A photo blog with pictorial depictions of my 7 days in Goa, when the coastal state was awashed by cyclone Kyarr.
I was in Goa by the end of October 2019. The time is generally touted as shoulder season in Goa. Resorts and shacks by the beaches get a new coat of bright paint, gearing up for holiday season.
But 2019 was different.
I did not have a clue though, and I have a feeling Goa was not prepared either!
I was lounging in the Durgapuja pandals of Kolkata when I got the invite to attend GITM 2019. It is a travel mart in Goa aiming to promote alternative tourism products and I was invited as a media.
Now, I thought why don’t I extend my stay and explore the off the beaten tracts of Goa. I wanted to explore the islands, the mangroves, the old Portuguese neighborhood and walk where tourists hardly tread. The fact that Goa is one of the safest place in India for solo female travelers, added to my confidence.
So I chose to visit Divar Island and Ashwem beach. Ashwem is located at the extreme northern coast of Goa and is generally secluded from touristy crowd. In between, I was to spend a few days at Calangute and Panaji, the heartland of Goa’s tourism business!
I will elaborate my 7 days itinerary in Goa in a different blog post.
I took a small yet rewarding ride from the pier to Devaaya resort at Divar island on the first day. It was then when I had a chance to look up at the horizon looming large over year’s harvest. Looking up I realized the sky had conspired to destroy the world!
Shot from a moving car at Divar island. This is usually the sunset canvas of Old Goa!
Also read: A week in Shillong, travel stories from the heart of Meghalaya!
Mandovi river, mangrove and the last remains of a sunny day!
Mandovi river as seen from the Devaaya resort.
At the Palm Grove resorts at Ashwem beach. The second day of Cyclone Kyarr.
The resort opens to the sea beach. The night before, sea waves had come up to the staircase and brought along coconut shells and discarded glass bottles of alcohol.
I have been to Dhanushkodi before and I know what a disaster may render however this was the first time I was in it!
A tree stripped off its branches from the night before’s wind.
What we gave the sea, and what sea returned!
A brave mother stands by the sea with her son.
Ominous cloud-scape.
An owner of one the beach shacks stands by the sea.
A makeshift protection to resist the sea. I heard waves washed away the kitchen a day before.
A few tourists stand at the Ashwem beach and wait for the sky to clear up.
That mannequin and still life. It was scary.
These mom and son duo were the bravest humans I have ever seen!
Washed away.
Lifeless.
Waves looking like fume and scouring towards the beach.
A water stream from the mountain cliffs opens up near the beach.
The day ends. Another day, we hope for a better day!
Cyclone Kyarr swept away the staircase to the beach.
A tourist sits at the bar and watches the sea fume up at Yab Yum Resort.
A straw dome is protected with plastic cover at Yab Yum resort.
I stayed at Yab Yum resort. The surroundings were more than beautiful. nature at her bountiful!
However, I kept awake for the whole night, fearing I will open the door to greet Arabian Sea at my doorstep.
While walking near the beach, i also spotted a Cobra, making its way past the bush and securing a safe stay.
Morjim beach after Cyclone Kyarr washed away traces of life.
A few tourists venture into the sea.
Hymn to the sea! The sky cleared a bit the next day. Sunrays came to greet.
Some of us worship the Sun. Sun is the bearer of life and nourishes civilization with his warmth and more. I could feel it in my soul!
Ashwem is famous for molten gold sunsets but this time the sky cleared up this much only!
One last look at the sea. Sunset at Ashwem beach.
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