As you might know, I’m intrigued by Goa. Haven’t made it there yet, but here Julie Cheung shares an experience at a country house in this former Portuguese colony in India.
Goa is a mystical land of monsoons, rice paddies, breathtaking beaches, intriguing markets and colonial history and I was lucky enough to experience the charms of India here, staying at a country house called Presa di Goa. Set away from the bustle of the crowded, touristic areas in the peaceful countryside, the sound of birdsong and nothing else was a magical escape after a long journey.
On arrival, I gazed between the coconut palms, looking for the architecture that would transport me back to a time when the Portuguese inhabited this exotic world. I thought about their first impressions and how strange it must have been to arrive in a place like this, far away from everything familiar. The brightly coloured colonial buildings formed a large part of my trip in Goa, an elegant monument to turbulent days and a beautiful culture that is – sadly – fading fast.
Once inside, I was relieved to find an air-conditioned room, exquisite in the ornate Indo-Portuguese style with a beautiful four-poster bed. The single deluxe room was definitely big enough, and the balcony allowed plenty of time for contemplation and a little meditation amid the beauty of Goa.
Presa di Goa also had a lovely swimming pool for cooling down after a morning exploring the neighbouring village or at the nearby beaches. Calangute Beach is popular with holidaymakers, so it does tend to be a bit more crowded, but if you are willing to explore a little on your own, it is easy enough to rent transport and venture further afield to somewhere a little off the beaten track for a white sand paradise.
I rounded off my days at Presa di Goa with wonderful fresh seafood caught from the surrounding waters, and began them with a hearty Indian breakfast, simply divine! All in all an unspoilt colonial retreat in a beautiful location for those considering a holiday to Goa this year.
Photo credits: Chris Goldberg, Rosie Rogers, Akshay Mahajan.
This post is brought to you in cooperation with Holiday Hypermarket, but the visit at Presa di Goa was not sponsored.
My college friend from Goa used to talk so much about it that I put it on my list. Your post reminds me of her stories and makes me want to hop on a plane. Thanks!
I’ve heard so many good things about Goa. Looks like a great place.
Peaceful place… I think… Thanks for sharing. I will come there soon
Goa is really one of the most breathtaking places on earth… I’ve spent there a couple of months when I lost my job and couldn’t get out of stuck, and there, on this beautiful island of peace and love I’ve found my peace of mind and returned home as a balanced person. Unfortunately, the spirit of the hippies and the psytrance community is dying because of the many tourists who only want to dance all-adrunk…
Look at that pink sky…beautiful!