While Goa is a hip tourist destination for people from across the
world, for us locals, Goa is home that doubles up as a vacation destination,
thanks to the sheer number of options that it offers for those seeking a quick
getaway or a break from mundane life. The state has several pockets, or beach
belts, each of which have disparate character traits that are shaped largely by
the people and business establishments that have made these respective regions
their permanent home over the years. From this list, the Palolem-Patnem-Agonda
stretch in the extreme southern part of Goa has been creating the right kind of
buzz of late, although it has hardly ceased to impress even in the past. For
the uninitiated, Agonda ranked number one in the Asia list of the annual
Travellers’ Choice awards for beaches, recently. Agonda also featured at number
18 on the top 25 beaches in the world list.
Famous for its three kilometre-long white
sand beach with snug shacks and a breeding site for sea turtles, Agonda is a
place almost disconnected from the rest of Goa and teleports you to a different
world altogether. What it lacks in terms of action and non-stop parties, as
compared to the northern part of Goa, Agonda more than makes up for with its
secluded shores and serene landscapes. The area has gone upmarket in its
accommodation options in recent years. The latest entrant is ‘The White’ – a
resort property with 14 wooden cottages featuring air conditioning – some of
which also have open-sky bathrooms, giving it a chic feel. The property is
owned by four partners, including two from Margao. The tastefully designed
property has imbibed design cues from destinations like Santorini and Bali and
is aimed at being ‘a home away from home’. The White is one the of the few
properties in the area with an inviting swimming pool and this pretty much makes
it a good option for even locals looking to unwind for a day or two, without
having to cross the state’s borders.
Another property that could be a good option for a quick getaway
– The Bay Agonda – located on the far end of the beach stretch near the Agonda
bay, is a gem waiting to be discovered by the masses. And this is what makes it
a great choice. Situated right on the beach, ensuring an unobstructed
breathtaking view of the setting sun, the beach villas offer great privacy. The
property is a hit with mostly Brits and Germans and is less popular with Indian
tourists, largely due to its somewhat hidden location. The owner, Jeetu Naik
Gauncar, a Quepem boy, has put together the place, right from designing the
architecture to sourcing the staff persons and handling everything that goes
into making a luxury property, all by himself. And although the food at
beach-facing shacks doesn’t excite us locals much, the offerings at the
restobar at The Bay Agonda is pleasantly different and chances are that one won’t
be disappointed.
Moving
towards Patnem, Jaali Boutique and Café has been hogging quite a bit of
limelight in the past few months. Run by Kate and Mohan, the café is an
open-air setup that has been designed with handicraft and antique artefacts
found around India. The café specialises in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean
food, whipped up by an enviable team of chefs, and is easily one of the high
points of this place. Although the place is frequented mostly by those seeking
vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, the café also offers a range of seafood
and meat dishes. The prawn and tamarind preparation with crunchy prawns in a
tangy sauce, is one of Jaali’s signature dishes. The café also hosts movie
screenings and live music gigs. Highly recommended.
