I was only in Goa for two nights before moving on to Hampi, and so not wanting to venture too far from the airport and train station which were both in Vasco de Gama, I decided to stay here. The city was named after the Portuguese explorer who in 1498 reached India by sea, the first European to do so. The range of catholic churches in the area bear witness to the Portuguese influence in the area.
My accommodation was only a 10 minute drive from the airport, and a 10 minute walk from the closest beach, Bogmalo. Walking onto the beach for the first time I could not help but smile. It was lined with restaurants serving delicious food, and sitting down to eat I was able to watch the sun set over the ocean, which really was a beautiful sight. I spent my few days here simply relaxing, and aside from being chased by wild dogs on my way out of Goa, I really did enjoy myself.
However, sitting on the beach, even though I had everything I thought I could need in the moment, I felt as though I was missing something. I realised that whilst travelling alone is rewarding in many ways, there are some moments that you only want to share with those closest to you. I realised that while I was not really missing home, I was missing those closest to me and all I wanted to do was to share these wonderful moments I was having with them.
Even Rama in his exile had Sita and Lakshmana with him, and it reminded me how important those closest to you are.
Grateful to have had this insight, I brushed away the sand from between my toes, knowing full well that I would be finding clumps of it in my bag for the next few weeks, and boarded my train to Hampi.