Feb 24, 2009 04:48 PM
3362 Views
My third anniversary in the first week of recession hit February, led wifey and me to look for options close by… with Goa springing up as the unanimous choice.
By the way - adventure, trekking, roughing it out, staying in tents is not our cup of tea – we like to have a lazy peaceful comfortable relaxing, chatting, dancing to some soft music …. cash flows permitting – a luxurious stay !
A friend back with a nice Goan sun tan, recommended we try this new place called The Banyan Soul at Anjuna in Goa. Its called a retreat – not a hotel, not an inn, not a resort – but a retreat ! With a landmark that said behind German Bakery and a call to its Mumbai based, Goa settled owner, Sumit Yardi – a rather accommodating young turk, to block a room, we set out by train – recession yaar !
A rather expensive taxi ride from Thivim station to Anjuna and we followed some well placed direction boards before Star Co junction in Anjuna to get to the Banyan Soul. Those who don’t know this area –
Anjuna, Vagator, Baga, Calangute are the most visited famous beaches of North Goa and even post the popularity of South Goa beaches like Palolem , Bambolim, still attract a large domestic and international tourist crowd.
It also makes the accommodation very pricey. Psst… Anjuna used to be known as the topless beach. First impressions – seemed like a distance away from the main Anjuna hub and looked as if a majestic structure had been plonked rather unceremoniously in the midst of some very green corridor.
The off white and mango yellow building, houses about 12 basic rooms, with a small sit out for each and a small pathway going onto a common pathway. At the back, towering over this majestic structure, a looming large Banyan Tree -magnificent!
Hence the name ! The place is functional, clean and very practical although not a large estate. Rooms aren't large again but fairly adequate. For the couples - bathrooms do not have a bathtub but clean hot and cold showers and a clean English WC.
All 12 rooms are the same.Bachelors and spinsters would’nt care less, me guesses ! The building has an open rooftop which houses a small kitchen which doles out snacks, breakfast, cold drinks, shakes, rolls, etc . No heavy meals here.
But with all those eating joints lining the Anjuna shoreline, why would you want to eat here ? We ate dinner at the Wooden Table Resto(me thinks it was) and albeit a bit pricey for Goa standards – was a greatexperience !
The sea food at Seahorse on the beach was rather disappointing . Lilliput, Curlies and many other joints serve a good fish fare too – if that’s your thing – Goa and all…..then happy indulgence. Don’t be surprised to find a lot of Tibetan, Israeli, Dutch, French, German, Russian fare on the menu – its to cater to the many regular firangs.
Was happy to note that all the infamous incidences at Goa had not discouraged the topless goras / goris from providing a pleasant eyeful…. And I will leave it at that - to avoid giving wifey an explanation for a distracted me at the Seahorse lunch!
The Banyan Soul is a nice, quiet, subtle, little place and my wifey is wailing about this review because she thinks its going to spoil a good secret…. that the Banyan Soul does deliver on its byline - Relax, Refresh , Rediscover.
Folks its not a great place to take your kids to… they’ll be bored. There is no swimming pool, no swings, no see-saws or large running areas….thankfully – I wouldn't want the place crawling with brawling kiddos killing the serenity !
Its not a great place to listen to loud music too… I hope they ban it…. It’s a great place to sit, chat, breathe, think, read. I wish they would NOT even have cable televisions and ACs in all the rooms although these do have a switch off option on your remotes but unfortunately not to your neighbor's room.
The beach is not close by – a ten to twelve minutes walk. The German market with its amazing spread of fresh bread and croissants is – a 30 second walk ! The Flea market on Wednesdays is close by ! Suggest you get a twowheeler – available for daily hire - if going for long walks to the beach, in the hot sun is not your thing.
By two wheelers the shoreline is a 2 min zip. Sumit Yardi – the young owner of this delightful little place is a congenial guy and is a great help for these arrangements including taxis etc.
Dont expect four or five star luxury – you wont get it here ! but if you want to relax and chill at value for money prices, this is really the place to go. Don’t expect a noisy happening place in the middle of chaotic shopper’s paradise or one with night clubs and restos outside the gate.
This is far from that and thankfully so ! Places scouted for in the vicinity with the same provisions were frightfully expensive and in the same price lines, were just awfully down market. I think the Banyan Soul –so aptly named - is great for a bit of soul-searching and discovering yourself and a dear one, something most of us never get time and opportunity for! It lets you be …
Lets you do your thing …. at a pace you decide. No pressure. No stress. No hurry. Now I know why they call it a RETREAT . And so please dont spoil it… I’m looking forward to many weekend
breaks there!
