After 4th Semester Exams, we 4 guys (Kunal, Yuvaraj, Dhruv and I) decided to enjoy our vacation in GOA. It was rainy season and Kunal and Yuvaraj were strictly against the plan, but somehow Dhruv and I managed to persuade them to come for the trip.
24th June 2004: Departure from Vile Parle (W), Mumbai at around 10pm by Volvo Bus, semi-sleeper (slumber) @ cost of Rs. 500/- .
25th June 2004: Reached GOA at around 11am. After analyzing 3-4 hotels, decided to stay at De Braganza Resorts, 2 minutes from Calangute Beach. We were not lucky to get clear weather and it was raining cats and dogs the entire day. We had lunch at The Plaintain Leaf (a veg restaurant), accompanied with a Bacardi Breezer Wild Berry (a controversial drink in the group). After lunch we went to Calangute Beach where we could see only a few tourists. After spending almost an hour at the beach, as the weather was clear, we decided to hire bikes (read kinetic) but as only I had a license, after a heated discussion dropped the idea. We had dinner at Mirabai’s Restaurant, where we tried some Goan food. While returning to the Hotel, we bought Kaju Fenny (2 bottles of 180 ml each) and Sprite. Started drinking and completed the drink in about 2hrs. Kunal was clearly in his senses but was acting as if he didn’t have a clue about what he was talking. Now after the drink we all started fighting for the bed. After 30 mins of fighting, we settled.
26th June 2004: Everyone woke up at around 11 am and left the Hotel by 1 pm. Finally as the weather was clear, we hired two kinetic and had lunch at Infantaria. After lunch, we kick started our journey of GOA hoping that weather remains clear. Except me none had driven a bike before. Kunal and I were driving the two kinetic with Yuvaraj and Dhruv sitting behind respectively. Kunal fumbled at one turn and drove the kinetic through mud, thus coating the tires with slippery mud. I warned him after that incident to drive carefully. I was leading after sometime asked Dhruv to look back and confirm whether the other kinetic is following. As there was no sign of them, we decided to wait for a while and in the meantime a car halted and told us that some guys had met with an accident. So I drove back to see both of them (Kunal and Yuvaraj) totally bruised and limping. Kunal couldn’t bear the bruises and became unconscious. One kind gentleman who was passing by on his bike came to our rescue. He knew a Hospital (ASILO Hospital) in Mapusa city which was 10km away from the accident spot. That drive to the hospital seemed to be the longest drive in our lives with Yuvaraj writhing in pain sitting behind me. At the hospital both of them received immediate treatment and we clicked some snaps at the hospital. As it was a government hospital, they were treated for free. We sent Kunal and Yuvaraj to the Hotel while Dhruv and I went to the accident spot to get another kinetic. To addition to our problems, the bike wouldn’t start, so Dhruv had to fetch a mechanic. After about an hour, the kinetic was repaired and we headed towards the hotel. We had not seen even one tourist place in GOA so on the way back, Dhruv and I decided to visit Fort Aguada which was approximately 10-11 km from the hotel. Dhruv, who was driving a two wheeler first time in his life, had no inhibitions and was driving like crazy; it was difficult to overtake him. Driving fast is injurious to health; Dhruv also skidded off and fell flat, face down on the road. To my relief, he was not injured. Fort Aguada was a beautiful place. We went back to the hotel, packed our bags and left for Mumbai.
A trip in which Luck didn’t seem to be with us…..
Anyways stop crying and let’s plan for another picnic…
Composed by : Hardik Thakker
