Twenty Five years from now when, like Ted, I am telling my kids the story of "How I met your Mother", there are not many things I would tell them not to do. I want them to learn from their experiences. But, there is one thing I would tell, "Kids, never travel by a Goa Transport Bus".
Not that I have been a crazy traveler and visited all exotic places all round. But, I have been somewhat crazy with the modes of Transport. I have gone through all the shit I could- Traveling.
For starters, I have traveled extensively in Raichur Buses, on a week-end basis in Raichur-Gulbarga Intercity. I have traveled in Tumkur Private buses, to be specific Pavagada, where I had to stand on one foot so that I don't stamp on fresh dropping from the sheep below the adjacent seat. Slept on Newspapers with Shoes as Pillow. Took a drop in a truck carrying coconut shells, sitting on the comfort of dry coconut shells. And after all this when I say a Goa Bus was the worse, I would let your imagination run wild for a while.
When I was a kid I used to sit with my grand-father at a Library he owned, just across the Library was District Central Jail, the buses used to park right opposite to our Library, I used to be petrified when the were parked right in front of my eyes. The moment I stepped into this bus it got me back the old frightening memories. Now, thinking of it, Goa Kadamba Buses are surely discarded buses from all the Karnataka Central Jails.
Well I boarded this bus at an unknown place called Ramnagar, Westen Ghats, around 30kms from Dandeli, I was enjoying the freshness of cleanest air in Karnataka, while just 2 steps into the Bus it vanished, which was taken over by a strange smell which was blend of all the things I hated. Alcohol, after effects of excess Alcohol. Trust me the smell was so horrible that I used to smell my sweaty jacket to feel better. And when finally I got a seat I was greeted by a passenger with a unique style which my friends back in Hostel called "OMLETing"
"What Happens at Vegas, stays at Vegas", does not apply to Indian Vegas. At least the under-aged couple next seat having difficulty with the infant stands testimony to "What Happens at Goa, does not stay at Goa".
But an hours and a half drive on National Highway- 4A, will make you forget everything. It also made me forget that the direction I was headed to.
To my defense- A conductor standing at the Bus door and shouting "Madhgaon", or Margao sounds like Belgaum.
Two hours of bus ride in the most crappiest Bus, and the best bus Route. I ended up in Ponda, four hours away from my destination, Belgaum.
Anyway, guys there is a lot more in Goa than portrayed in movies and stuff, trust me if you haven't covered NH-4A on the way to Goa then there is no point going to Goa.
Not that I have been a crazy traveler and visited all exotic places all round. But, I have been somewhat crazy with the modes of Transport. I have gone through all the shit I could- Traveling.
For starters, I have traveled extensively in Raichur Buses, on a week-end basis in Raichur-Gulbarga Intercity. I have traveled in Tumkur Private buses, to be specific Pavagada, where I had to stand on one foot so that I don't stamp on fresh dropping from the sheep below the adjacent seat. Slept on Newspapers with Shoes as Pillow. Took a drop in a truck carrying coconut shells, sitting on the comfort of dry coconut shells. And after all this when I say a Goa Bus was the worse, I would let your imagination run wild for a while.
When I was a kid I used to sit with my grand-father at a Library he owned, just across the Library was District Central Jail, the buses used to park right opposite to our Library, I used to be petrified when the were parked right in front of my eyes. The moment I stepped into this bus it got me back the old frightening memories. Now, thinking of it, Goa Kadamba Buses are surely discarded buses from all the Karnataka Central Jails.
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| Go Goa! Seriously? |
"What Happens at Vegas, stays at Vegas", does not apply to Indian Vegas. At least the under-aged couple next seat having difficulty with the infant stands testimony to "What Happens at Goa, does not stay at Goa".
But an hours and a half drive on National Highway- 4A, will make you forget everything. It also made me forget that the direction I was headed to.
To my defense- A conductor standing at the Bus door and shouting "Madhgaon", or Margao sounds like Belgaum.
Two hours of bus ride in the most crappiest Bus, and the best bus Route. I ended up in Ponda, four hours away from my destination, Belgaum.
Anyway, guys there is a lot more in Goa than portrayed in movies and stuff, trust me if you haven't covered NH-4A on the way to Goa then there is no point going to Goa.
