Back 5 days ago from our 2nd visit to Goa and the following are our experiences based on fact and observation.What a difference 12 months can make and not all good.
The flight.Brilliant (First Choice), on time and good seat pitch with leather seats and individual entertainment.I wouldn't bother upgrading,who want's to be first off and on the plane anyway?but not first on at Dabolim! better to spend the difference in Goa.Row 12 CDE reccomended.
Arrival.Things have improved a lot, quicker than last year,still diabolical Dabolim though and not as many porters.
To Highland Hotel Candolim, chose B&B,by private taxi (booked by e mail).Awesome,a real eye opener (if you have been you know what I mean).Cost 675 IR.Organised chaos with traffic, dogs, cows and pedestrians everywhere with some beautiful scenery on way.
Hotel.Reception allocated us a room by the no.2 pool on the 3rd floor.We looked up and up and declined,no lifts and over 100 steps.We were given a 1st floor room by no.3 pool which is in the new buildings no.3301,spacious comfortable and quiet.Never ate at the hotel apart from breakfast,delicious eggs and eggs and eggs.Drinks and snacks pricey and do not let them fill the mini bar, a lot cheaper and personal choice at Newtons Supermarket, 5 minutes walk away.The pool was ok and offered some shade but we noticed during the 2nd week personal towels magically appeared on the free sunbeds and they were not Germans but our fellow Brits! I removed a few that were taking the **** and it was a joy several hours later to see their confused looks and frustration. And so to Candolim beach.
Candolim Beach.Within 15 minute walking or 50 IR one way by taxi from hotel.The beach road is mostly with bars, restaurants, shops and a few beggars.To the shacks.
Shacks.We visited Zappas (poor) Monicos (very good) Bobbys (very good) but eventually settled in on Spottys.Delicious food and drink at any time and service excellent and served upto the shoreline if you wanted.We particularly liked this shack because it was the only one that had a solid floor inside as opposed to sand!
In all of the 2 weeks we never had any stomach upsets at all,we use antibacterial gel before eating and after toilet,and this appears to work for us.
Will continue account at a later date..............................................................................
Us too in March.Been before to HBR and looking forward to a kingfisher or two at Bobbys watching the sun go down.
thats excellent, looking forward to hearing more 
I too hate it when people put towels on sunbeds, then swan off for an hour
I too hate it when people put towels on sunbeds, then swan off for an hour
Continued...............
Candolim beach.Quieter than Baga and less sellers and beggars but on some days dangerous crashing waves, be aware of this and venture only as deep as you can stand.A good tip here,if you slip your shack beach boy 10-20 IR he will keep your towels and place out the next day,as long as you tell him what time you are arriving.This gives you the chance to fill your bags at Newtons Supermarket,on the way back to HBR.If you want to be popular with the local and tourist kids take a kite.I did and they loved it.Left it behind too for one of them.Each section of the beach is sectioned off by the different shacks and different coloured named sunbeds,so you know whose bed you are lying on.We found the beds to be too close together and somewhat overcrowded. The 28th and 29th was just like Ibiza with all this trance music (Sunburn festival) booming from 10-10,even heard at HBR apartment.Why this was agreed with by locals I'll never know.Someone made a lot of money!at other peoples expense.(This is a cynical personal opinion)
Restaurants/bars
Rams Carvery buffet, excellent and good value as well as a la carte.Brittos in Baga delicious and Infernos and Sports bar in Candolim.Coyotes bar and food also recommended.Not overly impressed with Teema Bar,walked passed most days after a long day on the beach and appeared to be full of resident /tourist Brit drunks,but quieter of an evening.
