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My Kind of Place -- PRAHLAD KAKKAR

Lakshadweep

My original choice

Earlier holidays meant go, go, Goa. I have a house there. So whenever I felt like getting away from the maddening pace of Mumbai, I could never think of a better place than the gorgeous Goa, and the gracious Goans. I still go there but not as often as I used to.

As good as ever

Not just for its sun kissed beaches, velvety sand, lively music and dance and colourful streets, I love Goa more for its fantastic food and Feni. Go for the comforting calmness in its old world charm or let your hair down at one of the cool parties in swanky restaurants, the choice is yours. But as for Goa's most unique feature: the men turn romantic and sentimental once they get drunk. So when in Goa, it's not too difficult to fall in love.

Blue-eyed island

Nowadays, I often visit the stunning island of Lakshadweep, where the sea is coloured in five shades of blue. So it's blue up (the sky above) and blue down (the water) and coral all over. What pulls you in is its pristine beauty. You can actually master the fine art of doing nothing on this island where the clock seems to stop ticking.

Scuba diving, my passion

I have been running two scuba diving centres, Lacadives Dive School, in Lakshadweep for the past 10 years — one on the Bangaram island and the other in Kadmat. Scuba diving is an amazing sport that lets you explore the deep and enjoy the diversity of underwater life. Whenever I feel like indulging in it, I take off to Lakshadweep. Anybody can dive as long as one is fit. We admit those above 14 years in our schools. If you're game for it, don't hesitate to take the plunge.

The adman, chef and restaurateur spoke to CHITRA SWAMINATHAN

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