Goa in 48 Hours: How We Pulled Off a Last-Minute Boys’ Trip
It all started on a quiet Saturday evening, April 21, 2018. Me, Bharath, Ashwik, and Sanju were on a group video call, just chilling and having fun as usual. Then Sanju dropped a bomb—he was going off to Manali with his postgrad friends. Out of nowhere, Bharath threw in a counterattack: “Let’s go to Goa!” What started as a joke turned into a full-fledged plan within 24 hours. We got our parents’ permission (a heist in itself), booked tickets, packed our bags, and by Monday evening, we were on a flight.
This was our first trip with friends. No drinking, no smoking, no gambling—just pure adventure and chaos. Here’s how it went down.
Episode 1: The Arrival
We landed late at night, took a taxi to our hotel, and crashed. The next morning, we woke up to the chirping of birds, a refreshing change from the alarm tones we were used to. Goa, we were ready for you!
Episode 2: Half a Day at the Goa Art Museum
Entry fee: ₹250. Mission? Get our money’s worth! We clicked photos with every single object in the museum, from sculptures to paintings, making sure we left no corner unexplored. Four hours later, we walked out, feeling like art connoisseurs (or at least, very tired tourists).
Episode 3: Aguada Fort – Where the Sea Meets History
Aguada Fort greeted us with its vast walls and the endless sea in the background. It weirdly reminded me of the Taj Mahal—don’t ask why, it just did. I had been to sea coasts before with family, but this was different. Maybe it was the freedom, maybe it was the company. Whatever it was, we were loving it. We spent hours watching the waves crash and the sun dip into the horizon.
Episode 4: The Bollywood Dream – Chapora Fort Trek
Tempted by the tagline “Bollywood’s Favorite Fort,” we trekked up Chapora Fort, expecting magic. Instead, we found… nothing. Exhausted and thirsty, we decided to at least enjoy the view we worked so hard to see.
Episode 5: Vagator Beach – A Well-Deserved Reward
From Chapora, a beach down the hill was looked stunning, so we headed straight there. There could be many beaches in goa but this one was special with the red hill in the background, blue water and the unsual structure of the beachrocks. The sea was calling, and we answered. We played, we jumped, we got hit by waves, and we didn’t stop until we were completely drained.
Episode 6: The Great Thrift Shopping Scam (Almost)
We headed to a local flea market just to look around, but the local crafts pulled us in. I ended up buying a big Ganesha idol and my favorite Buddha idol, which still brings me peace on my desk today. Ashwik went into full negotiation beast mode, striking deals like a pro in 40-degree heat.
The biggest twist? We ran out of cash, and the nearest ATM was far. That’s when we met a humble shopkeeper who agreed to give us cash in exchange for a Paytm transfer. It felt like a barter from a past life—but in true Goan style, it worked. Shopping in scorching heat never felt so zen, especially with the sea breeze and coconut trees giving us shade and smiles.
Episode 7: Beach Bums and Water Sports
Goa is known for its legendary beaches—and they did not disappoint. From soft sands to crashing waves, we immersed ourselves fully. Long beach walks, silly sandcastles, and wave battles defined our hours. Even after returning home, I could still feel the rhythm of the waves in my body. We did try water sports like jet skiing, but it was the serene, sun-soaked time on the beaches that truly stole our hearts.
Episode 8: Temples, Churches & Cultural Exploration
Being the explorers we are, we checked out Shree Mangueshi Temple, a few majestic churches, and even the Viceroy’s Arch. From history to spirituality, we covered it all.
Episode 9: Munna & The Unexpected Identity Swap
We rented two scooters from a guy named Munna. One day, while exploring churches, we got stopped by the police. Turns out, Munna had given us his personal scooters instead of commercial ones. The police called him, and Munna, our guy, cooked up a legendary tale on the spot—he told them we were his new hotel employees from Telangana exploring Goa before joining work. We just stood there, trying not to laugh, pretending to be the most dedicated hotel workers ever.
Episode 10: Closing Off at the Naval Aviation Museum
As engineers, visiting the Naval Aviation Museum was the perfect end to our trip. Fighter jets, aviation history, and a deep appreciation for the Indian Navy—it was fascinating.
The Grand Finale – Flying Back with a Bag Full of Stories
We boarded our flight back to Hyderabad with sand still in our shoes and hearts full of memories. This was the first trip I ever planned and executed. It wasn’t perfect, but that’s what made it beautiful.
Oh, and there are a few untold tales—like how we almost stole a helmet, how a guy tried to sell us something suspicious at Aguada, or why we cut the trip short. But hey, maybe that’s for another day.
This might be the longest piece I’ve ever written, but for the memories we made—it still doesn’t feel long enough.