FEELIN' THAT GLOW

Lawyer, author and homeowner Berjis Desai shares the pleasure of living in Villa Loto Bianco, conceptualised by Shruti Jaipuria of MAIA Design Studio

- BERJIS DESAI

Buzzing fireflies, prickly shrubs, mucky ground; as we were about to turn and leave, we saw them. Hundreds of white lotuses in full bloom in the paddy fields stretching up to the horizon, dotted with lazy buffaloes being serviced by eager egrets in a symbiotic tableau. We instantaneously decided that Isprava Luxury Villa Holiday Homes would construct our Spanish villa and we will call it, Loto Bianco.

Sixteen months later, we were stunned to see our Siolim home; conjured Mary Poppins like, from scratch. Sandwiched between two unkempt orchards, the silence was deafening for us Mumbaiites. Next morning, just before sunrise, there was chaos in the trees. Yellow hornbills making a ruckus. They were followed by numerous exotic birds that had flown in from the nearest bird sanctuary just 20 minutes away. Our villa is tucked away from the narrow road lined up with old Goan houses with names like Caravahlo’s Nest and ubiquitous crosses.