Christmas in Goa: Laptops, Sandcastles and everything in between

There’s something magical about spending Christmas in Goa, isn’t there? For our little family, Goa isn’t uncharted territory, but every visit still feels like a fresh adventure. This time, with Ayaansh’s Christmas holidays coinciding with a few work commitments for Vrunda and me, we decided to mix work and play—a new experience for all of us.

For Ayaansh, though, the trip had nothing to do with emails or calls his parents might be juggling. For him, it was all about finding joy in the sandy beaches, splashing in the pool, and filling his days with playful adventures. Isn’t that the true essence of a Goan holiday?

Our home for the trip was the iconic Taj Fort Aguada, a hotel that blends luxury with the charm of Goa's coastal heritage. Perched on a hill overlooking the Arabian Sea, carefully nestled in the confines of the Aguada fort, it was the perfect setting for our laid-back holiday. The view of the beach and the fort from our room meant our mornings began with the soft glow of sunlight, and our evenings brought in the soothing sound of the waves, creating a sense of calm that followed us throughout our stay.

Twinkle twinkle little star...how on earth are you not far?

Landing in Goa on Christmas day added an extra sprinkle of magic. Twinkling lights, cheerful music, a huge Christmas tree in the hotel lobby and the relaxed pace with no major plans set the perfect stage for Ayaansh to enjoy the way he wanted to. Vrunda and I had two days of work lined up before we could slip into a full relaxation mode for a couple of days. And when the laptops finally shut down, we dived into the kind of family time we really enjoy - laid back and full of leisure.

Discussing our next big adventure with the angel...or maybe just dessert options!

If I can move this, maybe I win...

The not so interesting part: Working from Goa

While Vrunda and I worked, Ayaansh had his own share of fun. The hotel, thoughtfully set up for families, became his personal playground. After a heart-filling breakfast, his mornings saw him joining the fun activities organized by the hotel staff. From simple games to art and craft sessions, they seemed to know how to keep kids entertained. The lush green garden just beyond our room's sit out was his favourite spot. Playing with his "Paw Patrol" figures in the grass wasn't something he had planned for!

The bread earners and the bread burner...

Meal times were more about quieter pursuits (well, not exactly!). We saw colouring sheets turn into masterpieces, as the lip-smacking dishes kept him satiated at every meal. If he wasn't colouring, the cutlery on the table became his friends, exploring newer dimensions of pretend-play.

The part where we have fun!

Once the workdays were behind us, we stepped into full vacation mode, for whatever little time we could. With long hours in the swimming pool, Ayaansh absolutely loved floating about, arms stretched wide and a big smile covering his face. Watching him splash and paddle with joy reminded us why we cherish these moments as a family.

Our time at the beach was clearly the highlight of the trip. While "Dadda" was busy building a tunnel in the sand, Ayaansh's idea of building sandcastles involved filling his beach bucket from the sea and pouring it over the sand. I wonder why he thought building his own sea from the sea made a lot of sense!

Be right back...beach-ing around a bit...

We decided to make the most of our last day in Goa, which was actually the only day that was entirely ours. Renting a scooter, we set out to explore the locality around. There's just something so liberating about riding a scooter along Goa's winding roads, surrounded by palm trees and the occasional glimpses of the sea. With Ayaansh seated snuggly between us, and the best weather Goa could offer, our scooter ride kept us all entertained.

Lunch was a delightful affair at a very popular beachside sport. With the tables set up right on the sand, from a distance, you could see a man and his lady love enjoying a quiet romantic meal. It was only when you came close you could see their offspring settled below the table, with his hands and feet sunk in the sand.

The day wrapped up beautifully with dinner at another gorgeous cafe, also set on a sand bed, right by the Mandovi River. With soft lights twinkling overhead and the rhythmic sound of the waves, we could not have found a better ambience to savour our last evening in Goa. Ayaansh, as expected, was more engrossed in the sand than his food, cheerfully playing with it between bites. Little did we know that a messy kid and sand-filled pockets would look so adorable!

Time to say goodbye

As our short but sweet trip came to an end, we found ourselves gathering the little moments that made it special. From Ayaansh's cheerful mornings, our leisurely breakfasts, his fascination with the sand, every memory felt like a small treasure.

Even with work taking up a major part of our trip, we did manage to squeeze in our moments of fun. Goa's laid-back vibe has a way of slowing everything down, letting you savor every moment. For Ayaansh, it meant taking his own time to explore, play and experience a carefree kind of joy only a child can. For Vrunda and me, it was a chance to just let him be, and watch our not so little toddler navigate his way through non-instructed and non-interrupted sessions of fun.

The fort, the kingdom, and my cozy castle in the distance...

Trips like these remind us why we love traveling. It is not about ticking destinations off a list but also about the memories we create along the way - memories of Ayaansh's gleeming eyes as he poured water over his sandcastles, of quiet evenings by the beach, and of sumptious meals filled with laughter and conversations.

As we packed our bags and said goodbye to Goa, we promised ourselves one thing: we'll visit Goa at least once every year. After all, there's always more sand to sink our feet into and more memories to be made.

From here and beyond!