Papa

We were over there at Christmas on Baga beach and never had a problem getting a sunbed - nor did we pay for one. The shack boys did say every day "you come tomorrow, you be early. On arriving one morning on the beach at 09.30 sunbeds at the shack were plentiful but when I asked for a coffee and a bottle of water I was told "Sorry you wait we not open yet" Not the best customer service. I've never known it in all my years going to Goa.

We did move on from that shack not because we couldn't get a sun bed but in our party of four there were 2 younger ladies who were getting hassle from one of the boys at the shack we were using.

We found a lovely shack somewhere in the middle of Baga and Calangute. Much less busy. The customer service was more like we had always been used to. If I'm being honest the prices were marginally higher but it was worth a little extra and the younger ladies in our party were more comfortable. We continued to use this shack for the duration of our holiday when we were on Baga beach. I think probably the prices at the shack we continued to use were a little higher because of the lack of business but for 4 of us over the day, lunch, beers, juices, water, coffees, milk shakes, it was no more than 100rps more. Well worth it to us.

When we arrived on 8th January we couldn't get a sunbed at Bono's for the first few days it was so busy - yet shacks either side had lots of empty beds.
This is just as I had predicted earlier on this forum - despite charging for the beds and charging 100 Rs for a kingfisher, Bono's regulars are willing to pay for clean toilets.

Max

I'm not sure that all of the "regulars" pay for clean toilets.

The toilets of the shack we used were clean and had hand washing facilities. I think people return to the same shack because they've always had a good time there and after a number of years develop a sense of loyalty, as well as meeting "old friends" again

Correction - for clean read "exceptionally clean" in fact the best I've seen in 10 years of going to Goa, nothing else comes anywhere near as good.

We only go because of the toilets - it's got nothing to do with loyalty or friendships and I know lots of others who feel the same. In fact, we sometimes meet them having lunch at Pete's but using Bono's beds.

so exceptionally clean toilets don't bring in the lunchtime trade then

Hi Papa

We didnt have a problem getting a bed over xmas at our usual shack, had to jump off it a few times though and retreat to the shack when the beach bed police were doing their inspections, its quite an amusing sight really the phone call comes to the head boy then you look up and down the beach and can see the the beds being cleared away by the shack boys and 30mins later the reverse, got to feel sorry for them boys though they work hard enough without having to hump heavy beds up and down.

Prices our shack we found had increased his prices quite a bit, the food is always very good there, the boys have all been there for years and like many others feel loyal and even though people have always said the shack charges more than a lot of others we always found it not excessive but this year I dont know if it was the higher than normal increase and the higher prices in the shops and restaurants it seemed our money wasnt going nearly as far. A lot of xmas regulars who used to use it have now absconded for one reason or another and I want to try some others too ( dont need posh toilets but clean ones are a must) but at same time dont want to feel quilty about it which I know I will.

In general though considering how much food has increased in price over here this year the shacks are still very good value for money. This summer lunch, soft drinks and sunbeds on the beach in Turkey was costing round the same as we pay for breakfast, lunch, softdrinks and water during the day and the odd sundowner and it wasnt half as tasty.

Correction - for clean read "exceptionally clean" in fact the best I've seen in 10 years of going to Goa, nothing else comes anywhere near as good.

We only go because of the toilets - it's got nothing to do with loyalty or friendships and I know lots of others who feel the same. In fact, we sometimes meet them having lunch at Pete's but using Bono's beds.

Max,

Not sure I want to let my OH know about Bonos.From previous posts I know you are a supporter and if she knew about the toilets I am sure she would want to seek it out.Its the thought of parting with the extra cash that makes me cringe .

Seriously if we can get up early enough it is on our list.

So used to walking down to the beach and taking our pick.Looking forward to see the changes.

Papa

Two things have just occured to me reading the updates to this post.It would seem that a lot of us by the timings of posts seem to sneak a quick look at the forum if possible just before we go to bed.

The other thing is,where else in the world could you have a heated discussion about"shacks".Uniquely Goa I think.

Good night to you all.

Papa

I was just wishing that everyone would go to bed- i keep coming back to new posts.

Fiona,

Going soon,promise if just my inbox would stop with topic reply notifications.Thats what happens when you start new topics.

Papa

We only go because of the toilets - it's got nothing to do with loyalty or friendships and I know lots of others who feel the same. In fact, we sometimes meet them having lunch at Pete's but using Bono's beds

Max, I'm rather surprised by your comment. You choose to go to Bonos due to their hygeine standards, yet eat at another shack where presumably, due to their toilets, their hygeine is not so high. Does Bonos hygenine standards not extend to their kitchens?

Correction - for clean read "exceptionally clean" in fact the best I've seen in 10 years of going to Goa, nothing else comes anywhere near as good.

We only go because of the toilets - it's got nothing to do with loyalty or friendships and I know lots of others who feel the same. In fact, we sometimes meet them having lunch at Pete's but using Bono's beds.

So you do manage to leave your rs100 per person, per day, toilet to eat then? That's a relief.................

One of the ladies toilets at Bono's shack

I also find it rather odd, as Pete's shacks also have nice clean loo. In fact the photo looks like the one at Pete's, and his is recommended in the Goa Rough Guide book. (So is his lovely food too). He also doesn't (or didn't) charge for beds, but you have to get there early to nab some.

To be honest - the loo in the shack we use doesn't look much different!!

Was forced to use the one at Bobbies Shack a couple of years ago.Not an experience I want to repeat.

Right at this very moment I would pee in an old rusty bucket in any shack just to be in the warm sunshine.

All Saints

I'm with you !!!!

Right at this very moment I would pee in an old rusty bucket in any shack just to be in the warm sunshine.