Looking forward to reading lots more Lassi
It was great to meet you (at last) Hope you had a fantastic holiday.

Gemma It was indeed a pleasure to bump into you, Irishcollen and your OH's. Next time we must get the timming better, so it isn't just hello and goodbye

Back to Colva, a lot of people have been asking is Goa busy now ? Well Iv'e never been at this time of year before, only at Christmas/New Year and Easter, when it's very busy.
In Colva the majority of visitors, are domestic and local day trippers, and the central beach area was busy with them, doing the water sports and little boat trips. But at the shack areas on either side , it was quiet and no problem getting a sun bed.
The small Skylark hotel where we stayed, was 80/90% full. The only tour operator to have a few rooms, is Jewel in the Crown and they have a few of the basic rooms.The rest are private bookings, and we met guests from, Finland, USA, Ukraine, India, Sweden, France, and Scotland and England. A very mixed age group as well, from teenagers to us oldies. That is also one of the reasons I like the Colva/Benaulim area, a good mix of nationalities and age groups.
There are of course the groups of Indian men, who come from dry states, to drink whisky and stare at the foreign tourists. I have never had a problem with them, nor have I seen any really bad behaviour. I have noticed people being inpolite and rude, but this can happen anywhere.
Out and about, food and Shopping next xx lassi

Lassi
It was so nice to meet you in the carvery.
Thanks for all your advise about Colva, we really enjoyed it and will def return in March,
take care
Noel & Geraldine

Pleased to have been of help Noel,
xx lassi

Lassie it was so good to met you pitty is was when you were leaving ..BUT next time we will make sure its for longer are you back again in Goa in March ?...colleen

Colleen

We are back in Goa on 23rd March and are hoping to stay the first week in Candolim, so I hope there will be a the chance, that we all bump into each other again.

Great to hear a bit about your trip and would love more (any photo's....I'm being greedy now ). Nice to know the life gaurds are still on the beach

A trip to Panjim is always a must for me. Aranged a taxi through the hotel, as wanted a comfy vehicle, and good driver, got both for 1200Rs for the day, and he was very pleasing on the eye !.
First stop is always Cafe Coffee Day, for a machiato, the outside balcony area is now also no-smoking. Then had a walk along the riverside, it was looking very smart and colourful, due to the IFFI film festival. Flags flying, lots of stalls selling all types of indian food, it was interesting watching the preparation. Many tableau highlighting the various festivals of Goa were on display.

Iv'e often thought of having a look at the Wendell Rodricks boutique, and this time I did. So now am the owner of a designer tunic dress. I'm not going to tell you how much it cost, enough to say it is from a well known Indian designer who lives in Goa.
Next we made our way to the Childrens forest park, and boating lake which was very clean and tidy, the nearby Foodland is a good place for a snack.
Walked up to the Broadway bookstore for a couple of books, and some CDs at the nearby music shop. Back down 18th June Rd, had a look in Bombay Bazzar but didn't find it too exciting this time. Cashew nuts from Zantes, more refreshments in Auntie Marias.

Moving on in the car, along the Miramar road to Paperworks, which is a great shop for handmade stationary and gift wrappings.Don't be put off by the grotty passage way the shop is lovely. Drove on to Miramar beach,Which was deserted, apart from the huge lifegaurd station and a candy floss seller but I'm sure it's different when the locals come down.

That's it another good day out
xx lassi

ps- I will post some photos tightjock, but it won't be until after Christmas, till then you could have a look at the ones of our Italian holiday in the Italian Lakes album Lake Garda sorry

Enjoying reading your trip report Lassi.
We are back in Goa on 20 March, so hopefully we will catch up for longer this time and we will be able to have a proper chat.

Great report on Panjim, closed my eyes and I was there ......off to the Lake Garda photo's (my outlaws were there last year)

Thanks for the nice report hun. Ive often considered spending some time in the south and you made it sound great.

Hi,

We are due to arrive on the 24th Dec and are staying at the Williams Beach retreat hotel. I have tried to call them for days now and no answer at all! The agent says I have the right number. I only booked in July but does any one know if this hotel is still up and running?

Thanks!
Sharon

The Williams Beach was definately up and running first week of December, here is the website, -
http://www.goagetaway.com

And the telephone number I have is 91-832-2780303

Good luck, I know it can be difficult to contact some hotels xx lassi

Thank you so much lassi,

I also have that number but when I dial it a fax tone comes through! i have also emailed them to no avail!

