Over the last few years, I have visited Goa so often that now it ceases to surprise me. From the jazzy clubs to the susegad charm of Canacona, my Goan travel tales have been so experience-rich that nothing was left to tick off the bucket list. (Or so I thought). However, one visit to Cabo Serai, a luxury retreat in the heart of South Goa, popped my illusion that the land of sun and beaches has nothing left to offer me anymore.
My taxi took off from Dabolim Airport, and an hour-and-a-half later, I had left behind the familiar sights of Goa to reach a mud road leading to the property, which was perched almost 100 ft atop a secluded hill. The sun shone with a ferocity I had not seen in a while, and the waters of the Arabian Sea in front took on a shade of blue only seen in glossy Bollywood movies. A few winding stone steps led down to the Cabo de Rama beach, but the picturesque view of the sea from amongst the coconut trees made me halt every once in a while. Instead of stopping to smell the roses, I was stopping to breathe in the fresh sea air.