REVERSE TIME AT ISHAVILAS’ NEW REJUVENATION CENTRE

Several years ago, in the midst of a stressful season, I took a few days off and submerged myself in the tranquil paradise that was – and continues to be – Ishavilas. The heritage home in Siolim recently completed a few renovations and I popped back to see the changes.

 

This stately villa is a breathtaking example of Indo-Portuguese architecture with an interplay of stark white, bold blue and demure yellow surrounded by a luscious garden. Its warm openness and welcoming entrance offer guests the allure of being in their own luxury home on holiday, pampered by the wonderful staff.

Ishavilas’ location is simply surreal. The meandering Chapora river runs quietly nearby, with a majestic church at the centre of Siolim. Green hillocks hedge the village on two sides and the people who reside there are some of the warmest, friendliest folk in Goa. Just a short drive away are Goa’s famous and quiet beaches, night markets, pubs and nightclubs, gourmet restaurants and more.

For a little over 10 years now, Ishavilas has been a gracious host to many happy guests who revel in the amalgamation of warm hospitality, exquisite location, serene surroundings and luxurious pampering.

Only recently, it opened its residential rejuvenation centre focused on Dr Mosaraf Ali’s Time Reversal Concept. Dr Ali has long been known for his alternative healing techniques, running his integrated medical centre in Delhi since 1983. He has worked in Hong Kong and London and is reputed for his health advice in integrated care, even speaking at the UN General Assembly and other important conferences around the world.

This is the man who has treated celebrities from actor Samuel L Jackson and supermodel Kate Moss to action hero Sylvester Stallone and pro golfer Colin Montgomerie. And here in Goa, his varied non-invasive treatments are available in the pristine surroundings of Ishavilas. Two resident Ayurvedic doctors – one male and one female – carry out the treatments and supervise other therapists, all trained by Dr Ali himself.

The location of the treatment room itself is well thought-out. Earlier the majestic Surya room, space is located closest to the entrance of the property, allowing walk-in guests ease of access without having to traverse through the privacy of residential guests.

 

Ishavilas’ new private yoga and rejuvenation centre specialises in detox and weight loss, while also treating chronic issues related to fatigue, sciatica, backache, migraine, arthritis and stroke rehabilitation. In addition, the centre treats children with height issues, anxiety, cerebral palsy, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and more under Dr Ali’s supervision and care.

This set-up makes it ideal for a group of friends or a family to indulge in a holistic holiday, spending quality time with each other while enjoying a private rejuvenation programme that includes Isha hatha yoga, Dr Ali’s special therapies as well as meals that cater to individual dietary requirements.

The special focus on quality and luxury makes it perfect for yoga retreats by organisers and teachers who travel to Goa with their participants and disciples. The inclusive nature of the programme – with luxury accommodation, wholesome meals and high-quality facilities – offers the unique opportunity to hold very personalised retreats.

The rejuvenation centre is a long-standing dream of Ishavilas of Jeh Bajaj and this family-owned property. Jeh has been a faithful follower of Isha yoga and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev for more than a decade. Despite much prompting, I was unable to complete the required week-long treatment programme due to time restrictions and so settled for a specially designed one-day teaser of the retreat.

On arrival, I was escorted to my accommodation for the night – Ishanya – and what a wonderfully palatial space it was. It’s a two-bedroom cottage set next to a private pool that glistens in the night with gorgeous lights. Each room boasts an en-suite bathroom and a beautiful Baroque Goan-style mirror. The verandah doubles as the pool deck and offers a delightful outdoor dining area.

Ish, the room in the north-east, revels in beautiful blue tones with a spectacular sunburst mirror symbolic of Shiva’s third eye. Adjoining it on the east is Anya with soothing green and white interiors and a gorgeous painted chest of drawers. Interconnecting these rooms is a beautiful Buddhist lounge, a smart contemporary kitchenette and laundry area that makes Ishanya ideal for long-staying guests.

After a tour of Ishavila to see the new additions, I tucked into a light Indian lunch of fresh produce and lively flavours. Later, I received a warm welcome at Dr Mosaraf Ali’s Time Reversal Rejuvenation Centre, where specialist Dr Udbhav Singh explained the various benefits of this unique rehabilitation therapy.

My consultation with him revealed a need for a special marma therapy, ideal for those – like me – who practise martial arts on a regular basis. The 55-minute treatment that followed came from an ancient system with techniques that have been followed for hundreds of years. Dr Ali has modified this therapy to stimulate the nervous system, improve deeper blood flow to various parts of the body and revitalise the muscles. The techniques of this therapy are used in stroke rehabilitation research in two major British hospitals.

