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Goa Events

Valentine’s Day Goa

Are you planning to celebrate this Valentine’s Day in Goa ?

Then you are certainly won’t be alone. For some reason, Goa seems to be the No. 1 Valentine’s Day destination for Couples.

Unfortunately, Valentine’s Day seems to have an image that is as cliched as can be. Celebrated across the world as a day of love and romance, Valentine’s Day offers Couples the perfect chance to reaffirm their true love for each other. Unfortunately, this chance to tell your partner or wife or husband how much you love him or her seems to be overshadowed by the crass commerce that is generated on this day. From red heart-shaped balloons to cuddly teddy bears, from card shops overflowing with heart shaped cards to splashes of pink across the city, it seems to be that Valentine’s Day is all about shopping. But contrary to public opinion, the concept of Valentine’s Day had very different beginnings. 

While doing research on the net for this article, I read that legend has it that in 269 AD, a Roman priest named St.Valentine was martyred for refusing to give up his religion. Before he died, St Valentine left a note for the jailor’s daughter, who had become his friend during his time in prison, signed “From Your Valentine”. Since he died on February 14th, Pope Gelasius declared the 14th of February to be Valentine’s day to honour St.Valentine. The romantic connotations to the festival seem to have developed over the centuries, with the image of the angel Cupid and his bow and arrow, overshadowing the original legend of St. Valentine. 

What few foreigners and Indians know is that India has been a land of love for many years before Valentine’s Day began to be celebrated in the west. Although the concept of Kama Sutra is a popular one in the west, few people know that  India has its own version of Cupid. Kamdev or Kama Deva is the Hindu God of Love. Indeed, I had never heard of Kamadeva before I did research for this article. Depicted with a flowery bow in ancient Hindu myths and mythology, he strikes lovers with his love arrows and thus ensures undying love for generations to come. However, like Kama Sutra, it seems that this mythical figure has been forgotten by Indians themselves, who prefer to look towards the west for romantic inspiration. 

In India, most Indian couples celebrate Valentine’s day like their counterparts in the west by exchanging gifts, chocolates and Valentine’s Day cards. Indian metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore are full of roses, cupids, cuddly teddy bears and heart-shaped balloons as shops try to drown out each other in a sea of red and pink. But it seems that this fixation on gifts and Valentine’s Day has spread to smaller cities and it is not surprising to see cities such as Mysore, Pune or other tier 2 cities dowsed in bright pink. Watching a movie on Valentine’s Day seems to be a popular pass time and it is not uncommon to find long lines stretching in front of multiplexes in the metros. Apart from the movies, many couples also make reservations for romantic dinners in some of the city’s finest restaurants or plan romantic holidays to nearby cities for the Valentine’s Day weekend.

Among Indian cities, Goa seems to be the most popular choice for Couples looking for a quick romantic getaway. Goan hotels, restaurants and beaches become choc-a-bloc as Couples from neighbouring states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka headed to Goa via road while couples from cities further away such as Delhi or Kolkata fly down on one of the many low cost airlines. Couples from across India  appreciate the laid back, romantic atmosphere that Goa has to offer during the festival of love. Besides, Goa has been thankfully spared from the protests from conservative Hindu groups against Valentine’s Day, that mar the celebration in the rest of the country. Couples are free to hold hands, hug and openly display their love for each other without having to watch their backs for the so called moral-police.

The Goans themselves celebrate Valentine’s Day with an zest and enthusiasm that is typical of their passionate nature as they express their undying love for one another.

The morning dailies in Goa such as the Times of India, Herald or Navhind Times are usually splashed with messages from love struck couples to one another. Like the shops, the newspapers to wear a bright pink look with a number of advertisements looking to capitalise on the Valentine spirit. Love-struck Couples can be seen at many of Goa’s popular beaches walking aimlessly hand-in-hand, just happy to spend time with each other. In the evenings and indeed throughout the day, the local Goan restaurants are filled with couples gazing deeply into each others eyes (as if they were eye specialists! – as a friend once quipped), completely oblivious of everyone and everything around them – the waiters, the menu or the food on the table getting cold.  

Over the years, Goa too has become more and more commercialised, with gift shops, card shops and restaurants doing the best business in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. Large red hearts and big, cuddly teddy bears greet you at the entrances to most shops and restaurants. Not just shops, even bakeries, music stores, coffee shops, theatres, jewellery, watch shops and malls gleefully sport the Valentine look with lip-smacking offers (pun intended!) in an attempt to entice couples to show their undying love for each other in material terms.

