What do you do when you're in Ashvem with a pocket full of dough? The debonair will find here an itinerary curated by Gayatri Bose especially suited for those with a taste for all things urbane.
A day spent in Ashwem is bound to hook you to the land of sunshine and balmy beaches. Ashvem in North Goa is a place which is infused with an electric energy. A melting pot of cultures, step on to the streets in one of the busy lanes here and you are bound to come across amicable faces that belong to a host of different countries. Ashvem is more for those who are in Goa to have a good time without giving a damn about their credit card bills.
It is precisely in Ashvem that you will find resorts that deliver an elysium experience, culinary kitchens that cater to a cosmopolitan palette, designer stores, and uber-chic nightclubs that have gained an international repute. So here's how you experience the good times at Ashvem!
Morning
A swim and some retail therapy: Rise up early and head over to Ashvem beach which is a tropical paradise. With tall coconut trees that sway lazily in the wind, clean tantalisingly soft white sand that begs you to dig your feet in and recline back while basking in the warm sun, and sky blue waters that are an ideal temperature when you decide to head for a swim, this idyllic beach is great if you want to have a little me time, are having a weekend getaway with your girl gang or are sharing a romantic morning with your loved one. Once you are all tanned up and look like an ebony goddess, saunter your way to one of the a la mode boutiques that are lined up on the beach. The Jade Jagger boutique is a place that any serious fashionista worth their salt would swear by. Daughter of the iconic rock enigma- Mick Jagger, Jade Jagger has created a respectable niche for herself in the jewellery business and her gems are carefully sourced, and jewellery meticulously crafted with a lot of emphasis being placed on the details. The Jade Jagger boutique at Ashvem is a symposium of stunning jewellery pieces, embroidered jackets and dresses, and silk shorts and scarves. At the Jade Jagger boutique one will even find iconic skull jewellery in silver and gold. Finally, with heavy bags that hold the promise of keeping you stylish, head over for lunch in order to appease that rumble in your stomach after that retail workout. Phew!
Afternoon
Delicious fare and even better sunsets: Hop into La Plage, a romantic French restaurant that true to its name translates as 'the beach' in English and is located right on Ashvem beach. The restaurant is packed to capacity at all times and the teeming crowd guarantees that you will have an unforgettable dining experience at La Plage. The restaurant serves up authentic French cuisine and is a must visit for those who travel to Goa. The names of the dishes are in French but for those unfamiliar with the language an English translation is also provided. Some of the dishes that have earned brownie points with a lot of people who have visited the restaurant is the mussels with garlic, barbequed king fish, though my favourite dish at La Plage is the green fish with rise nd goan curry. End the meal on a chocolate note with the thali au chocolat which no surprises there, is inspired by the Indian thali, and the dish has eight kinds of mini-chocolate based desserts to choose from. This jaunty restaurant may very well just convince you on planning your next vacation in France just so that you can enjoy more of its gastronomical delights. Tuck into some Food Porn and after that sip on some classic margaritas as you watch the setting sun illuminate the sky with a deep golden hue that makes you feel giddy with love for Goa
Evening
With dusk comes the Call of the wild: Once it's evening, the rave and trance scenes in Ashvem spruce up to life. Head over to clubs like Sunset Ashram to get instructed in the art of partying right. Sunset Ashram is a massive beach club which is bang on Ashvem beach. It is easy to get addicted to this club since its luxurious ambience, private cabanas, beach-side lounge seating, and the uninhibited view of the sea can up your definition of hedonism by a few degrees. The feel of the tall coconut trees swaying in the wind above you and the pulsating beats of music titillates your senses and one feels as if they have died and gone to heaven. Sunset Ashram is the place to be if you want to have a groovy time which is nothing short of a Cuban experience.
Night
Dinner and Dessert: A great place to stop for dinner is Sublime which is located in Morjim, a 5 minute drive from Ashvem. Morjim is another stop for restaurants that serve great cuisines and my personal favourite is Sublime which as the name suggests is a restaurant that will deliver a truly sublime experience. With long wooden tables that have rose petals strewn all over it, along with soft lights hanging from the roof of the restaurant, the ambience at Sublime is dreamy and romantic. The restaurant is owned by Cris Saleem, and the menu at Sublime is unconventional, refreshing and not the usual humdrum. For starters, the food here is a fusion of European and American fl avours. If you find that everyone at your table has suddenly gone deathly silent then that's only because they are too busy talking to their plates, yes the food here will do that. Also, a special mention has to be made of their beautifully presented desserts. Your time at Sublime is one dining experience that will force you to place Goa on your yearly visits and which will constantly keep bringing you back. A well planned itinerary is a must-have for every holidayer and these luxe suggestions are sure to make your vacation a memorable and addictive experience!
