Palolem was the beach get away we needed after the partying in Mumbai and Baga. Once the effects of the old monk (Rum) had worn off we hit the road in 2 cars – heading to Canacona in South Goa.
The journey was beautiful as we travelled close to the hinterland, the road goes inland to get around the airport and we found ourselves driving past rice paddies and tropical trees and forests. One would easily confuse it with northern Bali. The driving style quickly snapped us out of the serene landscape however and we were involved in not 1 but 2 bumps, front and back. The first was a bad 1…the motor cyclist went right into the back of us. ….. but luckily nurse Willy Mac was on hand to help out with a fistful of plasters.The second was with another car, some blue Subaru that was in a hurry.
Not all the journey was by car however. The last 200 metres was a stroll on pristine white sandy beach of Palolem. It curves around so you can see both ends from the other. The treeline hides huts and small houses, no real overdevelopment so it feels unspoilt – unlike say Boracay in the Phillippines.
Our home for the next few days was a place called Ciarans, a collection of temporary huts right on Palolem Beach. We say temporary as the whole complex is taken apart for the rainy season and then put back up. They have been doing packing and unpacking for the last 15 years. Such commitment.
Palolem was an amazing place. We spent a few days just relaxing in the sun by day and sampling the local restaurants that line the beachfront by night and shopping in the village market. There was even a pop-up cinema. The entire beach is just 1 mile long and is in a crescent shape so you can see it all from either end. It is flanked by the Arabian Sea and a row of Coconut Trees – defiantly giving off almost a desert island vibe.
Our last night involved some frolics with lanterns.
Just off the northern part of the beach was an island – Conco Island that you could reach by walking across the sand at low tide. It is uninhabited except for a single Ranger who looks after the monkeys (Concos) in the reservation on the island.
Then there were two
On our last day we said goodbye to the three lads, Joey, Diarmuid and Willy, who were headed back to Mumbai before heading back to London and work.
So that was Palolem.
Oh before we forget John decided to make an honest woman of Karen (after nearly 6 and a half years!) an he proposed in their beach hut. He did the business early in the morning so as to catch Karen unawares :-). The ring looked great with the hand henna.
That was the best birthday present she got since her Brian Laudrup Autograph!
JKRoaming - Travel Blog 
Woooo! Congratulations again!!!! The beach looks amazing not jealous at all!! Keep the photos coming! Love Laura 🙂 xx
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Hi Laura, The beach was amazing – we will post more photos soon. x
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Congrats guys! What a wonderful setting for a proposal! Love your blog! Xxx
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wahoo guys, so thrilled for you both. john rose you’re some dark horse! this made me well up! Congratulations again, enjoy it! will have a ma-huuuusive party when yee get back!
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“He did the business”…. Your dirty dog!!
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Congratulations! A wonderful birthday present. The boy did good x
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Pictures look amazing and the henna with the sparkly diamond look wonderful. Enjoy guys
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This will most definitely be my favourite page of your blog!
So happy for you both. Photos are brilliant .xxxx
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Congrats both of you.
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Congratulations to both of you…
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Congrats guys, beautiful ring Karen xxx
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Congrats on the Happy News!!!
Is that what a near death experience of food poisoning and bad driving does?
Seriously though, your blog is great fun to read whilst we are stuck in England under continuous rain clouds xxx
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Thank you for all the lovely comments.
Gillian, it must have been the near death experiences! Hehe. Glad you are all enjoying the blog. It has been fun writing it so far. X
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[…] We lit lanterns on the beach in Palolem, Goa on our final night to celebrate Karen’s birthday and the newly engaged status. […]
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