Everyone speaks of the famous Goan hospitality. Few people live it.
Owners of a Aldona Goa Homestay, the Amarals are a fine example of everything the majestic Goa stands for. I am not new to homestays, but never have I revealed so much of my heart to a stranger and felt such a part of their home.
“How do you welcome someone you do not even know with so much trust and grace? How do you let them in and be part of your lives so easily?”, I ask both of them multiple times in different words each time. The answer is somewhat in the lines of “It’s not always easy, but at the end of the day definitely fulfilling.”
Cancio’s house is a 500-year-old property in a picture-perfect village called Aldona in North Goa run by Roberto and Raquel, and my mind has been set to explore this place since the day I decided to take a small break to appreciate this year’s monsoon in Goa. A few years ago, I had told myself I am never visiting Goa again, after realizing the damage tourism has done to Goa and the lives of native Goans. The five stars with their utter disregard for Goan locals and their way of life, the immigrants who are slowly stripping the place off its trusting nature and safety, the famous bars and pubs that are a growingly valid excuse for city dwellers and tourists to fall over each other and vomit wherever they please, and last but not the least, the families that come in groups and leave a trail of plastic and garbage making irreparable damages to the beautiful landscapes in Goa.
This year, I decided to give Goa another chance, and I reminded myself of all the things I never saw, to begin with. I also remembered I always went with large groups or a small set of friends, and that was a different experience from a different time. This was going to be a very different kind of trip. The allure of traveling after so long gave me such a kick that within an hour of research I was convinced I am going to spend most of my time in a Aldona Goa homestay, and I am going to stay with the Amarals.
After a disastrous flight experience, courtesy Spice jet, (never booking them again) I boarded the cab that I had booked through Roberto and the 1-hour journey towards the Aldona Goa homestay began. It was 7:30 a.m. in the morning and the rain welcomed me with dark green trees on either side of the road. There was no trace of traffic; I reached Cancio’s house in an hour and I saw Raquel walking through the front door to help me with my luggage. There was something so familiar and so warm about this entire first impression. Roberto was not at home, and I felt guilty to have landed up so early in the morning, and I was glad to know the Amarals are early risers.
My room was almost ready, and Raquel invited me for a cup of tea, and casually ended giving me a tour of the entire house, which is really huge by the way. I met the three adorable dogs who were somehow sleepier than I was, I wondered how that was possible.
As I sat in the Amaral dining room full of vintage corners, with the beautiful Maria, Roberto’s mom and Simba snoozing in a corner, Raquel and I shared some interesting background on each other and where we come from. In less than an hour, Roberto shows up with the most cheerful smile I have seen and the freshest hot chicken patties I’ve ever eaten. They come from a local bakery, I think the name is “Sebs” I am not sure.
Meeting Roberto is like coming out in the sunshine. He is one of the most genuine people I have ever met, and he will make you feel like home, wherever you come from. 🙂 The moment he speaks, you can make out his passion for the old house, and how invested he and Raquel are in its maintenance and the homestay experience. Raquel is a warm, fun person who I felt was also super strong – strong enough to manage a beast of a Aldona Goa homestay, raise three adorable boys and still manage to find the time to connect with a stranger. I wish I could connect with more people the way we did, without small talk or any kind of negativity. I spent almost a couple of hours just chatting with the family before I even saw my room. How is that for a homestay experience?
When I contacted Roberto, both the cottages were sold out and they gave me an option to stay on the first floor of the house, which is part of the main building, and not separated like the cottages. It is a beautiful big room, with old furniture and a lot lot lot of space, which is ideal for someone like me who likes to bask in their solitude. It was perfect and I fell in love with it at the very first sight. 🙂 Hey Roberto, if you are reading this – THANK YOU for letting me live in a house full of so many beautiful memories and experiences, and for being so nice to me
Here are some of my favourite moments from the Aldona Goa Homestay:
The cute little main gate of my Aldona Goa homestay
85 year old Maria and her exquisite work with stitches
Maria and the dogs are inseparable
Simba is the chief protector of this Aldona Goa homestay 🙂
