Summer in London is absolutely splendid. It’s a fantastic time to catch up with old friends, particularly those with whom I share a deep connection from living together in Goa. This time, it gave me a chance to discover an exciting new concept called Bottle and Blade.

Palolem and its surrounding areas in south Goa hold a special place in my heart – it’s where my life in India began. The heart-shaped beach skirted by swaying palms is now dotted with little beach huts where tons of Europeans enjoy a well-deserved winter vacation away from the cold. However, the place has largely remained a sleepy coastal village over the monsoon, with the huts closing up as the rains come around. But over the last eight months, there has been a lot of curiosity around this upcoming hotel. When it finally opened doors, I was absolutely delighted to visit Sobit Sarovar Portico in all its glory.

Goa Rafting takes you on a ride with one of the most thrilling white water experiences in India. Truth be told, I was petrified. The thought of crashing into rupturing rapids on an inflatable raft sent flutters through my heart. It didn’t help one bit that I would have to paddle at the same time. Still, there was something magnetic about white water rafting that drew me to Goa Rafting’s latest venture on the Mhadei River near Valpoi town,  in the northeast of Goa.