More shacks demolished

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=2385&cid=26

does anyone know the name of the shack in calangute ....

All very civilised I must say

IC a lot of shacks have gone, we went for a stroll along calangute beach today and there are very few shacks, huge open spaces between, filled by nothing or just fisherman, odd Indian and Goans sitting about playing cards and passing the time of day,, odd kids playing where they cant normallyetc .... I have to say it looks so lovely you can see loads of things you couldnt before, palm trees... village houses fisherman and chai / samosa sellers, (often afraid to venture that far for fear of being shooed off, or maybe because many tourists of course can buy a 'proper' cuppa in the shack!! although i often buy samosa and chai early morn or eve at the calangute steps area but they are rarely as far as Fishermans or onward from there like today.
The shacks that are left have all had the sides removed so they are no longer closed in and this is also quite nice as you can see far and wide and also there is more of a breeze spelling less flies on the tables and a lot of the other additions you see, frontage, signs flags, etc have gone. and of course far fewer beds and tourists! The only thing that spoilt it for us was the sense of boredom and lack of enthusiasm by many of the shack staff who were (mostly) so fed up and miserable we didnt feel inclined to hang about!! it becomes catching!!! and this was in a couple of shacks that are still open and have (few admittedly) 'guests' ... its as if they are all just waiting for the season to end?? IMO.... which i suppose they are.... and it has been a poor season, perhaps everyone has just had enough one way or the other? shame for tourists especially those just arrived though
Chilly

An Egyptian Tourism Counsellor has been in India recently promoting Egypt as a much cheaper place to holiday than Goa.

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=2998&cid=26

Looks like the Goan authorities are going to get hit from all sides as far as losing tourists go!!

Still.....the beaches will be emtpy when I go again next year

I went to Sharm el Sheikh a couple of years ago and found it very expensive. Alcohol was same prices as UK and food too was pricey. I will stick to Goa, thanks. Also the people are a lot nice in Goa!

Candybabe

In the local Navhind Times newspaper (01/05) it was reported that there was nearly 6000 cases of traffic violations in the Mapusa area. These are a few that caught my eye. 3240 for driving without helmets (on highways). 41 cases against public transport vehicles for stuffing passengers in cabs. 612 cases for triple seat riding. 37 cases against public transport vehicles for allowing open doors and passengers to hang on doors.

Looks like they didn't catch the four on a bike with a television. As for the buses, that's normal isn't it?

went to Sharm el Sheikh a couple of years ago and found it very expensive. Alcohol was same prices as UK and food too was pricey. I will stick to Goa, thanks. Also the people are a lot nice in Goa!

Candybabe

This post really grabbed my attention.
I have always wanted to go to Sharm, as an alternative to Goa, being that we can only afford the one holiday per yer.
I think i will stick to Goa.

Msot people are calling me boring because the only places i have been on holiday in the last 5 years are Goa, and Turkey (once) .

Nicola, I am going to Sharm in August, will let you know what I think when I get back

thanks Gemma , that would be good.

Your brave going in August aren't you, ive heard its very hot , even hotter than Goa.
Which hotel are you staying at?

I think the hotel is called Sunrise Island View but cant remember for sure
We fly out 28 August

never heard of that hotel, but the place where i was thinking of going is the coral sea resort.
Looks like they have excellent rooms, kids playground, and beach front.
But i think most hotels in Egypt have those facilities as standard dont they?

Early Sep might be a bit cooler , your hoping . (ignore me, im only jealous because id rather be packed in your suitcase instead of staying here)

Yummymummy I've stayed at Coral Sea resort. Don't want to go off topic so I'll pm you about it

thanks sim, i got your pm

I found this on another website, and thought it makes an interesting read.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=53488&in_page_id=1770

very very sad i have to say

YM Seems to be a bad link??? Interested.

not sure what the link is either but is there ever any good news? I think this forum has seemed really depressing this year. And as max posted in another thread we are all in danger of being influenced by all the negativity. Already many who have agonised over returning have actually booked to return. No country is a real paradise for those living there. Many issues are important for a holiday forum such as ours- shacks, cleanliness etc but lets balance it out more. Any good news anyone?

copy of Max's excellent quote

It's amazing how listenening to others constantly moaning , can get you thinking that way yourself.

I must keep positive! I must keep positive! ;)

"but is there ever any good news"

There will be no doubt, but let's face it all this bad news is entirely their making anyway. Fail to plan .... plan to fail.

If Goa wants to remain a VALUED tourist destination, those in the tourist business have to behave professionally and satisfy the needs of those buying into it. They deserve to get bad publicity if they don't clean up the filth, stop overcharging, prepare food badly, face the drug menace, deal with malaria problems, control the devastating coastal building, etc.... all of which could easily have been addressed EVERY year.... but no they just wait till a crisis and then blow the whole thing by not being able to deal with ANY of the problems.

Maybe next season will be quieter, but lessons should be learned and if not .... well that's their own stupidity. Goa has had a dedicated flow of tourists coming back year after year who are now getting p****d off with a whole lot of things. I know it's India but it's a wealthy state... you don't bite the hand that's feeding you, which is exactly what they have done. Also a lot of greedy people can't handle the fact that they have had the handouts and freebies, gifts from us Europeans/Brits and are now being hypocritical by putting us down forgetting that they were courting our friendship for free mobile phones, financial assistance and now they want to overcharge and be spiteful.

I think it is good that holidaymakers are entirely made aware of this rather than the package holiday brochures painting different pictures of Goa and effectively over selling.

The good news is that there are a lot of people who are no doubt happy with Goa who DON'T post here, most people who are happy with their experiences tend not to post on discussion groups, those with grievences/problems do.

Because India is a beautiful place and can also be VERY dangerous the more information made available good or bad is important.