My first experience of a workcation in Goa

I had always fancied the posts and pictures on social media where people worked out a pretty café or a lovely quaint stay. I would wonder how cool that must be to work in such a peaceful place and as per your pace. Although, I’d hate to admit, but sometimes I’d even feel jealous that why can’t I do all these things? Especially when my career has revolved around travel for all these years.

Finally, I got to do that for the first time (in my late 30’s, unlike all these GenZ kids who are doing it in their early 20’s)! Well, of course I have worked out of different cities and places due to the demand of my work but now with TTB Experiences it’s on my own terms, at the place of my choice and at the pace of my choice. The thought felt liberating for sure. And, with that started my search for a perfect place.

Ideally, I wanted to go to the mountains. Okay, so I am neither a mountain nor a beach person. I simply can’t make this choice. Although I have a strong inclination for mountains, but I have noticed my travel pattern which is a mountain getaway followed by a beach travel. Balance, is the key, you see :P

So, when I decided the travel dates, July definitely wasn’t the best choice for the hills given the news about the landslides and floods etc. (No matter how much the hills were calling me!) Goa, in spite of being a mainstream destination (which it isn’t btw) offered familiarity that made me more comfortable to select it as my first solo workcation - destination. (I am really hoping there will be many more) With that I started my search for the perfect place. After a lot of online research, many travel forums, social media posts and updates, I shortlisted a few options. A dear friend of mine Ritika went out of her way to share her experiences with me and that also helped a lot!

Being in my late 30’s I know what my preferences are. The basics that are non-negotiables and comfort that’s bare minimum. We are not talking five-star resorts here! Of course, those are for special occasions. But the whole point of workcation or remote work was ‘to work, have some fun and meet some interesting people’. I honestly doubt that would have happened at any regular hotel. So the hotel stay was clearly ruled out.

That’s when I came across Artjuna Cabanas. It’s a sweet spot between hostel and a hotel. A co-living retreat. Made tastefully. One look at their website and the social media gave me an understanding of what to expect here. Its co-living so yes, so it has dorm beds, co-working space etc. My interaction with the staff even before arriving there was always nice. They did not insist of pre-payment. They followed up with me for my arrival time etc. which kind of gave away, that this is not the usual co-living space. This is one notch above.

 Artjuna Cabanas is in Anjuna (If that wasn’t clear from its name) and owned by the same people behind Artjuna Café (again, not a difficult one to guess) This is a truly quaint co-living space overlooking lush green paddy fields. You will wake up with the sound of peacocks. I don’t think I would have ever imagined seeing peacocks in Goa! And I would see them every day roaming around these fields in flocks. Trust me, it was a sight!

My choice of staying at Artjuna couldn’t have been more apt because it was the perfect mix of chill vibe and solitude. My room had 6 dorm beds but due to the off season I had only one room partner and that big dorm room pretty much to ourselves. The cleanliness and maintenance were top notch! And so was the sleep quality. Each room had an ensuite bathroom and a sit out area. The dorm room was exactly how you see in the images below.

PC - Booking.com

The weather through my stay was so pleasant that in spite of the AC in the  room, we hardly even needed the fans. The staff was always around to check on us if we needed anything. 

My mornings here would start with a healthy breakfast (As I had opted for a breakfast inclusive rate) followed by some work, little bit of reading and then heading out for a nice walk towards the beach or simply exploring local area. The location of Artjuna makes it perfect to go to the popular cafes in Vagator and Anjuna within a few minutes (Where I spent a couple of my evenings too)

A hot ginger honey lemon tea was my go-to every morning and evening as that was the perfect drink for such rainy days in Goa. The café staff here was always courteous. They anticipated what you’d like based on their observation and were always almost prompt. Special mention for Vishvan, Karan and Michael. On some days we’d end up going to Artjuna Café opposite street to grab a bite (the menu at both places is the same but it helped change the scenario no?)

During my stay here, I met a few interesting people. One of them was this amazing Columbian woman, Laura, whom I met on the first day here and we hit it off instantly. It just took me a simple hello! That followed by our nonstop conversation that went on for 5 hours straight. It was uncanny that two women living in such different continents had such a similar worldview!

And the other interesting human I met was of course my roommate, with whom, I connected instantly too! Yashmita, A yoga instructor from Karnataka who has had her very own life journey of challenges. We talked about some intense topics with so much ease! We didn't feel like we were strangers for even one bit! That’s the beauty of co-living. It opens your eyes to the possibility of meeting people you wouldn’t have met otherwise. Being more open, inclusive and accommodating.

I stayed here for 5 nights in totality and not once did I feel bored. Although I felt a little adventurous one day and tried staying in a hostel which backfired, and I ultimately came back to Artjuna that felt like home by then. I paid approx INR 1000 per night inclusive of breakfast which was One big Sandwich, Juice and a tea/ coffee.

This workcation was anyway not about the choice of accommodation but about an experience. About living solo, working away from the hustle bustle of the city. To see how this lifestyle feels. Verdict – Its surreal. There is no feeling like this. (At least I have not felt it) This experience is going to be etched in my memories, and I hope, rather I know, this is just a beginning of many more such fulfilling experiences.