Conclusion
As said previously our report has been factually based on our experiences and not opinion.We are not stereotyping or generalising here.It is evidenced on what we saw and heard.We have seen the decline of Baga/Candolim/Calangute within 12 months be it by politicians,developers,commercialism or greed.Some of the people are friendly and genuine but there are a majority who are blatantly after your money.We supported the local economy to 60000 IR but at our choice.Be aware of the scam where you are given a ticket for no charge and win a prize!. The Indian out of towners/tourists leave a lot to be desired with their demanding,argumentive behaviour and lack of manners such as gawping and taking sneaky photos of your ladies while on the beach.We found that the above resorts are becoming like the Costas and Bulgaria, too many of the British yob type tourist. One day on Baga beach sums it all up.We had been hassled all day by the sellers and beggars (who are becoming arrogant) even touching you if you were asleep, or pretending to be!.One seller approaches me as I am lounging, with armfuls of T shirts. I said "I do not want T shirt,fruit,jewellery,massage,ice cream,book,dvd,cd,map,tattoo,nuts,taxi or anything else" He replies "Why bother to come then,stay away!" We will.
Candolim beach.Quieter than Baga and less sellers and beggars but on some days dangerous crashing waves, be aware of this and venture only as deep as you can stand.A good tip here,if you slip your shack beach boy 10-20 IR he will keep your towels and place out the next day,as long as you tell him what time you are arriving.This gives you the chance to fill your bags at Newtons Supermarket,on the way back to HBR.If you want to be popular with the local and tourist kids take a kite.I did and they loved it.Left it behind too for one of them.Each section of the beach is sectioned off by the different shacks and different coloured named sunbeds,so you know whose bed you are lying on.We found the beds to be too close together and somewhat overcrowded. The 28th and 29th was just like Ibiza with all this trance music (Sunburn festival) booming from 10-10,even heard at HBR apartment.Why this was agreed with by locals I'll never know.Someone made a lot of money!at other peoples expense.(This is a cynical personal opinion)
Restaurants/bars
Rams Carvery buffet, excellent and good value as well as a la carte.Brittos in Baga delicious and Infernos and Sports bar in Candolim.Coyotes bar and food also recommended.Not overly impressed with Teema Bar,walked passed most days after a long day on the beach and appeared to be full of resident /tourist Brit drunks,but quieter of an evening.
Conclusion
As said previously our report has been factually based on our experiences and not opinion.We are not stereotyping or generalising here.It is evidenced on what we saw and heard.We have seen the decline of Baga/Candolim/Calangute within 12 months be it by politicians,developers,commercialism or greed.Some of the people are friendly and genuine but there are a majority who are blatantly after your money.We supported the local economy to 60000 IR but at our choice.Be aware of the scam where you are given a ticket for no charge and win a prize!. The Indian out of towners/tourists leave a lot to be desired with their demanding,argumentive behaviour and lack of manners such as gawping and taking sneaky photos of your ladies while on the beach.We found that the above resorts are becoming like the Costas and Bulgaria, too many of the British yob type tourist. One day on Baga beach sums it all up.We had been hassled all day by the sellers and beggars (who are becoming arrogant) even touching you if you were asleep, or pretending to be!.One seller approaches me as I am lounging, with armfuls of T shirts. I said "I do not want T shirt,fruit,jewellery,massage,ice cream,book,dvd,cd,map,tattoo,nuts,taxi or anything else" He replies "Why bother to come then,stay away!" We will.
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Edited by
Fiona
2008-01-06 14:37:49
several comments removed
"I do not want T shirt,fruit,jewellery,massage,ice cream,book,dvd,cd,map,tattoo,nuts,taxi or anything else" He replies "Why bother to come then,stay away!"
Why bother to come to Goa if you do not want to buy any 'cheap' crap?
We come for the friendly Goan people, and not to be spoke to like a peice of dirt by shabby out of state people trying to sell us their useless junk.
This is what really annoys me about Goa, yes, most of the Goan people are wonderful, and most of the shack guys, even though some of the shack guys do tend to be from out of state.
I though beach selling wasnt allowed anymore?
I'm returning this thread to the forum after some editing. Please do not use this thread to make further comments on what has now been edited out.
I suggest this site be renamed Holiday Truths Republic,as the real truth is censored.Lockout please.
well- that didnt last long. Thread locked as requested
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