In addition to the signature marma therapy, Dr Mosaraf Ali’s Time Reversal Rejuvenation Centre also offers a neck connection massage to free up blockages in blood vessels to the brain, headache therapy, backache treatment which improves blood flow to inflamed tissues and chronic fatigue treatment which combines various techniques to revitalise the body.

Also, guests can opt for a stress management treatment focused on the trigger zones in the body linked to emotions and scalp therapy which doubles up as a hair nourishment treatment. The Time Reversal Therapies include Body Treatment, Facial Treatment and Weight Loss Therapy. All of these aim to rejuvenate and revitalise using special products and application procedures.

Dr Mosaraf Ali’s Time Reversal Rejuvenation Centre offers 3-day, 5-day, 7-day, 10-day and 14-day programmes to treat aches and pains, stimulate rejuvenation and address weight loss requirements. Each of these includes a consultation with a doctor, Isha hatha yoga and meditation, prescribed therapies, diets, detoxes and cleansing gels. Prices include accommodation and meals as well as transfers to the airport.

For those like me in Goa who want a short introduction to each of these programmes, a day retreat is available with consultation, Isha hatha yoga and meditation, prescribed therapies and meals.

Surrounded by the arresting beauty of the landscape and traditional architecture, Ishavilas is the perfect destination for yoga groups to indulge in the luxury of a conveniently located tranquil space and qualified instructors and therapists. International yoga groups can take full advantage of experts well-versed in both international and local techniques and therapies while soaking in the full experience of yogic life in India.

It will not be long before Ishavilas opens its specialised health food shop that offers recommended nibbles that are both delicious and good for you – true refreshment for the body and soul.

With the opening of Dr Mosaraf Ali’s Time Reversal Rejuvenation Centre, Ishavilas has seen a spurt in interest from celebrities and visitors from around the world, all wanting a chance to indulge in his famous healing techniques in the midst of this exotic location. Already, yoga teachers and organisers from all over the globe are in touch with the management at Ishavilas to enjoy a physically and spiritually fulfilling season of personalised retreats at the rejuvenation centre.

My time at Ishavilas flowed by like water over pebbles in a riverbed. I succumbed to the enigmatic charm of hatha yoga meditation at the beautiful Aum Yogashala, both in the evening and early in the morning. My meals were delightful, healthy and flavourful – a touch of both Indian and Continental, and I enjoyed every minute of my peaceful stay there.

I eagerly await the impending visit by Dr Ali himself, during which time I will ensure I set aside more time to experience the rejuvenating retreat in full.

For further information on Treatment and Stay – http://ishavilaswellness.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/yogawellness.goa/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ishavilaswellness/

PREMIUM EXPERIENCE AT DIVO CAFÉ & BAR, CALANGUTE

As the season comes around, Goa gets exciting with a flurry of new cafés, restaurants and bars. Sifting through to find the good ones takes time and it’s usually further afield, in places like Vagator and Morjim in north Goa, that I find gems most often. Recently, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a new hotspot right here in Calangute.

Divo Café & Bar lies on the main trunk of the Calangute-Baga stretch, offering easy connectivity with all the hotels and resorts in the area, and a short walk from the beach. Its ambiance and décor is chic, laid-back and presents the venture with a smooth transition from day-time café to lounge and bar.

The interiors by Rhea Kumar and illustrator Manuela Mendonca Gomes are minimalist but very well thought out – clean lines, carefully chosen colour palette and warm hues for furniture. The design concept has beautifully moulded a contemporary space that still manages to represent the charming heritage of Goa with art inspired by the renowned Mario Miranda.

This venture by the young and dynamic Trivesh Ajgaonkar and Shikar Kumar focuses on global fusion food, delectable café bites and excellent cocktails that pair perfectly with the melodic strains of live music and sophisticated evening shisha experience.

The duo have chosen well, as this style of café-bar that aims at high quality food and beverage, as well as entertainment, is exactly what tourists are looking for in the area. Even locals are keen on premium hotspots that consistently offer good quality ambience through the year.

We were warmly welcomed by Chef Manas Patra who took us through the menu which he painstakingly curated based on his in-depth knowledge of fare that is expected to be popular. The bar menu itself is a well thought out list, offering just the right amount of choice for guests. It has everything from Champagne to premium gins and tequilas, while expert mixologists are on hand to whip up cocktails according to your mood.

Divo Café & Bar has an interesting shots deal – which gets guests six shots for the price of five, a pretty enticing offer for groups of young people starting a night on the town. Smoothies, decadent shakes and a variety of teas and coffees bring the beverage menu to a close.

The kitchen brings out a tempting range of global fusion food that offers guests everything from healthy options to full-scale comfort food. Through our delightful evening meal we were presented with a taste of delicious cocktails, particularly the outstanding Feel The Jalapeno and its lovely spice hit, and the Berry Berry Mojito.

