Coco Shambhala

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Coco Shambhala at Nerul, Bardez in Goa is not your run-of-the-mill luxury resort. It is a cocoon of comfort and joy that is as rare as it is breathtaking. And unless you have experienced staying there, it’s difficult to imagine that such a gorgeous shelter is nestled in a touristy place like Goa.

Here, then, are the six reasons why we think you should choose Coco Shambhala for your next holiday to Goa.

The villas

Their website proudly states “Officially the Best villas in Goa” and if you have lived in one of these, you would have to agree. Coco has four villas to choose from (a difficult choice to make), each with two big yet charming bedrooms. The highlight of the villas, for us, was the tree top living pavilion where we spent endless hours chatting away through the day and well into the night. The décor is striking, and invites you to just lounge on the sofa. Add to that the chirping of birds in the backdrop and the delightful view of nature in its pristine form, our conversations were not going to end soon. To indulge you further, every villa has its own private plunge jet pool—makes for a nice romantic way to spend an evening or just relax by yourself with a good book!

The natural environment

Coco Shambhala is nestled in a tropical forest and Giles, the owner, has made sure that much of the original habitat of the place was retained while building this luxury retreat. Moreover, since we visited during the rainy season, the vegetation was in its full glory. Simply being in the midst of so much greenery is in itself rejuvenating and healing, particularly for city dwellers! Be forewarned that this may jeopardise your other plans, especially those of exploring Goa, because once you are in Coco, you just won’t feel like stepping out.

Facilities

Guests are given a mobile phone (a basic one) with a local sim card inserted. The device has phone numbers of all the key staff, should you need to contact any of them, even when you are not at the resort. There is also a car at your disposal with a driver, to take you around either for shopping or to touristy spots or simply to explore the beauty of Goa; you only need to pay for the fuel. This is one incentive that may make you leave the endearing cosiness of Coco.

The pool

It would be safe to say that this is one-of-its-kind of a pool in Goa. It’s not a sprawling one but in keeping with the theme of the resort, a quaint jungle style free-form pool. It’s what caught our attention as soon as we entered and we couldn’t wait to jump in. By the way, the pool is open 24 hours; where else could you get this kind of luxury?

The food

A new menu is created for each season by Director of cuisine, Shagun Mehra; it is then personalized to suit guest preferences. A few days before our trip, we got a call from Suhas, who looks after the kitchen, to enquire if we had any special food requests or choices. Before your food is served, the sit out in your villa is transformed into this magical dining place with dim lights, candles, fresh flowers and a perfectly set table. The food is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. The Mezze Platter that’s served with Goan Poe bread is top class. And so are the other delectable dishes. Chances are, the food at Coco Shambala will leave you craving more. If so, you can sign up for a cooking class with Shagun herself.

The Coco Shambhala Family

The staff are like family. Everyone—from the driver, to the housekeeping staff, to the chef—genuinely care about making your stay comfortable and enjoyable. If you make a request, they will try their best to please you. The eager staff, always sporting a smile, lend a relaxed and friendly aura to the place.

So there! If we have whetted your appetite enough, and you decide to visit Coco Shambala, you may find your own reasons to love the place. If you wish, please share your experience with us.

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Summer time

As summer rolls by from distant shores, the serene languid stretches of sand can almost lull you into hypnotic submission. Humid air tingled with salt spray is gently whisked away in cool teases of the sea breeze.

You can laze, and laze—and then laze some more as you discover your idyllic strip of sand, sun and shade on the many beaches that dot Goa. Look up at the palm fringes encircling the powder puff blue sky, and take in the faint, lingering aroma of the succulent spices of fresh pomfret being readied to fry. Bliss.

You’ll give in to musings on life, watching the clouds trace wispy patterns in the sky as the sun journeys lazily across the horizon. Filled with Goan rice and fish curry cooked fresh in the shacks on the beach, your eyelids succumb to a deep slumber. And you have already reached heaven.

Goa in summer is all about crisp whites, soft blues, gentle breezes, laid back musings, much meandering, and endless siestas.

For, life is to be lived without a goal in Goa. Especially in the summers.

The time, if something like that exists in this leisurely land, is taken up by strolls, swims, sleep, serendipity and the sanguine spray of the sea that clings to your hair and seeps into your system.

The long, winding road segues to a lazy rhythm as coconut palms, quaint houses, beaming people and wide open spaces rush past and a feeling of ecstatic freedom settles. Being India’s smallest state and the fourth smallest in terms of population, Goa is really about giving you your space [literally and figuratively as well]. You carry your being lightly in this land that is home to world heritage architecture, Portuguese influences, coconuts and cashew nuts, and miles of beaches.

