keep an open mind and you'll love it.....don't worry!!!

misterc.

read as much as you can here about prices etc so that you know what is reasonable. See what members recommend this season for restaurants and which shacks to use. Remember that locals are just trying to make lives better for themselves, even if they may be shooting themselves in the foot in the process. Don't go expecting European standards. Enjoy the sunshine, the shacks, the great food, the cheap prices, the friendly locals. I loved simple things like watching the woman grade the fish that had been landed, watching children having fun, visiting Mango House to see the work being done to help make the childrens' lives better. Appreciate what you have and the fact that our lives are so much easier than others.
Most members who have posted negatives will also say that they have enjoyed their holiday. Some say that they may visit me in the Thailand forum but I don't hold out much hope Goa has a hold on so many people.

Well said Fiona. You do need to be careful - we are trying to give constructive criticism. A lot of the time it isn't the locals, but standards are definitely slipping and no-one deserves to be treated rudely just because they are questioning a taxi price! Which is what i've found lately. somehow it does have a hold over you and although I disagree with a lot that is going on over there am finding myself again looking for Dec and March 08/09.

Thanks for that advise.

I have been jotting down restaurant recomendations but need to take notes now of average taxi rates, places of interest etc.

One thing my family have on the must do list is a visit to the elephants. This is something that will be a huge bonus to us as we love animals, i do however have a tinge of concern, this been the animal welfare.
I hope the elephants are free and not chained up as this would marr the visit, but hopefully we will come away with some fabulous memories.

The Mango House you mentioned, is this open to inpromtu visits or as an organised/planned visit only?
Think this would be a great trip and eye opener to compare our privelledged lifestyle in comparison to their less than humble living standards........maybe put a whole new perspective on the materialistic and comfortable way of life that in the UK we take for granted.

I am trying to keep an open mind of Goa due to the overwhelming amount of repeat visitors, and i will definatley try to draw from the positive posts too.

Fiona's advice is very sound,- I would just like to add - get hold of a guide book , one devoted to Goa , I have Lonely Planet and Footprints , make sure it is the latest edition , and read it thoroughly , along with all the information you gather from this forum , you can decide which area is best for you , and what you want to see . We all have our favorites , but as they say one man's medicine can be another's poison. There is something for everyone it just depends on what you are looking for .

best wishes lassi

I don't think that it would be a good idea just to turn up at the mango House unnanounced.

Get in touch with Rob first.

I believe its only arranged visits at the Mango House now, in the afternoon I believe. You would need to PM or email Rob to arrange a suitable time to visit.
Enjoy your holiday.

I've just returned last week from my first trip to Goa and I had a fantastic time, if your holiday turns out to be anything like mine you'll have nothing to worry about! I have never been to anywhere as friendly, we were two girls in our early 20's and never once felt threatened or unsafe, we obviously just were sensible but I would have no problems going out there on my own.

We did a lot of reading on this forum before we went so we had a rough idea of prices so we didn't feel like we were getting ripped off. Someone also advised to us to not admit to being newbies there, esp to beach sellers. Through speaking to locals who we became friends we with got some great recommendations, different beaches etc.

It really is a great place, I didn't want to come home. We even were hugged by people we had come to know, hands shaken etc and wished a safe journey home. They day after we landed we walked past a travel agents offering a holiday there this week and if I'd had the money I would have been getting back on that plane!

I am sure you will have a fantastic time, the problem with us who have been going for donkeys years, we still hark back after the old Goa, but as lots of people have said time doesnt stand still.
There is still a lot to love about Goa - Candolim beach in the main is still wonderful - whenever I feel fed up I close my eyes and imagine the sunsets - they are unbelievable. There are lots of great shacks with fantastic food at silly prices. Restaurants the same, so many good ones, you will be spoilt for choice. The beach sellers can be a pain but its just part of the holiday - if you don't like the banter then just ignore them.
You have so many firsts to look forward to, I envy you. My lasting memory of my first visit was whizzing along in a tuk tuk on the way to Mapusa market - it was the very latest tuk tuk with a tape player, it was during December, boiling hot and the music blaring out was Christmas carols, and then.............. we overtook an elephant - how amazing was that!!!! You have it all to look forward to have a great holiday

you'll love it.
Regarding the greed aspect, I just went with the view that if they ask too much you dont pay it and tell them why.

Lea.....thanks for your positive comments regarding safety in Goa. Your Goa is the one I looking forward to visiting.

