is the first place I have ever visited where I was planning my return before I had even left. I reminisce on the trip daily. I loved every moment I spent there.

India, goddamn it, you are breaking my heart.

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