Posted in Travel

Time Traveling through the Latin Quarters of Goa

Posted on by Sophia


When you think of Goa, images of beaches, seafood, and vibrant parties often comes to mind. However, if you’re seeking a unique experience that transports you back to the Portuguese colonial era, consider staying at Fontainhas. Known as Asia’s only Latin Quarters and now a UNESCO Heritage site, Fontainhas offers a glimpse into the unadultrated Portugese influence.


Everywhere you turn, you’re greeted by cobalt blue, red brick, and Ochre coloured houses, interspersed with tropical flowers and cobbled streets. It’s as if you’ve been transported effortlessly to a bygone era! You should just stay here and slowly absorb it all.


We embarked on a captivating half-day cultural walk of Fontainhas with MakeitHappen, a journey highly recommended for the insightful historical nuances and cultural stories they share along the way. Also happen to meet some wonderful travellers who have their own beautiful stories like how we met a couple from South Africa in search of their roots!


Pausing at Confeitaria 31 de Janeiro, one of Goa’s oldest bakeries dating back to the 1930s, evokes a sense of vintage charm. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in their delectable Bebinca and other delights. Well we went their many times post our first visit!

The walk concluded with the delightful addition of live local music leaving us humming Oh Maria Pitache ..Oh Maria Pitache as we walked back to our stay!

There is a lot of artistic cafes and bakeries to explore by foot. One of our favourites was Cafe Bodega atop Altinho hill, an old, restored beautiful blue heritage mansion with an art gallery to explore as well.

Another one was a very cute tea room called TeaTrunk, that’s housed in a 100-year-old Portuguese casa.

Before bidding adieu, be sure to acquire an Azulejos hand-painted tile, a distinctive emblem of Goan heritage, particularly an art work of renowned Mario Miranda. For these one-of-a-kind Goan souvenirs, look no further than Marcou Artifacts store, at Fountainhas.

Well a word of caution : Don’t get overwhelmed to see Instagram Influencers and travellers flocking in to just to take Insta worthy pictures on the colourful streets during the day and leave.

But if you slow down and linger there is much beyond to savour and take back home.

Posted in Travel

Pelling – The Royalty & Spiritual Interwoven Travel Experience

Posted on by Sophia

Travel to Pelling, West Sikkim was to soak in, the sun rising on the Majestic Mt Kanchenjunga each morning turning it into pure gold! This view was one of the best experience staying at Elgin Mount Pandim  a heritage retreat steeped in history. Originally built by the King of Sikkim, this magnificent property served as a royal retreat for the esteemed Royal Family of Sikkim.


It wasn’t merely about immersing oneself in the invigorating scent of acres of pine forest or witnessing the sunrise paint Mt. Kanchenjunga with its golden hues while savouring freshly brewed local tea. It was also about delving into the rich tapestry of history and antiquity that this stay had to offer!

Directly across from this stunning heritage accommodation stands the Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the region. Constructed specifically for “pure monks” (ta-tshang), denoting monks of unadulterated Tibetan lineage, the monastery bears the name Pemayangtse, which translates to “Perfect Sublime Lotus”. Beyond its historical significance, the monastery offers a serene environment ideal for meditation and introspection, inviting visitors to simply be in the moment.Just be!!!

I would just sit there quietly meditating as the monks chanted, I looked forward to being there during their chanting session as the energy is truly elevated. A family travel group from Kolkota asked me if I was a monk at the monastery 🙂 It was a pain to see tourist roaming around inside the prayer room while the chant is going on. It made me ponder the monks’ ability to remain unaffected by such disturbances, realizing that perhaps I still have much to learn in my own journey of inner peace and mindfulness.


I encountered young children who had left their homes behind to embrace the life of a monk. Curious enough, I engaged in conversation with them and realized despite their monkhood, they remained true to their childlike nature, loving soccer, and their smiles radiating warmth and joy.

And the icing on the cake were the two friendly Samoyed dogs at Elgin Mount. Kids just spent hours with them.


Our return journey from Pelling was not marked by souvenirs, but rather by the intangible treasures of love, peace, and joy. A slow journey inwards.

Posted in Art and Poetry

Dandelion Child

Posted on by Sophia

Oh Dandelion child of mine

Resilience & Beauty intertwined.

Blown by the wind,

Swept by the rain.

You will still hold on

Never going insane.

Deeply rooted in love & hope

When crushed you will bounce back and cope.

You are pretty, you are wild,

You keep smiling rain or shine.

Oh Dandelion child of mine!

Posted in Art and Poetry

Starry Night

Posted on by Sophia

As I look up on a starry night,

I tend to let go of my urge to comprehend and be right.

Struck in awe of the magnificence of the universe

And the minisculeness of me

I wonder, wonder and just be.

We are all made of stardust

Or rather this exact magnificent universe is in you and me!

We are then stars manifesting as humans for a very short while,

All connected and still unique like pieces of a grand mosaic tile.

I wonder when these gazillion stars look down on us

From their vantage point, we too might look like

An incredible galaxy all lit and bright!

And they too in awe exclaim,

What a magnificent sight!

(Acrylic Paint on Canvas)

Posted in Art and Poetry

The Fall

Posted on by Sophia

Dressed up in their brightest attire

They celebrate as they fall

In shades of crimson, scarlet and amber,

Look how they stand tall

Never in despair, they get ready for the journey to renew

In shades of crimson, scarlet and amber

Actually it’s their soul shining through!

The sun too never fades gently as it sets

Oh I need to set, it never frets

Setting the sky on fire and turning the ocean to shimmering gold

It moves on to rise on the other side and unfold.

(Palette Knife/Oil on Canvas)

Posted in Art and Poetry

Blue Bell Woods

Posted on by Sophia

Stroke by Stroke I slowly strolled

Into the woods where the blue bells grow

As I walk alone, will I be lost?

In losing one self, I would be found

And then I saw you,

Lost in the woods,

But to the Soul, happily found!

Whistling among the trees, Goofing around

Flying on the magic carpet of blue bells bliss

You stretching your hand saying – Come Along!

Flying as high as you can

You reminded me of Peter Pan saying –

“Come with me where dreams are born

And time is never planned,

Just think of happy things

And your heart will fly on wings

Forever in Never Never Land!”

Inspiration: Blue Bell woods – Bradwell Village (UK)

Posted in Art and Poetry

Infinite Love

Posted on by Sophia

Let me let go of my desire to condense it into words

For the infinite love needs the expansiveness of silence

Unbound by utterances, it touches me in the pauses

So let me let go of the desire to bind it any form

For the infinite love, no one’s a stranger

And every aspect of this universe is home!