Our palates were teased with a roasted tomato and basil soup, followed by a watermelon and feta cheese salad, and the chef’s special seafood salad featuring squids, prawns and fish tossed in a vinaigrette dressing.  

To keep us going while they prepared our mains, the staff brought us Divo’s already popular cheese balls – crunchy, crumb-fried globs stuffed with melted cheese and pesto, and breaded mushrooms stuffed with cheese served with a delightful tartare sauce.

Mains included a cottage cheese steak – a grilled slab of fresh cottage cheese served with house salad and sautéed vegetables, and grilled chicken marinated in mustard sauce and served with sautéed vegetables.

A beautiful surprise arrived at the end – Oreo Madness, a decadent chocolate-filled dessert that took me straight back to my childhood. This alone was enough to make me ensure I return for more.

Divo Café & Bar promises an exciting food and beverage experience within a beautiful space, with flair and style, more than enough to keep patrons sweeping through their doors.

 

For Reservations Contact – 7447400831

Get Everything You Need for Your Second Home in Goa – At Freedom Tree

You may have passed Freedom Tree on Chogm Road many times but when you venture in, it’s an experience in itself. If you are a lover of all things beautiful, you want to pick everything up and fantasize about the perfect place for that crockery set, cushion or rug in your home. I hear many people say that it’s hard to find nice things for one’s home in Goa. But when I went to Freedom Tree, I saw a wide range of choices in furniture, upholstery, crockery, rugs, lamps and almost everything else you need to prettify your new villa or apartment.

Freedom Tree believes that in a resort destination, for a second home, you have to be in a Goa state of mind. Relaxed, it’s a time to wind down, catch up with life and friends and go back rejuvenated. So they are a part of that mindset, and call themselves the Happiest Homestore! Refreshing colour is what people come for most. They find it in the washed and weathered furniture looks in cabinets and tables; or the smooth polished teak in tropical furniture like open bookshelves, indulgent beds with stunning headboards. And naturally, the wicker and cane work seating and easy living sofas. People also love the fresh colours in the fabrics. Whether it is the sheer curtains which beckon light and air or the fun upholstery prints that invite you to kick back and relax. And naturally you want to share your holiday home with friends, so Freedom Tree has become the go-to place for colourful ceramics, glassware and tabletop accents for entertaining with casual chic. Expect to find a range of furniture that is retro-midcentury style, or a repurposed distressed look. The fabric collections are created in such a way that they come together in a mix and match that allows one to quickly pick and choose and put together a room, giving you more time to enjoy the holiday. There is so much to be done when you have to set up a second home anywhere. So Freedom Tree also offers a design service, where they put together looks for you and plan your furniture layout and colour schemes for each room in your getaway home.  You don’t have to do it all yourself, get a helping hand from a group with exceptional taste. For more info, you can check out their website, which also has an online shop at www.freedomtree.in

 

Mustard Musings

I wander about a lot and am fascinated by new experiences, particularly in the culinary world. When I stumbled upon Mustard, my first thought was an ‘either love it or hate it’ sentiment towards this sharp condiment.

But one step indoors and this venture by Shilpa Sharma and Poonam Singh blew me away. It’s an old Goa house in Sangolda that could be mistaken as a blown up version of a doll’s house. Varying shades of blue – navy, cornflower, powder – deftly interact with each other creating a broad colour scheme that immediately relaxes the mind.

I was taken back to the charming cottages of the English countryside with the quaint antique-style cupboards, tea pots and summery patio seating outdoors. Although I had company, I would imagine that even solo travellers or visitors will find it absorbing to sit here over a languid dinner, taking in the décor details.

The name made immediate sense when I looked at the menu – both Bengali and French cuisines celebrate mustard. French fields are filled with its shocking hue during spring and every Bengali I know shivers in excitement just anticipating that well-loved taste.

It is quite apt then that Mustard made its home in Goa, India’s perfect mélange of East and West in both culture and food. It’s one of the few restaurants in Goa serving authentic Bengali delicacies. The menu was curated by Pritha Sen, a renowned chef and food historian, to help visitors uncover the nuances and secrets of the cuisine, while Frenchman Gregory Bazire gave expert thought to the European section of the menu for those who love mustard and also for those who don’t.

Mustard has two separate kitchens with chefs specialised in their respective cuisine styles. This ensures absolutely authentic tastes. Chef Abhimanyu Sen was on site when we sauntered in, taking a seat under the outdoor bar area topped with traditional Goan coconut leaf mats.

It was still a little warm but the winds of seasonal change were blowing and it was the perfect spot to savour the last of the fresh seafood before the onset of the monsoons and the fishing ban in Goa that comes with it.

