Along the charming inner roads of North Goa, between Mapusa and Aldona, nestles Moira - one of the four heritage villages of Goa.
In its winding lanes lie many an old abandoned villa, draped with creepers, studded with trees, exuding nostalgia and lyrical mourning for its long gone Portuguese owners.
Was found such a house - not in utter disrepair, but with jarring modern additions.
Ensconced amid jackfruit, chikoo and sangwan trees, BirdSong was built in 1804, more than 200 years ago.
A beautiful Portuguese bungalow of pillared verandas and high roofs, gardens and pools, it offers the rare delights of inner Goa, away from the usual hustle of beaches and markets.
After four years of loving restoration, BirdSong is the warm and gorgeous home let out to discerning travellers.
The six air-conditioned suites at BirdSong are distinctly stunning; they open on to lush trees, and sweet bird song floats in through the day.
The hotel also give out the entire villa.
This is ideal for large groups (10 -16 people), parties, reunions, celebrations etc.
In case the entire Villa is booked, 16 people may occupy it.
At the very heart of the house, this stone floor room envelopes you in its cool embrace; sleeps four adults easily.
A large bed rises up from the floor in a monolithic look that is an architectural delight.
A spiral staircase leads up to a loft, complete with a double bed, that overlooks the lawn and the swimming pool.
A private ante-room and an outdoor shower are the other elements that add to Caraway's charm.
Just off the front veranda, this is a secluded, peaceful room with an enchanting loft that never fails to delight the kids; a beautiful outdoor shower open to the elements, shaded by tall Sal trees that will enthral all nature lovers.
The room is equipped with a flat screen television; can sleep 4 people easily - two on the master bed and two on the loft - perfect for a family.
Snuggled in the centre of the homestead, this room is like a self-sufficient little apartment, with a bunk bed for kids, a study table to work on, and old American winged chairs beneath Indian religious iconography.
The bathroom has different levels, with a tree growing through it; a little courtyard leads out into the side garden, which hosts an assortment of birdlife through the day.
A comfortable corner room nearest to the bar lounge and the pool, Clove is the obvious favourite of the more gregarious.
Sunshine filters in from cubby hole windows into the cool interiors of the bedroom.
There is a bay window bed for kids in the sitting room, along with a flat screen television; with its majestic laterite walls and glass-walled bathroom, this a fabulous combination of the old and the modern.
The warm glow of this room lifts your mood as soon as you enter it; from the comfortable sitting area, step-down to the bedroom that houses a beautiful built-in bed snuggled against the red laterite walls.
The room is delightfully located, opening up at one end onto the quadrangle of lawn and pool, and at the other, onto a courtyard that leads you into the side garden.
Dark, cool, mysterious, with comfy old sofas to sink into and a family bed to rest on; the room seamlessly blends into the bathroom, which boasts a splash bathing area and windows that look up to tree-tops.
Pepper opens on to the front veranda and leads into the old side garden that has been untouched for decades.
Trust the spa's professionals and get real pleasure.
The L-shaped pool is the happy heart of BirdSong, its short arm perfect for small children.
Tucked away above the bar, next to the swimming pool, are the steam room. Relax and sweat away the toxins.
Watch the villagers idle past or the kingfishers eat up the fish in the lily pool or catch a flash of the golden oriole or the strut of the magpie robin.
Go for a night stroll along the mysteriously silent village lanes or take a leisurely pedal during the day.
Water sports on beaches include jet skiing, parasailing, scuba diving and falling from a banana boat.
The church has fine gothic architecture which will mesmerize you completely.
An unusual garden is at your disposal. Here you can remain alone with your thoughts, enjoy the sounds of nature.
Here you can relax in a comfortable chair and immerse yourself in the world of reading.
This largest spice farm of the region lets you pluck and taste pepper, bite a Peri Peri (hottest chillies of the world), bathe through an "elephant shower" and feast on a traditional Goan lunch cooked with farm spices.
One of the important temple of North Goa is a masterpiece on its own. You can spend hours in the temple attending rituals of the Lord.
BIRDSONG
House No. 497CalizorMoiraBardezGoa 403507India