Reclusive, refreshing rains

At the beginning of June, the sun suddenly hides behind the grey clouds that come in from over the sea. And Goa gets transformed into a misty romantic vision. Sometimes, the skies open up and bless the land with continuous days of downpour. The greens become deeper, more lush, the sea churns up its most gigantic waves and the smell of wet earth lingers in the air. Goa in the rains is like a shy new beautiful bride, with veils of rain cascading and hiding her behind the thin veneer of mist. It’s a season of togetherness. It’s a time when the original beauty of the place, shorn of high season tourist revelry, is revealed in all its magic. These are moments when the land reigns, letting out its old-world beauty with a flourish, cocooning the visitors with bursts of rains.

To experience the ageless charm of Goa, head to the South, which is soaked in the genteel ways, with prime luxury hotels treating you to the unhurried elegant Goan ethos. Here, on their sprawling properties, the monsoons in Goa present their most spectacular performances. That too at an off season discount!

Actually, much of manmade Goa crouches out of reach as the rains hurtle across the skies. Shacks close. The beaches empty out of the typical tourist population. Restaurants operate sparingly. The fishermen venture out only occasionally. And this is when Goa really opens up in all its glory and vivacity. It blooms, it dances, it rejoices in its existence. And you will feel like being one with the land.

As you let go of umbrellas and raincoats and enjoy an impromptu rain dance on the beach, with each step your toes slide deeper into the wet sand. It feels so right. Enjoy the walks around deserted water sports enclaves and catch the crabs crawling out to test the land. See the flowers take on richer hues; the rain drops delicately settling in on their soft petals as the mist covers the path before you in a sudden swift rush.

Goa in the rains is deeply invigorating. Even as you sip your coffee at the hotel’s breakfast bar, and watch the rains, you are infused with a surge of energy. You feel rejuvenated and coaxed out of the summer slumber, refreshed and ready to go.

You also feel connected in profound ways, with nature. You witness how things work in sublime ways when you let nature take its course. Your senses feel heightened, your mind refreshed and your heart does a strange flip flop every time the rain comes calling. Goa allows you to stand back—and participate in nature’s revelry—all at the same time.

Of course, rains in Goa are absolutely romantic. Even the hard core rationalist will be hard pressed to resist the allure and the misty environs. It is an ideal backdrop to patch up with someone whom you’ve had a tiff with. All will be forgiven in the endearing climate that the monsoons spin around the Mandovi river, the broken forts and the timeless churches.

Wow, it’s winter

The churches stand poised in resplendence as the winter draws near somewhere in November in preparation for Christmas that is the joi de vivre of Goa. Flocks of tourists, many from international shores, make Goa the meeting and melting pot of cultures, cuisines and camaraderie in December. It’s the season of bonhomie. Of reckless abandon and frothy cheer. This is Goa in festivity, in celebration and a non-stop partying mode. The lights are all over the place, on the beaches as well, as bonfires and barbecues highlight the late evenings.

The natives get out of their laidback gear and lifestyle [sosegaad to the locals] of vests and shorts and look like completely different people in their suits and bow ties. The ladies fuss over their sorpotels and bebincas and their pork vindaloos and the fragrances of spices and meat and laughter pervade the bylanes of Goa as Christmas trees go up in the porches. You feel welcome, wanted—as if you’ve lived in Goa all along.

The music throbs on the cold breeze that wafts from the seashore, and strangers become friends in the spirit of the moment. You feel the magic in the air as the gracious, warm and enchanting essence of Christmas completely takes over, changing the character of Goa yet again.

The weather is pitched to be able to make the most of the outdoors all day long [and all night long if you wish] and the vibe is infectious. During Christmas, Goa has an unmistakable buzz about it, a zest for celebrating life itself. It feels like a massive carnival has taken over the streets, beaches and churches. This is no longer the place to amble along, but to let your hair down. No more the quiet space but a throbbing, heady, energy-driven zone.

The months from November to February are decidedly edgy, and gloriously merry. The restaurants whip up their most delectable dishes, made-to-order as you want them—traditional and roasted delicacies and desserts laden with coconut and dollops of Goan cheer. Goa, as a tourist guide told me with a wink, has the most tipple joints per square kilometre.

For you, the year around

Irrespective of the season, Goa brings out aspects of yourself that you have lost touch with—helping you get in touch with yourself at fundamental levels. While in Goa, an energetic freedom permeates every pore of your being. It, unequivocally, brings out the best in you. Because, Goa, simply is all about finding—and losing yourself—in all the seasons.

This was first published in the November 2011 issue of Complete Wellbeing.

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