Can't say what's it's like now but when we were in Baga over Christmas not a day went by without being offered DVDs on the beach.

We didn't buy any so don't know whether they were any good but there were plenty for sale.

As for a DVD player I'm sure they must be available but sorry don't know where from. Probably better off taking your portable.

We have just come back from Candolim and there are two dvd beach sellers and bought 5 for 700 rupees, including 2 copies of Slumdog Millionaire. Have just watched that and the quality is excellent.

There's dvd's for sale in a shop next door but one from NEWTON'S i think it's a record shop if my memory serves me right...

Out of curiosity I bought 4 dvds - 2 are utter rubbish(cams with bad sound), one was blank and the fourth Australia was very good.

Pay your money and take a chance

The shop near to Newtons is called Mantra. They sell lots of DVDs, genuine ones, but I don't think prices are lots cheaper than UK.

In January there was a guy selling them up the lane at the back of the beach road in candolim, he used to sell on the beach. You should get them for 4 for 300 and he would test them for you and take them back if they didnt work.
Hes more or less opposite Santanas place.

Thanks everyone, looks like I may get my hands on some even if of dubious quality. I think I probably missed quite a few things last year. You know how it is after the first half dozen or so beach sellers you end up just saying no before they even start on what they are selling.The other thing was that up to my day indoors I had not put a great deal of thought into TV of any kind. Perhaps the consequences of my little mistake may help warn others who have not been yet.

I decided to get the bus to the market in Mapusa. Just before boarding I bought a bottle of water from the little shop next to the stop. I managed to drink half of it on the journey, which was no mean feat, something akin to trying to have a drink on a roller coaster. It dawned on me that I could not remember if the bottle was sealed but had a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't. Got my answer with a vengeance the following morning. After a few unpleasant 'episodes' I decided I was going nowhere for the day. Told my wife to head off to the pool and would catch her up if things improved. Nothing worse or designed to make you feel sorry for yourself than being 'grounded' when all around are enjoying the glorious sunshine, food, drink etc. After a while of laying on my back, counting the cracks in the ceiling, contemplating on the movement of the fan and wishing I had brought my screwdrivers to undertake a few repairs to items in the room that I was noticing in minute detail, boredom hit the level that TV was the only thing left. After a very long time of flicking through channels I eventually found one that was advertising films. At least, I thought, maybe I could watch some action packed thriller to take my mind off things. After another very long time of adverts on came something very similar to little house on the prairie. Mom making apple pie, kids playing in the fields and Pop outside chopping wood. Amidst this blissful scene, pooch, the genius family dog was busy saving the animals from the barn that had been set on fire by the local villains. Then, disaster, pooch gets trapped at the top of the burning building and no one can hear his barks for help. Then without warning a full Bollywood production pops on the screen which eventually turned into an ad for a fridge or something. Many, many more productions later, finally ending in one with a girl dancing through the hills singing in an impossibly high voice being chased around by a totally demented young man waving his arm and legs around and doing weird things with his eyes. She looked pleased and maybe with a singing voice like that she could not afford to be fussy but if he was behind me I would have picked up the nearest heavy object just in case.This was all in aid of a toothbrush. Anyway I realised boredom was getting to the level that I was even analysing adverts. Then came a knock on the door. The room boys came in to clean the room. I told them not to bother but they were having none of it. Tried to follow pooche's progress but he was still in the hay loft when the next set of adverts came on. I spotted the room boy heading toward the bathroom and did my best to head him off shouted warnings, mad gestures that consisted of pinching the front of my nose while wafting the other hand told him he didn't get paid enough to venture in there. He just laughed and got on with it, in fact it was a little obvious that the lads were finding my condition more than a little amusing. Still I thought anyone brave enough for that task deserves a big tip when I leave. I got up to let them change the bed, sat on the balcony, and lit a fag. BIG mistake. ran as fast as I could across the room and just made it. I have no idea where it all comes from, I was certain I could not have eat that much. The lads were rolling about laughing and I thought about reviewing my tip idea. So they eventually left with a very cheery disposition, I was glad to have at least made someones day. Adverts still going on the telly but my stomach pains had gone and within a few minutes I was asleep. Next thing the wife is waking me up, what happened to pooch, I said but she just assumed I was delirious. Looked up at the TV and the ads were on again. Felt right as rain after the sleep and had a cautious night out.

