By virtue of us making arrangements for our twelfth visit in five weeks time, I think it’s obvious I’d say India is my favourite place to visit.

I’ve been so lucky to have holidayed in many sunspots across Europe. I’ve been to Florida and Dominican Republic, each a couple of times and spent a fortnight in a mud hut in Morocco. I’ve also had a fleeting visit to China’s Pearl River Delta area and Hong Kong.

Every single place was wonderful, each with lots to offer – especially China. But none can match my love for India.

OK – so we base ourselves in South Goa and admittedly haven’t been able to travel much within the country. And Goa is the smallest state in a huge country, so how can I possibly judge India in such a glowing light?

Well – we have traveled a little. We once took a several hour train journey train down the Konkan line to Udipi in Karnataka. From there a small, ramshackle mini-bus transported us into the foothills of the Western Ghats … where it broke down and we had to spend a few unscheduled hours in the town of Shivamogga.

Shivamogga is far from the tourist trail! With a population of only 395,000 it’s nothing like the mega cities of Mumbai, Delhi or Kolkata. But I could get a sense of what to expect when we do manage to these other cities … sheer chaos and noise!

Smaller still (@ 106,000 population) is our ‘local’ town of Margao. Here too, in the eyes of a tourist, there seems to be an almost anarchic disorganisation.

And yet it works! Somehow, it works.

Other than marveling at how everything just appears to come together in India, what else draws us back year after year?

Well – the weather for starters. In Scotland in January / February, we’d be lucky if the temperature rose much above freezing. In Goa, it’s unbroken sunshine all the way, and about 33 degrees celsius!

The local people are always smiling and welcoming, as are the migrant workers who come from across the country to work the main tourist season. We have made so many new friends from Guwahati in Assam, Kolkata, Nepal and all over, really.

The beaches where we stay are immaculate. The food is amazing … and so cheap! The wildlife is rich and varied and we have visited elephant and dog sanctuaries over the years.

The beach dogs / stray street dogs are so lovely too. In the main. I can understand why some people may not take to them, but they really are so sweet. There are some that remember us year on year (as I mention in my wee book 😉 ) and several ‘tourists’ I know have fallen for these poor dogs to the extent they will arrange to re-home them back in UK.

Finally one real attraction for me is that in the Arrosim and Majorda areas where we have stayed, while tourism is obviously the chief income earner for many, the towns and villages remain steadfastly ‘local.’ There is no over commercialization.

Indeed, walking through the village of Cansaulim is like walking back in time – the village hub is the market, complete with freshly caught (and some perhaps not so fresh) fish and livestock brought in for slaughter from the many small-holdings in the area.

You see, I think this is what I love best about India. It’s a proud country with a magnificent heritage, yet without any airs and graces. It doesn’t (to me, anyway) appear a country willing to sell its soul.

You take the rough with the smooth.

You take India as you find it – some will no doubt leave, unimpressed.

Most though, myself included, can’t get enough it.

Roll on January 2024!

India – a beautiful chaos!