All in all, it looks like this year’s Valentine’s Day in Goa is going to be a hectic one for both shops and couples alike. Happy Valentine’s Day!

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Goa than to stay in a Romantic Suite at The Mitaroy, Goa ?

Book your romantic Valentine Goa Package today! 

Mitaroy Hotel in Goa

Christmas in Goa

My mother Dr Laura Nayak blogs from Goa:

In the past 27 years I have always spent Christmas in Bangalore with family and friends apart from once or twice in Delhi or Mumbai. But this time, with our son’s Hotel in Goa, my husband and I decided to experience Christmas in Goa like true Goans.

We reached here on18th December to a really chilly morning (most unlike our earlier Goan experiences where the weather was hot and sunny) On the 19th of December, Goa celebrated 50 years of Goan Liberation. We spent the day reading the whole story of Goan Liberation in different papers and then watching all the schools in the neighbourhood take out parades with drums and slogans in different directions. The Government of Goa also organised several programmes, among them the honouring of the famous architect Charles Correa – the world renowned son of the soil whose fame has spread far beyond the shores of his native state of Goa. Following which, there were several musical events and speeches.

Slowly the city of Panjim is getting dressed up for Christmas – the old heritage houses and hotels are painstakingly decorated with stars, Christmas trees and colourful lanterns. Lots of Santas and people singing carols in the church square.

When I was young, we youngsters used to go carol singing in Delhi from one Christian/Catholic house to another and to the Embassies as well. We were always offered plum cake, “kuswar” (a traditional Goan/Mangalorean sweet), sweet wine and given money which went for a charitable cause – Our reward was a lovely picnic after New Year.

In Goa, they have a different tradition. People of all ages dressed in Santa caps and stoles and carrying colourful lanterns walk the streets singing christmas carols to spread Christmas Cheer in the neighbourhood of Fontainhas, for both Christians and Non Christians alike. They warmly welcomed me to the group and I must say I really enjoyed reliving my childhood experience.

Most Christian households in Goa are busy making “kuswar” (with some just buying from the nearest bakery) and cakes, putting up the crib and Christmas trees. Apart from the regular stores selling Christmas decorations, several makesift ones have come up across the neighbourhood of Fontainhas. Stars of different sizes and colours have come up. And of course everyone is making the rich plum cake and different wines to share with friends and family. One old neighbour even asked me whether I’ve got my new dress ready!!!

Tomorrow we get ready for the open – air midnight mass, in front of the Church singing lots of christmas carols (the choirs have been practising seriously for the past few days) and after greeting each other come home for cake and wine.

Then to get up on Christmas Day and enjoy the festive feeling, exchange sweets with neighbours and friends and settle down to a hearty Christmas lunch.

Merry Christmas to All!

BACKSTORY

Our Philosophy

When I stay away from home, I like to know where I am, not by looking at the masthead on the writing paper or the logo on the absurdly thick bath towels, but by feeling part of the place. I certainly don’t want to stay in a room with a corporate ‘house style’ that has been ‘tweaked’ to reflect the destination, but to stay somewhere that is rich with what I like to call a ‘sense of place’.  I suppose what I am after is a certain local distinctiveness and integrity.

When I choose somewhere to stay, it means everything to me that the building is made of local materials, that it has a history and has been restored or repaired with care. 

In the morning, I am not particularly interested in an extravagant breakfast buffet. What appeals to me more is locally produced food that has been cooked simply and with respect. 

Yes, in the past I have liked room service to answer my call in three rings, or that there’s a fax on hand 24/7, but what really matters to me now seems to go much deeper than that.

Now, I need to know the effect that our choice of accommodation will have on the local environment, how it enriches the local community and the lives of those who work there, whether it cares about sustainability and the future of the area in which it stands.

I value local colour and flavour and the time in which to experience it.

A sense that I am staying somewhere that brings good rather than harm or, worse, indifference to the place in which it stands…

Adapted from Nigel Slater’s Foreword to Go Slow England

Mitaroy Hotel in Goa

Musings of a Journalist

A 4 Suite Hotel only for Couples, the Mitaroy Goa Hotel is located in the UNESCO Heritage Zone of Fontainhas. Fontainhas is quietly tucked away from all the hustle and bustle of Panjim, yet is only a few minutes walk to the Panjim Jetty. Known as Asia’s only Latin Quarter, Fontainhas is quaint, quiet and pollution-free – an idyllic bastion of the old Portuguese times.

