I find this a very sad but interesting topic, I am off to Goa twice next year and I absolutely LOVE the place, maybe people just get weary of a place after lots of visits and the magic just disappears, I feel the same about Thailand, a country I have visited just a few too many times but 10 years ago I was 100% in love with it and would never have dreamt of visiting anywhere else.

I'm sorry to inform you 'winterpansy', but goldenflipflop and myself are stating facts, not moaning but trying to inform people of the current state of play in Goa.

And Arpora kid,I was also at the Alphaville, and also remember the pigs and goats and the racket they made when they killed the pigs, but I am positive it was cleaner and not as mad as it is now.

I,m sure that most of you will see what I mean when you get there.

Shirley you are probably right I have become weary having been to Goa the last 11 years and I have never been to Thailand or the surrounding countries for that matter, perhaps I need to go elsewhere to see if I do actually miss Goa.

It's so sad to read that other people feel exactly as I do. I've been here for 2 months now and wanted to post on the current situation a few weeks back but knew that I'd be tagged as "a moaner" so held off. I'm NOT moaning simply telling it as it is. I don't want to sound like the typical Ex-Pat because I don't class myself as one, but when you spend 7 to 8 months in a country for 5 years you see and experience things differently than two week tourists do (please don't think I'm being disrespectful in saying this) but touirists are treated differently than those that live here, something that myself and Mr GFF have come to accept. The problem now is that they don't seem to care whether the "Foreign" tourists come here and are doing little to maintain what tourism industry they have. Like FTV, I have lots of friends here - most of whome I spend more time with than I do family back in the UK. I feel totally gutted that this is possibly my last year in Goa. Winterpansy, there are lots more places in the world that are, as you say, "different", just look at Vietnam and Cambodia - they have a hell of a lot to offer and would welcome with open arms the tourists that frequent Goa. I am NOT trying to turn GOA into the COSTAS - each place is individual in it's own right and cannot be compared. I have always loved Goa for it's rough around the edges approach to tourism, it's people, it's glorious weather, and cheapness but there are more places in the world that can offer the same but better. At the end of the day the Government don't care whether we come or not so WHY SHOULD I CARE??? Many years ago a very good Goan friend of mine said to me "don't come here for long term holidays, you'll end up hating the place" I laughed and told her that that was impossible, however I now feel that the time is right to move on before her prediction comes true. Maybe in ten years time things will be different....I hope so because I wouldn't want jnr flip flop to miss out on such a magical place.
Goldenflipflop xxx

This is all a bit sad - Goa regulars saying, "enough!" and yet I do know what they mean. We always manage to suspend normal standards whilst over there. It's their country and we're just visiting so we make adjustments But if I had to walk past the rubbish that you see every day in Goa on a Spanish Costas" holiday, I'd be complaining to the rep on the first day. Illogical I know, but somehow that's what happens.

It sounds as though things are getting worse in Calangute and that's a shame. I think most of us frequent visitors kinda like the anarchy and chaos but there's a line to be crossed where it's no longer cultural differences, it's just a s--t tip. There is a serious rat problem in many areas and for that reason alone, people should clean up their act.

We go in seven weeks and I really hope I don't catch the disillusion bug. I can't face a British winter without the though of Goa in the middle of it.

Just to add to my previous postings....Goa is still a good place for holidays and first timers will probably see it as I did the first time I came here. I hear so many holiday makers remarking how "it's great to be home", and this year is no exception!! I just think that as tourists we deserve a little bit of a better deal.
To any first timers reading this.......have fun! enjoy! and soak it all up 'cause despite everything else it's people that make your holiday in Goa, and the people here (Goan and from other states) are warm, friendly, have a great sense of humour and will welcome you with open arms. It's a pity the government can't be the same.
GFF xx

Good point GFF , Cambodia will welcome all tourists with open arms and no fussing over visas , fascinating country with the nicest people I have ever met (still love Goa though )

Will be trying Vietnam also next year

This is all a bit sad, I will be returning to Calangute for the 6th time on 18th Dec. I was last there in April this year and thought it was cleaner and there was less rubbish lying around than the previous year. Yeh it's a lot busier than it was when I first went (in 1999) but I think that is due to the increase in the number of Indians who visit the place.

