Date: September 1
I woke up today to a much quieter morning than I had expected from a Goa holiday. There was no rush to get ready, no busy streets outside, and no fixed plan for the day. Just the sound of nature, green fields, and the slow rhythm of village life.
This is probably what makes South Goa feel so different.
I had come here hoping to take a break from the usual holiday routine, and staying at a heritage bungalow in Assolna seemed like a good way to experience that slower pace. �
The first thing I noticed was the setting. The bungalow is surrounded by greenery, gardens, paddy fields, and a private orchard. The traditional Indo-Portuguese architecture gives the property a warm and homely character.
After breakfast, I spent some time simply sitting outside. It felt good not to have somewhere I needed to be.
When people talk about Goa, beaches and nightlife often come to mind first. But this morning reminded me that there is another side to the state. South Goa has quiet villages, open landscapes, old homes, local traditions, and peaceful corners where a holiday can feel much less hurried.
By afternoon, I realised that the best part of the day was having nowhere urgent to go.
The swimming pool offered an easy way to spend a few relaxing hours. Instead of planning several activities, I enjoyed the simple pleasure of taking a break and reading for a while.
This made me understand why south goa villas appeal to travellers who want privacy and space during their holiday. A villa or heritage-style stay can feel more personal than a conventional hotel, particularly when travelling with family or friends.
The surrounding countryside also makes the stay feel connected to Goa beyond the usual tourist spots.
One thing I had been looking forward to was trying Goan food.
The property serves Goan, Pan-Indian, and Continental dishes, making it easy to enjoy different flavours during the stay. I especially liked the idea of having local food without needing to spend every meal travelling to another part of Goa.
There was also something enjoyable about eating at a relaxed pace. A holiday should leave room for long conversations, another cup of coffee, and meals that do not have to be rushed.
For families, the availability of a kids' menu is another useful detail. Couples can also make the evening more special with experiences such as a poolside candlelight dinner.
Later in the day, I thought about going out to explore more of South Goa.
The beauty of staying in a quieter location is that sightseeing does not have to become the entire holiday. There are opportunities to visit local villages, explore nearby beaches, experience Goan culture, and enjoy the scenery. But there is also the option of returning to the property and simply relaxing.
The local sightseeing experience offered by the property can be useful for travellers who want to see more of the area without turning the trip into a complicated schedule.
By evening, I understood the appeal of a villa stay in South Goa a little better.
It is not only about having a comfortable room. It is about the surroundings, the extra space, the atmosphere, and the freedom to create your own routine.
For couples, this can mean a peaceful romantic break. Families can have more room to spend time together. Friends can enjoy a slower group holiday away from crowded areas.
The heritage setting also adds something that modern accommodation sometimes lacks: a sense of place.
As the evening became quieter, I found myself thinking about how different this day had been from a typical sightseeing holiday.
There were no packed schedules or long lists of places to tick off. Instead, the day was made up of small moments—breakfast, greenery, a swim, good food, conversations, and time spent simply enjoying the surroundings.
That may be the real charm of South Goa.
For travellers planning a peaceful Goa getaway, south goa villas can offer an accommodation experience built around comfort, privacy, and a slower pace. A heritage stay such as ROSASTAYS South Goa Bungalow adds traditional architecture, local cuisine, countryside surroundings, and personalised experiences to the journey.
I came to South Goa expecting a short escape.
I left feeling like I had finally slowed down.
�"I'm sorry for everything, but I won't admit I made a mistake" - words from the bastard that disowned me
�"being disowned isn't all that, specially when the person disowning isn't given of much value."
Today�we have another chance to move forward. We talked about everything last night and we came away feeling optomistic.
Here's what happened yesterday:
Lori got their invitation to Mandy's engagement party and emailed me that they wouldn't be coming. She says what we thought she'd say: It's Ryan' s b-day. They�want to take him out for dinner, and that she already had a gig to attend� during the�day with Milana. While she tells me how special becoming engaged is, and that she realizes that Mandy is leaving for Portland soon, she's "so bummed" to decline the invitation.
We saw this coming. We feared our reactions. We avoided our fear ruling our actions, (so far).
I think that our relationship with Lori is precious to us. We need to protect it. Don't let this come between us - (and boy it could!)�
Here's the core issue at hand: We believe that Lori's excuse�is a smoke-screen for her real reason. That reason�is what�has the potential to damage our relationship the most, we believe that she grapples with our daughter being gay and is afraid to attend this party because it would be in her face too much.�I think she hasn't dealt with it�since Mandy came out 5yrs. ago. She's had opportunity but side-stepped it.�
There is always the chance that I am wrong. (One could always hope).�
I responded to her�email in as few words possible, just a couple sentences to say that her family comes first,�that�I understand and they'd be missed. She responded quickly, revealing some back-peddling on her story: she�corrects me in that, "we are�her family", she points out that because of Ryan's b-day�even her plans for that day were iffie (which�establishes their priority is their family)�Lastly, she hands the baton to Luis (pointing out her lack of authority in making decisions), which in my opinion is another effort to side-step.
Wait for it... I'm sure a total effort at diverting my attention will come today.
What she doesn't know is that whatever they decide will be accepted, we will love them through this. Allowed to be 'off the hook' may bring an enlightenment for them.
Everyone� in their own time.
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