I consider myself to have a bit of common sense, however I have found myself in a scarey (and potentially dangerous) situation when visiting Goa alone. I had been invited to dinner by the Manager of the Goan Heritage (who my OH and I have known for years) and duly attended this engagement. The evening was spent with him disappearing at intervals to deal with hotel matters and I was left largely alone throughout the evening (and later my Goan friend said his goodbyes and went home) A lady and I got chatting and invited me to join her party which I did. Had just a couple of drinks with them before heading off to get a Taxi. It was only midnight and I expected to find at least a couple of taxis at the hotel entrance however, shock/horror there was not one to be found (honest). The security man said I would have to walk up the street to the main road where I would get a taxi. So there I am, considering the option of having to walk up a poorly lit side street and thinking to myself how damn stupid was I to be in this situation. I had forgotten to take my watch (to keep an eye on the time) and my torch. There was no way I wanted to walk up that street alone. A guest who was staying at the GH came to my rescue and returned me safely to the Osborne on his bike, thankfully. But in retrospect, I had no idea who HE was and even HE could have been some mad murderer so I was pretty stupid accepting his offer of a lift. I lived to tell the tale but I will never allow myself to get in a situation like that again ANYWHERE, not just Goa. As this story shows, it is so easy to find yourself in a situation like this so if you are travelling alone, always organise a taxi for your return journey - preferably someone you know/trust, always take your watch so you don't get caught out time-wise and always take a torch too!

There was a time when walking like the above wouldn't bother me - however, not now. They all clock you, who you are with, where you are staying, where you go etc!!! I will be very careful when I go tomorrow, make up some story and watch I don't drink too much!!! (that's the difficult bit!)

I've been going to Goa every year since 99, and in the last couple of years I have noticed a slightly more aggressive attitude from the beach sellers and taxi drivers .I don't know if it's in response to the aggro they get from the lager loutish tourists, who have flocked in droves since cheap beer was discovered there or what I used to wander round on my own all the time even at night, but am a bit more wary nowadays
The death of young Scarlett was really sad, but I cannot belive the mum left her "in the care of" a virtual stranger . Obviously the men involved in her death are to blame, but it could easily have been avoided imo
Not sure when I will be coming back to Goa, as I am slightly skint at the mo, but I will be back