Two guys on a motor bike pulled up in broad daylight on the Baga Creek road and the one on the rear asked me if I wanted him to take a picture of both myself and my wife using the camera I had over my shoulder ( worth a considerable amount). I declined the offer but some might not and the last they would see of their camera would be it disappearing down the road !!
Could happen anywhere, not just Goa.

the motor bike scan was one we were warned about in Saigon as well. Its always worth reminding people to be vigilant. I know we had one of our own members who lost a handbag in Goa.

The handbag snatches I was talking about all happened up near Yamini on the dark bit of the road.
Mad Cow - sorry should have said a Rogue Cow - believe me he/she is vicious. Wife is
terrified when we cross to the beach.

Jo of Jo's Ponderossa (Jo & Trevor) on the Peacock Inn/Yorkshireman's Rd was gored by this bull and severely injured two years ago.

The panchayat refuse to have the animal put down, it roams free, even though this is not an isolated attack.

Incidentally, the sarpanch has refused to continue giving Jo & Trevor a Guest House license. Such a shame when you look back to the documentary series on their new life in Goa, and how Jo was so excited. Trevor has always remained miserable about the whole escapade, but then that's his perogative.

It was Pilkie who introduced karaoke to Goa (nuff said) when she was going out with Wayne at the Yorkshireman's. Bollywood Jim (sorely missed these past number of years), and Marianne the dog rescuer were later accomplices. So you know who to praise (or blame) for the wonderful entertainment that makes your holiday so worthwhile. She is a good laugh though (Pilkie), especially when you walk in and she announces 'Oh my God, look what the cat dragged in now'.

Bit of background detail there, sorry if strayed a little of topic, but not out on the rampage, only on the written page (sideways head nod).

i suppose you could say i am a newcomer to goa,and only HOLIDAY for a few weeks at a time,but i have found this site to be one of the greatest assets to my holiday for places to visit,restaurants,bars and beaches etc.all the things that are important to me on holiday,i have met some lovely people from here which is a bonus,we are going to Thailand (first time)next year and the first thing i did for info was ask questions on here.keep up the good work everyone!!

As an occasional poster on this board, one who has been told to watch it in the past by the moderators, I would like to add my tuppence worth.
First, I like the board as it is, with one small proviso( see later). There is absolutely nothing wrong with posting negative comments, or even controversial ones. It would be very dull otherwise, and not exactly fulfill its aim of informing tourists to Goa not only how to enjoy themselves but also what to avoid.
For instance, recent warnings about baga river sewage you might not actually get in the resort itself. It doesnt paint Goa in a positive light, can be argued to be negative, but is exactly what a forum like this should include.
Restaurant/beach hut/hotel reviews can be very opinionated, fair, unfair, and even written by people with vested interests, but we are all experienced enough to filter this.
Authorities in Goa are constantly slagged off for being corrupt, inept etc etc. Its vital that people know this and there are no end of writers here who post about it. These might end up riding roughshod over people personally involved and if it does get too personal, the moderators will act. BUT, and just to pick a recent example the case of the murdered young girl from last year, whilst some blame police, crime, drugs and an out of control beach scene, those who lashed into the poor old mum for being a naive or uncaring parent should be allowed to have their say. This is after all a discussion board and is thus opinionated.
And now to my one proviso. You can tell by the number of postings of some members here that they are regular and frequent writers on all sorts of topics, and clearly to a level that suggests that they no longer use this board for its prime purpose of holiday advice or 'truths' In other words it has become a bit of a club where friends can banter with each other. These are often the same people who dont like posts that are negative. I fell foul of this recently with the moderators because I got shirty about a post that was basically a weepy about not being able to go to Goa this year as the OH didnt have time off. Numerous people leapt in to sympathise and it became a total tearfest and, this is my point, was clearly enjoyed and valuable to the people who took part. These people are often the first to want the board to stay as it is, feeling that their hundreds of postings qualifies them to some sort of seniority. Not true.
There is room for the 'emotional support' type postings but this shouldnt detract from the prime purpose here. Next month I return for my umpteenth trip, and want to know about which hotels are to be avoided, which beach huts are the best, whether Newtons still flog 'past sell by' food, is the new restauarant worth it, and whether the Russians have learnt manners.

There is room for the 'emotional support' type postings but this shouldnt detract from the prime purpose here. Next month I return for my umpteenth trip, and want to know about which hotels are to be avoided, which beach huts are the best, whether Newtons still flog 'past sell by' food, is the new restauarant worth it,

Have to say lester I've read some of your posts in the past and don't always agree with you. I'm sure you wouldn't agree with everything I feel - Hey that's life it'd be very boring if we all felt the same.

I do agree with the quote above though. I would be the first to hold my hands up and say I enjoy a good banter but generally about opinions on things which might affect my holiday or holiday plans such as which hotels to avoid, which shacks are the best etc etc.

It's a shame that some topics of late have resulted in little more than public arguments and that the forum is consequently straying away from it's main purpose.

I've read the forum and taken a lot of advice from people who have a large number of posts "under their belt" so I wouldn't say they feel they have seniority, more a wealth of experience that we can all draw on as long as we appreciate that opinions and feelings will differ.

