Most people come to Goa for the beaches. We do too. But this trip reminded me that there’s another side to the state … quieter and deeper. Just a short drive away, the Western Ghats take over. Forests replace shacks. Streams and waterfalls replace waves. You slow down without trying. Places like Nature’s Nest don’t shout for attention. They just stay with you, long after the journey ends. This was one such trip.
Nature’s Nest was suggested to us by one of our friends. He literally egged us to try it and we decided to give it a shot as it promised to be a good break from the regular beach-hopping that we did Goa. The train to Goa ended up being late. Two hours late, to be precise. Somehow, that felt like a very Goa-appropriate beginning. Konkan Railway trains have their own moods, and we’ve learnt not to fight them. It was a night journey, so that did not bother us much anyway. The morning in the train was lazy, our daughter oscillated between excitement and boredom, and Poonam and I watched the familiar landscape roll past … the green sleepy villages of Konkan giving way to the lively cities of Goa.
We got down at Karmali in the afternoon. Warm air, palm trees, and that unmistakable Goan ease. The driver, poor guy, had been waiting since morning, but was as cheerful as ever. Soon we were on our way to Sernabatim, where we were staying the night at Regenta Baywatch.
Day 1 – Sernabatim
Regenta Baywatch was comfortable and calm … exactly what we needed after the train journey. No rushing anywhere. By evening, we walked down to Sernabatim beach. The sand was still warm, the crowd thin. We stood there quietly, watching the sun sink into the sea, our daughter running ahead, barefoot and carefree. We relaxed watching the beautiful sunset by the beach. The resort was hosting a destination wedding, and it was fun to watch the fireworks.
Dinner at the resort was fresh, simple, and satisfying. Sitting there, it felt like a typical Goa beach holiday. But this trip had a second half, the main part, and we were quietly looking forward to it.
Day 2 – Into the jungle
After breakfast, we checked out and left the coast behind. The drive to Nature’s Nest took about an hour and a half, but the shift was gradual and beautiful. Roads narrowed. Houses disappeared. Green and dense forest took over. The Western Ghats don’t announce themselves loudly … they just slowly surround you.
Nature’s Nest lies deep inside the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. From everything I’d read earlier … blogs, naturalist notes, traveller accounts … this place is run by people who genuinely care about the forest. No luxury branding. No rush to impress. Just learning, observing, and respecting the jungle. You feel it the moment you arrive. The guests here are equally respectful of the jungle. You can easily make out the difference between the beach tourists and the people who choose this place.
We were welcomed warmly and soon sat down for a proper Goan lunch … homely, comforting, and exactly what we needed. The afternoon was spent resting, listening to forest sounds, doing nothing. Our daughter had a wonderful time cooking a local Goan dish under the chef’s guidance.
In the evening, one of the naturalists took us on a short stroll to a sunset point. Nothing dramatic, just a quiet view, trees silhouetted against fading light. Dinner followed, and then we headed out for a two-hour night safari deep into the forest nearby, in an open jeep. The naturalists used a high-power torch to spot these nocturnal creatures .. and that, apart from the headlights of the jeep were the only lights around.
That’s when the forest showed us a different face. Under UV light, bio-fluorescent scorpions glowed softly on the ground. An owl watched us silently with its kill, a rat, firmly held in its claws. A porcupine shuffled across the track and sprinted away the moment it spotted us. We spotted a lot of civets, a delicate but huge luna moth, and the unmistakable giant Malabar squirrel. Somewhere in the darkness, an elusive vanmanav (Slender Loris) moved and disappeared. No drama, no noise … just quiet wonder.
Day 3 – Deeper inside
We started early after a traditional Goan breakfast. The drive took us to a point from where we walked into the jungle. Along the way, we helped set up camera traps … a simple activity, but fascinating, especially for kids. Somewhere out there, animals would pass, unaware, living their lives, and the cameras would capture their movement … day and night.
The walk continued deeper, until we reached a large forest stream. Crystal clear water, smooth rocks, and complete silence. We spent some time swimming, floating, doing absolutely nothing. It felt like a reward for waking up early.
Back at the resort, lunch was followed by rest. In the evening, we spent time at a natural spring within the property. Every now and then, tiny bubbles sprang out of the rocks, also stimulated sometimes by hard clapping. Tiny fish swam around our feet, gently nibbling at dead skin … nature’s own fish spa. Our daughter was fascinated, half-laughing, half-ticklish.
Later, one of the naturalists took us on a plantation walk, explaining trees, medicinal plants, and forest rhythms. Dinner that night was special … fish and prawn barbecue, followed by a traditional Goan spread. We ate slowly, tired in the best way. But the day wasn’t done yet. The naturalists took us out on a night trail in the jungle to spot some nocturnal snakes. We spotted a bamboo pitviper, a blind snake, a green vine snake and a green keelback all in one hour. Some noisy katydids kept us company.
Day 4 – BIRD WATCHING AND Temples
The final morning began very early with some bird watching. One of the naturalists took us around showing the early birds. We spotted quite a few through the binoculars. Sadly, I hadn’t carried my camera lens, hence no pictures of the birds. We saw Kites, Herons, Malabar parakeets, Malabar Grey hornbill, Sunbirds, Kingfishers.
Breakfast followed, and then a visit to the centuries-old Tambdi Surla temple. Ancient, quiet, and timeless, tucked away in the forest. We returned for lunch, packed up, and left for Madgaon.
The return train, to our horror, was delayed by six hours. Normally, that would test anyone’s patience. But we found refuge in the Executive Lounge at Madgaon. Getting seats inside was an initial struggle, but once we managed to claim one, we kept extending our stay … hour by hour. Reading, chatting, stretching out. Making peace with the delay.
When the train finally arrived, it carried us back to Mumbai … tired, content, and a little reluctant to return.
Somewhere between beach sunsets and jungle silence, this trip found its balance. Beaches fade quickly once you’re home. Forests don’t. They stay with you. And maybe that’s why I keep going back … especially with family … to places that don’t demand attention, but quietly earn it.