Proud to be More Indian Than You Think

I had gone to Rome for during my summer holidays as part of my project. I was to work as an intern there. I had left my country with great enthusiasm thinking of all the wonderful experiences that I would gain on my foreign sojourn.

Soon after I arrived I found myself surrounded by complete strange, I was in a foreign land. The language was different and the culture was new. I felt lost and homesick. Here people kept to themselves and what ever little conversation happened it was in Italian. I was finding it difficult to adjust to the local food. I was mostly surviving on my moms home made cookies, samosas and other savory snack along with home made pickle that I had carried from India.

I did not know how I was going to manage my two weeks stay. On the fourth day things suddenly changed as I was walking on the street. A group of young girls stopped by my side and looked at me with curiosity and interest. They pointed to the bindi (red vermilon mark) on my forehead and asked me in Italian as to what it was?

Although I did not know their language but I could get a gist of what they were trying to ask. I took out a packet of the multicoloured bindi's from my purse and handed it to them to see.

I signaled to them to try them out. This made them greatly excited and they laughed with pleasure as I helped them to apply the bindi to their forehead.

My Indian bindi had become a means of bridging the cultural divide between us. Now I was not alone and it was no longer a strange country for me as I had found friends who helped me in exploring the city to the fullest.

I even learnt a few words of Italian and taught them a few words of Hindi. At the end of the stay I had plenty of happy memories and a few good friends. As I headed back home I felt really proud of the fact that my Indianness had become a boom for me.

Where ever we Indians go we take a part of India with us. People around the world see us for our Indianness and associate with are culture. We are #MoreIndianThanYouThink  bit.ly/2oQTj8q

Luxury unlimited at the LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa

Luxury means different things to different people. For the connoisseur true luxury begins where the ordinary ends. So the decision of staying at the LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa was prompted by the decision of staying in ultimate luxury.

When I landed at the Goa airport the tarmac was wet as there had been a slight drizzle. By the time I stepped out of the Airport the weather had cleared out. As part of my hotel booking at the The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa, I had got a complimentary pickup and drop from the airport.

So I sat into the car sent to pick me up by The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa and thus began my journey of a luxurious and comfortable stay at the LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa.

When I entered the hotel premises it was a sprawling stretch of green as far as the eyes could see. I found well pruned and maintained golf course on one side and I noticed well trimmed shrub foliage used to create beautiful gardensaround the hotel resort structure.

I felt as if I had stepped into a regal estate. I passed through a small pond before the car stopped at the main portico.

I was given a ceremonious welcome with a garland. I was offered a

glass of cool Kokum juice as a welcome drink. It not only quenched my thirst but also

refreshed me.

By the time I finished my welcome drink the Check in in formalities had been

completed and a room had been allotted to me. Even my luggage had been delivered to

my room.

Entering my room I found it to be quite spacious and roomy. It had airconditioning and large windows covered by drapes. Removing the drapes let in the sunlight and my room was drenched in the golden glow of the sun rays that made my room seem even more brighter and lively.

On inspecting my room I noticed the beds to be very comfortable.There was a Tea

and coffee maker in the room and so was a mini bar.The use of Coffee and Tea

maker was free and the supplies were replenished on a daily basis.

The use of Mini bar and the packed snack was on a paid basis.

As part of my welcome gift I got a jar full of Banana Chips and Goa's famous salted cashews.

My room was so located that I could just be on my bed and enjoy the view of the outside from my room itself. However the luxury of staying at a beach resort gets that much more better if it has an exclusive beach to go with it.
I stepped out of my room and passed through a large sprawling garden and a lush

green lawn before I felt the soft beach sand beneath my feet. In front of me was a vast streach of Arabian sea streaching to as far as the eyes could see.

After all I was in South Goa at the luxurious resort The LaLiT Golf & Spa

Resort Goa. And what a sight and feel it was the sun was setting and it felt

like it is gently melting into the Arabian sea turing it into bright orange.

The cool breeze coming from the ocean felt so good. As I entered the waters the sand beneath my feet quivered and ticklishly massaged the sole of my feet. With not a soul around the entire beach was at my disposable.It was indeed an incredible feeling.

Since it would soon be quite dark I thought that I should not venture too deep into the waters as the waves were getting stronger with the passage of time. So Instead of the ocean I headed towards the swimming pool that had a few guests siting and lazing in the light of the setting sun. Others were swimming and having a good time in the pool. I swam a couple of laps and the pleasantly

cool water relieved me of all the stress and strain of travel or rather what was left of it.

However swimming made me very hungry and I headed to explore the food options.

For that evening I chose to eat at Canacona which is a 24 hour multi cuisine restaurant present within the resort and serves a variety of food options ranging from authentic à la carte Goan dishes to Indian, Oriental and Continental specialities. Additionally, there is breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet. The highlight of the restaurant is the open kitchen with a live pizza oven serving thin crust pizzas with choice of toppings.

