Hi Julian, sorry we didnt get to meet up.

The internet was down for a couple of days when we were in Goa, so i couldnt access the internet to see about the mini meet we had arranged.

Did you get to scuba dive?

Really glad you enjoyed it!

Look forward to your report.

looking forward to the report

A week in Goa with my son (Ben, aged 13) Part 1

Arrived in Goa at 7.30 on sunday 03/02/2008. Had to queue at immigration for about 45 mins, sod's law says you allways pick the slowest queue!
As soon as we got our bags, they were grabbed by the "porters" to take to the coach, as previosly advised on this forum i did not stop them as it was not worth argueing over £1. However they held out £2 coins and suggested i gave them one of them...Tough! make do with a Quid!
The bus ride to our resort was our first taste of Goa and did not prove to be the culture shock i thought it might, i was however surprised there were no dead cows or dogs by the roadside considering the crazy driving we witnessed.

we arrived at our hotel, The Silver Sands in Candolim after about an hour and were warmly welcomed. The hotel is very basic but enough to suit our needs. We had a superior room that had a fridge, (kept the vodka cold) and air con, as well as a fan. Apart from sleeping i don't think you spend a lot of time in a hotel room so as long as it suits the purpose......

So our first day in a strange country... you explore! we walked up the Candolim Beach road (aptly named Holiday street) past the Sports Bar to the main street at the top, turned right and walked past Newtons supermaket and past some of the familiar names i have read about on Holidaytruths, Stonehouse, Floyd's hut, Tony's Place and ended up on the beach right in front of that luxury liner.

We had lunch at Bobby's shack and so enjoyed it we made it our place for lunch every day we were in the resort, all 4 of them!
All the staff were friendly and took the time to explain various things on the menu we wern't sure of, it was also reasonably priced in my oppinion.

We decided the first night to go to the famous Soumyens Kitchen so got a taxi from out sid Newtons, being aware from other people about the rip off taxi drivers, i collered one who looked Ok and told him if he looked after me price wise, i would give him my business for the week, we both kept our side of the bargain, and if anyone wants Raj's number send me a PM and i will oblige as he has said if people mention my name he will not overcharge.

Soumyens Kitchen, very nice food, but was a bit shocked at the price of the Seafood platter for two, 2600 Rup. so check the price before ordering as it was loverly, but expensive.

Anyway, thats enough for part one, you're probably all snoring already. I won't bore you with days on the beach, in my next part i'll tell you about the places we ate and the three trips we took...... TBC

Hi julian 01

Nice report its good to read what others think, especially when its through a set of new eyes. Interested what you have to say about Silver Sands, we are staying there for a couple of days next week 22/23 Feb before moving on to a guest house, would you stay there again?

We are planning next years trip already and if the Silver Sands is ok in the short time we are there we will spend the full two weeks there next year with friends, will you be doing a hotel review?

GM06
Ian

three trips in a week- I don't think I'll be attempting that in my week Keep the report coming

goan mad 2006 wrote:

Interested what you have to say about Silver Sands,

I thought it was ok, It's basic,but we were only there to sleep. Breakfast wasn't great, some toast, juice and weak coffee but i would go back certainly as i thought it was very welcoming and all the staff were friendly, esp Guru (night manager) and Ajay (waiter).

Please say Julian and Ben say "hello"

Julian

As soon as we got our bags, they were grabbed by the "porters" to take to the coach, as previosly advised on this forum i did not stop them as it was not worth argueing over £1. However they held out £2 coins and suggested i gave them one of them...Tough! make do with a Quid!

I know most people probably think 'well it's only a quid', but when you see those women labourers working on the roads & hod carrying on building sites all day long for a few rupees, it goes to show how much those 'porters' (i have another name but can't print it) make in a day !! The same goes for taxi drivers, do not give in to these con merchants.

David does that also include "Soumyens Kitchen"

£34.00 for a seafood platter now THAT really is taking the p**s

Next part please julian01

And not in any way defending the taxis being one myself but if you work on the general premise that eveyones trying to slap yer bum you then you wont go far wrong.
If the price aint right then use yer legs and walk, literally .

Taxi

H Julian

Glad to hear you and Ben had a good time, you certainly crammed a lot into your week if you went on 3 trips. I agree with you regarding the Silver Sands, it's a good base we stayed there a couple of years ago but in a basic room, we are going back for Christmas this year but in a superior room. Look forward to hearing the rest of your report.

