At Coco Shambhala, you won’t have to choose between the mountains or the beach

It’s a short flight followed by a long but quite a beautiful drive to Coco Shambhala. We’re hungry and parched. There’s a table laden with food, a view of the sea and you hurriedly chomp down whatever comes your way. Colourful koshimbir, local millet bhakris, a rather interesting lemonade infused with exceptionally aromatic and tender kaddipata (curry leaves), tossed local vegetables and perhaps everything that the stomach (and heart) desired. And I’m full before you know it. I wonder if I should have slowed down and cherished the moment. Never mind. Food was delicious. I harbour no remorse. I reassure myself, “Next time around, I’ll be smarter.” But the thing with history is that it repeats itself. And in the course of the next two days, it would.

Nestled in the lap of luxury and embraced by nature, I watch the sun slowly set into the Arabian Sea from my villa at Coco Shambhala. Located approximately 90 minutes from Manohar (the new airport in Goa), it is this quiet paradise by the blue seas.

It’s a four-villa property with private pools wherein the villa has two bedrooms with individual balconies. They are separated by an open living-dining area. My villa revealed itself to me through a thick blanket of trees. The verdure gave way to a space bearing markers of modern tropical architecture — pitched Mangalore tiled roofs, a verandah (I will take some liberties and call it a courtyard), wood louvred windows and perfectly proportioned openings. All perched atop a hill that overlooks the Bhogave Beach. It’s the best of all worlds — endless skies, the greenest greens, fresh forest air, the sea. And at the same time, you are beautifully hidden and shielded from this very world for the villas are designed to screen the guests completely once inside. 

My villa’s infinity pool overlooking the sea called my name and I obliged. It is by the edge of the pool that you trace the forests leading your line of vision into the pristine ocean. The grass is definitely greener on my side of the sea. Coco Shambhala is a long pause, the comfortable and intimate kind. Where you do not need words to fill up the silence, but the silence itself becomes a soothing lullaby. What tugs at my heartstrings is their holistic approach to sustainability: one that is meaningful, impactful and does not take away from the easy effortless aesthetic of the property. The food is primarily from the local regions, and much of their produce is grown inside the property. Remember the kadipatta lemonade? From the gardens. Many activities, from pottery to puppet shows involve the locals. The menu is completely customised and you’re encouraged to try regional food. Cocktails take on familiar flavours with homegrown spirits. 

Coco Shambhala had quite the serendipitous conception when Giles Knapton, a resident of the United Kingdom found himself in India on a transformative journey. In 2009, he embarked on Coco Shambhala’s journey with a vision of positively impacting the community and creating a tourism model for visitors, ensuring a symbiotic and sustainable approach. Like the lovely high-tea organised for us by the beach — a short 5-minute walk from the property had us scarfing down vada pavs and chaat. But at dinner time, we relished Asian fare followed by a hearty breakfast of pohe and misal the morning after. For those unlike me, who do not wish to simply watch the day go by but seek activities and things to do on holidays, Coco Shambhala offers some really picturesque hikes and adventure sports. In the end, you’ll find something that rocks your boat at Coco Shambhala, because it has all the beauty and wonder waiting for those willing to seek them out.

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