Thanks again Sharon x

A day out in the South, on a very hot, humid and hazy day.

Taking the old road we set off to the ruins of Carbo de Rama fort, stopping to take some photos of the ramshackle fishing village of Betul.
Driving through lush coconut groves, then climbing up to a rocky plateau, covered in sparce soil where the locals have made plots for growing cereal crops, and tending them without the help of modern maschinery.
At Carbo de Rama the beautiful views were denied us due to the mist, but enjoyed watching the monkeys bounding about in the trees.

On we go to Agonda beach, some of the huts were still being constucted, and many more hve appeared since my last visit two years ago. One stood out from the rest h2o, it was still having the finishing touches done . There are just six, and I would be tempted to stay, even paying Rs 3000 in March , because of the luxury and fabulous outdoor bathroom - http://h2oagonda.com
The beach was almost deserted, with hardly a sunbed to be seen, what a difference to Palolem our next stop.

Palolem is a beautiful cresent shaped beach, fringed with palm trees, but the main beach area, is full of sunbeds and fishing boats. Lots of shops selling the usual things tourists need, and what they think tourists would like. Found a cafe serving good coffee but can't remember the name.
Had lunch at Droopadi, because it was in a good position overlooking the beach. Car parking was Rs 20 and the sun came out for the photos.

Taking the highway we made our way to the Chandrana hills, where the Shiri Chandeshwar temple is situated at Parvath. A narrow road winds its way up, passing lots of cheeky monkeys, to a car park.
Where after climbing 329 steps, we reach the temple which houses the beautiful Shia as "Lord of the Moon" Sadly no photography allowed inside and I was being observed.
Unfortunately the spectacular views we had hoped for were not to be as the haze was back, anyone thinking of doing the trip should make sure it's a clear day.

Back to the hotel for G&T's, another day to remember

xx lassi

Loving reading your report Lassi ..keep it coming please ....and was bowled over when you turned up at the meet!! really surprised me!! would like to have chatted more but it was such a big meet... and the night just flies...hopefully next time but glad to have at least met at last ...
chilly

Back around Colva,
A lot of time was spent walking on the beach. Went up to Utorda, a few shacks up at Betalbatim, saw two with Menu boards only in Russian, must be a lot of Russian visitors in the area, but doing that looks like it could cause segregation.
There has been a lot of beach erosion around Majorda, and measures are being taken to prevent more. It looks an eyesore now, with banks of concrete blocks, maybe they might landscape it later !
but I doubt it.
Utorda beach was very quiet, as no shacks operating and just a few sunbeds in front of Island View. Zeebops looked different too, a lot of the sand dune has gone, had some delicious mussels and my favourite Kulfi icecream in the little earthenware pots.

Popped into Margao a couple of times, the traffic is as manic as ever, the Municipal Gardens are now well tended and beautiful. The garden at Venice Gardens restaurant, has become more jungle like than ever. Longuinhos hasn't changed a bit a cup of chai still Rs 6, but is now no-smoking, as were all the indoor cafes and restaurant we visited. Found some books at Golden Heart, and was given a Christmas present of a diary. The bus to Margao costs a few Rs and a taxi back Rs 150.

Most of our time on the beach was spent at the Pinacolada shack, because the beds were comfy, and the food good. It is near the fishing village so depending on the wind there can be a fishy smell. I always have a look at the village to watch the women and children cleaning the fish and laying some out in the sun to dry.

Can only think of two new additions to Colva.There's a smart new indoor restaurant Brazilia which didn't appeal to me and I hear it was freezing .
Outside the Colva Residency there appeared huge banners announcing a new Adventure Sport, to be inaugurated by the Tourisem Minister," Bunjee Jumping " Which consisted of a large frame over a trampoline
OK I'm sure some of the domestic

tourists will love it

Prices seemed much the same,even the taxis

Blue Ribband gin Rs 30-40 A bottle in shop Rs 130 --Tonic Rs 30 Shop RS20

Honeybee Rs20 - 50 Bottle in shop Rs 115

Kingfisher Rs 55-80

Lassi Rs20-30

Benson & Hedges cigis Rs 800 good ones not the Nigerian

That's it till March thanks to all for your kind comments, and look forward to seeing you all again soon.

xx lassi

Photos are now in the Goa gallery, Colva Panjim Margao, Agonda and Palolem albums, if anyone wants a laugh
xx lassi

ps - almost forgot there's one in the Meets section as well, hope gemma and colleen don't mind.