One thing in a Morjim property can stay where it is through the monsoon: the blinds. Rolled fully up, a roller in PVC-coated or polyester fabric sits safely in its cassette while cushions and curtains go into store, which makes blinds a sound choice for resorts and villas that close for the rains. The parts must suit a site with the sea on one side and the Chapora on the other. The head rail should be aluminium, the chain plastic or stainless, the brackets coated, and real wood or untreated bamboo left out, since both warp and mildew. Sand blown off the wide beach gets into mechanisms, so simple chain-operated rollers are easier to live with than slatted blinds.
- Guest rooms in seasonal resorts: blackout rollers on sturdy metal brackets, rolled up and left in place when the property shuts for the monsoon.
- Verandas of beach-side villas: clear PVC monsoon blinds for owners who stay on through the rains, fixed with stainless fittings.
- Guest-house rooms behind the beach: plain sunscreen rollers that wipe clean of sand and can be swapped singly if damaged.
Morjim lies on the north side of the Chapora river mouth, in Pernem. Its wide beach is a nesting site for olive ridley turtles, and the village behind it has resorts, beach restaurants and villas, popular with long-stay winter visitors.
Property is mostly seasonal: resorts, villas let through the winter, and guest houses. Many places close for the monsoon, so furnishing must store well and come out again fresh.
Morjim is exposed to both sea and river. Salt, wind and blown sand affect anything outdoors, and the monsoon is rough at the river mouth.
Sea-facing homes
Steel parts rust within a season near the sea. Ask for aluminium head rails, stainless or plastic chains and brackets, and avoid real wood slats, which warp in salt damp. PVC, faux-wood and coated polyester roller fabrics wipe clean and do not hold salt.
Riverside and backwater homes
Constant humidity near water encourages mildew on fabric blinds. Roller blinds in PVC-coated or polyester sunscreen fabric resist it, and can be wiped with a damp cloth. Real wood and untreated bamboo are better kept for drier rooms.
Visiting Morjim
Morjim is about eighty-five minutes from the showroom, across the Siolim bridge. We measure free of charge and plan Pernem visits for one day, so please book ahead.
Do you travel to Morjim?
Yes. It is about eighty-five minutes from Margao. We visit Morjim, Ashwem, Mandrem and Arambol on the same day, so please book a few days ahead.
What should a seasonal resort store over the monsoon?
Cushions and curtains, washed and fully dry, in a ventilated room. Blinds can be rolled up and left in place.