I think it would be a great shame if the meet ups stop. We have met up with some great people, sometimes many and sometimes only one but we always enjoy them. What difference does it make if there is only one or 10 at the meet up. The idea is to meet up with people we "speak" to on the forum. Sometimes you get to know each other and have a more in depth conversation about Goa etc. when there are only one or two of you. We have gone to meet ups in the past where no-one else has turned up but it hasn't upset me at all it just means people are enjoying themselves and we have a few drinks anyway and talk to whoever is around.

At the risk of repeating myself, I think one "official" meeting is good, probably in Calangute because it's reasonably central. I guess people who know Calangute better than me can suggest a venue. If there are more than one meeting a week, people don't know which to attend, attendance dwindles and the whole thing falls apart.

More importantly, Fiona, Have a great time and we promise to behave in your absence! Looking out the window at the driving rain, it seems a good time to be leaving the UK.

Bon Voyage!

We only made one in three weeks this year, (Also went on Paddys night but gave up) but would certainly go again.

We stay in Arpora so I guess another vote for Calangute area as its central, so somewhere easy to find, enough seating, quiet enough to talk

What about Sudans next door to the Scottish bar (can't remember its name but Gemma goes there). It is a restaurant as well but quite big and plenty of room. We often go in there for just a drink. Sudan is a friend of our taxi driver and a lot of the local lads go in there just for drinks late at night when they have finished work, they stay open quite late. It is quiet as well, no loud music so you can talk and the drinks are cheap. They do nice cocktails for the ladies. Have to admit I am being a bit selfish here as we can walk to our hotel from here!

I think everyone is more or less agreed on Calangute? Great, so we've solved half the problem
Now its just a matter of deciding where. Any place suits me, I dont mind, we get a taxi there and back anyway.
Ive never been in Sudan's? (but it sounds good BrenLiz) but ive been in the Scottish Bar - Rabbie Burns - quite a few times, the owners are lovely and bar is spacious. They also have a donation box on their bar for Children Walking Tall. However, I am up for a meet in any bar. Also I believe Bubbles has moved into a more central position in Calangute, and its dirt cheap, but I am not sure if its bigger than the other Bubbles which was quite small.
Might be a good idea for everyone to suggest a bar in Calangute and the majority of votes could be the decision maker, what does everyone else think?

I think it would be a great shame if the meet ups stop. We have met up with some great people

I agree and I too think it would be a real shame to stop the meets,

These meets are not a good idea - we speak here but together is not a good idea.

they DO and CAN work as was proved a few years ago when we used to generally always have a good turn out, of course it does depend who/how many is/are in Goa at the time, that cant be helped, .... and we all got on together (as far as I am concerned anyway, can't remember any problems??)..... the difference was there was only one a week and as Roma said earlier they started to 'fall apart' after that when there were just too many going on...and dont forget some of the long timers out there or people out for a few weeks dont all have daily internet access and dont know when others are arranged at short notice and miss out, not everyone spends holiday time in the internet and if they know beforehand when and where each week they have the option to go knowing there is likely to be someone there....so I for one am definitely still up for it and agree Calangute sounds fair to nearly everyone, (we are in candolim and drive as we dont use taxi's and did find going right up to Baga CSM road a bit of a trek especially with the crazy traffic on the Baga road, could be scary!! but we did it but would prefer somewhere more central for all) although I dont care really where venue wise, but maybe if we have a few ideas as you say Gemma we could vote?? great idea.... As for Mayonies there are never seats at the best of times even if you get there by 7pm these days and you definitely couldnt talk above the music!!!(we nearly always go but want to enjoy the music etc) afterall nobody HAS to come and if you dont feel its for you thats your choice of course, we are all different, but a lot of us do enjoy it and have made friendships through it.......so Guys (those of us that agree we want it) lets make some decisions!!!! where!!?? .........
chilly ............. oh yes forgot to say!! preferably somewhere cheap!!! please!!! .............. also, some people (who used to be all for the regular meets) have gone very quiet on this subject?? any particular reasons?? it seems a shame...

