Hi new to the forum but have been reading it for a long time and have finally got round to posting.

Had our first holiday to Goa back in February and it was the best holiday we have ever had. Flew from Gatwick on the Monday night flight so arrived very tired especially after the scrum at the airport with the porters who would not take no for an answer and demanded money to lift our suitcases into the coach! Stayed at the Marinha Dourada in the main block and were very impressed. It was spotless and very well managed. Our room was a good size with a great shower and lovely balcony which we could sit on to watch the wonderful sunsets. We were told by a taxi driver that they think people staying at the MD are rich as they (the drivers) think its the best hotel in N Goa.

Due to all the great advice on this forum (thank you all) we were able to fit a lot in. After checking in and getting our safety deposit box we jumped in a taxi and went to All Spice just up the road. It was good but not the best we had. We walked back, which I would not do again due to recent posts about bag snatching and the lack of pavements and cars and bikes speeding past. The next morning after breakfast which was basic but OK we got the free hotel bus to the beach which leaves on the hour. The boys from the shacks are waiting for you and try to get you to use their shack which was a bit annoying as we wanted to have a look round first.

The next day we got a taxi outside the MD to Candolim as I wanted to see the River Princess (what can I say). We sat at the Tidal Wave shack and had drinks and food all day for about £5. We went into Newtons Supermarket to stock up on essentials (Vodka £1.30 a bottle and Fosters 40p a large can) together with cashew nuts and yoghurts before getting a taxi outside back to the hotel.

Spent quite a few days at Fishermans shack on Empire Beach Calangute due to a recommendation on this site and it was our favourite shack. Met a lovely crowd who were staying at the Osborne Hotel who bought crocs and a Kingfisher t shirt for one of the ice cream sellers who had had his shoes stolen while he was asleep - he was so grateful it makes you realise how luck we are.

Got 'adopted' by Woody a taxi driver from the MD who took us on several trips. The first was to Panjim to do the Sunset Cruise down the Mandovi River. The ticket for this was about £2 and it lasted for about an hour. I won't say any more as I do not want to spoil the fun for anyone else who is thinking of doing this trip but we wouldn't have mssed it!! We also did some shopping but not really a lot of shops there. Had dinner (again on a recommendation) at the Hotel Fidalgo in one of their 7 restaurants called Chilli and Spice which was excellent and very reasonable. Woody was waiting and took us back at 10.00pm I think he charged us about 650rps. Another trip was to the Spice Plantation via Old Goa and various temples. There was a museum in Old Goa which cost 7rps to look round, it had portraits of all the rulers when Goa was ruled by the Portuguese we really enjoyed this. The Spice Plantation was reached by a long rope bridge which was a bit like the one on 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here' great curry lunch on a banana leaf all for about £3 with as many bananas as you wanted to take away which we gave to the elephant on the way out.

We also had a day at Asvem beach which was very quiet compared to Baga. Spotted crab on the blackboard at the shack on the way down to the beach and when I enquired if they did in fact have any crab they brought it out to meet me - I screamed as it was still alive and kicking which the boys from the shack thought was very funny and they then proceded to put it on the floor and it had a run around!! Mind you an hour later I went up and ate it - husband had Kingfish - together with drinks the bill was round £13 - very reasonable. Hello to Max'smum from HT who we met at luch time who was staying with a friend in one of the beach huts.

Shopping was great loved Macs Tailors in the hotel. I got a beautiful leather jacket made which I described and Paul drew for me for £50. I also had 2 pairs of trousers made (£20 each) which I was delighted with as I have trouble getting trousers that fit and husband had 2 shirts made (£10 each). I also bought loads - 6 I think - handbags in Original Fakes together with a watch, a leather wallet and a belt all for around £85.

Favouite restaurant was Souymans Kitchen in Calengute - fillet steak to die for. Loved Ingos night market, we went both Saturday nights while we were there, good food and entertainment and was great for people watching - lots of old hippies. Also went both Sunday nights to Myonnas on the way to Baga. Lots of different live singers and a great night out which didn't end until 12 midnight.

Used Jungle Formula 50% deet and didn't get one bite which is unusual for me as the mossies love me. Also neither of us got an upset tummy. The weather was also perfect not a cloud for 2 weeks.

We are already pricing up going back to the MD next Feb but the price is a lot higher than we paid this year so are going to keep an eye on things in the hope that it comes down.

Hope I haven't gone on too much but we just loved Goa so much.

Rita