Day 1: It was the day of departure. Bags packed and energy refilled to the maximum. The students of IBDP boarded the train in the afternoon of 6^th of September, 2022. 2:40 p.m. and got down to Tivim, a town in Goa the next morning at 10:00 a.m. The students then took a bus ride to get to the resort GOVEIA GRAND, CANDOLIM by noon. After taking a break; finally begun the sightseeing. First on stop, was the Aguada Fort; something which is of great historical importance and highlights the Portuguese architecture with immense finesse.  The series of prison cells also called the Aguada central jail again throws light at the layered and thoughtful construction patterns. Next, the students went to the beach in the evening: the Calangute beach in North Goa. Sandcastles and Frisbee went hand-in-hand. Good food concluded the day.

Day 2: After a goodnight sleep, the students took a stroll at the Candolim beach; Candolim Beach is soft and sandy, decked out with sun loungers and parasols to offer some shade in the heat of the Goan sunshine. The early morning sunrise and the waters just provide the right amount of satisfaction and enthusiasm! 

The next spot of destination was a place named: COCO ARTS, one stop for coconut crafts, tharmacol decoration, fabric painting, tailoring and embroidery. The target of the students was to get their hands on GOAN HANDICRAFT. They saw how coconut Shells were converted to beautiful artefacts and were made useful. They tried to do some of it too!

The owner made these items from a machine called a bench grinder which was basically used to soften the coconut shells. He used various other items to enhance those coconut shells and the speciality of the equipment was that they were hand-made and not purchased. 

The precision and perfection were; what, was so amusing!! After spending some time in the workshop, they headed towards a temple THE MORJAI TEMPLE IN MORJIM, GOA; which is of great religious importance to the citizens living there. The visit to the temple inculcated some freshness in all of them. Another site of attraction was the turtle nesting site; whose main purpose was to serve as a ground for turtles to lay eggs and continue further. A part of it is designed in such a way which provides essential resources to these turtles to either grow or lay eggs. After taking a short break; the students finally headed to one of the most happening beaches, the BAGA BEACH. Fun-filled games on the beach complimented the entire evening. Night at the resort, a promising day ahead.

Day 3: starting with a wholesome breakfast, the students got all packed up for a fun-filled and exciting day. The first destination of the day was a shelter home named ‘Little Acorns’. In their took shelter children who either were abused, had single parents or were children of working parents with some significant financial issues. All of these children aged from 2 to 10, who had to see struggle from such a tender age. The students of IBDP got them a small token of love in the form of chocolates and goodies. They also played games, sung poems and songs and caught glimpses of their faces filled with laughter and joy!!

The organisation associated with this shelter home ‘El Shaddai’ offers basic facilities, food and counselling. The students made some unforgettable memories and caught a glimpse of how life can be for certain people specifically children… which would have definitely imparted a sense of gratitude in them.

With a bag full of memories, they now headed to the TROPICAL SPICE PLANTATION. Tropical spice plantation is located in Keri (Ponda), a village in North Goa. This was a place which was home to many spices and plantations. They were welcomed with a garland of flowers. Then were served with herbal tea. Healthy and nutritious food served in a traditional thali made from betelnut was truly intriguing.

The students were awestruck to see how diverse India is with spices. Some of these spices serve as the best natural medicines in the world. Supari, vanilla, elaichi, kesar, coffee beans, laving, turmeric, ginger, kaju, javitri and jaifal, peri peri, all spice (hybrid plant), the bird of paradise and cinnamon were a few of the many cultivations that they got to see. Apart from this they also saw many rare species of flowers and plants and also got their hands on the medical use of each spice.  The students also got spring water combined with lavender oil poured on their backs which relaxes and calms the body.

After getting some good lunch, the next destination was a temple, the Mangeshi Temple built by the late great Lata Mangeshkar’s father. It was magnificent with some amazing structures and abstracts. Leaving from there; they went to the Bom Jesus Cathedral and to the museum which had an amalgamation of various depictions from various spheres of Christianity. The students then also saw some scriptures in Hebrew and concluded the day with going around and shopping in the local markets collecting souvenirs.

Day 4: The final day; probably the most exciting one. The water sports which is essentially the heart of Goa. But the day started with something even more fulfilling and exciting which was making Ganesha in Goa. The students were asked to make lord Ganesha with sand and decorate it according to their wish. All that was required was to divide the students into groups, collect things available on the beach which would make the structure prettier. The outcomes were worth all the hype!!

After a short break and wholesome breakfast, the students finally departed for the water sports activity alongside the DJ Party. The water sports consisted of activities such as kayaking, speed boat ride, Jet Ski, the famous banana ride and the bumper ride. The students did perform all of the activities with enthusiasm at max! Getting down from the cruise on which all of these activities were held finally concluded this memorable CAS TRIP TO GOA.

Next day was the departure from Goa, back to Ahmedabad with memories that the students would cherish for a lifetime.

Trips like these not only promote team work and enable students to make rational decisions but it also promotes them to build a holistic lifestyle and becoming considerate young adults.