Ok, I suggest Sudans in Calangute next to Rabbie Burns. Rabbie Burns is usually quite busy at night and they do have bingo, kariokee (don't think I've spelt that right!) on as well as other things int he evening so don't think it is a good idea to have it there. Sudans is cheap and they do good, cheap food as well and there is plenty of space for parking if you drive as Chilly does. As its off the main road they stay open after midnight for the late nighters like us and there are taxis around as the local taxi drivers use it to meet up together. That's my reason for suggesting Sudans. I don't know Bubbles so can't comment about that. Otherwise I don't mind when and where as we always get a taxi anyway. Look forward to meeting up again in December.

Don't know Sudan's but it seems to tick all the boxes so it's fine with me!

We will be there too!! Just say where and when!! It all got a bit confusing last year, people were going to different places. Lets stick to one place. Cos' we want to be together!!

Hi, where in Calangute is Sudans?

Hya Goangirl, long time since we saw you both!! hope all is well and look forward to meeting up again
chilly

Well Brenliz your suggestion Sudan's does sound good, you say its next door to Rabbie Burns? Well if thats the case, its central and easy enough to find.
The other suggestion I would like to throw in is Bubbles, which is also VERY cheap and central. Would need to find out first how big the new Bubbles is cos the older one (facing the Nizmar) was a tad on the small side, especially if lots of HTers turn up

well I am ashamed to admit brenLiz I can't place Sudans .... where is it?? (I dont even know Rabbie Burns so that hasn't helped me place it!!!!!!) I am sure I must really?? but just havent taken in the names maybe .... how bad am I!!! its shocking i know as i am there most of the year... someone enlighten me please is it round the back of the old football ground? but it sounds good all the same, where is the new Bubbles Gemma? i knew the old one and as you say a bit small but don't know about the new one? I am certainly happy to go with Sudans as it seems to fit the bill .........or Bubbles if its big enough & the preferred choice of everyone.....so basically either sounds good to me ........... it is difficult isnt it finding somewhere thats cheap, where they dont expect you to order a meal (if there are a lot of us taking up tables!! we hope!!) and where you can hear yourself speak.... so well done you lot! looks like we are getting somewhere in narrowing it down at last .... I couldnt come up with anywhere! whats everyone else think then? and shall we stick to the Wed night (Anjuna day as well remember!) or change it to a different night? when do most charter flights come and go this year? as that could of course have an effect on peoples choice of preferred day.... any ideas?
chilly

Chilly

Sudans and Rabbie Burns is just off the Calangute to Baga road about 200 yards past the Park Avenue. It on the road leading to Cary's and Senhor Angelo hotel. Have you considered the Red Lion (not the one in Calangute centre) It is fairly new just behind the Park Avenue. It is very clean and spacious and they are Ok if you just have a drink.

thanks PaulIOW, we checked out the Red lion but isnt it bit expensive or have i (again!!) got wrong place..was it just by allies? I am so useless with names ands directions
chilly

Chilly

If you know Glenns fast food at the side of the Park Avenue hotel, the red lion is down the lane that at the side of Glenns. We popped in most nights as they have got a good pool table.

I know the Red Lion behind Park Avenue but haven't been in there. There doesn't seem much room for parking up though if you are driving, although I may be mistaken. We pass it when we walk through the village and the track/road usually sems a bit cramped. Sudans don't mind people going in just for drinks and the bus stops at the top of the road as well. At least it looks as though we all still want to meet up anyway at least somewhere.

Im baffled by this whole thread last year there were 3 meet ups one each wed night one each sunday night and one beach shack meet in the day time I was at them all in november and they all went more than well we went both weeks and there was a good turn out so I dont know what this is all about too many meets colleen

I think the idea is to try and get a "main" meet that people know will happen, know where it will happen & people will turn up, with the thinking that the more there are, the more diluted they become.

There is nothing stopping anyone meeting at other times, but maybe it might lead to a more successful main meeting, with some people only being able/wanting to attend it,

Only my interpretation