We get this a lot, right? – From our friends, relatives and all others who do not have the good fortune of living in Goa. No, I’m not even talking about the sun, sand and booze part of it (we all know that Goa is much more than that, isn’t it?) Apart from offering a quality of life that is perhaps second to none, at least in this country, it is surprising to see the sheer number of national and international events that happen in this tiny state. In the past few years, the success of the Sunburns, Rider Manias and Designyatras have caught the attention of the decision makers from the world of media, business, IT, entertainment and lifestyle who have realised the all round potential that Goa has, coupled with the value and glamour that it can add to the drabbest of subjects. Goa has indeed been playing host to a large number of events spread across genres and the list is only going north. And for us journalists, it is always business with pleasure, and I’m definitely not complaining!
So right in the beginning of this week, I traded my ‘writer’s hat’ for a ‘sailor’s eye-patch’, thanks to Goa International Sailing Week – an event that debuted this year and like most others, will be an annual affair. This edition of the ‘regatta’, a term used for a series of boat races, was made up of sailing through popular classes of boats like sailboards, kite boards and beach catamarans, and events like Laser Coastal Championship, Hobie 16 Coastal Championship, Boardsailing National Ranking Event and the Topper Grand Prix. The four day affair offered something for the audience too – people could shop, indulge in fun water activities and just laze around in style. The adrenaline pumping action was happening in the waters off the Chapora and Morjim jetty and was quite a sight to behold. The Goan waters have immense potential to host watersports and one can’t help but feel that it’s a treasure that has not been tapped and lying unused.
It was then time to shrug the laidback life off and re-charge my brain cells with some intriguing and thought-provoking sessions at Goafest. Hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) in association with the Advertising Club, Goafest has been inviting to Goa some of the most creative brains from the world of advertising, media, film, and digital space for the past few years. Held at a resort property in the southern part of Goa once upon a time, the extravaganza has now moved towards north and is held in Bambolim. The past few editions have seen names like Arnab Goswami, Devdutt Patnaik, Vikas Bahl, the funny guys from AIB, Piyush Goyal, along with some big names known internationally enthrall the audience in Goa. This year’s roster included Arjuna Ranatunga, Karan Johar, R Balki, Ex army man Raghu Raman and others. The event concluded yesterday.
Then, I finally tasted Feni! Things got busier with another resort property in the South hosting ‘Cashew Trail’ – a weeklong celebration of Feni, Urrak and all things made of cashew. (And for those oblivious to the most intoxicating update – Feni is now the Heritage Spirit of Goa!) For the past few years, Park Hyatt Goa, in association with Madame Rosa Distillery, has been ‘tracing the life journey of the cashew’. Like every year, the lush property is offering cashew inspired gourmet experiences and Feni infused cocktails throughout the month. And then there are events like like the Feni Appreciation master class where guests are taken on a rollercoaster of a ride through Urrak, Feni that has been aged for one-year, three-years, five-years; and Feni inspired cocktail competition among prominent bartenders in Goa. The final event will be held today, in the form of Cashew Trail Brunch that allows you to rub shoulders with Feni lovers, foodies and bloggers, media professionals and the who’s who of Goa.
And if any of you lovely readers happen to swing by, please spare a moment to come say Hi!
