What you really want to do in your life would end up on the bucket list such as visiting exotic locations. This may take planning. Where does it come from, the source? Well, you don’t need to guess mine, it is from the movies—especially this one. We get a sense of purpose and direction from our bucket lists. It might be a source of inspiration and motivation for some people to pursue their dreams regardless of how big or small they are. When you finally start checking off the item from your bucket list is similar to the idiom “Kick the bucket” from where the term ‘Bucket list’ comes from, means to die. You can die in peace.
The movie Josh, starring Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Chandrachur Singh in leading roles to name a few, was shot in Goa. My introduction to Goa. I talked with friends, and they also had a mutual feeling about the beauty of Goa. In the following year 2001, Dil Chahta Hai dropped. The movie’s road trip to Goa from Mumbai was the biggest trigger in our lives. We said together, ‘YE TO KARNA HI HAI’ (This must be done). Let me rephrase, a road trip to Goa must be done. We just said it. In one voice, AGREED.
Goa is on.
Mukesh Ambani’s worth reached approximately $50b (in 2019) from $2.8b (in 2001) and he became one of the richest people in the world. We were still planning for Goa. But that doesn’t mean we only planned. We tried a couple of times, set the date, booked the ticket, purchased tickets and had to cancel for some reason. Well, Goa was still ON, right?
Introducing Sumit. My buddy, brother from another mother, “HUMRAAZ” and partner in many crimes called and told us to mark the date on our calendar. Maybe, I was and I am the only job holder in the group who needed to approve the leave, and for that reason, he specifically told me, “CHUTTI KO LAGI APPLY GARI HALA (Apply for the leave already), this time there won’t be any excuses that are going to work. Not only that, but he also warned that even if you guys could not manage, I would make it this time either with you or without you all”. 
A Whatsapp group was formed. I changed the name to “Goa is on”. I took the name from the movie Chennai Express where Shahrukh Khan keeps telling his friends, “Goa is on”, and advance money was collected to purchase the ticket. Wow!!! Is this really going to happen?
It took 18 years to execute the plan but we kick started and the D’Day. Here’s the plan. Mohan and I will travel from Kathmandu to Jhapa, where we will join other 5 friends, 7 in total. From NJP (New Jalpaiguri) Junction Railway Station to Mumbai and then Goa.
On 6th October 2019 our journey started from Kathmandu.
Plan Vs Reality #1 – The flight from Kathmandu was delayed by more than 3 hours, which was supposed to reach Jhapa on time. We originally planned to go to War in the evening after spending some time with friends. But due to the delay, reached Jhapa and went straight to the QFX Birtmode. The show was about to start and we just can’t miss the beginning, can we? Gulzar sahab rightly said, “WOH DER SE PAHUNCHA THA LEKIN WAQT PAR PAHUNCHA”. Right on time for the movie though.
Plan vs reality moment #2 – One of the friends backed out at the last moment. The situation was “ABBU NAHI MANENGE” here the “ABBU” was situation. But still, Goa is On and the Journey from NJP to Mumbai on a train started. At least one person from the group will go to Goa this time, others can join if they want such was the plan.
New Jalpaiguri Junction Railway Station where we ate one of the not so tasty food. It was the lesson learnt for us that you can’t go to Thakali and ask for butter chicken and naan.
The journey to Mumbai was full of fun. Played cards on the train, and tried local snacks at every train station possible along with the group or single mandatory pictures were taken. Since one of the friends did not come, the TC who sold the seat again, and the person who purchased the booked seat must have thanked the friend.
Plan vs Reality moment #3
The plan was to watch a movie in an iMax in Mumbai. The Joker movie. Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t do it because one idiot followed us for a commission. Therefore, we held our bags, wandered around, ate food, and avoided him all evening. But in the end, he won. He took his commission (for us, we were never supposed to give him anyway). Such pros they are.
The next day, we started our Mumbai visit at Siddhivinayak Temple and ended our day’s journey at Haji Ali Dargah.
Next plan vs reality moment #4. We wanted to sail to Goa by cruise. Tried a lot to get the tickets, but they were a bit expensive and not favourable for our limited planned days.
Let me take you back to the past. We manifested it already, right? YE TO KARNA NI HAI. Destiny was set already. We decided to travel by car. Okay, it was not a fancy Mercedes Benz convertible as shown in Dil Chahta Hai. However, the feeling of travelling to Goa from Mumbai by car was enough to keep us excited.
Travelling by car in the movie looked so fun, but ours wasn’t. It was not boring but in terms of comfort, it was not that comfortable because it took a bit longer than expected to reach Goa. But, when you are with your besties everything is fun. Can’t deny it.
Plan Vs Reality #5. Booked rooms in one of the Panaji Hotels, but we did not get confirmation from the hotel. So, We drove to Calangute beach and settled there. On October 2nd Vijay Salgaokar, along with his family, attended Swami Chinmayananda’s Satsang in Panaji, Goa . I am not sorry for bringing this up. Sorry can’t complete my Goa trip without mentioning this famous Drishyam incident. After 10 days, we reached there. We also visited where one of the scenes, when Singham decides to stand up against Jaykant Shikre and beats his henchmen, Dil Chahta Hai’s iconic scene was shot and many other places. Seafood platter, Matka Chicken, Local street Biryani and Sev/Pani puri at the beach were some of the highlights. Besides these, the adventures like jetskiing, Banana rides, Parasailing, and Snorkelling are things to cherish and with the price of liquor, you just can’t beat this.
Seems like Singham broke down the place so badly that when we visited there it was under renovation.
Oops moment:
The bridge where 2 wheelers are not allowed. We travelled by scooter. 3 scooters. We missed the sign at the beginning of the bridge. We were warned by some car drivers in the middle but we could not understand the sign they were using while driving. There was no U-turn anyway. We had so much fun because of the stunning view from the bridge. It became even more memorable when at the end some very friendly policemen were waiting for us. They very casually said that our licenses will be seized now and invited again to Goa for the hospitality after 3 months and to collect the license. Told you very friendly policemen, asked us to give them a nice treat but we had no time to have a treat with them, so we decided to pay for the treat, they will eat in future. A dent in a pocket and it was all set. Free to go
If you want to read day by day itinerary. Mohan, my friend and a brother and the person I can’t thank enough has written on the same tour. Please go through it.
By the way, the WhatsApp group I mentioned earlier is now changed to “Pattaya is on”
Good shout
I was extremely pleased to discover this site. I wanted to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff on your blog.
Yes, we enjoyed every bit of it and those hiccups can be ignored. Thank you for refreshing my memory and taking me back to Goa again. Let’s plan for next!!!
Kidhar jaane ka bichaar hai🤔?
Mohan Ji
Wonderful writing…as always…btw…Goa me kyaa huwaa???😁😁 aab ye padnee k baad pata chala sab kuch huwa…aaur aacha hi huwa. 🤫🤭