We had a delightful little tasting menu to sample the cuisine, as I’ve not been exposed to Bengali food too often. It turned out to be a beautiful gastronomical revelation. First out of the kitchen was the kaach kola shammi kebab made of raw green bananas, apparently a favourite in the eastern state. A chicken starter followed with the meat marinated in kashundi, a tangy mustard sauce that is as signature to Bengal as recheado masala is to Goa.

The smoked fish at Mustard is not your typical dish. Flavours of history abound here, known as it is for delicate flavours with hints of mustard powder and oil, smoked in the traditional manner with puffed rice, jaggery and husk. All of this lends a distinct taste to the dish.

I was also impressed by the house-style tabouleh that incorporates many Goan elements including kokum, dry coconut, grilled cashews and Goan sausage bread crumb. We returned to the kashundi with stir-fried calamari that also featured a lovely blend of zingy ginger and sweet pumpkin. Very interesting indeed. The final starter was jholsamo mangsho – tender mutton ribs marinated with nigella seeds and charcoal-grilled to perfection.

Our mains featured two dishes from France, and two from Bengal. Chef Bazire reinvented the classic French dessert, the mille feuille. Instead of the usual light custard piled between razor-thin crunchy filo pastry sheets, Mustard serves a savoury version with a hearty vegetable fricassee tumbled with parsley and cheesy béchamel. Across the table was a juicy chicken breast stuffed with Dijon mustard and liver, and glazed with rosemary butter. It was served with étuvée vegetables, cooked in the typical French fashion of cooking them in their own, and garlic jus.

A fresh barramundi was taken to another level in the maachcher paturi, or fish cooked in banana leaves, a very traditional Bengali style. At Mustard, the delicate flavours of the banana leaf and mustard marinade permeate the fish through slow-roasting rather than steaming.

Kosha mangsho is Bengal’s star mutton curry, with fat chunks of meat soaking in a heavy gravy of mustard oil, onions, cardamom, clove and cinnamon.

We ended the meal with a celebration of the seasonal fruit. There was a delectable mango cheesecake and mango kheer. The menu also features a refreshing muskmelon and feni dessert soup with freshly cut fruit, grilled almonds and hints of coco and feni. I will certainly return to try it!

 

Studio 101 – Putting a bounce in every ounce

Nivedita Dempo takes fitness to a new level with her well-equipped fitness studio in the heart of Panjim

A run on the beach is my favourite kind of workout. There’s nothing like the salty sea breeze in your hair, an open stretch of sand and your favourite shoes that make wanting to exercise such a piece of cake. Most other forms of workouts elicit a groan – they don’t seem to be as much fun.

But it’s not always easy to go running on the beach in Goa. The monsoons are literally a rain on your parade, so looking for enjoyable alternatives suddenly takes up your time. I’d always heard the buzz around zumba in Goa, where you exercise to music. So a few years ago, I decided to try this rage and find out what the fuss was all about.

There was obviously something magnetic about this workout style. It led Nivedita Dempo to quit a successful corporate job after many years in the US to start her state-of-the-art fitness facility, Studio 101, in Goa, where she holds a wide range of exercise activities. Three years ago, I booked myself into a zumba class imagining I’d do fairly well to keep up with what I heard was an energetic routine.

But Nivedita’s passion blew me away. She was like a firecracker with each new song, pumping up the energy, keeping her class moving and cheering them on to give it their all with every move. Nivedita explained, “Zumba is not a magic pill that you take which will immediately transform your body. It will work just like any other exercise programme if you stick to it and eat right. The only difference – zumba is easier to stick to because it is a fun way to work out by combining Latin music and easy-to-follow dance moves.” Although Nivedita doesn’t teach Zumba anymore as she became  busy overseeing the operations of the premium gym, the current instructor Joseph (Joe) is also very popular.

From 6.30am for the early birds to 9pm for those who prefer later workouts, Studio 101 conducts wide range of classes ranging from Zumba to choreography, Body Pump weight training, kick aerobics, dance fitness, pilates and yoga. And it’s not just people who want to slim down who come here. It’s a place for anyone who likes to stay healthy. From as young as seven years old in the children’s classes all the way up to enthusiasts in their 70s, people stream in through the door and walk out feeling full of life.

Divided into two clear sections, Studio 101 separates its Fitness Floor for those who want to hit the treadmills, cross trainers and bikes; and the Group Exercise Studio where we were exercising. Nivedita has kitted the studio with fitness equipment from PRECOR, one of the most respected brands in the business in the US. Studio 101 also features Olympic standard sports flooring with special foam layers to protect one’s joints during workouts.

