the roads are getting nearer

Monday, April 18, 2005

` Monday, April 18, 2005

I'm currently taking a quick break from work in the office by blogging. It's been awhile since the last entry, but I suppose the only highlight of last week was that I landed in the glorious Karnataka state (ie. Bangalore in a more flashy expression) last Monday late night, thanks to SQ's erratic flight hours into this Indian city.

In case you think I'm here on a holiday, I'm not. Although I wished I was as the lovely resort town of Goa is just an hour's flight away. I remember the last time in Goa was spent at the surreal resort of the Park Hyatt. I had managed to convince all and sundry of my ex-colleagues that it was THE place to go in India, having heard copious amounts of ranting from friends. On a lovely Friday early afternoon, all of us took a Jet Airways flight (the trip was actually very pleasant) there, only to find the area around the airport to be rather unglamorous (ie. primitive grassland and rather shanty-looking houses). Nothing would prepare us for the wondrous sight of the Park Hyatt Goa, a mere 20-minute bumpy ride from the airport. We were greeted by hotel staff clad in neo-trendy uniforms, who led us to the lobby surrounded by a man-made lake, to complete our registration.

Words cannot describe how beautiful the resort is. The raving didn't stop when we realised that the hotel had its own exclusive share of the Cavelossim beach. The entire area was fashioned like a Mediterranean enclave, with pink buildings that housed suites and rooms all encircled by lakes, bridges and greenery. The highlight was the expansive emerald swimming pool, with waterfalls and connecting bridges. We spent at least 60% of our time in the 2 short days there basking in the pool, swimming and soaking in the neighbouring jacuzzi. The beach had its fair share of sun-seekers but the only drawback was that one could end up with black patches of oil while swimming in the ocean.

Don't get me started on the sumptuous Goan fare that was offered at the hotel. It was unforgettable, particularly for semi-carnivores like myself, as the cuisine was very meat-based and the accompanying gravy was always strong in flavour and spices. Given that I have yet to take dinner at this time of the day (plus the fact that 80% of my meals here have been vegetarian-based), I don't think I can pursue this food-o-logue any further.

To top it off, all the girls signed up for an unique spa session where you had 2 female masseuses (or 2 male masseuses if you were male and up for it!) pour hot oil all over you and massage you in synchronised movements. I wouldn't personally call it a 'massage', because as 'liberal' as I've been when it came to spa sessions, this took the prize for stretching the limit of your sense of touch by another individual. In other words, I'd call it "sensory violation" and will leave it to your vivid imagination on the actual method of strokes used. However, it was a really memorable experience for all of us as we figured that would probably be the last time we'd try a synchronised massage at a really affordable price in a 5-star hotel (an hour's session cost a mere S$80!). Our male colleague heaved a huge sigh of relief cancelling the appointment he made when we coyly described the experience as almost X-rated, but with 2 male masseurs, had he taken up the challenge.

Brings back so many memories of December 2003 when I recall this happy weekend break, so much so that I will be more than ecstatic to return to Goa to re-live the entire experience.

Anyway, it's log-off time (my colleagues have finally decided it was time to get out of this chilly office and I can stop looking busy!). Another day's passed, but it's only Tuesday tomorrow! What a bugger.

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