I have visited the quieter areas and beaches but always prefer Calangute & Baga as there is a buzz about the place and a reasonable night life and the people are still marvellous.

Please if you have not been before do not worry I'm sure you will have a great time as it is still IMO a special place.

I cannot believe that things have changed soo much in the last 8 months to make me change my mind.

When planning my holiday (after a year off) I chose to stay in Siolim for a change. Hoping that it lives up to my expectations, but by the sounds of Calangute, I'm sure we've made the right choice.We'll stay pop into Calangute and Baga, but I'm really looking forward to experiencing life in Siolim for a change.

I think it depends on why you choose Goa for a holiday, I would not choose Goa for a 'cultural' holiday as I think places like Laos, Cambodia etc offer a lot more sightseeing etc.. although I am sure Goa offers some good sightseeing I do not choose to go there for that, I purely love Goa for the beaches, good food and shopping, it is a place where I can relax and have a laugh , chill on the beaches , have a drink every sunset on the beach , I love it and for me it ticks all the boxes.

Yes I do think Calangute is a ####hole but I love it , can't get enough of the place

When planning my holiday (after a year off) I chose to stay in Siolim for a change. Hoping that it lives up to my expectations, but by the sounds of Calangute, I'm sure we've made the right choice.We'll stay pop into Calangute and Baga, but I'm really looking forward to experiencing life in Siolim for a change.

That's the spirit. Goa is so much more than Calangute...can't understand the fixation when something has already gone downhill.
Ironically, that's exactly the way that the Costa nightmare started by people only going back to the same place every year...watching the investors pile in to supply them and then turning it into Blackpool!
A victim of it's own success, like everywhere else in the world.

I was looking through some old photo's the other night of the road down to Calangute beach.....a few wooden shops covered with blue tarpaulin...string of lightbulbs on a wire, Sousa Lobo's at the bottom...no taxi's to be seen.
I couldn't get my bearings last year...just neon lights, noise, traffic jams, hawkers.
Stay North or South, just pop in for a sentimental meal and get the hell out of there.

"Big Neil - you were saying the same things last year and I lambasted you, you were right and I apologise."

Well I'm still very attached to Goa, it plays strongly in my heart and still have MANY fond memories but I'm having difficulty coming to terms with the facts that I may not be able to go there next year.

Still there is more to Goa than Candolim, Calangute , Baga but in general the place is pretty well and truly f****d. Sorry for the language but I'm being 100% honest.

If you are going there for the first time you will either love or hate it.

I'm very depressed in the fact that it has got WORSE since last year. I'm going to be honest and tell you that a lot of the people 'in the know' in Goa who I know (university lecturers etc.) and are very influential, non corrupt, well educated people are predicting much worse than what is happening at present. If you love the place, spread out a bit and stop the destruction around the CBC coast if you are going back.

The problem you have now here in Goa is that the authorities are getting to the stage where they think the foreign tourists will continue to come,even though they are turning parts of Goa into a sh#t hole.

Also they are trying to attract the rich Indian tourists.The problem with that is that they stay in the 5 star hotels and spend their money in the hotel and not outside.One example here in Bogmalo is that the one large hotel is trying to fill the rooms with these new Indian rich at the expense of the foreign tourists.I don't have a problem with this as such but what happens to the taxi drivers shops bars etc who rely on the package tourists.They are very worried i can tell you.

We have been here for over a year now and were planning to stay for a few more.But at the rate it's changing i'm not so sure now.

John

Well were off on Saturday for three weeks so I wil let you all know whats going on and if we still feel the same, hope so as we have already got flights booked for Easter. Perhaps some of you just need to try something new and when you do I bet you will miss Goa and want to go back.

I'm looking out of my window at the moment and its dark, pouring with rain and blowing a hooley and consoling myself with the thought that this time next week I will be in sunshine and surrounded by colour and not thinking about work at all.