Sorry for the ramble but won't risk not checking bottles again and won't risk being left with only the TV for company.So if I can get my hands on a few DVDs, best be prepared.

Dave

Dave,

Sounds like you may be still in Goa.Regardless you have just posted a perfect account of what happens when the worst happens.Made me laugh out loud not in joy at your condition but rather memory of what I think many of us have experienced.We still keep going back though.

I had a semi bad day or two last year which kept me in bed for a few hours and close to the toilet for a day or two.

Back on topic.I have been to many places that sell snide DVDs Thailand,India'Turkey etc and decided a long time ago that after many disapointments watching the latest blockbuster only to have it go wrong or to see someone stand up infront of the picture that I would no longer play that game.The economics did just not add up.

More than happy now to keep my money in my pocket and wait till it comes out on sky or proper DVD.

Good luck with the Goan squat.

Papa

Papa. Not out there yet,two weeks to go but keep thinking about last year. Bought a few dodgy DVDs in Turkey over the years so no great expectation anymore, but you never know I may buy one from an honest soul who will offer a refund if its not studio standard. (well we can all dream, I am in holiday mode)

Silver Angel, do they have TVs in the rooms at the Sunset Beach?

Dave

Yes they do, you may have to pay a deposit for the remote though - also a small tv in the bar area.

roverdave

Spike is absolutely correct, we didn't bother to pay for the remote as we don't watch much tele on holiday

[We have just come back from Candolim and there are two dvd beach sellers and bought 5 for 700 rupees, including 2 copies of Slumdog Millionaire. Have just watched that and the quality is excellent.]

Silver Angel, how did you get on with the others,have you tried them yet.

Dave

hi roverdave

yes, all 5 dvd's are excellent quality so well chuffed - it wasn't the bloke with the portable dvd player we bought from, was the other man so took a chance but well happy - 2 copies of Slumdog and 1 of Australia, couple of others too

hope u enjoy your holiday

I bought 7 from the guy with the portable dvd player for R1000.Actually when I bought them I only had R300 with me and I told him I was going to Hampi for 3 days - He was happy to collect the balance when I got back. So far have watched Slumdog and 7 Pounds both excellent quality. The Changeling has 1 frozen scene towards the end but did not really spoil the film. I do know that if you are able to watch them out there and you have a problem he will change them.

the elephant shop in candolim sells dvd's/vcd's at a good price

Hi Roverdave - May well be too late as you have probably left but there's a Saturday "local" market near the Post Office in Calangute where they sell DVDs, clothes,hardware, watches, food etc. We bought 2 for 170rps and the quality is fine. I think you're less likely to get a duff DVD in a "locals" market.

Have just read through this thread, and whilst most of it relates to cheap copied DVD's there is some mention of genuine ones.

The OP is quite correct that they are no cheaper than UK, in fact more expensive in many cases than web-sellers like Play.com.

There is another alternative if you want genuine however, and that is VCD (Video Compact Disc). THese are from the genuine manufacturer but are massively cheaper Rs99 - 299. The main difference apart from price is that the film is usually on two discs and the picture quality is supposed to be poorer (I cant tell much difference). I have been buying these for many years, since when DVDs were rare and have always found them great. All proper record shops keep them, Rock & Raga next to Lawande (and in Panjim) have a large stock, including latest releases. They play on all DVD players also.

A cheap DVD player here is about rs2000 and quite small ones can be found, less than 9"x9"x2", mine is Phillips.

Hi everyone Thanks for all the tips on this thread and the rest. I will be setting off on Monday arriving Tuesday morning so looking forward to trying all the restaurants, bars, beach shacks etc that have been recommended. Hopefully this year avoid the stomach problems but at least I know where to get a couple of DVDs if confined to the room for any length of time. Hope to get to a meet or at least Molly Malones on Tuesday.

Thanks again for all your advice and help.
Dave

I got the latest dvd's from a beach seller on Calangute and all are first class copies ,Gran torino,valkyre and others for 100 ruperts