Way back in 2010 I wandered alone for 3 months which was "I am left with no options" as I was alone in HK and sitting in room was getting more boring. Ended up exploring few places in and around HK, alone.
After so many years, I set out on a solo trip to get my own time for myself to Goa, unplanned, no hotel bookings and with very less balance in my savings account, ofcourse credit card was there to rescue. When I left Dharwad, had thought of meeting friends in Belguam and nothing more. All the meeting, cheering, tea, gup shap was over in a hour's time, as friends were busy with their work. What next ? Goa !
Dharwad -> Belgaum -> Agonda |
Around 4pm I reached Agonda, parked my car and walked the narrow lane asking for a room. the options were plenty. Checked few rooms but the one facing the sea was more attractive, priced Rs 3000/- per night and I said yes. The only luggage was backpack with couple of dresses and a laptop with it's charger. Beside my room was a restaurant, sea facing, offering drinks and food. Took a beer and a paneer tikka and started leaving all tensions, worries, headaches one by one.
My only thought was "what do I do, alone ?" The first day, I just sat watching the waves, had a long bare foot walk, wandered to and fro deciding where to have dinner. Zeroed in on the same restaurant where I had lunch. There was some live performance, singing some romantic, dil bhare and some foot tapping numbers. I drowned myself in Glenfiddich and the songs.
Hadn't spent being alone, purposely, anytime. Even though I was alone on the table, communication to couple of friends didn't stop and I didn't wanted to stop (not with N). It was a Sunday and Monday was a holiday too. There was no pressure of getting up early and warming up and start working, keeping me awake past midnight listening to the gushing waves.
Room View |
The Agonda stretch was small, the ends of the narrow lane were not far and therefore I looked out for other options, found Palolem to be more crowded, made it my next destination. Had breakfast, checked out from room and headed towards Palolem. Again checked out some rooms and decided to stay in Brushwood resort (never stay there).
In Palolem, I would take a walk in the morning before breakfast, work, take a walk for lunch, work, take a looong walk for dinner and sleep. Opted for a new restaurant every time, a different cuisine every time. But 2 things didn't change, my silence and drinks (beer in the afternoon and whiskey at night). For 4 - 5 days I spoke to anybody other than the waiter.
Palolem |
Being with myself, walking along the seashore, watching the waves gushing and calming down, observing the sunset was all that needed to drain the worries, tension of a city life. That's the time one asks self why there is a need to lead a stressful life ? why there is a need of competition to have a peace of mind ? why there is a need to wait for a weekend ? Although the eagerness to talk to somebody increased after few days, but that would settle down if one decides. In the world of unknowns, one a attains peace and learns to live more calmly.
Having experienced this, the next year may bring in more solo trips!