Goa was the UK's No 1 winter holiday destination last year. Everyone has raved about Goa at some point. New people check it out and fall in love with Goa and they pass the message on. Once you have been for a few years, some of the magic is lost. Thats when its time to give Goa a break. Check out other parts of India such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu.

Goa becomes addictive you need that fix, but not every year.

Well, what a turn around in opinion! Its great that everyone is debating these issues. I started to notice a change there 3 years ago and to be honest it has got increasingly worse since then. None of us can stop "progress", or their idea of it but they just don't know how to do things, they don't plan properly or look at the bigger picture (ie for the tourists or its own people/environment). I can't help but think that if the Portuguese still ran the place, things would have been different. (Goan friends have also voiced this opinion). The wonderful potential for Goa has gone, sorry but it is true. They build hotels etc. without a thought to where the sewerage is going. Goa unfortunately is heading for disaster. I also blame the holiday companies. They pay very little to the hotel owners for the rooms we occupy so no wonder they want Indian tourists as they make more money. Goa WAS lovely, parts of it still are, but for how long? The main attraction as has been said, is it's people, the climate and food. Whether it is now value for money, I am not so sure any more. No, I would NOT like it to become another Costa lookalike and with the PROPER planning, taking account of it's individuality/diversity, Goa could still have progressed without it being spoilt. As all long termers are aware, it all boils down to greed and corruption. The sadness for me is how on earth our wonderful friends will make a living in the future, without tourism they don't stand a chance. They can't all afford to go elsewhere to seek employment and again, their own government don't make it easy for them to get visas. What does the future hold for Goa and it's people? I just hope that someone, someday, in their government will see sense before it's too late, not just for us, but particularly for them. I feel angry and sad in equal measures but I know that we will still go back.......for now.

It could be a case of 'Goa Overkill'
I have spent 20 weeks of my life in Goa - over 9 years. I still love the place and can't wait to go back. The point i'm making is a lot of the 'not so good' comments made on this thread are from 'long termers' - It's a great place for a holiday but it stands to reason you're going to get a bit sick/bored after a while.
Yes I agree, Calangute and Baga is getting over the top now but how easy is it to go a little further afield for a complete change?
We stay in Arpora and like a previous poster, i'm quite fancying Siolim.

Never say never - if you are dis-illusioned with the place, try some other places and go back to Goa for a fortnight - probably like you did the first time you went and 'discovered the magic'

Paul

Paul
I really do think you have a point. I've gone through phases of repeatedly going to places and then got fed up. You do see changes you don't like. Others come along and love the place. Currently I love Bali- it pains me to see so many really struggling with the aftermath of the bombings and the corruption that is there as well. However,I know there will come a time when I don't want to return. Theres so much to see in the world without going back to somewhere which has disappointed you. However, once you've made the break you may decide that, after all, Goa still does have something for you.
Of course, maybe its just a case to trying somewhere else in Goa?

Having first discovered Goa as a backpacker maybe this could be the problem ? First time I stayed there was in Vagator for 7 weeks then again for 11 weeks in 1999 and 2001. I returned on a package in 2006 to Arpora and found many changes most of which I accepted, this being Goa and knowing that progress would eventually catch up, we had a great time and this was my wifes first visit and she fell in love with Goa too. Last March we stayed in Calangute and again had a great time as it is very hard not to, but as someone else said there is something that I can`t just put my finger on that didn`t feel right. Maybe a 5 year break from Goa and a change from backpacker to 2 week tourist wasn`t right for me ? I don`t know.
Martin has a great idea of staying in Siolim, maybe if I did similar and stayed in Chapora or Vagator again the magic would return not that it ever went away but maybe it obscured itself from me while I stayed in Calangute ? I think the Goan tourist department should start to plough more of the money made from us foreigners back into the local economy and not the back pockets of the officials and then maybe the mountains of plastic bottles the pot holed roads with no pavements will dissapear and make Goa an even more beautiful place for all.
Goa is still and always be a magical place, it is just a shame that the officials don`t see what some of us do see year after year, I will probably return one day as Goa is like that scab that you keep picking at, it gets under your skin.