Holimaniac.....where do Dominic and joana work? there place sounds good I have a list going for november and I want to put there place on my list i like the sound of the disco.... and the fireworks and the table on the beach .....coleen

Been on tenterhooks all weekend waiting for the next instalment as I can't log on at home ~~ keep it coming

Colleen, its a beach shack down South. Its on the beach at Cavelossim. You and hubby will have to try it next Year.

I will get you down South one day

Great report Holi

Hi, What is the shack actually called? Am down South inNovember and would love to try it out.

Gill

The Blue Oasis

More please and the second week..........pleeeeeeeease

The second week,many of the British holiday makers were homeward bound.
They were being replaced with Indian and a few Russia families.

We wandered up the road with the books and pencils we had taken for the children.
Down to the river,were we had gone for the boat trip.
There was no boat trip today. The silence was broken only by a couple of barking dogs.
A woman aproached us with a little girl,I handed here a book and selection of couloured pencils. She smiled and said "thank you".
More children came, not pushing, each one waiting for the little gifts we had for them.
The books and pencils had gone now,as had the sweets my wife had in here handbag. More children came. We had to walk away, leaving some disapointed.
The wife was a bit upset, but I told her " we have made some of them happy" Im sure other holidaymakers had been along and done the same.

The rest of the week was largely spent on the beach. The trips we had planed were out of the question in that heat, 46c now.
Dominick had planed another beach party, if he could get enough people to come.
We had told people back at the hotel, but they had shown little interest.
A few that had spent time on Bominicks beach sunbeds, would return to the hotel to claim there A.I. drinks, then bring them back to the beach.
One Russian had ordered a beer in Dominicks shack, and when asked for the money...held out his wrist to show his A.I. wristband. Dominick was not amused.

Our evenings, we spent at the Goan Village, Having a laugh with the waiters.
One of the waiters was from Napal, he told us that, in his village they played "Rugby".
I found it strange that the game had traveled that far!.
Then with great enthusiasm he told us of the game.
The north of the village V the south.
In the middle of a field, each team would strip to the waist and cover themselves wit coconut oil.
A coconut would be oiled and droped in the middle and it would be a complete freeforall.

Next our last day,and our airport experience!!!!!..

The Nepalese Waiter would that have been Subash? Or Shoebrush as I called him.

Elliebee, I think he means the other Nepalese waiter ~ the small chap. Can't for the life of me think of his name though .....

He was small,I would say he would be about 20-23,You would know him by his smile.
I dont have a great memory for names.

Your last week sounds quite sad, I do hope it wasnt. I am glad we don't go at that time of year 46 degs I could not cope with!!!!
lovely reports keep them coming, lets hear about the airport haven't done charter for the last 5 years but I am this coming season!!!
cheers Lyn x

Ah, ok in that case that would be Dennis.
Hes the Little Guy who loves to Sing. He will be working at the Haathi Mahal Next season.

You're right Elliebee, it is Dennis ~ lovely bloke. Didn't know he was moving to the Haathi next season. Must remember that and pop in and see him.

It was our last day. I never thought We would say this but we were looking forward to a bit of British weather.
We were to fly in the early hours, so we planed an lazy day.
We sent the morning sitting in reception, drinking coffee and watching the new Indian guests arriving.
After a little lunch, we made for the beach.

We spent a couple of hours on sunbeds infront of the Blue Oasis, before being swamped by the beachsellers.
I selfishly left the wife with them and fould sanctuary in the shack.
Latter she joined me minus our beachtowels. the beachsellers had begged them from her.
"youre and easy touch "I told her.
We had our last meal in the shack, watching our last sunset.
Dominick gave the wife four bags of Cashews to take home,a bottle of Feni for me.
We hugged, said our goodbuys, and waved as we returned to the hotel.