Let's all have a chat, let's all be friendly, let's exchange opinions as different as they may be, let's hear about what went on at the meets, but can we please be a little more tolerant of one another and just because we have differing opinions let's not turn it into a public argument. If we can all try to exercise tolerance the forum will stay a good source of valuable information and also fun to participate.

Sorry to ramble on and this post was certainly not meant to upset anyone. Sorry if any offence to any member has been caused

Totally agree lester/Dave's wife.

The rouge Bull was the same one that attacked Jo. Also attacked quite a few people going to the beach. As well as the dangerous dogs that live in the house on the corner opposite the Yorkshireman - have you had them snarling at you yet? and they are supposed to be tame! Bono had a few 'quiet' words with the owners. anyway when you get to the beach, the sunbed and umbrellas are waiting, kingfisher and good food. Roll on anyther 14 days and we will be there, hope the shacks are up.

ok this happened jan 08
we my hubby me and granddaughter aged 3 was in the town center of calungute around 3pm
it was very hot and the young one was getting tired so we decided to catch a tuk tuk back to our apartment which was close to the why not
By the time we got to the apartment the baby was fast asleep on my hubbys lap so i paid and he carried the baby up to the apartment Then as the tuk tuk drove away he realised that hed left his bum bag on the back of the seat (he had taken it off because it was pushing into his man bits with the weight of the baby)
he tried his hardest to yell ect ect but the tuk tuk drove away back to town in a mad rush he jumped in a taxi and went into town to find the tuk tuk what he found was not one but hundreds of little yellow rickshaws so after a mad 15mins he gave up and came back to the apartment with his chin on his knees
I was waiting outside for him along with my granddaughter and the rickshaw driver
he noticed the bum bag and drove back to return it Inside the b bag was around 10000rps a camera and his phone my hubby like me was over the moon and the young boy who we now name ricky as for rickshaw didnt even take a penny off my hubby but we did use him everyday after that and will do so this coming january
It still brings a tear in my eye

So anyway after a few years of going to Goa along with the rest of you i have seen many changes polution candolin beach coco beach and palolem ect ect but just 15 mins of a holiday and you know why we will be coming again

sharon
please anymore nice stories we can share

I could tell you a story about me just being ripped off yet again for 6,000 rps..lending money.
I should of learnt my lesson by now!!!
Theres good and bad everywhere but........oh i'll leave it at that!

Nice story, Sharon.

As has been said, there are honest and dishonest prople everywhere in the world, not just Goa.

I think some people may have gotten too friendly with local people when on holiday and further down the line feel that their perceived 'friendship' is not actually what it seemed and they realise that they are being taken advantage of.
I remember a number of years ago, an English lady (repeat vistitor) at our beach shack had brought a mobile over for one of the guys, but he was not happy because it wasn't the latest model.
His attitude to her act of generosity certainly gave her a wake-up call to the so-called friendship she thought they'd had.

I'm not saying that ALL friendships between holidaymakers and locals in Goa are not genuine, other posts obviously disprove that.

ssharonuk Yes for all my moaning how things aren't what they used to be.
We have had things returned to us by taxi drivers - once a diamond bracelet my wife was frantic, I know we use the same few drivers, but it could have fallen off
anywhere that evening. We have used the same local lad to look after our villa for the last 8 years and he is totally honest. We treat him well, and he looks after us.

What i am trying to do is get on the positive things about Goa things we still love
Whats the dam point in saving all year round for a holiday without giving it a chance
i can enjoy myself anywhere with the right people the right mood and the right place and i still think goa still offers that so come on give it a break Im not saying dont tell of the bad but for the last few weeks atleast some of you just want to kill the place off i could go on and on but ill stop
have a great holiday i know i will
sharon

Sharon- don't let those who stay in Goa put you off going on holiday. An expats view of a place is often very different from a holidaymaker, whichever country it is.
We all know through many threads on this forum that its not perfect and you know what to be warey of. We do have longstayers who don't own property there who seem to be able to give the positive and negative in a balanced view. I feel sorry for those who were misled into putting money into property by agents who covered up the truth or bought and thought there was a way round things. No wonder many feel embittered and can't see any positives.
Best to see what the holidaymakers make of their stays- and of course there will be good and bad, and those who proclaim they are never going back and then rebook for the following year

Think thats the veiw of the majority of us on here Fiona,thanks

don't let those who stay in Goa put you off going on holiday. An expats view of a place is often very different from a holidaymaker, whichever country it is.
We all know through many threads on this forum that its not perfect and you know what to be warey of. We do have longstayers who don't own property there who seem to be able to give the positive and negative in a balanced view. I feel sorry for those who were misled into putting money into property by agents who covered up the truth or bought and thought there was a way round things. No wonder many feel embittered and can't see any positives.
Best to see what the holidaymakers make of their stays- and of course there will be good and bad, and those who proclaim they are never going back and then rebook for the following year

Well put !

" Those who proclaim they are never going back and then book for the following year"
Any guesses who this refers to??
All first timers, go there with an open mind and judge for yourselves!!

Yes