 Another structure that I had noticed while going to the pool was the brightly lit structure next to the pool. It was called Gazebo

Located adjacent to the swimming pool. It was a Polynesian-themed sunken bar which I was told opens seasonally and it offered

sandwiches,

burgers,

hot dogs,

salads,

a range of mocktails and cocktails. Based on its perfect ambience and quick service I would give it a ten on ten.

I had a couple of friend who had come to meet me and we headed towards Veri Feni, the must go to place in the evenings. The ambience was bright and I noticed the place was decorated with paintings of famous cartoonist Mario Miranda, This place offers a variety of cocktails, wines, beers, spirits, liqueurs and cigars.

We had the option to play a game of pool or cards. If nothing else we could catch some live sporting action at the large TV there.

Next day I had booked my lunch at Sirocco. 

Sirocco is a great place to go for lunch and dinner as the master chef offers some delectable Mediterranean cuisine.

With a view of the Arabian Sea and the swimming pool the food tastes that much better.

A lot of People come to Goa to try their luck at the Casino. Staying at the LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa I had the luxury of stepping out of my room and stepping right into the Casino that is present on the premises itself.

If Goan Cuisine is your thing then head towards Cortas as it serves authentic Goan cuisine. Another attraction of this place is that in the afternoon it offers “sun-downer cocktails” which one can enjoy while watching the sun go down and disappear from the horizon.

Next day after breakfast I headed to try my hand at a game of golf. Having a stay at a beach golf course has its advantages. Whenever you feel it is getting too hot you can take a dip into the pool or sit in shade at the beach and count the waves and watch the boats go by. The possibilities are endless

image credits:http://www.thelalit.com

“I am blogging about my luxury stay experience for an activity at BlogAdda in association with MakeMyTrip“

Luxury at its best at Vivanta By Taj Madikeri

Vivanta By Taj Madikeri is the best choice to stay when on a trip to Coorg. This upscale resort set in 73 hectares of rainforest. It lies 8 km from the 17th-century Madikeri Fort and 13 km from the scenic Abbey Falls.

This family-friendly Madikeri hotel is located in the mountains, 4.5 km from Gaddige Raja's Tomb, and within 10 km of Raja's Seat and Madikeri Fort.

Abbey Falls is 13.4 km away. Its one of the best luxury resorts in Coorg. After leading a Hectic and

stressful life this hotel is the perfect place to rediscover yourself.

To travel to and stay at the Vivanta by Taj – Madikeri, Coorg is akin to traveling to the bosom of a 180-acre rainforest and take in and soak in the glorious sights and sounds of raw, untamed natural environments. The hills of Coorg are alive with more than 250 species of plants.

The beauty of this hotel is is even though it is constructed amidst nature, not a single rock has been displaced. Viewing the Coorg style structures are the sure shot way to melt away stress.

The sight of sloping roofs, pillars, open-to-sky entrances and mundu mane – a central courtyard surrounded by rooms that open into it are built in a traditional architectural style that transports you to a different era. The spacious 850-square-foot rooms are fully loaded, with luxury and comfort.

These structures are steeped in heritage. Do you know why?

The Superior Charm room draws inspiration from Coorg style houses – the sloping roofs, pillars, open-to-sky entrances and mundu mane, which is the structural veil of kinle work used by prospective brides to check out eligible bachelors.

Be charmed by the large windows, which offer a spectacular view of the rain-forest and the valley below. The view makes the room look much larger. The Coorg life comes alive in the oil paintings that adorn the walls. The stylish, stone-clad bathrooms beckon with a bathtub and invigorating rain shower invite you to take a bath and unwind.

All the rooms in this category have

International direct dial facility,

A minibar, tea/coffee maker,

24-hour room service and television with satellite programmes.

The 1-bedroom villas offer balconies, fireplaces and plunge pools.

I found that I could do a number of things at the hotel Vivanta By Taj Madikeri.

Vivanta Conservatory – a conservatory that preserves and narrates the history, culture and arts of Coorg.

Fitness centre - Stay fit. Stay healthy.Personal trainers and instructors (available on request) are always

available.Equipped with Life Fitness circuit training and cardio machines. Free weights.

2,500-square-feet Pottery Studio has an artiste in residence as well as a Clay Station,where one can make own crafts with clay.

One of the top things to do in Coorg is definitely to relax. Pamper and rejuvenate in the luxury spa and enjoy the traditional wood-fired Gudda bath experience at the Jiva Grande Spa.

There is a 2,000 square feet Activity Centre with Xbox gaming, billiards table, virtual golf, PlayStation consoles and board games.

Temperature controlled Infinity pool.

There are 4 dining options including an international restaurant and a poolside grill, as well as a hip bar.

There is something for everyone at Vivanta by Taj – Madikeri. Come discover the luxury as I did.

 “I am blogging about my luxury stay experience for an activity at BlogAdda in association with MakeMyTrip“