Just a few things left to do now,when all of a suden the heavens opend and the rain teemed down. We stood in the doorway looking at the rain bouncing of the path.
An Indian lady walked past,she had been caught out in the open,drenched to the skin. She smiled at us and held out her arms,there was no piont in here rushing.
An hour later it stopped as suddenly as it had began.
We walked across to the" Goan Village" to say goodbye,then to the little mini store for our last bits and pieces.

We were at reception now,waiting for the bus to take us to the airport.
The hotel staff gave us coffee while we waited,then we were off.

At the airport now,our cases were taken out of the back of the bus. The busdriver held out his hand for his tip.
We had battled with the porters for our suitcases on arrival,after some bad experences in Turky.
Our fighting spirit deserted us now at this unearthly hour.
It was to be money well spent,as the porter got us at the right airport door, and we were first in the Queue.
On entering the airport our cases were scanned,a nylon band was put around each case, now to checkin.
We put our two cases on the scales 42k,they were pushed through onto the belt.
The couple in the next cue were not so lucky,there cases came to 47k
and were busy taking things out of there cases to put in there handlugage.
Two more queues now, immigration, then the security body scanner.
From entering the airport to getting into the depature lounge it took about 45 mins.
We only had 100r left in the local money,it bought us a coffee each,a bottle of water and a chocolate bar.
We found the little smoking room,a little indian boy opend the door for us and lit our cigarettes.
On our second journey there same....he held out his hand.....please.
The wife found 50p...he was happy.
Just before our flight was called I needed the toilet.....turning to wash my hands.....no water in the taps.....But theres another little indian boy pouring water from a bottle over my hands........please.
I had nothing on me, not a penny.
Our flight was as good going back as coming out.
Our bus journey was as horrendous going home as going away.

Next.. evaluating the holiday.and were we go next.
If Im not boreing you to death.

no you not carry on.
thanks great report

Great report I almost had a lump in my throat reading your last day and the farewells

What do people want from there holiday?
Most a good hotel, friendly staff, beautiful pool in glorius gardens.
A short walk from the beach.
All the food and drink paid for. You will find all this at the Dona Sylvia.
Sorry, maybe we are Oddballs, but it was not for us.

I started this wrightup calling it a "comedy of errors"
We had comedy down at the beach shack, and at the "Goan Village",but we made many errors.
First, we should have gone in Jan/Feb. to avoid the seering heat.
It was the last two weeks of the season, the very few bars outside the hotel were empty.
The hotel dominated the area around it.

We cannot give you a true opinion of Cavalosim, we saw so little of it.
Our treasured memories of holidays past, are of the people we met, and the friends we had made.
Here we made few.

So...What do we do now? do we give up on Goa?
No, we are going to correct those errors. We had been on a huge leaning curve, and we hope to get things right this time.
We are going back in Dec. We are going to try Candolim..bed and breakfast this time.

If anyone has been to Candolim, any feedback would be welcome.
Weather, bars, restaurants, whats going on ect.

Thank you for your time.....Bye.

I really enjoyed your reports and am sorry you didn't enjoy Dona Sylvia, we are not hotel people I don't know why - we enjoy people, but generally find a lot of people who just stay at their hotel are not our type.
We have stayed in Candolim end of Calugute for the last 12 years but next year are splitting it 2 weeks Calungute and 2 weeks Benaulim (where we found a guesthouse we particularly liked right on the beach and Tightjock kindly got details for us to enable us to book which is in the process) The reason behind this is that even Candolim becomes too busy over the Christmas time
Candolim is our favourite area of the three (Baga/Calungute/Candolim) it is just a little quieter and that we appreciate. We have stayed at the Osborne hotel for our first 3 or 4 trips (basic but really good)which reading threads on the forum is still a firm favourite. We then moved to the Whitehouse a family run guesthouse down holiday street very close to the beach we stayed there 5 years we have also rented an apartment all around the same area. If you want contact details for the Whitehouse let me know. The apartment I wouldn't recommend. There are many lovely hotel/guesthouses in Candolim and I'm sure others will come forward with their favourites.
I do hope you enjoy your accommodation more on your next visit and thanks again for the great report
cheers Lyn