An in-house nutritionist means clients can include private consultations into their programmes to ensure their fitness mantras don’t stay in the gym. A physiotherapist and masseuse are also available on call to cater to client requirements. I was also tempted to try the Health Café which offers a variety of healthy tasty snacks and whole-grain breads made by Vandana Naique of Bodega especially for Studio 101. There are also handmade soaps of many varieties like ‘rose & wine’ and ‘lemongrass orange’ available to take home.

The healthy snacks keep you energised, just like the workouts at Nivedita’s Studio 101 gym. Nivedita explained that adding variety to your workouts keeps boredom at bay and constantly challenges you. A certified fitness trainer from the American Council on Exercise, she introduced zumba to Goa in 2009 when people had barely heard of the word.

The ladies were bouncing with energy and even after a strenuous workout, they still seemed ready for some more. That’s something that Nivedita and her Studio 101 leave you with – a smile. As I left, I knew I’d be back, sooner rather than later.

Detox at Devaaya

The ayurvedic and nature cure resort in Divar is a rejuvenation centre in paradise

I’ve been in Goa for nearly a decade now, but to be honest, have never crossed the river into Divar Island. Only recently did I go, and found myself regretting the slipped opportunities of the past. It’s the absolute ideal in natural wellness, and a stay at Ayurveda and nature cure centre Devaaya is like being shown a new world of holistic treatment.

There was a sense of excitement as I waited in the ferry, and Devaaya certainly stole my heart with its tranquillity. The décor and architecture is distinctly heritage, offering the ambience of a small Goan village with little Portuguese-style villas. The warm staff helped us check in and showed us to our rooms.

Owned by the Alcon Victor Group, Devaaya has a different outlook to rejuvenation and health rehabilitation. While it offers the conveniences of a five-star resort, it never loses focus. There’s even a daily schedule they have drafted out for guests who are availing of the centre’s health programmes. I was visiting on a teaser, but it was such a healthy and wholesome schedule, it would have been silly to spend my day otherwise.

Mornings begin early here, at 6.30am where you can enjoy the sunrise and soak in nature. Divar Island has exquisite hinterland surroundings and the centre is positioned such that breath-taking views are visible at all times of the day, more enjoyable however at dawn and dusk. The noise of bird song and little insects in the bushes are the only disturbances to your day.

All guests are invited to a consultation with the specialists. Devaaya offers Ayurveda and naturopathy to help achieve good health, strengthen the immune system and stay strong. The treatments claim solutions for chronic ailments and lifestyle management without side effects. As part of the treatments, there is a variety of holistic activities offered with the guidance of experts.

Our rooms were very comfortable – one of 60 which feature luxurious furniture, air-conditioning and excellent views of either the river, fields or gardens. Neatly laid out on our beds were the kurta-style house coats that the centre recommends as they are comfortable for yoga.

We joined in the common yoga session looking out to the sunrise, where we were led into surya namaskars and yogasanas. Heading on to the Manos Diet centre, you realise how different Devaaya is from a regular resort. Where most hotels – even the ones that claim wellness – offer you variety and comfort food, this one keeps the focus on holistic health.

It follows the practices explained during the consultation – where the elements of air and space (vata), fire and water (pitta) and earth (kapha) are blended to heal the system from within. Even the food is cooked and served keeping these in mind. It’s all vegetarian, but simply delicious. Other than Manos, they also have the Amboi and Malar diet centres that cater to various ambiences.

The icing on the proverbial cake, of course, is the therapy types on offer. I bumped into a few other guests there and it was heartening to see the loyalty. While some come for a once-in-a-lifetime detox therapy, there are others who return to this award-winning wellness resort year after year!

The Ayurveda and Panchakarma treatments include abhyanga, svedan, antar snehan, virachan, basti, shirodhara, pizhichil, sarvangdhara, navrakizhi, nasya and others, all done under the recommendation of a specialist consultant. The naturopathy treatments are prophylactic, in a way that they aim to treat the cause of the disease instead of the symptoms. It rejuvenates by removing the toxins from the body and alleviating ailments through massage, mud and hydro therapies, diet and exercise.

A host of ailments can be eased through the two. Ayurveda is thought to be particularly effective in dealing with joint pains, rheumatism, diabetes, spondylitis, partial paralysis, arthritis, high blood pressure, ulcers, etc. Naturopathy is believed to treat obesity, high blood pressure, spondylitis, abdominal disorders, uric acid, cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, anemia, sinusitis, chronic constipation, gout, ulcers and more.

Generally, guests are required to undergo treatments lasting a minimum of a week to ensure maximum benefit. I got a small taste with a weekend rejuvenation getaway that I absolutely loved. The consultant recommended I get the udvartanam and traditional pizhichil massages.

