Sharvani ChandvaleSustainability is the theme for 2023. If you have not already started, it is time to do your part to protect our home. Indulging in mindful and conscious travelling does not mean that you give up or miss out on exciting experiences. Instead, when you travel slow, you build a deeper relationship with your destination and its culture by actively planning a sustainable itinerary. Goa is trending as one of the best destinations in India for slow travelling. This slow Goa travel guide will help you understand how sustainable tourism can enrich your travel experiences.
In this guide to slow travelling, you will understand in depth the following concepts:
#1 What is slow travelling?
Slow travelling focuses on environment-friendly methods of exploring a new destination. It also emphasises the importance of mindful experiences where you dive deeper beneath the touristy surface of a new culture. Traditional travel itineraries in Goa usually involve a taxi cab that takes you to mainstream landmarks. While you get to see some historical monuments, you also build a very specific image of Goa. Most tourists still think that Goa is all about beaches and churches, when the land is a rich melting pot of multiple cultures and natural landscapes.
We have temples and mosques, gurdwaras and Buddhist temples in Goa too. You can spend an evening at the beach, but you can spend a day trekking, hiking, cycling, kayaking or just exploring the Western Ghats in Goa.
Fast travel wants you to hop in a car and just click photos at 10 different spots.
When you engage in slow travel, you can choose to truly experience something new. Instead of taking a picture outside just one church in Old Goa, maybe you can walk into5-6 different ones and wonder how they are so unique in their design and current form. Or, you can stop at random locations in between such as small bars and local restaurants where you can eat food that locals eat. Yes, not everyone wants to do this, but if you are someone willing to explore beyond the mainstream, slow travelling is foy you.
Goa has been one of the most misunderstood tourist destinations in India and maybe it is time that you get to know its real side.
#2 How to inculcate mindful, slow travelling practices?
Slow travelling is as personal as your favourite sleeping position. It is also as difficult to inculcate as a healthy diet. It takes time and patience. You will falter along the way and that is okay. The whole deal behind slow travelling is that it is important to save the diverse cultures around us and protect mother Earth. This might make you be extra rigid when it comes to following your own rules. However, learn to be accepting and know that you are trying your best.
So, if you are ready to be a sustainable, mindful and conscious globetrotter, these are Soul Travelling’s 5 tips to help you get started:
1. Look for public transport wherever possible
Cars are not great for the environment and they aren’t good for your mental health either. Would you rather have to walk 10 minutes to the closest bus stop or spend an hour in a traffic jam? Yes, everyone likes comfort but once in a while, try taking the public transport, you’ll never know what you might discover. For instance, did you know that one of Goa’s best chai is served at the Panjim KTC Bus Stand?
2. Make your itineraries shorter
Are you on a vacation or are you in a video game on which your life depends? If it’s not the latter then we suggest you make your list of ‘things to do in a day in Goa’ shorter. Spend half a day cycling around in Divar and enjoying a good Goan meal; spend the other half swimming at the beach or hitting up local Goan tavernas and making new friends. Be present in the moment and let it fill you up to the brim. It takes time because we’re afraid we’ll miss out, but every baby step counts.
3. Befriend locals and let them show you their homeland
If you can find a cafe or a bar, meet new people and make some deep connections, who knows where that might take you? You could be driving down to the South of Goa or enjoying a local Goan meal at their homes. They don’t owe it to you, so be kind and don’t expect every person you meet to become your tour guide instantly.
4. Go where the crowds are thin
While tourist hotspots generate income for the local population, they also burden these regions that are not equipped to tackle the load. Crowding, littering, pollution and traffic jams all add to damaging the Earth even more. So visit these spots during the early hours of day when there is no one and then, spend the rest of your time exploring the unexplored.
5. Just make your own guidebook
Think about your home and how you know exactly that golgappa store is or how to find the secret road to enter the park after it’s closed. It’s because you spend hours passing by these streets and as a child, you probably did that on foot or on your bicycle. Bring back that curiosity and head out to explore old, known destinations in newer ways. Walk until you can’t and who knows, the same old places might surprise you.
