It has an energy that I find completely magnetic: beautiful beaches, incredible food, a rich cultural history and a pace that truly invites you to slow down.
asserted
that → have → you
It feels both vibrant and restorative.
asserted
It → feel → ?
We are very fortunate to spend a lot of time at Kahani Paradise, a boutique hotel my husband runs, which brings us to the region once or twice a year.
asserted
which → spend → region
I was last there in April with my family and some of my oldest school friends.
Where do you like to stay there?
Naturally, we spend most of our time at Kahani Paradise.
asserted
we → like → Paradise
It sits between the jungle and the Arabian Sea, with only six suites and an almost-private beach.
asserted
It → sit → suites
It is wonderfully secluded, the sort of place where you arrive and immediately exhale.
asserted
you → arrive → place
My mouth waters thinking about it!
asserted
mouth → water → it
I prefer it served simply with paratha and rice.
asserted
it → prefer → paratha
What would you do if you only had 24 hours there?
asserted
you → do → hours
I would begin slowly, with sunrise yoga and meditation, followed by a dosa and fresh papaya juice for breakfast, then swim and spend the morning by the sea.
asserted
I → begin → sea
Lunch would be a traditional thali, followed by a massage or an afternoon with a book by the pool.
asserted
Lunch → follow → pool
I would end the day with a sundowner, dinner under the stars and absolutely nowhere else to be.
asserted
I → end → stars
If I’m feeling active, there is plenty to do, like hiking, kayaking at dawn or dolphin watching on a boat ride in the bay.
asserted
I → feel → bay
I sometimes hop in a Jeep to experience the local town and its markets.
asserted
I → hop → town
Bomras in Anjuna for exceptional Burmese food; Gunpowder in Assagao for its brilliant South Indian cooking and lively garden setting; and Hosa in Siolim, which serves contemporary South Indian food in the most beautiful old Indo-Portuguese bungalow.
asserted
which → serve → bungalow
What is the one unmissable thing you recommend doing?
asserted
you → recommend → ?
At Kahani, you can kayak through the estuary where the river meets the Arabian Sea, or take a dolphin boat ride at sunset.
asserted
river → kayak → sunset
It is incredibly peaceful and gives you an entirely different perspective on the landscape.
asserted
It → give → landscape
Is there a hidden gem you are willing to share?
asserted
you → share → ?
It is secluded, unspoilt and still feels like a genuine secret.
asserted
It → feel → secret
Reaching it through the jungle makes it feel even more magical.
asserted
it → reach → jungle
Where do you like to let your hair down?
asserted
you → like → hair
I’m happiest over a long, barefoot dinner that begins with sunset drinks and has no fixed ending.
asserted
that → ’m → ending
Goa does relaxed celebration particularly well — it never needs to feel too formal or orchestrated.
asserted
it → do → celebration
We love a basil smash or a piña colada at Howie’s Hut at sunset, overlooking Paradise Beach.
asserted
We → love → Beach
Who do you call to have a good time there?
You’d never guess, but my favourite person is our Swami-ji (Hindu guru) who lives nearby in her ashram.
asserted
who → call → ashram
She’s originally Australian and has an incredibly dry sense of humour.
asserted
She → ’ → humour
We love spending time with her and hearing her life stories while eating dessert first!
asserted
We → love → dessert
Paper Boat Collective in Sangolda, housed in a century-old Portuguese villa, is beautifully curated with independent Indian fashion, jewellery, ceramics and homeware.
asserted
Collective → house → fashion
I also love Rangeela in Assagao for colourful resortwear, textiles and pieces for the home.
asserted
I → love → home
The one thing you would bring home as a souvenir?
A sarong always!
asserted
you → bring → souvenir
I also love something handmade by a local artisan — a piece of jewellery, a beautiful textile or ceramics for the table.
asserted
I → love → table
I love souvenirs that can become part of everyday life rather than simply sitting on a shelf.
asserted
that → love → shelf
Your packing essential?
A beautifully cut kaftan that works over swimwear during the day or a Lucy Folk or P Johnson sarong.
asserted
that → cut → day
For the evening I love linen dresses by Bondi Born with oversized, fun summery jewellery — plus an excellent SPF, always.
asserted
I → love → jewellery
I love the Augustinus Bader for face, and the Sarah Chapman if I need a tint.
asserted
I → love → tint
A song that reminds you of the place?
Sunset Lover by Petit Biscuit.
asserted
that → remind → Biscuit
Everything should feel light, uncomplicated and capable of taking you straight from the beach to dinner.
asserted
Everything → feel → dinner
Have you ever had an emergency incident there?
asserted
you → have → incident
Luckily we haven’t — I’ve travelled there pregnant, and with our little babies, and never had a problem.
asserted
I → have → problem
…and 5 more, not listed.
The Aporia
