Goa is still an unexplored land. I remember the numerous visits I made to Goa post my teens, spent a couple of days on the ever so crowded beaches of Calangute and Baga and went back home content with a tan. This blog explores the unexplored, the vast expanses of beaches where weekend tourists forget to horde.
Pernem is a district in North Goa. The most popular beaches in Pernem are Morjim, Ashwem, Mandrem and Arambol. Though Arambol has gained immense popularity in the recent years, Ashwem still remains a quiet haven where the lucky few sip on their mojitos and get a golden brown tan.
Getting around Arambol, Ashwem, Mandrem and Morjim is very easy. The close proximity of the beaches and the lovely roads dwindling their way through coconut plantations and cutting through the hills form a picturesque setting to drive.
Morjim
Situated on the north side of Zuari river, Morjim is one of the best beaches to live at while in Goa. While the number of restaurants and shacks maybe lesser than at Calangute; Morjim bring a sense of tranquility.
The beach at Morjim is a 2.5 km stretch of clear blue water and sparkling sand. Morjim village spreads across the stretch of the beach. The village of Morjim is a blend of houses with palm tree grooves that create a beautiful and scenic setting for honeymooners.
Dotted with palm and casuarina trees Morjim beach is one of the numerous turtle nesting sites spread across Goa. Such is the beauty of this beach.
The locals call the robust wind blowing in Morjim, the turtle wind. Many locals can be spotted early morning with fishing nets trying to make a living.
The southern tip of Morjim called, Temp is the nesting place for the famous Olive Ridley turtles.
While one can opt to stay in a cozy yet comfortable homestay in Morjim there are also numerous guesthouses and hotels, that cater to the needs of tourists.
At Morjim you can eat, relax and drink. There are also various water sports one can try out. The scenic landscape and the lush green environment make Morjim one of the most beautiful beaches of Goa.
Morjim mostly has villas and guesthouses that cater to tourists who stay for a long period, but there are many emerging resorts and homestays that welcome tourists who are looking to spend a few days in Morjim
Ashwem
The best part about the beaches in Pernem is the roads that lead to the beaches. Driving through the villages on the narrow winding roads amidst the coconut plantations is a splendid way to begin experiencing Pernem beaches.
Situated in between Morjim and Mandrem is a beautiful beach called Ashwem. This rocky beach could easily top the list of unexplored beaches in Goa. With a good number of shacks, Ashwem is emerging in its own way unfamiliar to tourists.
Goan families often visit Ashwem over the weekends to have a quaint picnic.
While there are many small yet emerging resorts in Ashwem, the best kinds of accommodation are the beach huts made with palm leaves, which is an altogether different kind of an experience.
If you plan your trip to Ashwem anywhere in between September to February don’t forget to check out the olive ridley turtles. Ashwem is the nesting place for this rare species of turtles.
The white sand and the palm trees spread across the beach create a perfect backdrop for people trying to escape the hustle bustle of the city life. If you are looking for a laid back lazy holiday then Ashwem is a perfect place for you to relax. The beach at Ashwem spreads across an area of 1.5 kms, with Mandrem beach on its north and Morjim on its south.
The first impression you have of Ashwem is a laid back easy beach. Which is somewhat true. There is not much to do here, apart from gazing at the sea or skinny-dipping in the sea. Tourists very often just relax on their beach chairs reading or listening to music. Even the area around Ashwem is quiet. Paddy fields and coconut grooves are a common site in Ashwem. Nightlife in Ashwem is not something to look forward to. But you can always head to the neighboring beach Arambol for some late night parties.
Instead go for a fishing trip or see dolphins swim across.
A gastronomical journey
There are a plenty of places to eat and drink in Morjim and Ashwem and unlike the restaurants in rest of North Goa, these specifically cater to foreign tourists.
Beach shacks serve world cuisine at affordable prices, but if you are looking to have a good meal and splurge a little bit ‘La Plage’ a French restaurant in Ashwem is highly recommended.
Il Capriccio is an Italian beachfront restaurant serving authentic Italian food. This two-floor restaurant is a perfect place to enjoy the sunset and the Tapas.
If you are not in a mood to splurge head to seahorse a simple and comfortable restaurant serving quality food.
Staying in Ashwem and Morjim
Ashwem and Morjim both offer the comfort of a homestay as well as the elegance of a resort. Sprawling across the sea are numerous resorts and goan homes that welcome tourists. The breath taking view of the sea can be seen from almost all the guesthouses.
Some of the best places to live are Rococco and Sur la Mer, both high-end resorts.
There are cheaper options like Calisto guesthouse and Lobo’s paradise. One should definitely give living in one of the beach huts right on the beach a try. Finding a beach hut is very easy; almost every beach shack in Morjim and Ashwem has beach huts. Some of the beach shacks have fully equipped massage centers where you could enjoy a massage after a swim.
Since the beaches are so close to each other even if you choose not to live in Pernem a day would be easily enough to enjoy the beauty of the place.
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