#3 Five Reasons to Experience Slow Travelling in Goa
1. To help the rural economy
The best part about slow travelling in Goa is meeting the locals. About 90% of Goa is rural and these villages are home to some interesting communities and cultures. For example, did you know that a large Goan population is vegetarian? They have a unique menu of delicious vegetarian Goan food that goes unnoticed in the crowd of high-end restaurants serving international cuisine. Or that Goa is not just about temples or churches, but it is also home to some magnificent Arabian architecture?
When you take the offbeat path while travelling, you contribute to boosting the rural economy. Instead of helping the same fancy restaurants benefit from tourists, slow travelling in Goa can take you to the smaller local Goan businesses. This way you help the rural Goan economy grow better and faster. At the same time, you get to experience a more intimate and personal side of Goa. Meet local tour guides who know the best-hidden spots, taste the local Goan alcohol, and eat from small Goan restaurants recommended by locals and fall in love with a Goa that you never knew.
2. Indulge in Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Tourism
Fast travelling can generate a lot of waste. You drink from plastic bottles, take a cab everywhere and hop on flights for faster travel. However, if you decide to spend a long time getting to know Goa, you do not need to rely on these aspects. Slow travelling generally promotes the usage of public transport such as ferries and buses. Moreover, when you experience the natural beauty of the Goan hinterlands, it motivates you to cut down on littering. Making sustainable choices is a slow process but one that helps you feel great about yourself in the end.
3. Create pocket-friendly itineraries
Slow travelling is cheap. Instead of paying travel agencies commissions to plan an entire trip for you, you can do it yourself. In Goa especially, booking a pre-planned trip can be very expensive. You go on trips that are not worth your buck. Instead, get in touch with local tour guides such as Soul Travelling who can help you experience the offbeat side of Goa with budget-friendly tours. Apart from this, slow travelling encourages you to book travel hostels, experience local restaurants (that are much cheaper) and walk whenever you can. Did you know that you can rent a cycle to explore the villages of Goa? You get to ride through winding lanes lined with palm trees, lush green fields and gorgeous colonial houses. Experiencing the hidden corners of Goa will create memories that you won’t want to forget.
Pro tip: When you slow travel, you also get long-term discounts at beautiful homestays or hostels. You can even sign-up for away-from-campus jobs, volunteering opportunities for hostels or find remote gigs at WorldPackers. This way you can take your time experiencing something new without going broke.
4. Nurture your mental health
The city life has us running all day and night anyway. Why would you want to run on your vacation too? Instead of trying to cover 10 different spots in a single day, experience one unique spot really well. For example, take a birdwatching boat ride in Chorao, spend hours nourishing yourself with a clay bath in Divar or walk back in time by discovering the ancient colonial houses of Goa. Slow travelling makes you…well slow down time. You can truly unwind, relax and rejuvenate yourself and nurture your mental health. This not only prevents burnout and stress but also refuels your creativity and motivation. Sounds like a win-win right?
5. Make lifelong connections
Slow travelling is beneficial for everyone, but more so for solo travellers. When you meet different people from different cultural backgrounds, it opens up your perspective on the world around you. You become kinder and more understanding. What’s more, you might just meet that one person who helps you work on something you have been stuck on. It could be your future business partner, a friend who helps you overcome a hurdle or the love of your life. When you stop to experience new things and speak to new people, you end up making lifelong connections. You take back more than just souvenirs with you and what can be better than that?
Final Thoughts
Did this guide convince you to plan your next slow trip to Goa? It is not just about being sustainable but it is about living in the moment and experiencing the world around you for what it is. Goa has become popular as a party destination in India. But it is more than that and anyone who took the time to meet the other side of Goa can vouch for it.
Head to the Soul Travelling website and book an exciting experience now!
