The newbie has landed! - Goa Discussion Forum, Holiday Forums

The newbie has landed!

Glasgoa

2007-10-03 15:30:00

I have been a lurker for a few weeks, but thought it was about time I made myself known and got to utlising some of the expert brains on here

All booked up and off on 24th November, myself and my boyfriends first trip to Goa - cannot wait

Visa - check
Malaria tablets - check
Jabs - check (as of tomorrow morning

)
Rough Guide - check

We are staying in Calangute, but hope to do a bit of travelling around and see a bit of Goa, as well as relaxing and getting a winter tan for the first time in our lives

So many things to look at on here and no doubt many questions to come, but the question that has popped into my head today is around security...

As there are only 2 of us going I have started to wonder how to manage things such as keeping money/camera safe while swimming in the sea - any ideas?

tightjock

2007-10-03 15:33:17

We always take a ruck sack with us and if we are both in the sea will get the Shack we are using to keep it for us.

Glasgoa

2007-10-03 15:37:54

Thanks for your reply - is this more of an issue when staying at a beach hut? Or am I beginning to worry needlessly :oops:

tightjock

2007-10-03 15:42:53

To be honest we have never had an issue with securityand feel safer in Goa than in the UK but of course we still use common sense. The beach huts we have stayed in were in Agonda and the beach was very quiet so we didn't even bother leaving our things at the Shack.

roma

2007-10-03 16:05:27

Once you get to know the guys in the shack - and that won't take long, you'll be safe leaving cameras and stuff with them.

Just an aside - a few years ago I was paying up in the dark after another hard day on the beach and in the poor light I gave one of the shack guys a 500 rupee note thinking it was a 100. He came running after me when he discovered it. Don't think that would happen in many places! Not every body is honest but it seems not every body is dishonest, either.

Just take normal precautions but the shack guys want your custom for the fortnight and will usually look after you.

Enjoy!!

john woody

2007-10-03 16:07:27

when we stayed in agonda at madhus beach huts sheker the owner told us that by law the owners have to provide a safe to keep pass ports etc for guests who are staying in the huts so you can hand valuables in on day of arrival and collect when you leave , i beleive sheker would keep your things safe because we know him i cant vouch for other places and as we know in goa the law is only a formality so we are usually careful but like tj says it tends to be fairly safe to leave things with the lads in the shacks

bobthebus

2007-10-03 17:38:48

hi glasgoa
just one thing to clear up i think. the beach shacks are restraunts on the beach!!! there are lots of them, and you will no doubt find one that you really like. then it will be safe to leave your prized possesions with them.
i have always found the waiters etc to be honest, they want you to come back, its there survival.
hope this clears things for you BOB

lin b

2007-10-03 18:06:25

the newbie has landed

I would just say dont become to complacent, as trustworthy as most of the staff in the shacks are, if they are busy anyone could walk past and lift your gear, last year 2 young girls who were working as volunteers lost their money, passports, camaras ect on palolem beach, don't carry any unnessesary valubles on you,

Lin

SteveM

2007-10-03 18:57:07

Lin's right don't give a sucker an even break!

They will fleece you with a smile!

Cocopop

2007-10-04 07:18:41

Be careful when walking with a shoulder type bag as guys will whizz past on a bike and either cut the strap or just grab it. Keep it on the inside of you. Also keep your bag attached to you or out of sight. Last year a friend of ours had his bag stolen whilst it was sitting on the bench next to him in a restaurant. We have found that the police don't usually want to know and if you want to claim on insurance they won't give you a case reference number unless you say you lost it!

Lozza07

2007-10-04 09:36:16

Thinking back not sure if it was a good idea or not, but when we travelled to the south (from our hotel in Candolim) we left all out valubles in our hotel safe, and only took our camera, limited cash and our ipod on our trip. Same with the beach.

Miccie

2007-10-04 10:57:14

We only ever take a very limited amount of cash to the beach, basically just what we need for the day and leave all our other valuables safely locked away. You can never be too careful and it's best to only have with you what you can afford to lose (if you see what I mean).

irishcolleen

2007-10-04 11:49:33

Like Miccie we only take out what cash does us a few days at a time a few grand in rupees and the rest is in the safe in the room ...

Lozza07...when we are on the beach and if we want to go for a walk or for lunch or for a dip in the sea :sun

what we do is ...lift the top of the parrasol...silp the bag on the bottom bit of the pole put the top bit back on and bring the beds together that also hides the bag with the valuables in it ....and we all know its really hard to drag the beds about the sand .... :rofl

....colleen

Lozza07

2007-10-04 12:42:34

To be honest our shack guys were quite good at keeping an eye on things... but good tip collen!! Seeing as there is only two of us going in March (last time there was four so it was easier to keep an eye on things) we'll have to try that one!!

Glasgoa

2007-10-04 13:25:45

Thanks all for the tips

We are hoping to go away from our hotel for a few days, so thanks John Woody, hopefully any huts that we stay at will have similar facilities.

Another question while I am here - do most of you just work with your cash card/atms whilst you are away?

tightjock

2007-10-04 13:32:53

Check out the Nationwide flexi account they don't charge when using abroad

Miccie

2007-10-04 13:54:25

I always take travellers cheques with me, old fashioned perhaps, but at least it's safe.

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