This was my first time to Goa and I went with a party of 23 people (you may remember earlier posts about this). Mostly family, extended family of varying ages and 3 children of 21 months, 3 and 6 years. My OH didn't go as he couldn't get time off work having had a holiday in January for 3 weeks.
We departed Plymouth at 7am on 15th April bound for Gatwick. To save all fuss and bother I had arranged two airport transfer mini buses. Arrived in good time and proceeded to check in only to find that the Monarch baggage conveyor belts had broken down and the queues were moving really slowly as a result! Eventually got to front and no problems. Had 40kgs of excess luggage for CWT. Had my confirmation in hand but was told it was no problem as it was all on the computer, just had to take the two bags to oversized baggage.
Flight was delayed, forget by how much now! Was the last person to board the plane as stayed with one of the party who is claustrophobic and does not like to be in the crowded tunnel or sat in seat before shutting door, longer than she has to (for some reason she is fine once door shut and knows she can't get off!) We must have looked right lunatics sat in departure lounge with her tapping her cheek, wrist and collar bone and counting to 10 (Paul McKenna to blame for that!)
Flight was pretty uneventful, food ok. Found the legroom ok and I'm 5'8", width of seats a little on the small side though. Didn't watch the films as too far from the screens and thought it was a cheek to 'hire' the headsets. Landed only 15 minutes late as made up time.
As I was sat near an exit, was one of the first off the plane and was amazed to be walking across the tarmac with no-one directing us. Just followed the others. Despite being lucky enough to be at the front of the queue for immigration, it was pretty pointless when half of the party were stuck at the back. The immigration officer did not speak to me or acknowledge me at all, just took my passport and handed it back. I had expected loads of porters in the baggage hall, but there were only a couple who were busy taking the bags off the belt for the previous flight and they disappeared when our bags came through, thankfully. Well the bags came though on both belts, very, very slowly!! By the time the last of our party emerged from immigration, the last bag came through. Think it was well over an hour!
Emerging from the airport was another story altogether! I had warned everyone about the porters and told them to hang onto their luggage unless they really wanted to part with their money. It was like running the gauntlet! I had set myself a mission that I would not part with £1 and I am happy to say I achieved it. They were trying to grab my trolley from me but I hung on for dear life, looking straight ahead and saying no thank you. My brother-in-law did not fair so well. My 6 year old niece was clinging to the trolley with a porter spread across it trying to prize it from brother-in-law's hands! Niece was screaming to high heaven as he was scaring her and despite his protests that he was scaring his daughter, porter did not let go! As you can imagine, he didn't get any money. As we reached the bus, some of party are now wondering what sort of place they have come to. Due to large number of people staying at the Osborne Hotel, the bus was only going to this hotel, so at least we weren't driving around to others.
The air conditioned bus (and I use the term loosely) drove us to the hotel. I knew immediately that this would be my type of holiday. Others had a culture shock. Only one of the party had been to Goa before and most of them had only holidayed in Europe or similar. The important thing is that they were willing to give Goa a try.
Bus dropped us off on the main road as it couldn't fit down the road to the Osborne, so off we got and there were plenty of room boys running up the road to help with the bags. Check in was a bit chaotic as there was so many of us and probably took a little longer than is normal. I was sharing a room with my sister and friend. I wanted an air conditioned room but was told that they didn't have triple A/C rooms and I would have to upgrade to a superior room for £164.00! No, thank you very much, I'd rather sweat! And believe me, sweat I did!
Anyone who has stayed at the Osborne will know that there are 3 phases and we were split between phase II and III. Everyone was happy with their rooms apart from one who placed in a dark, damp ground floor room but she was changed with no problem. The rooms are very basis, but very clean and all rooms seemed to be different. Loads of space though which is a bonus.
Didn't venture very far on the first day as we were all extremely knackered! Just stayed by the pool and chilled. Did go to the chemist to buy my 6 weeks of malaria tablets as we had all only got one weeks worth each in the UK. I was gobsmacked to be charged just 7rps for the 6 week course. So cheap I brought everybodys (well seemed daft for everyone to trapse up there).
That evening we all just ate in the hotel and they really tried their best for us. It was my mum's birthday and they even produced a cake, which was lovely. The food was ok, but nothing compared to what we sampled later in the holiday. By now everyone's enjoying the Kingfisher and marvelling at how cheap it is.
There is a lot of mixed reactions from our parties first day in Goa. Some of us, me included, think it is fantastic immediately. My brothers girlfriend cried the first night! And others are just waiting, open minded, to see what the next 2 weeks brings them.
Sorry, I do go on bit and I've not really got into the holiday yet! Will write some more later.
Tina x
