A Certain Kind of Style (About us!)

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image image=”1145″ border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]“Laguna Anjuna is tucked away from the hurly burly in a haven of tranquility all its own. It is stylish but completely unpretentious. Service is friendly and efficient and the food excellent”

a guest

There are many good hotels in Goa, many run by Indian and international chains, and life style aspirants. Just a few are built in Goa’s unique Goan Portuguese architecture.

Laguna Anjuna is listed as one of these.

Even more so, we’re proud of the best of our Goan qualities-warmth, humour, graciousness, respect for law and learning, and tolerance to all cultures, while still maintaining our own traditions and simplicity.

Goa has so much to offer by way of natural beauty, a gentle tolerant, loving culture, good living, good food, love for music and dance. (Allegria!)

Shortly after the centuries old Portuguese regime Goa and Anjuna in particular had a new kind of visitor.  Disenchanted with cynical materialism and the Vietnam war draft, the flower generation hippies, or self proclaimed “freaks” had discovered Goa. Here they lived simply with the locals and in peace. It was not all about just the drugs and party (the full moon parties happened once a month, the rest of the time people went about their lives). There was an exchange of knowledge, trades, skills, and of course the Wednesday flea market where everything from second hand jeans, walkmans, cakes, jams to village art and craft etc were sold. Over the years Goa became a Mecca for the young free spirited world traveller.There used to be quite a few locals at the full moon parties. It was a beautiful, simple, free, gently tolerant way of living for those of us who experienced it.

One New Year’s eve we heard an old gentleman talking to his little grandson as they walked hand in hand to the Anjuna chapel for the midnight mass, while roaring motorcycles and cars heading for frantic night life celebrations shattered the peace of the village.

“The foreigners and tourists have their ways and we have our ways; our ways are our ways, and their ways are their ways. We must all respect each other and live peacefully together.”

That man has said it for us. Viva Goa!

Long before the Portuguese came to Goa, the Gaunkari system, (later evolving into the Communidade) was a model of co operation and sharing of village resources and responsibilities. Water harvesting by making bunds or swales on hill sides and other measures for long term sustenance were prevalent and nurtured as part of local tradition and culture.

Some of our own practices were established as a matter of course long before green became fashionable.

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1146″ border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Our own water comes from four wells in the property. Water harvesting during the rains by slopes and pits to replenish the water table.Waste kitchen and bath water is filtered, treated with EM and recycled for gardening.

Solar heating for bulk of hot water needs, backed up by electrical geysers. LED lamps (warm rather than white).

Use of traditional eco friendly practices in building- coconut wood rafters, terracotta roof tiles, white wash rather than paints etc.

Pest control methods are also herbal-use of chrysanthemum based pyrethrum, other sprays of neem, garlic, lemongrass etc, outdoor pot candles of citronella oil, Tulsi (Indian Basil).

Treatment of kitchen waste by EM use, vermiculture and composting.

By choice we use a minimum of products of non bio degradable materials- and even these are sent to a unit for recycling.

House keeping practices again prefer products like EM and mild soaps rather than harsh detergents.

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