Debs

Part 2

OK, so its Monday, not a lot doing today, walked along the beach, said "NO" about 300 times (no need to explain why!)
Lunch at Bobby's shack.
Evening went to Floyd's Hut, very good meal, good service and offered a drink on the house and the end, so had my first taste of the much talked about "Honeybee".....mmm, it's OK s'pose.

Tuesday. Mini trip!

Taxi tp Panjim.
Dropped off outside Delhi Durbar, wow there are some scary drivers here! Went for a coffee in a small upstairs cafe, almost opposite Adidas shop, very good coffee and less than 50p!
Sat for about 30 mins just watching the world go by, there is a junction just to the left and how there wern't any crashes i don't know, there seems to be no priority. (Mental note: NEVER drive over here)
Had a good hours walk round the city, loads of hawkers trying to sell everything from peacock tail fans to maps of the country to drums. Oh and lots of people wanting to clean my shoes!
Lunch: The Dehli Durbar.... without doubt the best curry i have every had. I can,t exactly remember what is was called but it was chicken tikka marinated in Youghurt with spices in a sauce....Wow.
Ben thought it was extreamly amusing that when he went to the loo, the chap in there washed his hands for him, then dried them.
3 hours had gone quickly, Raj (taxi man) was waiting outside and took us back to Candolim, but not before Ben had photo with man on door of Dehli Durbar, quite scary really!
I thought, as i have said before the 400 Rup was very good for that ride and a three hour wait.

Evening to EAST MEETS WEST at Baga.
Was very impressed with this place, and would probably give it my top mark for our weeks worth of evening meals. Ben had a fillet steak and me, the Tandoori mixed grill. excellent! Not just the food, but the whole look of the place and the atmosphere made this a great place to eat.

Enough for now, hope i'm not boring you. Next episode: Trip to waterfalls followed by Spice Plantation.

Julian , you are not boring me at all, your report is great we stayed at the Silver Sands in xmas 06 and thought the staff were great also.
Have never ventured to Delhi Darbar but after your description we may give it a go, we love East Meets West too, some people on forums are saying it is not as good as it's cracked up to be but I have been a few times and the food and setting is superb, looking forward to the next bit, thanks.

Part 3

Early start, up at 7.15 and wander up the road to catch bus for trip to Waterfalls.

After about an hour we stopped at a nature reserve where we were charged 30R for the camera and 100R for the video camera, s'pose it goes towards the upkeep of animals??
Saw leopards, snakes, crocs, a bear and a porquepine to name a few. some people in the group were a bit upset that the snakes had live rats in with them to feed on. (rather the rat in there than me!!)
Then went on Elephant ride which was great apart from the fact the elephant had obviously been on the vindaloo the night before!
Lunch was a stop at a roadside cafe, set up in the middle of nowhere, which was in fact OK (curry for lunch, good-o!)
After lunch it was off to the waterfalls and we soon swapped our bus for a jeep to continue the last 8 km.
The waterfalls were great, apart from being a great photo opportunity there were monkeys everywhere!
We got some bananas and nuts to feed them.
Ben then went for a swim at the base of the waterfalls, too cold for me!!

back to Candolim and that evening to Kebabs and Curry's.
Nice restaurant, sat outside, pleasant but not the best i'd had (chicken Jalfrezi) have had better, 7/10
I was on a mission to have some form of curry for lunch and dinner every day (breakfast was pushing it)
and so far after 4 days i was succeeding!
Back to Silver Sands and while Ben played one of the waiters on the FREE pool table, i went back to the balcony for a LARGE vodka and red bull.

TBC

Nice report - we also loved East meets West and Delhi Darbar.

Julian your report is great, already looking forward to the next bit .....

great reading julian.who did you book your trip with elephants, other animals and waterfalls was that one trip
sounds great...have been on the elephants(wonderful) was looking to go again...glad you had a good time....
Gavin. 8-).

julian love your report .who did you do the waterfall trip with? we went under our own steam with a taxi because it was cheaper but we didn't go to the animal sanctuary.you're so lucky going with your son.we didn't discover goa 'til ours were grown up and they're not ready to holiday with us again yet (unless we pay of course!)we'll have to wait for wives and grandchildren.

The waterfall trip was booked through Daytrippers near Sports bar, beach road, Candolim.Long day 8.30-18.00!

Will right Part 4 later today..... Washing Elephants and trip to Spice plantation!

Have put half a doz photos on the Gallery if anyones interested, still under uploads at the mo.