Benaulim was among the first South Goa beaches to provide a home to the hippies moving from the north as tourists poured in from other parts of India and the world.
As the north (of Goa) began to wrap itself with glamour, the shift to the south picked up pace, and soon it became a favourite of foreign tourists.
For tourism stakeholders in this region, the good days are rolling back, with foreigners starting to re-establish past links. As they reconnect with old pals, to them “it feels glorious to be back and be able to live in paradise”.
They book homestays or guesthouses or rent apartments; but for them, being in Benaulim is about being able to live their life the way they want.
“I have been coming to Goa since 2008, and the reason I keep returning is because of the people. They are lovely people to mix with; they are friendly, open and trustworthy,” says Johann from Switzerland as he takes a sunset stroll.
“For me,” he says with a naughty smile, “the pork sausage is the best. You cannot get anything like that anywhere in the world, and I need to have it at least once a day. For me, there is no second-best dish in front of sausages!”
Johann has his meals in various restaurants and chooses Jack’s Bar as one of his favourites. “I like the camaraderie and the hygiene. There is a restaurant, called Preeti, which I would consider as my second favourite,” he adds.
Johann is among the many foreigners, who have returned to Benaulim when the doors opened after the COVID-19 pandemic clampdown, and like many others is content, because, he and others, feel that the luster of the place has not been lost. It is therefore not surprising to come across foreigners on the streets.
“The beach may be a bit busy with tourists from the rest of the country, but it is no problem because our path of enjoying has not changed and others are not a hindrance,” says May, as she stops cycling to meet up with another friend down from her country.
“For me, Goa has always been a safe place. The healthcare is good, the food is excellent and the opportunities to keep fit on the beach are like nowhere else. That is why, coming here is like moving to another home,” says May, as she recommences cycling.
May’s friend, Hewitt, who prefers to walk from one end of Benaulim Beach to another, says COVID-19 unsettled her.
“I didn’t know whether I would survive in England because the situation was so bad, and that is why I waited for things to settle before my first holiday after COVID-19,” she says.
Old pals are reconnecting on the beach in Benaulim, and are slowly unwinding and getting back to exploring parts of Goa that they are yet to see.
“Ten of us went on a bike ride from Benaulim to Bogmalo and back,” admits Fish.
“We started in the morning, then rode through to Varca. After a bath on the beach, we had a beer at a restaurant and continued our ride through the backroads to Carmona and Cavelossim where we stopped for lunch,” explains Fish.
The group, thereafter, rode through Majorda and visited Sernabatim, Utorda and ended up at Bogmalo.
“We had dinner there and returned for a nice sleep,” discloses Fish as he and the rest plan their next ride through South Goa.
But Fish, like his name, likes to fish. “We come to Goa because of its beaches, its scenery and most importantly, the people. I like to go fishing but along my own road and at my own place,” he confesses.
Many tourists opting to stay in the South, come as Foreign Individual Tourists (FIT’s) as they are familiar with the terrain. And, that familiarity is growing their love for Goa and giving stakeholders a big smile.
For once, the grin of the south seems to be extending to the north.