Top Notes
Bergamot
Lavender
Heart Notes
Cedarwood
Base Notes
Vetiver
Ambergris
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Notes04/27/2021
ChrisG86
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ChrisG86
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15
Wood from Portugal
1931. Goa. The jungle. Burning heat.
Why I believed these old accounts I found in the Calcutta Public Library was a mystery to me till date. As an archaeologist, I do chase after treasures whose real existence is based only on circumstantial evidence, legends and stories, but in this matter there was really little material to indicate hidden treasure, which is probably why little attention was paid to the contents and no one ever bothered to investigate. I, however, was to be the exception.
According to the old record, there is supposed to be a secret place in the deep jungles of Goa that holds a treasure that Portuguese colonialists brought here many years ago. I must confess that at the beginning of my journey I did not believe to have success with my search. But I was to be proved wrong and what I found deep in the jungle was indeed a treasure, though not in the classical sense.
For 34 days I was the leader of the expedition with my trusty intern Stuart, Bodhi, a native of Goa, and two horses for support. It was not an easy research trip. Some days the rain got to us, others the heat threatened to beat us to death. The jungle demanded everything from us. Often we felt we were chasing a ghost and were on the verge of giving up.
In the end, however, our patience paid off because something happened on August 14. We were marching east on a hot afternoon when we noticed our surroundings had changed. It was as if we had entered another world: The vegetation around us seemed to have miraculously transformed. Plants that were completely foreign to this region were growing on a plain that was different from the exotic jungle. Only a few meters ahead of us was a clearing and we left the green roof of the jungle. We had not expected what suddenly appeared in front of us in the clearing. A walled fortress, bearing a resemblance to that of Cala d'Or, appeared before us, gleaming in the light of the sun. Not only the location of the object but also the construction was completely untypical for this area. Such fortresses were more likely to be found in southern Europe. Even stranger, however, was the huge tree that jutted out from the center of the fortress, resembling no tree nearby.
We approached the fortress with cautious steps, not sure if we were in enemy territory and had to fear being attacked. But nothing happened. All was quiet. Apparently the fortress was deserted. The gate was open. Still on guard, we entered the interior of the fortress. I couldn't believe my eyes, for what I saw was not what I expected: a magnificent garden lined the courtyard, glowing in the sunlight. The sight alone was a delight to the eyes, but the fragrance in the air surpassed everything and instantly filled me with a sense of bliss. I first detected refreshing citrus notes that seemed to come from the bergamot trees at the entrance. This was very quickly followed by the scent of lavender, which was soothingly warm and soft as it ensnared our olfactory senses. All around us the plant grew in glorious purple hues. The scent of lavender continued to accompany us for a long time until we made our way to the center of the courtyard. Then we stepped into the shade of the huge tree that towered proudly in the middle of the fortress. Apparently it was a cedar, for its pleasant woody, distinctive and comforting smell was unmistakable.
The garden exuded a beguiling woody aroma; an interplay of notes from a wide variety of shrubs and trees. An atmosphere of well-being. An aura of happiness. A magical moment in an extraordinary place. It was olfactory art in perfect form.
My companions and I felt inner peace, security and contentment. This place was a place of peace and perfection and the fortress its protection. We took a seat at one of the wooden benches that were scattered all over the courtyard and let the magic wash over us. The journey had paid off. No gold, no diamonds, no treasure in the classic sense, but something much more valuable.
After much deliberation, I understood the significance of this place: it was to remind the Portuguese colonialists of the forests of the Iberian Peninsula. A refuge of reflection. A piece of home.
If you are reading this report and should consider visiting this wonderful place, then I must ask for your understanding that I cannot reveal the exact location to you. I don't want this place to fall victim to commercialism or tourism. It should remain what it is: the discovery of my life.
Peace
Why I believed these old accounts I found in the Calcutta Public Library was a mystery to me till date. As an archaeologist, I do chase after treasures whose real existence is based only on circumstantial evidence, legends and stories, but in this matter there was really little material to indicate hidden treasure, which is probably why little attention was paid to the contents and no one ever bothered to investigate. I, however, was to be the exception.
According to the old record, there is supposed to be a secret place in the deep jungles of Goa that holds a treasure that Portuguese colonialists brought here many years ago. I must confess that at the beginning of my journey I did not believe to have success with my search. But I was to be proved wrong and what I found deep in the jungle was indeed a treasure, though not in the classical sense.
For 34 days I was the leader of the expedition with my trusty intern Stuart, Bodhi, a native of Goa, and two horses for support. It was not an easy research trip. Some days the rain got to us, others the heat threatened to beat us to death. The jungle demanded everything from us. Often we felt we were chasing a ghost and were on the verge of giving up.
In the end, however, our patience paid off because something happened on August 14. We were marching east on a hot afternoon when we noticed our surroundings had changed. It was as if we had entered another world: The vegetation around us seemed to have miraculously transformed. Plants that were completely foreign to this region were growing on a plain that was different from the exotic jungle. Only a few meters ahead of us was a clearing and we left the green roof of the jungle. We had not expected what suddenly appeared in front of us in the clearing. A walled fortress, bearing a resemblance to that of Cala d'Or, appeared before us, gleaming in the light of the sun. Not only the location of the object but also the construction was completely untypical for this area. Such fortresses were more likely to be found in southern Europe. Even stranger, however, was the huge tree that jutted out from the center of the fortress, resembling no tree nearby.
We approached the fortress with cautious steps, not sure if we were in enemy territory and had to fear being attacked. But nothing happened. All was quiet. Apparently the fortress was deserted. The gate was open. Still on guard, we entered the interior of the fortress. I couldn't believe my eyes, for what I saw was not what I expected: a magnificent garden lined the courtyard, glowing in the sunlight. The sight alone was a delight to the eyes, but the fragrance in the air surpassed everything and instantly filled me with a sense of bliss. I first detected refreshing citrus notes that seemed to come from the bergamot trees at the entrance. This was very quickly followed by the scent of lavender, which was soothingly warm and soft as it ensnared our olfactory senses. All around us the plant grew in glorious purple hues. The scent of lavender continued to accompany us for a long time until we made our way to the center of the courtyard. Then we stepped into the shade of the huge tree that towered proudly in the middle of the fortress. Apparently it was a cedar, for its pleasant woody, distinctive and comforting smell was unmistakable.
The garden exuded a beguiling woody aroma; an interplay of notes from a wide variety of shrubs and trees. An atmosphere of well-being. An aura of happiness. A magical moment in an extraordinary place. It was olfactory art in perfect form.
My companions and I felt inner peace, security and contentment. This place was a place of peace and perfection and the fortress its protection. We took a seat at one of the wooden benches that were scattered all over the courtyard and let the magic wash over us. The journey had paid off. No gold, no diamonds, no treasure in the classic sense, but something much more valuable.
After much deliberation, I understood the significance of this place: it was to remind the Portuguese colonialists of the forests of the Iberian Peninsula. A refuge of reflection. A piece of home.
If you are reading this report and should consider visiting this wonderful place, then I must ask for your understanding that I cannot reveal the exact location to you. I don't want this place to fall victim to commercialism or tourism. It should remain what it is: the discovery of my life.
Peace
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