Udvartanam is also known as a powder massage in which the body is rubbed down with dry medicated ingredients to reduce cellulite accumulation, improve circulation and enhance the skin’s texture. Pizhichil is a combination of an oil massage and heat treatment. It is a much gentler treatment using medicated oils and enhances muscular tone and retunes the entire nervous system.

It was only a short time, but I was already feeling the benefits of the experience I’d been through. My teaser made me realise how much my body and mind needed it, and left me wanting to return for more.

Everything Nice at Fortune Miramar!

You know how you like your hotel to be a little bit of everything? Close to the beach, but also to some shopping. Convenient to get to, but also out of the city. Luxurious, but still affordable. Contemporary, but classy. Warm, but not overly friendly. Well, that is Fortune Miramar to the ‘T’.

The five-star resort, in what is almost Panjim’s ‘suburb’, is the latest venture by ITC, India’s second largest hotel chain. With more than 100 hotels, the company knows what works best and with Fortune Miramar, reaches out to clients who desire a certain kind of travel – something that’s easy-going and laidback, without the tamasha of overcrowded tourist spots.

There’s no cloying fuss with service and no pushiness to tempt guests into ancillaries. Fortune Miramar is simply as hospitable as you’d expect from an ITC venture, and a stay here leaves you joyously satisfied with its service.

Overview

Located at the end of the famous Dayanand Bandodkar Road of Panjim shaded by a canopy of rain trees, Fortune Miramar has joined the ranks of the transitory architecture in the neighbourhood. Decades-old buildings are being redeveloped or given a face-lift and swanky new restaurants and spas have sprouted nearby.

Behind its classy glass façade, the hotel hides a quiet space to unwind and gather your thoughts, either as a business traveller after a long day at work or a leisure visitor summing up a day of sightseeing.

Accommodation

Fortune Miramar houses 45 beautifully furnished rooms, all contemporary at its core, but touched subtly by a Goan vibe – blues and greens reminding you of the azure ocean and lush greenery, and warm wood of heritage interiors.

There are 32 Standard Rooms kitted with amenities expected of a five-star hotel – tea/coffee maker, safe, high speed internet, fruit platter, TV, the works. Upping the luxury quotient a little bit is its posh sibling, the Fortune Club Room, of which there are 11.

Finally, there are two suites featuring separate living areas, private work station and four-fixture bathrooms. The choice is yours!

Dining

Here too, the resort has kept things clean and simple. There are three food and beverage outlets – one multi-cuisine restaurant, one bar and lounge, and one café. Together, they satisfy every craving most judiciously, ensuring you never have to leave the hotel should you not want to.

Orchid is busiest at breakfast time, serving a sumptuous repast at its buffet. Many guests also avail of its tidy selection of à la carte offerings at lunch and dinner, choosing to sit indoors when it’s hot outside and al fresco when it’s cooler. Open round-the-clock, you’ll find this the perfect place to stave off midnight munchies or grab a bite after a night on the town.

For a relaxing night, head to Neptune for its thoughtful selection of spirits, wines and beers. It’s also got snacks, cold beverages and mocktails along with lively music to keep your spirits up.

The most tempting aromas, however, waft in from the Fortune Deli, a comfort food lover’s hideaway with its warm goodies straight from the oven. There are light snacks like puffs, sandwiches and quiches, as well as pastries, cakes, chocolates and breads.

Amenities & Services

Fortune Miramar offers a whole range of complimentary amenities for guests who stay there – from buffet breakfast and parking to tiny bits and bobs like babies bibs, diapers, dental kits, band aids and even a mobile phone charger. There’s a clear blue swimming pool up on the rooftop and a well-equipped gym.

For a fee, guests can avail of valet parking, airport transfers, baby-sitting services and in-house laundry. There’s a doctor on call as well, and a currency exchange desk.

Small business meets will find their perfect partner with the hotel, which has a fully equipped board room for conferences, discussions and brainstorming sessions for up to 10 guests. The hotel also offers Wi-Fi internet connectivity, professional services and other infrastructure for such events.

Experience

I’ve always been a fan of the Miramar stretch from Campal onwards with its beautiful colonial houses leading towards open spaces, public sports infrastructure, and finally the beach, all the while shaded by these giant rain trees that have been around since Portuguese times.

For a while now, the area has been adding fun hang-out spots from restaurants to spas, cafés to pubs, each bringing its own character to the area, but retaining its relaxed vibe. With ITC’s Fortune Miramar, we have an added element of luxury to the main stretch.

My stay at the hotel reinforced the feeling that this hotel has everything one could want, as a business or leisure traveller. I see lots of potential in it becoming the next big thing for meetings with all its offerings available right there on the ground floor, along with valet parking.

