Goa I

We're back! After a week on the beach and at the pool, going back to work was difficult, but somehow we've managed to make it through the last two days. I wanted to take the next few posts and reflect on our trip: the travel, accommodations, vacationing with twins and other miscellany will all be covered with plenty of pictures along the way.

Cedric relaxing at Coconut Creek

First, and foremost, I have to say that our accommodations absolutely made the trip a relaxing and enjoyable experience. During our week in Goa, we stayed at two hotels: Coconut Creek Hotel and The Park Hyatt. I would strongly recommend the former for anyone looking for a great mid-range hotel, and emphatically recommend the later for those looking for a good five-star. 

Chad and Ezra chilling outside our room at Coconut Creek

The biggest plus about Coconut Creek was the serenity and peacefulness of the setting. The hotel is nestled in a palm tree grove. The pool is lovely, and the outdoor furniture was very comfortable. I particularly enjoyed the loungers on the patios outside of each room. We spent more than a few bottle feeding sessions just outside the comfort of our hotel room. The hotel provided two pack and plays for our kids to sleep in during our stay. Another big plus was that the pool and the restaurant are close enough to the rooms that we took our baby monitor and were able to enjoy some adult time while the babies were sleeping. The restaurant, by the way, was wonderful. We feasted on great seafood, steaks and fresh veggies. Goa is a great trip for those who love to eat on vacation! The only big downside to the hotel is that there is about a 500m walk to the beach, and the landscaping of the walk leaves a lot to be desired. 

The highlight of our trip, however, was staying at the Park Hyatt in Goa. From the moment you arrive, the service is exceptional. Often in India, the service sector is overly subservient towards westerners, or totally disingenuous (maybe I've been in Delhi too long... ). All of the employees at the Park Hyatt were attentive, and genuinely friendly. I've got so many good things to say that I'm going to make a list:

 

• Housekeeping took excellent care of us during our stay. The boys had two pack and plays and nightly turn down service; the maid left an array of Johnson and Johnson's baby products by the bath tub and a whole box of bottled water for bottles; and room service cleaned and sanitized all of our bottles after every feeding. 
• The pool was beautiful, and just the right temperature for our boys.
• The food was to die for! On our last night, we ate at The Palm, which is the restaurant just off of the beach. We had fresh lobster (at a very reasonable price), and enjoyed watching sunset during dinner. 
• The beach is beautiful with wonderful loungers. The sand is white and clean. I can't wait to take the boys back in the next few years to let them build sand castles. 
• The spa was simply serene. Chad and I both took time out for a massage. 
• The rooms were large enough for two pack and plays, and still had plenty of room to move around. 
• The horticulture was stunning. Everywhere you went, there were beautiful flowers and plants. 
• The hotel provides a free shuttle to the airport, which is only 20 minutes away (unlike other places in Goa that can take up to two hours to reach by car on very windy roads).

The pool at the Hyatt

All in all, I highly recommend taking time to go down to Goa if you are spending extended time in India. I'll write more about transportation to and from Goa in my next post. 

Meanwhile, happy work week!

Cheers, 

Douglas 

The beach at the Hyatt at sunset