My lovely Feyza…
Life put us together in university, then made us neighbors, then threw us on separate continents when her prince came on a white horse and took her away to Switzerland and my path led me back to Dubai… but this did not separate us.
She was supposed to fly to Dubai to visit me.
Sometimes you shouldn’t do what you’re supposed to do.
‘Why not Goa instead?’ she said. I love those two words, why not indeed!
Off we went from our respective continents to India. Works out perfectly as I do have a promise to Selim and Angelica that I would meet them there and there is a lot of mutual excitement in the air.
Speaking of air I am flying Air Arabia again. Takes off from Sharjah and goes directly to Goa. Air India also had direct flights but was limited with choice of days and timings. Prices are very similar when you incorporate the taxi fare to get to Sharjah Airport from Dubai (unless you are happy to take the Air Arabia coach from Lamcy Plaza). Sitting in the same spot again.
Night flight. Feyza and I meet in the airport in Goa around 7 am. Cliche but so true – it is as if we saw each other yesterday! Can’t believe it has been 10 years (except for Skype) considering the instant connection as well as how she looks and acts *exactly* like she did 10 years ago, bubbly giggle and all!
The streets of Goa as we head to the resort.
I am happy that we have both calmed down to the same level since our party-hard rock-chick days. Our hippy souls seem to be more on the forefront now. This is the place we pick: Ashiyana Yoga Resort.
The dining area at Ashiyana.
No shoes, no noise, little ponds, fresh flowers… so pretty.
We are waiting for the room to be prepared.
We choose the beach huts not because they are the most reasonably priced but because they are super cute! We had a choice of having the bathroom inside the hut or a shared one outside. We opt for the inside one. We get to see a few rooms and seems like the rooms that are not ensuite are slightly bigger.
The yoga halls at the Ashiyana – serenity!
Great location – 60 seconds through a lush path to get us to the beach.
Takes us a few minutes’ walk towards the other direction to get into the main street (pretty much the only street) of Mandrem.
Seems you are categorized depending on the beach you choose in Goa. We selected Mandrem which means we are calm, appreciate quiet places, want to do yoga and perhaps have a glass of wine or a bottle of Kingfisher or two and be in bed before Cinderella. If you choose Anjuna you are total party animal and want to do other things, all of which are terribly bad for your health, Arambol means you want to meditate on the beach and if you go to Morjim beach it means you are Russian.
We drop by a supermarket to get some nibbles and snacks to take back to our room. Wonder if this sign has ever deterred anyone who has thieving fingers and zero conscience…
She looks like she has things other than cheese on her mind…
Goa shopping tip!
Selim and Angelica have been in Goa now for a few months. We will meet with them soon but they have a tip for us before we follow our female instincts and do some unnecessary random shopping: when you are given a price, offer less than half. Wait for the rejection. Turn and pretend to walk away. Wait for the counter-offer to come shooting from behind you which is quite a bit over half. Offer a little over half and a little under quite a bit over half – get it?? Then get it!
Unless you are in this shop in Mandrem.
Tibetan Handicrafts & Jewlellery run by the very cool and mysterious Tenzin. He gives you the correct price and denies you the pleasure of haggling (spoken like a true Turk). He has beautiful silver jewelry, summer dresses and Tibetan shawls, throws, foot-cosies (new word hehe – the chubby big brother of socks) the full gorgeous works. You can find him on the main (and only) street right next to Shanti Massage Centre, or as we came to think of it, HEAVEN!
Feyza and myself are still feeling the pain of the night flight. We treat ourselves to a massage. This is Shanti herself. A happy woman with an iron handshake. She gives me a little taster of her fingers working magic and I instantly fall in love with her and tell her so. Sold! We try the 1.5 hour rejuvenation massage. It is absolute bliss for me!!! Feyza has to switch to a male masseur as she wants a little more pressure. I have never had a male masseur but Feyza says it was a very innocent experience. Hats off to this lovely lady who has small little Shanti huts all over Mandrem.
We head back to the Ashiyana and have our guilt-free organic dinner and pass out in our post-massage high, in our gorgeous beach-huts, Indiana-Jones style.