Cheers

Iain

I agree with Lea. I got back last week after my first trip there alone. I'm a single female. I did have Goan friends out there but went out many a night alone and never felt unsafe. I used my common sense and avoided unlit quiet streets but never once felt threatened. The Goans were wonderful and if anything went out of their way to make me feel safe. I never had to get taxis back at night as every bar/restaurant or shack I went to arranged me a lift back, mostly on the back of a scooter, but a lift all the same. I was also invited to an Indian birthday party at a shack one night and the shack boys not only arranged me an escort to collect me from my hotel and walk me along the beach but watched over me the entire night. I was then taken back right to my hotel door. I'm off back in 3 weeks and have no worries about my safety.

melhaigh

goa is not a thieves paradise were every man and his dog are trying to rip you off. true there are people out to get as much out of you as possible, but the majority of goans will try to help you as much as they can. goa is changing and it is sad to say that some people will try to rip you off, but this is not the norm. there are a lot more people in goa that would do you a good turn rather than a bad one. sit and chat to people in the bars at night they will soon put you right on were to go and were not. don, t worry just enjoy your holiday, its still a lovely place with 99% of the people to match. andy

and a thread to make you smile and look forward to your adventure http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=93596

We as Goa regulars are getting a bit bored of Goa, this is only because we feel we have seen most things we want to see, and experienced the whole Goa thing, this is why we are moving on because there are so many places in the world to visit.

I love Goa, i think we might be going back in a couple of years after baby number 2 arrives this year.

The only things id like to say are, most people are warm and friendly, but you can get some beach sellers who talk to you only because they want a sale, but this is their only way of making money.

If you don't want to buy anything then make it clear from the start, and most of them will still continue talking, but some will go and try it with the next tourist.

If you get asked to be photographed, say no!!
When i first went to Goa, i was only a teenager, and some indian tourists asked for my photo, but this year and the year before they didnt even ask, they just took it, the cheeky sods..
I threatened to take their camera off them and chuck it in the sea!!

Other than that you will have a brill time

well said lea, goa is still as good as it every was its us who get tainted by our greed, even the worst case you pau 250 rup to callengutte to candolim a full 3 pound oh my god i pay double that to come home from a night at the dogs and its a sixth of the distance, im sorry but has to be said its the english who are robbing the locals, we want everything cheap cheap and cheaper, anything you want in goa, candolim, baga, etc etc you will pay extra for they are called tourist rates, these are prices you get charged for going there its called a holiday. i wish everyone saying how you get ripped off would take 1 hour a week sit down work out how much you wasted here in uk, macdonald, kfc, etc etc and for half the price of either one you will be fed a meal, fresh made for you on a beach served with a cold drink where you can sit and people watch or just chill. You can not blame people for making hay while the sun shines. as for the taxi's we all know there is to many but people please stand your ground or dont pay what you personally are happy to pay or jump a bus, grab a tut tut, hire a scooter 400 rups a week, theres options, if your want to be ripped off assulted abused and robbed stay here in cold miserable england, if you want to have fun feel warm be amazed at the sights sounds smells of a 3rd world country then please do so. goa isnt expensive but if you want to do things cheaper go local a full roast chicken 70 rups, go to the market buy fresh food fresh veg, cook it in your appartment or hotel, make a fire on the beach have a bbq the choice is there but please lets remember your on holiday and it could be your last so enjoy it leave a little love as you walk not negative things, most people have 50 weeks of that for the 2 weeks they call a holiday.
sighs man i sounded off not sorry though

Gosh-Thank you all so much for taking the time and trouble to pass on your info.
You have all wiped away my doubts of Goa and have now steered my holiday mode up to 5th gear.

I have become soooooo excited now for my family holiday to Goa and i am so looking forward to the experiences my children and us will have.
You are such a fantastically informative bunch of folk on this forum and you make new users like my self feel in very good company.

We go on the 27th March (30 sleeps to go-yippee!) and i assure you i shall let you all know about our holiday in Goa.
Once again thanks to you all. To those in Goa now, also the people that are travelling soon, i hope you have a wonderful holiday and a very safe journey.
Mel Haighx

Have a fantastic time

Thats what everyone means Stavros
Talk about trying it on

70 RUPEES FOR A FULL CHICKEN .

im sure the regulars will agree It really is starting to get out of hand
Its only 50 rupees in vagator a big difference and that includes the chips.

GIVE EM AND INCH AND THEY WILL TAKE A YARD !