'Cinnamom' was calm and as usual squeaky clean, although not mint fresh. Having been in service for a while, added up lot of flying hours in a short span and carried loads and loads of passengers, she symbolised the new craze that have struck the Indian sky--the low cost carriers.

Three-four attendants, only water and cookies served, and just the inflight magazine to read, no blankets on offer, one wondered how on earth the two-and-half hours of flight will pass by.

Yet, the very thought of landing at Dabolim Airport, getting to come face-to-face with the sun-kissed beaches of Goa and the tryst with guitar strumming crooners and the merry-makers kept one occupied.

In between, the thoughts were interrupted by the lady in red skirt and white shirts with the orange polka dots, who never failed to smile.

"On a vacation sir?"

"Oh not exactly, but you can say sort of. A mixture of official work and holiday," she was replied.

"I am sure, you will have fun. But be careful of the seas as it is monsoon time, heard some people drowned recently there," she remarked with the affection of a mother. Nevermind the fact she was just too young to be my mother.

As 'Cinnamom' pulled to a standstill, it was time to say bye and thanks to that lady, despite her hospitality being 'limited' thanks to the budget airlines. Must admit, the flight was indeed Spicy not dull.

Southern beaches, they say is where the place one should be when in Goa. With the peak season already over, one thought it must be the best time to be there. Fewer crowds, lesser tariff and the much needed break from the humdrum of earning a living.

On the face of it, Utroda beach presented a near perfect picture. Deep in the night, listening to the sea roar and sing her own songs of the monsoon and how it turned to a sparkling beauty in the morning sunshine, words will never describe it to the fullest.

However, things have changed. The breakfast table at the resort was as crowded as any five star hotel in the morning. The chef at the hot plate struggled with the series of request for omlets--double, single with and without masalas; the poor fellow at the bell desk kept running up and down, uploading and downloading luggages. The live band performing during the night had to sing "Salyan Sankhli Sonyaachi" again and again on request. There seems to be no offseason in Goa now.

"Sir, it's all thanks to the low cost airlines," Carvalho the cabbie explained.

"We are not complaining, people are coming even during the monsoon which is usually offseason for us," he added. But, there was a tinge of sadness in his voice. "Ah, the standard of people coming in are also getting lower, asking for cheap thrills."

Nevermind, it's all part of evolution and growth, Carvalho was convinced till he flashed his saucer-wide smile.

Bogmalo beach was at its commercial best, while the Japanese Garden reminded that when you are in Goa, you cannot miss this landmark.

Despite the newfound rush, Goa, however, resisted the temptation of getting into a rat race. Panaji or rather Panjim continued to paint its own laid-back life style picture. Vasco da Gama (popularly called Vasco) remained as idyllic as ever--shops down shutters during 1 pm to 3 pm for siesta, restaurants are devoid of elbow space at this time.

Good thing though for the Goans is that the demands of a booming tourism industry is driving its infrastructure to be world class, employment is being generated at a far greater pace and people are finding improvements in standard of living.

But, again a hopelessly lovestruck Manipuri will say again, in terms of nature's beauty the nine ranges and the valley still can match anywhere in the world. Just that no one had bothered to market its beauty.

Time for some low cost carrier to fly in to Imphal and create demand, hopefully!!