Spinner....

One question... Why hadn't the 'illegal' shacks been demolidsh before now? Is this because it was a nice steady source of income for 'someone?'...

Some interesting letters in todays Herald regarding the murder case. The one at the bottom of the page is a bit of an eye opener!

http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=925&cid=13

I couldnt get your link to work but I think I found the piece you meant, leaves a rather nasty taste doesnt it in view of previous articles and interviews with that person

Thanks GFF , shocking but no surprise to those of us who know Goa. If the police can beat children (sellers) on the beach in front of tourists, and take their money, what else are they up to.They are so corrupt , it is beyond belief to British people .

I think that all of us that have been going to Goa for a few years know that a lot goes on, although i certainly feel there's been more of it the last couple of years and with a nasty feel to it too.

Infect I too shocked like rest but honestly there are few suggestions for those who travels a lot.
-.I have seen many members talk too much of either some manager,cook or even about some Waiter of specific restaurant/hotel or resort.Here I would like to advise all of you to keep safe distance with those who are unknown to you,first point.
-.I have also seen people talking of giving cell phone nos.to taxi drivers--this is in my opinion not safe atall..always share your hotel no with them or with strangers if that is the case.
-.Average Goan public is good but even though I am an Indian I would always relactunt to share any of my personal info with them,why should I?
-.If possible while using your cellphone in Goa,kindly add a tele no of your hotel and any leading news paper's office no.this helps sometimes.
-.Never ever say anyone that how many members are there in your group,this is must.Even if you are alone"Always make a habit to show that you are with some group/family".
-.Goa is still my fav.choice but I would by my naure always play safe anywhere I go on this earth.
-.Mostly reply either in Yes or No to taxi drivers,avoid asking queries to them like who is good dentist/jwellery shop/shoping paradise in Goa and vice versa.
-.When you travel alone,tell some of your friend to keep in touch with you atleast twice in a day,this helps a lot.
-.Flash a smile and pass it on with hotel staff-taxi drivers etc..,use this widely.
-.I mostly belive in taking cell nos rather than giving mine,after this I mostly use PCO or my hotel front tel nos.to contact others.
Hope this helps,be generous but with cautions.

As if there wasn't enough bad stuff about Goa at the moment. Have a read of this to cheer you up!

Trouble in Paradise, indeed.

http://ia.rediff.com/news/2008/mar/08goaterror.htm

Poipleshadow,

Re your comment on Goa news, you must have been reading my mind!!

http://www.bigpond.com/news/world/content/20080314/2189150.asp

Here in Melbourne Australia just looking through the news pages of Bigpond, not looking for anything about Goa and this was the first report in the national news. It was also on the banner on tv but nothing was mentioned about it.
p.s. scorching weather here in Melbourne - just going down to watch F1

Just spoke to one of the shack owners and he as told me they all can only have 10 sunbeds now

Lucky we will have ours saved for us. I would think its going to be there worst season as i would think they will have to let some of there boys go as there won`t be enough work for them.

Pip
x

Just come across this article thought you might all be interested in reading

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080317/tts-uk-india-goa-bed299d.html

Once again the Herald newspapers is full of readers letters regarding Scarletts murder.
http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=1134&cid=13

A copy of a post I made earlier-

The death of a 15 year old is tragic and it is obviously relevant to those going to Goa, in that it is a reminder that there are dangers everywhere. Please lets limit any further posts to news links only. Speculation and deciding blame is not really relevant in a Goa holiday forum and can also be hurtful if read by those close to the girl

There is an article in todays Navhind Times under the heading "Scarlette case a tip of the iceberg" Could someone more media savvy than me possibley put on a link to this story. I honestly cant believe what I read. Basicly the new tourists, although from the financial middle class, are actually from the manual labour class, such as joiners, mechanics and so on, this class of people are rough around the edges, and known to indulge in this type of behavour (drugs etc. )
So there you are , all you honest tradesmen, it's all down to you!!
Please, please, try and read this article, it shows you just what they reall think of us Alan

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=031748

Dont get me started i'm already fuming!

Just bare in mind its not all goans. Despite me having some sad experiences there are still some lovely people there.

This was the first year that we were offered drugs! We were walking along Calangute high street in the middle of the afternoon, when a goan walked by us in the opposite direction and asked if we wanted to by some grass. Neither of us are going to see 50 again!

This was the first year that we were offered drugs!

I think this could maybe only be said of the CCB coastline. Any other area of North Goa past Arpora Hill, it has ALWAYS been prevalent, so obvious that 'someone' was being paid 'hush' money to stay clear. It's just now that the world media have caught on. You would have to be very naive not to notice that it was going on. Look at where most package holiday regions are in Goa.... nowhere near areas with known drug abuse. There are a lot of coincidences... Now it's filtering through to mainstream tourism.

Theres a tit for tat situation going on over here now with police picking on foreigners. I'm not prepared to say anymore about this except to say that the police are angry at the way they are being slated in the press. I can see BIG trouble ahead!!