I found the suite pretty luxurious and the spacious work area with desk and office supplies impressive. The living space had comfortable sofas, a large television set, and a massive bedroom. I was most taken in by the expansive bathroom and the inviting bath with the loveliest of toiletries. Nothing relaxes me more than a hot bath after a tiring day!

It’s also important for me to stay fit while I travel, for work or otherwise, so I was happy to have a gym with all the trimmings and a swimming pool as well. Plus, a four-kilometre long beach was barely 150 metres away for a morning run and some functional training on the sand.

Food was another highlight of my stay at Fortune Miramar. For lunch, the very talented Chef Pranay Mallick treated us to a smoked salmon cornet and a grilled snapper with garlic mash and roasted pepper coulis, followed by a decadent dark chocolate mousse. Dinner saw my partner and I share a Goan chowder, watermelon steak salad and a grilled pork chop with potato rosettes and thyme jus. It was finished off with baked cheese cake with brandy snap. Each dish was both innovative in taste and presentation, and flavourful.

The ITC Hotel Group is one of my favourites in India and I had no misgivings about the quality of hospitality at its latest addition. With its splendid location and easy accessibility, I see Fortune Miramar becoming one of my top meeting places for a business discussion or a quick coffee catch-up with a friend.

Love The Green

Putting the ‘treat’ in retreat

Re-energise and return naturally to your happy equilibrium with a yoga and detox retreat at Love The Green. Organic, wholesome and natural, this life-changing centre in south Goa offers holistic treatments to bring out the best version of yourself.

Beginning October 23, 2017, the menu will include a special 7-Day Residential Booze Free Revolution Retreat, a whole week of therapies, treatments and motivational help to give guests a kick-starter in an alcohol-free environment. Hosted by yoga expert and retreat owner Faye Brown, it also incorporates motivational workshops and discussion groups on how to cut down on completely give up alcohol. 

Yoga, meditation, detox, dance, and nutritious food – with some refreshing pampering thrown in – make for the ideal revitalising sojourn amid a tropical forest in western India. Located conveniently near popular south Goa beaches including Patnem, Palolem, Agonda and Galgibagh, Love The Green sits on the edge of a traditional village offering views of the breath-taking Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot.

The River Talpona meanders just below while monkeys and birds of vivid colours streak across the sky at regular intervals. Take time out from your busy schedules to immerse yourself in life the way it was meant to be lived. Commit to health for just three days with Love The Green and you might find yourself in a lifelong relationship.

Retreats at Love The Green encourage guests to avoid unhealthy food – such as gluten, wheat, dairy, sugar, processed foods and caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and other stimulants, and even technology including social media. The hosts also promote what is called quantum detoxification – avoiding negative talk, images news and events, and surrounding one’s self with positive energy, motivational stories, happy people and inspiring thoughts. 

Each day on retreat is filled with natural positivity and power-boosting healthy nutrition. There are daily yoga fusion and yoga chill classes in the Yoga Shala and high energy fitness or pilates sessions scheduled at appropriate times. Energising green juice, fresh coconut water and detox supplements are incorporated daily to cleanse the system and refresh it. A delicious buffet-style healthy detox lunch is served to guests.

Also included is a retreat guide, the use of the shower room and products, unlimited herbal teas and mineral water, and a personal neti pot for nasal irrigation to cleanse the passages and naturally protect against illness. Throughout the retreat, experts are on hand with healthy eating ideas, meditation sessions, and discussions on well-balanced living. The session also includes a vipassana meditation taster to get in touch with your inner being.

Other recommendations include dry skin brushing for lymphatic cleansing and a host of other benefits, as well as a deeper liver flush that aids inner body health and prevents diseases such as diabetes and cancer. 

Love The Green also holds regular yoga classes and offers ‘Yoga For Party People’ concept sessions that aim to bring balance to hectic lives without completely changing them around. The venue is also available now for rent as a private retreat for up to 10 guests.

Returning to nature could not be more fun. Rediscover living at Love The Green yoga retreat!

 

About Faye Brown:

Love The Green was started by Faye Brown, who converted part of her beautiful home along the tranquil Talpona River into the retreat centre. With inspiration and knowledge drawn from gurus across India, this yoga expert combines tradition with a funky fusion style that engages people of all temperaments. Her sessions cater to beginners, part-practitioners and hard-core enthusiasts, as well as those who never thought they’d try it out.

Warm and bubbly, Faye’s personality adds an exuberant sense of warmth to retreats at Love The Green. She continuously researches and invites an international repertoire of guest experts who lead the sessions every day. Faye has a background in traditional Patanjali Hatha Yoga, and has also studied Ashtanya, Iyenger and Tantra styles.