The property itself is an over 200-year-old Portuguese Bungalow, carefully restored by one of India’s most respected architects who has created a happy blend of the old and the new – an inviting water-body at the entrance, terra-cotta floor-tiles, typical white walls, exposed laterite stone walls, wooden staircase, large French windows, old doors, a relaxing red-oxide balcao to while away the time of the day.

The Suites are spacious near 1000 sq feet with a lounge, bedroom, bath and balcony or garden area. Antique furniture, airconditioning, modern toilets, hand made toiletries, crisp bed-linen and caring service blend seamlessly to offer the discerning guest a memorable stay.

Couples staying at the Mitaroy Goa Hotel experience life in the slow lane – cats stretched out lazily on window-sills, fisher-women doing her rounds, replete in her marathi-style sari, bakers with their hot Goan “pav” breads tooting along on their cycle. Fontainhas is seemingly an idyllic “vaddo” (village) but just a stone’s throw from city-centre. A walk through the narrow lanes and quaint bye-lanes of Fontainhas makes for quite an unforgettable romantic experience.

In congruence with the leisurely lifestyle of the Goans, breakfast is served at a time of your choice (none of the hustle and bustle of a typical hotel buffet). Bacon, salami, boiled-eggs, fresh fruit & fruit-juice, Goan pav bread, aloo bhaji, butter, natural fruit jam, marmalade, cheese and freshly brewed coffe or tea.

Lunch and dinner are not served at the Mitaroy Goa Hotel. Instead, guests are encouraged to wander and visit the typical local Goan restaurants and sample the local fare – typical Goan cuisine at Linda’s, fusion cuisine at Venite (Latin for “Oh Come” ) or a typical Portuguese food at the Horseshoe restaurant – that is in abundance in and around Fontainhas. For entertainment, the local hotspot “Down The Road” or the casinos with their jettys just a 5 minute walk away beckon the daring. A boat cruise at sundown on the Mandovi River, a romantic movie at the Inox multiplex cinema or window shopping at the swank, new Caculo Mall nearby are pleasant ways to while away your time.

Jack, your natty caretaker & guide will be happy to assist with any longer journeys you may wish to make to the beach, Old Goa, Mangueshi Temple or the famous bird sanctuary in Diwar. He might even take you for a walkabout in the Fontainhas area, known for its heritage walk circuit.

Innumerable options to keep you busy on the 4 Day 3 Night Romantic Package with late check out option if you so wish comes with a price tag of Euros 100 per night.

For more information and pictures, check out their website at http://www.mitaroygoahotel.com or mail them at mitaroygroup@gmail.com (call 0-9448087708). For those living in Europe, Mihir Nayak, the young Austria-based owner is available at mihhirnayak@gmail.com (call 0043-6802303682).

Goa Restaurants and Bars

Viva Panjim Restaurant Goa

Just a 5 minute stroll away from my Mitaroy Goa Hotel in the neighbourhood of Fontainhas is a small restaurant that serves the best prawn curry rice I have ever eaten.

Panjim, the capital of Goa, is known for its amazing restaurants. I know people who stay in North Goa but still come to Panjim every day to try out the restaurants here.

Viva Panjim, located in a Heritage Home in the UNESCO Heritage Zone of Fontainhas in Panjim, is a real treat for sea food lovers. Popularized by the Lonely Planet Guide and the Rough Guide, you can see foreign tourists making a beeline towards the restaurant which is tucked away in a quiet, side street.

Whenever we eat at Viva Panjim, we prefer to sit outside on the portico rather than inside this heritage house. A Goan feni with lime is a great way to start off the meal, with a side order of fried mussels. I then move on to my favourite prawn curry rice accompanied by another round of Goan feni with lime.

The consistency of the prawn curry is just right – not too thick and not too watery. The ingredients in the prawn curry rice are secret but the result is a unique, orangish hue. The portion is really large with a good serving of rice and atleast 6 huge prawns.

The Owner of Viva Panjim and a family friend of ours, Linda sits at her desk every day and keeps a sharp eye on the waiters to see if they are doing their job. Linda’s stern face breaks into a smile when a new guest walks in. She knows most customers who are either old friends or loyal guests and she greets them by name. 

Most first time guests swear by Viva Panjim and quite often, you see familiar faces of guests who religiously visit Viva Panjim for at least one meal every day.

Once we polish off the last of the rice and prawn curry and wash it down with a last Goan feni with lime, it is time to slowly make our way back to our private Suite at my Mitaroy Goa Hotel and partake of a very welcome afternoon Siesta!

Stay Romantic!

Mihir