After a lovely three day Stay in Goa at Athi Resorts, Bogmalo, I reached here in the early hours of afternoon. A little away from the nearest main road, a three minute drive or so towards Calangute beach and you are right there. And my first impression. A nice cozy well maintained place. All in blue. Pinnacle Blue.

It was more than six months back. I was scanning the net for a nice accommodation to stay for a couple of days after my campus alumni meet at BITS Pilani, Goa and came across this group, with some interesting properties in Goa. The Pinnacle destinations. So I connected with Brenden. Brenden Mathias.

A fitness enthusiast who loves his cycling and workouts, this young entrepreneur sounded very lively and enthusiastic. We chatted a little. Born, brought up and having studied in Goa, well traveled, Brenden had various stints in the five star hotel industry in India & abroad before deciding to launch his own brand, Pinnacle. For “Turning Moments into Memories” for holiday makers heading to Goa.

As we chatted and got to know a little more about each other, we were soon friends. And next I knew, I was going to be a guest of the Mathias family for a few days. I was here finally, looking forward to meeting them and enjoying the hospitality of my extended family. In Goa.

What had attracted my attention was that one of their properties was just minutes away from Calangute beach and also gave the feel of staying in a village. Surrounded by small houses and locals. So I had opted for this property to relive my only days of a village life, almost forty years back.

It was then that four of us friends, during our winter holidays in college, decided to travel to Southern part of India including a couple of days in a friend’s house in Arakkonam near Madras, now Chennai. Ravi’s house, his parent’s love and care for us, his sweet little sister, his mom’s prepared wonderful tasty food, the vast green fields behind his house and our walk though them still remain fresh in my mind. Golden memories of yesteryears. And after so many years, another couple of days of village life waiting to be lived. This time next to the sea, the green and the blue. In this wonderful village retreat, Pinnacle Blue.

Vilas, the manager was waiting for me at the main road with his car, as my taxi followed him thereafter to reach here. Such a wonderful gesture right at the start. While my room was being readied, it was time for a coffee on the rooftop office cum dining space.

The coffee was strong and nice as it was time to move towards my suite room, as all the six rooms here are called. Chapora, Vagator, Anjuna, Candolim, Baga and Calangute Suites, all well furnished and spacious with a lovely balcony in each.

Vilas had arranged for some chilled beer in my fridge beforehand. And as I sat in the balcony enjoying the sunshine, the unspoiled nature, the cool sea breeze, the chilled drink coupled with the peace of me time, life seemed wonderfully relaxed.

This place does not serve any food except your complimentary breakfast but there are many restaurants around which you could visit or order and they would deliver to your room. I ordered some chicken chow from ‘Food, Soul, Curry’ which was quite nice. After a while Vilas and me set out in his car to explore. And he guiding me all the way with the best places around to eat some great sea food, the churches and then towards Saligao where they have another property.

One of the greenest and daintiest villages blended in a scenic backdrop of Goa lies the once tiny village of Saligao. This village in North Goa is very beautiful with its open stretch of paddy fields and coconut palms lining the narrow roads. The houses in Saligao are almost connected with each other like a maze with tiny pathways interspersed with greenery all round. The word Saligao was ascertained by the Portuguese who modified its original name from Salgaon to Saligao. Sal meaning wooded forest and gao meaning village and Saligao being a wooded village with an abundance of fruit bearing trees and various other plants. And here also lies Pinnacle Countryside, a nice small property again with six rooms.

The rooms here each have a distinct name. Kings Room, Queens Room, Emperors Room & Ace Room. All of them are spacious, very tastefully decorated and provide the best of amenities.

Back to my room in Calangute after the outing, it was time again to relax in my balcony before moving out for dinner. Let’s check out a few of the restaurants which are just a couple of minutes away from Pinnacle Blue.

Glen’s Corner is a fine dining restaurant serving Full English Breakfast and some great food from India, Thailand & Italy during lunch and dinner. A nice bar for you to relax with a couple of drinks before your meals, the ambience is nice and electric. I did not have a big appetite and so decided to keep my dinner here for the next evening. For tonight it was this place for my favorite fried pomfret and salad and then back to Glen’s for an ice cream.

My breakfast for the next two days was served very early on request. Pinnacle breakfast is simple and nice with fruits, your choice of eggs made to order, bread, butter, jam and tea or coffee. Or you could opt for the vegetarian option of parathas, curd, pickle, tea or coffee. My favorite though eggs.

It was still very early morning and so I set out to explore Calangute after breakfast. The village and the beach. Beach, beach and more of the beach. In the sea, on my long walks, relaxing in the near vacant shacks and my coffee.

Calangute is well known due to its beautiful golden sand beach and is known as the Queen of Beaches. November to February is the most pleasant time to visit the Goa Calangute beach. It is amongst the most popular beaches of Goa and it’s capacity is large enough to accommodate the huge numbers of high-season visitors. Calangute’s nightlife though is surprisingly tame and provides a nice break from the wild parties at Anjuna. All but a handful of the bars wind up by 10.00 pm. One notable exception is Tito’s at the Baga end of the beach, which stays open until after midnight in the off-season and into the small hours of the morning in late December and January.

Happy holidays are about meeting happy people. And those who care. And I certainly met two of them during this trip. Vilas, who was so well spoken, lively and helpful. And then of course, Brenden Mathias. A hands on person with a smile all the time, Brenden is happy to help and always there for you. In person or on his mobile.

For a great happy holiday in Goa, you too could get in touch with him. And enjoy the moments of feeling special.

Brenden Mathias 📞 +91 98812 83550 ✉️ brendenmathias@yahoo.com

Goa. Early mornings. The sea, the beach and the vast expanse in front. And you. At peace.

Pinnacle Blue & Pinnacle Countryside. Two village retreats. One near Calangute beach and the other in Saligao countryside. Luxury living at budget prices.

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