Another Goa!

Spent three glorious days in Goa after a long, long time. Glad we opted for a Villa instead of the standard 'resort'. We were lucky with our gorgeous villa ( found it on a website called 'Lazydays'). It was clearly built by someone with enormous good taste in 1940. 'Josephine Villa' is located in a sleepy village called Chicholim, and is the perfect place for a family break. Built in the classical Indo-Portugese style, it has five bedrooms and all the comforts of home, including en efficient, friendly chef called Seema who produces Goan delicacies like chicken cafreal and xacuti, besides whipping up great breakfasts in a dream kitchen.
But it was really 'La Plage' that did it for me. I used to love 'Le Restaurant' in the old days. It was run by three very beautiful French people - Florence, Serge and Morgan.When it shut shop, I was devastated! Now the threesome has come up with 'La Plage' ( The Beach), and what a place it is! A little distance from Morjim, it is an informal restaurant where one can kick off footwear and feel silky, powdery white sand between the toes. It stays open all day, starting with Florence's 'serious' breakfast. But it is the sundowner crowd that makes it special. There are two restaurants in Goa which are designed for sunset watching. This one, and the Greek Thalassa. But my vote goes to La Plage , where the food is exquisite and the crowd, very international.
I'd gladly go back for more ! More of Josephine , too. The Turkish lady who owns the property has done it up so beautifully, it makes residents feel they are in Istanbul, while still retaining a distinctive Goa touch.
Of course, the creepy, sinister Russians are everywhere! Goa is possibly the only state in India where certain areas are out of bounds for Indians! The signages are in Russian, the currency used is Russian, the food served is Russian. And there are only Russians wherever you look! Indian citizens are threatened and chased out by the Russian mafia. This remote corner of Goa has become a haven for drugs and prostitution. Why can't local cops do anything about it? The answer is obvious! Local activists stay away as well since they fear for their lives. These burly Russian men are armed and dangerous. It's the sort of 'exclusive' expose Arnab should consider for his channel.