'Thank You' Princess Wynoma & Lucindo Faria

A SALUTE TO THE FARIAS & THEIR PARADISE "PALMARINHA"

Dear Wynoma & Lucindo

Greetings from London!

The flavour of Goa and the Palmarinha are still in our minds as I write this ‘Thank You’ for your most gracious generosity and assistance during our SJCSZ Reunion 2008 held in Goa. Without a doubt, it was your wonderful hospitality and cooperation in arranging our functions at the Palmarinha which helped make our reunion a great success.

Our committee, and without doubt, me personally, made it very easy for me to arrange an exciting and flavourful Reunion for all our attendees. You proved to me that you were not only business people par excellence, but that you really cared that our Reunion would be a resounding success without fear of competition. Your integrity is impeccable! You made us feel like we were family from the word "Go".

You will be pleased to learn that all our guests who stayed at the Palmarinha Resort had only praise for the wonderful all-round service they received.

First Choice Travel Agency did us proud in organising our bookings from London covering members who came from all over the globe.

If I was to arrange another Reunion in Goa, I'd have no hesitation in utilising the Palmarinha as our Headquarters yet again.

Thank you for all that you did for us, from the food, accommodation, music, hospitality, hosting our large group parties, to the ambiance, and most of all your friendship. Betty and I and all our committee members and guests will always remember with great fondness the most special time we had with you at the Palmarinha Resort. Muchas Gracias.

For those aspiring to visit Goa, I have written up a little profile of the Palmarinha to make known what a gem of a place you have in Calangute, and to expose them to your very special brand of hospitality as hostess and host. No one should visit Goa without staying at the Palmarinha for sure.

Betty and I welcome you to London at any time where we might have the opportunity of reciprocating in some small measure, your hospitality to us. Hope you will grace our home with your presence in the not too distant future.
Lots of love

Benny and Betty
(On behalf of SJCS Zanzibar Reunion Goa 2008 Committee)

Click on the links below to view the following:-

PALMARINHA RESORT

ST. JOSEPH'S CONVENT SCHOOL ZANZIBAR - GOA REUNION 2008

SJCS ZANZIBAR - NEXT REUNION PLANNING

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PALMARINHA RESORT, CALANGUTE , GOA, INDIA.

A VERITABLE OASIS! That's the most popular expression used by guests who had the good fortune to be booked at the PALMARINHA RESORT in Calangute, Goa. Just entering the impressive gates where a very friendly uniformed guard greets all visitors, one cannot help being wowed by the ambiance of this gem of a Resort. The coconut palms encircling the immaculately kept swimming pool and walk-about the fringe of the pool invitingly welcome you to this oasis which some call "Shangri La"…..reflected in the name "Palmarinha". Take your pick!

The Main office is right by the gates within the courtyard, and are at once greeted by the friendliest yet efficient personnel, who will register you and give you all the pertinent information you require, before handing you your keys accompanied by a cold drink of fresh tropical juices, and a warm reminder to call the office any time you need anything. This alone makes you feel so welcome after the long flight, and drive from the airport.

The swimming pool is surrounded on three sides by a three storied building where the rooms, each with its own veranda, overlook the swimming area. The view is simply stunning, and one may want to leave the curtains open before turning in at night, so that the first thing one would see upon awaking in the morning would be the coconut palms swaying in the early morning breeze, without losing one's privacy.

The rooms are tastefully furnished and are kept immaculate by the room boys who clean and keep your room fresh and inviting. Their masterpieces are their intricate towel arrangements. Each room also has a bar/refrigerator service. And, one outstanding feature of this Resort is the fact that you never see any undesirable insects or creepy crawlers, as one would won’t to see in the tropics. What a blessing.

Behind the rooms facing the pool are a duplicate set of rooms overlooking the back view. From your veranda you can see as far as the hills in the distance and more coconut trees, paddy fields and roads leading to more and exciting vistas to discover.

There is also another, smaller pool and party area where fabulous barbecues are hosted on Friday nights, complete with folk dancers who come to entertain. From your balcony you can also look down on the long wide patio where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served if you prefer to sit outside the dining room. Wonderful parties are hosted here in the exciting lighting and festooning of the entire area as the occasions may call for. The ambiance is out of this world.

And if you're down for breakfast every morning between 8.30 and 8.45 am, you will be pleasantly surprised to see a gaily decorated elephant making his way, with his master, to Calangute beach to entertain the tourists there. Breakfast is on the house, and there's even a young chef who fries eggs and makes omelettes to perfection, right in front of you. One can choose from a variety of breakfast foods that are stationed all around the dining room for your convenience.

The Restaurant and Bar are cosy, and eagerly served by friendly waiters who take care of all your needs accompanied by the appropriate drinks ordered. The food is exquisite and the chefs can prepare food to suit everyone's palate, even if spicy food is not your bag and you desire plain Western Cuisine. One can't help but be amazed at the atmosphere of "Family" that pervades the whole area. This of course comes from the excellent Faria Family who own and run the business.
They have created an atmosphere of "Extended Family" for both guests and staff. Is it any wonder that one feels one is in "Shangri La"?? The staff are periodically given group in-services by experts in the hospitality business, and one cannot help but see that the response is both welcoming and enlightening. The attached photograph is but one example of such an in-service.

On the fourth side of the pool in the front courtyard, near the office, is a posh convention centre on the top floor. The ground floor houses a gym and a jewellery shop where one can drool over exquisite gems and rings and things. The shop also features some pure silk garments which can be made to order, and the young man running the shop is the friendliest of shopkeepers & jewellers. He will even take you to his father's workshop to see how the jewellery is made if you so desire.

And if you would like to have your own apartment for your stay at the Palmarinha, you can walk past the front courtyard, make a right turn and voila ....... there's another swimming pool and apartments in the same style of architecture as the Main Hotel.

Other amenities include, Internet facilities, Foreign Exchange at comparable rates, Security box services, Satellite dish plus Internet facilities, Television in every room, Daily Laundry services, Ever-Ready Taxi services outside the walls of the Resort, Transportation to and from the Airport, and availability of club rooms for larger than small parties or meetings.

Last but not least is the special mini coach service that will take you upon the hour from 9.00am to 6.00pm to Calangute and Baga beaches compliments of Palmarinha.

Would I return to the Palmarinha??

IN A FLASH!!!!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS RESORT and should we SJCS Members host another reunion in Goa, Palmarinha will be our home.

To view all photographs of our SJCS Reunion - Goa 2008, please click on the link below

http://www.sjcszanzibar-reunions.com/

Best regards

Benito de Souza
(On behalf of Saint Joseph’s Convent School Zanzibar Reunion 2008 Committee)

For the attention of:
Palmarinha Resort Management - palmarinha@gmail.com
Wynoma - wynoma@rediffmail.com
Lucindo - lucindofaria@rediffmail.com

Copied to:
Holiday Truth - holidaytruth.com
Trip Adviser - tripadvisor.com
SJCS Zanzibar main site - SJCSZanzibar@yahoogroups.com
SJCS Goa Reunion Committee site - SJCSGoaReunion@yahoogroups.com