Welcome to My Goa Life
My Goa Life adventure retreat offers an affordable package to international visitors who have the freedom to choose their level of participation in events during the retreat and benefit from their time in Goa by tailor making a memorable experience with guidance from me, participating members and hosts.
My Goa Life is an exciting and unique way of exploring Goa and the beautiful shorelines along the west coast of India.
Welcome to Goa!
Goa is well known for its beaches bringing an eclectic mix of tourists together from around the globe and is home to artists and musicians; healers and lightworkers; eco warriors and adventure seekers; entrepreneurs and digital nomads, even families. Most significantly like-minded people who understand the importance of balance between *life and living in a more ‘natural’ flow.
Arambol, a fishing village located in North Goa is a truly remarkable and magical wonder. Just a stroll in any direction, night or day brings gifts, blessings, surprise, connection and inspiration. By practicing observation one can remain detached from organized chaos and proximities. But the energy, vibrancy and natural beach setting seems to pull together in the most Divine way. With an energy that draws you in and entices you to explore and more. Whether it’s the meandering pathways, alleys or back roads, the beach front or road, whichever way you flow in Arambol there’s a HUM, much like OM signifies the sound the earth makes, Arambol is like a giant maze of activity – coffee corners and juice bars; restaurants and pubs; shops and stalls; chill spots and hot spots.
Arambol Beach
More about Arambol
Throughout the towns one can experience places of worship ranging from mythical Banyan Trees hundreds of years old to iconic Portuguese Catholic churches and ornate colourful Hindu temples.
The winding roads, bridges and sea views make travelling on a scooter or motorcycle much more rewarding. It’s that feeling of freedom that awakens the senses and soul.
Arambol is a bustling village located in North Goa which comes to life over the festive winter season. Party goers take advantage of Goa’s booming club and festival vibe during this time and locals are big at celebrating the Christmas holidays. So, choosing to visit in March sets the tone for a more relaxing and comfortable atmosphere with warm breezy nights.
Goans, fully integrated in fishing and farming have their own unique culture, artifacts, handlooms and cuisine, not to mention one thousand and one (probably much more) uses and ways to prepare coconuts.
Why Goa?
Since my first experience in Goa, in October 2014, I knew that I had discovered a very special place on this earth. It became necessary for me to continue my visits each year as part of my healing journey, to balance *life and work. I stumbled upon Arambol at the end of 2016 during a tumultuous time in my life and felt an instant connection to the environment and the dogs and relished in the freedom I felt living on the beach. I have been travelling to Goa every year since 2014, except for three years during Covid lockdown. Each time able to extend my stay and have a more rewarding experience integrating with the local culture and expanding my services and offerings in healing, footcare and other creative endeavours.
I have met the most incredible people, become more confident within myself and my healing practices, and taken responsibility for my footprint, integrating many life lessons and sustainable ways to live.
FAQ's
Is there Wi-Fi?
Do I need a malaria injection?
What essentials should I pack?
What is the dress code?
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Retreat activities
Please note that the information hereunder is a guideline and an itinerary will be given to you at the retreat-please do not hesitate to make your suggestions at any time:
OUTINGS
Sightseeing scooter around Arambol village to Querim Beach
Walk to Sweet Lake and explore the maize of pathways that makes Arambol such an exciting place to live.
Anjuna Markets
Local venues and entertainment
DAY TOUR 1
Navigating the south coast to Mapusa
Mapusa Market
Lunch at The Pub, Mapusa
Beaches – Calangute, Baga
Candolim – Aguada Fort
DAY TOUR 2 – MAHARASTRA
Ferry boat to Maharastra
Redi Fort
Paradise Beach
DAY TOUR 3 – OLD GOA
Old Goa – Roads and Churches
Mother Theresa – Missionaries of Charity (Suggestion)
DAY TOUR 4 – COMMUNITY OUTREACH (SUGGESTION)
Goa has various charitable organizations working tirelessly to help animals in the region.
IndiPam has visited ARC the Animal Rescue Centre in Palolem, South Goa, as well as Mother Theresa Missionaries of Charity in Old Goa where she offered assessments and care work. There are many initiatives and private individuals, usually foreigners and volunteers, who campaign and care for the beach dogs along the coast providing a network of rescue resources throughout the year.
Pamela has volunteered for Arambol Beach Dogs and received invaluable insight and guidance from Wanda Latanska-Lind which she integrated in animal welfare related rescue work.
Letting go and embracing freedom
It’s rare that we get opportunities to think of ourselves or create during our normal day to day and corporate contracts.
Depression often comes from an idea that we are feeling trapped, lost or stuck and if we embrace a sense of freedom by releasing, blocking and shifting we take responsibility for our physical improvement, emotional growth and conscious expansion. Change is necessary and intrinsic to our nature, yet it becomes more difficult and uneasy the older we get. Attached to comfort and stuff we become separated from the movement needed to push us forward, either into a new chapter, to release karma, heal the past and purge toxic behaviour, and more. Moving into an abundant mindset towards our purpose and potential is where we all need and deserve to be.
Freedom is one of the most liberating emotions one can feel and it is intrinsic to our mental health and personal development.
With this healthy approach to the necessity for freedom in mind a retreat guideline will be provided to each person with a basic schedule outlining set class times each day as well as any prior confirmed activities and events.
Members are encouraged to attend but are not obligated to.
Outside of our one on one time it is recommended to join a group platform on WhatsApp to communicate with members regarding updates, invitations, any additional road trips and adventures during the two week period.
Members will have much of their own time during the retreat, especially evenings when live music and entertainment takes preference and individuals have different tastes.
However, every evening as the sun sets a walk up the beach towards the drum circle is a favourite pastime and a recommended way to close the day with a bare foot stomp.
There will be an opportunity to share with the group during intervals, Satsang style to impart your own experiences, reflections and observations with others.
My Goa Life retreats offer tailor made retreats to Goa, ensuring a unique and memorable experience. Offering you the best rates for a beginner or backpacking trip to one of the most creative and artistic places on the planet.
The definition of life is the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity and continual change.
So, if we are to describe our existence as ‘this life’, we must also accept with certainty things do and will change. And, in some cases assistance and motivation is required.
Life is changing at a rapid rate and anyone who is feeling lack luster, stuck, depressed and bored, I have news for you, it’s time to move! Your energy is required elsewhere…
I have found that deciding to live in one place for an extended or undetermined length of time automatically puts you in the mindset of living local, and besides having to overcome the challenges mentioned in the ‘cons’ section of this article one tends to find solutions to make things work, even if it takes a bit longer. As is the case in Goa with electricity, South Africa knows all too well the frustrations with loadshedding and the impact it is causing to all levels of workforce, industry and corporate sectors are retrenching each year forcing thousands of people out of jobs.In India one gets a sense of hope in relation to how one can be sustainable, by living simply, becoming in tune with your natural environment, needing less, and using God given gifts to unleash creative and artistic potential.