This was written in November 2009,when I first thought of writing a blog-
My significant other, hereafter referred to as Sig- O ( he complains that I have made him sound robotic) and I have started out on our journey. The new domestic departure terminal of Delhi airport is swank; the food court has interesting options for breakfast and the “make your own smoothie” at Aloha is interesting.
Sig-O and I agree that this Goan- ease holiday is going to have no agenda, no plans, no must dos except to run the sand through our toes, to flake out on the beach. The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity, betrayals, endings and beginnings and we do need to get away from it all.
The Indigo flight to Goa has a stopover in Bombay. The flight is comfortable and well worth what we paid for the tickets.
We were met at the airport by staff from Cidade de Goa. The short ride in the coach was smooth enough and Sig-O and I were the only occupants. The terrain was lush and the cottages pretty. What surprised me the most on this first drive through Goa was the colors that the houses had been painted in. Later on too, we continued to be fascinated by the colours - lilac, purple, sunny yellow, shocking yellow, shocking pink, peach, bright orange , royal blue, lime green and combinations thereof.
The foyer of Cidade de Goa takes you by surprise. The foyers of most five star hotels in India seem designed to overwhelm and ?? intimidate. The foyer in Cidade de Goa seemed like an easy open space open to the sea and friendly. There was none of the stiff formality associated with checking into a hotel. Soon we were in our room and immediately out into the sea facing balcony. The resort looks on to a bay and the sea waves coming in are gentle and enticing. It took us no time in getting out of room, attractive though it was, and on to the beach.
Cidade de Goa has been designed by Charles Correa. The exterior is in shades of brick, peach and mustard, a series of boxes with white framed windows. The floor is a mix of black and white checks. There are frequent trompe oleils that catch you by surprise. The corridors are breezy, leading off into passages, staircases and beautifully landscaped courtyards which entice you to explore further. Very attractive.
Café Azul is the coffee-shop; offers a splendid view of the bay and the pool, the latter shaped like the number 8. Love the view, the food’s not bad either.
The property has a private beach, just perfect for walking on the beach or bathing in the sea. Sig-O stayed in the water all day. I too spent some time in the sea and then the pool and then the lounging by the pool. The loungers were perfect for dozing off post dinner – blissfully relaxing.
Visited Colva beach and feasted on Kingfish balchao and chicken vindaloo. Though we had requested the cook at 49ers to go easy in the spices, the curries were pretty fiery. The flavor was quite of the vindaloo was unique, a mixture of chili and vinegar. The fish had a nice crisp texture, though dunked in a fiery gravy. Later in the day we managed to find Bebinca, the famed Goan dessert at Cidade. It sure had Sig –O babbling. Bebinca is a layered sweet made of milk, egg and chocolate and is really quite delicious.
Colva was a lovely, long, clean beach. Good for swimmers and for water sports enthusiasts as well. This was the first time that I had visited a beach outside Mumbai and the difference was stark. No crowds, no meddlesome peddlers and no filth either.
The next day we lunched at “Mum’s Kitchen” , which serves Goan cuisine. Tasted Prawn Humman a “Hindu Goan Curry” and a sweet made from dal, jaggery and coconut; enjoyed both. Mum’s Kitchen is run by a couple, intent on preserving Goan cuisine.
After the harried pace of life, the traffic, the sheer number of human beings, the unsightly buildings and the general edginess in Delhi, Goa soothes and delights. The pace is unhurried, the view a mix of lush green and water – the sea, the rivers and the backwaters; the houses are pretty – sloping roofs, archways balconies and ofcourse the pretty colours. Even the Dental College building had a lot of bright orange highlights! Rua de Ourem and the Mandove riverfront in Panjim are beautifully maintained. We did not do any sightseeing this time, the idea being that we would have a completely relaxed holiday.Glad to have some unfinished plans - not that one needs an excuse to visit Goa :-)
