Arambol, the last bastion of hippies in the North, with its long coastline and sweet water lake, is emerging as a bustling tourism centre.
Meandering through a narrow road, one arrives at the village tinto, which is dotted with small shops selling artifacts and food. The buzz here infuses life into the village. At the end of the road stands a hill that descends into Keri village.
There are 12 shacks on the beach, patronised by domestic tourists early in the day and foreigners later, with five-star infrastructure yet to make a visible difference.
Homestays, rent-back apartments and a few three-star and boutique hotels offer hospitality to the many visitors. These add new life to a village that still displays a laidback attitude to life.
Buses enter and exit the parking bay near the beach, along with cars and rented bikes, bringing domestic tourists seeking to catch a glimpse of the northernmost point of the State.
“We have heard much of the place so we decided to see what makes it so different. The sand here is soft and clean but the catch is the sweet water lake though it does need better upkeep,” avers Reena, who is discovering the benefits of being a senior citizen.
The food served is targeted at domestic tourists, with outlets selling Nepali and North East cuisine, while local food is served at quaint restaurants run by a few locals.
The presence of foreigners – most from Russia, Ukraine and Poland – in Arambol is visible as the day lengthens. “This is my first visit to India and it is amazing. I have not seen much of Goa because I am enjoying the vibe here,” admits Alfred from Poland as he enjoys fish curry rice in a restaurant that seats just six people.
The food at Sheela’s tastes homemade and so is the ambience, with guests seated on the floor and enjoying fresh fish served hot from the frying pan. “We decided to convert a room into a dining hall as the Russians, who have a taste for spicy food, enjoy our cuisine ” says Jyoti, as she adds more curry to the thali.
“It is a nice village to chill in. The sea is not rough and the people make you feel like part of their family and that is why we keep coming here,” admits Anastasia from Russia, now a regular visitor.
It is a nice village to chill in. The sea is not rough and the people make you feel like part of their family and that is why we keep coming here
Anastasia, Russian tourist
The road that leads to the sweet water lake is crammed with little shops selling artifacts, clothes and restaurants. Most coffee shops offer free internet and hence you see many guests using laptops whilst having a bite or drink. “I work remotely from here,” says Ashok, as he bites a gingerbread served with cheese in a restaurant that claims it serves bakery products from Nepal.
Internet connectivity is good, the place is quiet, the food healthy and economical. Transport is easily available on rent and public transport takes most guests to the closest city, Mapusa. The nearest government medical facility is at Tuem village, though medical professionals live around the village and hence the presence of many pharmacies.
Compared to the rest of the State, Arambol takes ethereal dimensions with many foreigners and tourists opting to learn yoga, experience mud baths, get involved in celestial music and discover the hills around the village.
Arambol offers its guests an ambience to discover themselves without noise. As the sun begins to set, a spiritual awakening begins to unfold on the sands of the beach.