This is my entry into the Tots100/Al Fresco Holidays competition…

Whooosh! I love that hairdryer-in-your-face feeling that you get when you first step out from the plane. You immediately forget the hours spent getting there, the numb bum syndrome that kept you wiggling in your seat and the curry that your 2-year-old accidently dropped into your lap.

We stumbled upon Papayas Beach Huts in South Goa on the net and were enticed by the sound of its eco-friendly cottages and palm-filled garden. After checking that all four of us would fit inside, we settled on the closest hut to the beach – after all, we wanted the sand between our toes at every possible opportunity.

Arriving in the village of Patnem, 1km away from its busier neighbour Palolem, we found our cottage and set about making it home for us and Noah, 4 and Ferne, 2. Yes it was basic (but then you don’t expect the Ritz when you’re staying in a hut) but what it did have was electricity (many huts don’t), mosquito nets, shelves for clothes and a simple bathroom with hot running water (courtesy of the solar panels).

Waking up that first morning to the sound of the waves, exotic bird call and banana leaves gently stroking the roof of our hut was just heavenly. Opening the door and seeing the sparkling reflection of the sun riding the waves even more so.

Imagine Noah and Ferne’s excitement when we discovered that Leslie, Papayas’ owner, who had a young son of his own, had put up a paddling pool in the corner of the bar. Imagine our excitement when we discovered they could splash about in that and we could sit right next to them with a sea view and a book in hand! Even better when things got a bit too ‘splashy’ bar-side we only had to waddle another 20 metres before we were jumping about in the Arabian Sea.

However, as lovely as Goa is, it isn’t all ‘paradise’. I hadn’t bargained on the gangs of stray dogs rolling around in the sand or the cows that wander onto the beach and leave a steaming pat behind. Nor had I envisaged the number of souvenir sellers who consistently pester you when you’re sitting on the beach trying to relax.

Ironically, the only worry I had before we arrived was completely unfounded. The selection and standard of different foods available was huge – from local cuisine to French, Italian, Tibetan and beyond – so much so in fact it was difficult to fit it all in. Not only that but not one of us suffered with the tummy bugs that we were lead to expect.

From the first day we stuck to our guns and made sure that the kids ate at least one Indian meal a day – good for them and good for us as we got to enjoy all the local dishes. But our favourite meal wasn’t from a restaurant it was eaten at the home of Chaan, a local tuk tuk driver we’d made friends with. After enjoying his wife Jaia’s tasty Goan fish curry we sat out in the family’s backyard and watched on as both sets of children played together and exchanged giggles.

When the sad time came to leave Patnem a group of locals surrounded our taxi to bid us farewell – bananas were passed into the car, hands were squeezed and addresses exchanged. More than just a holiday, our Goan adventure was the stuff memories are made of. But just in case our kids ever do forget, we made them a book about their trip so they can look back on it when they are older. What’s it called? ‘Noah in Goa’ of course.

Picture: Hampi info @flickr.com

Flying there:
We flew with JetAirways from Heathrow to Dabolim

We stayed at:
Papayas on Patnem Beach, South Goa.

Activities and things to see:
Yoga, Pilates, Reiki healing and Massage all on Patnem Beach
Anjuna market – a weekly flea market
Dolphin, fishing and jungle adventures

Check out the Thomson Al Fresco website (http://www.thomsonalfresco.co.uk/) for some great family holidays.

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