 

CONTACT

Love The Green

229/3 Kharegoton

Sadolxem

Canacona-Goa

403702

India

lovethegreenretreat@gmail.com

Fancy a Butter Chicken Burger?

My mid-week dinner dilemma was solved a few weeks ago, when I dropped in at Café Cotinga for their weekly Wednesday live music events and ended up staying for the better part of the night. The charming Café Cotinga at the Tamarind Hotel in Anjuna, have just revamped their food menu. The restaurant design is tasteful and contemporary with alfresco seating, an attractive bar, an indoor pool table, and a couple of giant birdcages you can dine in!

The new menu reflects the trend of fusion north Indian food by offering a globalized mix of tandoori meets continental. I tried the new ‘Butter Chicken Burger’; succulent pieces of tender, juicy butter chicken wrapped in home-baked buns with a refreshing salad on the side. Also the unique ‘Achari Chicken Pizza’, a curried chicken pizza that was just spicy enough for me to handle. For dessert, we dug in to the chocolate brownie with a soft mousse filling; and the mango cheesecake which was light and airy. Besides a well-rounded menu, the restaurant is also one of the few places where one can get quality food late at night and many local residents order home delivery.

 

Owned by the Arya family, from Delhi, the heritage property was designed by famed Goan green architects Gerard D’Cunha and Dean D’Cruz some years ago. Over the last two years, Café Cotinga has become a cultural hub for hosting different independent musicians every Wednesday at their ‘Free Bird’ nights. Some of the country’s top musicians have played here to packed crowds. International traveling bands from Balkan gypsies to mouth-harp troupes frequently perform here during the peak season. Local greats like Elvis Lobo, Anirban Halder and Ranjit Arapurakal, often jam here. Another hot favourite among local expats, the Wallfly film club brings together like-minded culture buffs here every Tuesday, when they screen handpicked art-house and indie cinema.

The new menu adds icing to the ol’ cake and makes Café Cotinga a must visit for north Indian food with a twist. It’s sort of a hidden gem where tourists from Delhi who stay at the hotel can meet fun-loving expats and local residents, which makes for a memorable holiday.

A taste of Mexico in Goa!

Habanero Goa opened up a few months ago in the midst of scenic Baga, by the sister-brother duo of Rohan and Pooja Ghotage. Even though it is a franchise outlet, Habanero Goa continues to honor the founders’ culinary vision by offering an exciting menu of fresh, authentic Mexican American cuisine – full of lightness and brightness, color, punch and enthusiasm. For years I have been told that the Mexican culinary tradition is a unique thing full of depth and wonder. The only problem was access to ingredients, and really, if you can’t make it to Mexico itself, you have to try the food here.

The Habanero Goa menu includes everything we in India have come to love about Tex-Mex cuisine like nachos, quesadillas, fajitas, and burritos. You can also choose from a wide variety of light bites like the Holy Guacamole, made fresh at your table and served with 100% homemade corn chips. The handmade ‘Jalapeno Poppers,’ or the ‘Macho Nachos’ that come in mini or macho sizes, are other light favorites. For other tasty options, you could also try the Habanero Fiesta Salad, which is accompanied by cheese quesadilla triangles, or the Mexican Burger. And if you like to customize everything on your plate, take it a step further by building your whole meal from their special ‘Build Your Own’ menu. This section has many styles that have a distinct Habanero touch, from burrito bowls to soft shell calamari tacos to Enchiladas – and fillings that range from Barbacoa (beef) to Carnitas (braised pork) to refried beans and grilled vegetables – to go along.

 

The lively bar features a bartender who is an expert arsonist, setting drinks on fire! Try one of the signature cocktails like the amaretto flavoured ‘Rock Lobster,’ the signature beer based margarita ‘Beeritas,’ or the ‘El Chingon Pomegranate Margarita’. If you’re in a group, experience the giant Margarita pitcher that resembles a fish bowl.

The interiors are vibrant and spacious while exuding a casual, fun atmosphere, and I’ve been told it will soon include Goa’s first micro-brewery in April. The décor creates a warm and rustic environment with bright colours, delightful murals all along the boundary walls and fun props like the over-sized sombrero hats, which make for great selfies and group photos. There is a shaded area with picnic tables, besides the long bar and a sprawling indoor area wrapped with a pretty balcony upstairs.

Habanero is not just about the food and beverage, the vibe is completed with its live stage. Fast becoming one of Goa’s live hot-spots, Habanero plays host to two days of live music – Friday Chilli Vibes nights, which is a platform for some of the best established as well as upcoming acts in Goa, and Sunday’s ‘Fiesta de Brunch’ which is their brunch buffet that has the soulful singing of Goa’s well-known songstress, Joanne Fernandes.

With its bright and festive ambiance, Habanero is sure to make your mood as colourful as its vibe.