hi mardon, i think we were at the bistro shack when you all came to the beach. two girls and about eight lads. i may be wrong....Gavin.

That will be us Just wished we stayed there. Love that shack and have some good friends there. Non of this would have happend otherwise.

mardon, did you get my pm?...jxk8

Good, perceptive report, Mardon and sorry things weren't better.

I do think that we who have clocked up over fifty years escape the worst of the badgering and drug approaches but you're right that something is changing. There are still nice people around - sure they want your money, that's how they make a living - but we met many genuinely nice people who were honest and helpful.

There seems to be a more tolerant approach to drugs - no doubt because everybody, including (or is it especially?) the police, make so much money out of them. This is attracting heavy elements from outside Goa, and indeed outside India, and they are changing things. How tempting must it be for some of the shack lads to sell a few tabs and and make more money than they do all week in the shacks?

The police really need to clamp down on drug dealing and immodest behaviour. Goa is at a crossroads - it will never recapture the ultra easy, laid back feel of a few years ago but unless the criminal elements that are being attracted by the lure of easy money with little fear of prosecution are dealt with, it will slide into slease and criminality. That would be so very sad for the many honest, genuine Goans who are having their Paradise rained on, and their incomes threatened by imported crooks.

But who is going to sort out the police?

Well said Roma

Good post Roma. The police situation out there is scary.

In the Herald yesterday they reported that they intend to tighten up visas by a) not allowing visas to anyone with a criminal record and b) tightening up the visa generally,..... i suspect this must mean giving out shorter visas?could be a problem for six monthers if they do that,
chilly

How would they know if someone has a criminal record?

If they have to go through our police computers, wouldn't that incur a delay in getting a visa and also raise the cost of it?

I feel that Goa is going the same way Turkey did. We first went to Turkey about 19yrs ago, nothing was too much trouble, to the point were you were humbled by peoples kindness. The last time we went,about 6 yrs ago, it was so noticiable that people were only being nice (not all, but many) to get you to part with you hard earned cash. I totally understand that they have to make a living (a years living in 6 mths or so) but I will part with my money far more freely when I feel that someone is not trying to exploit me. This definately put me off going back to Turkey and I have to say I did get feelings of this on our first trip to Goa (taxi drivers especially) and when on our last day the shack lads started asking us for our possesions I gave them things, but afterwards thought Cheeky so and so's, I would rather have been able to have given them things without them asking.

As regards to not allowing anyone in with criminal convictions, they would have to rely on the same system as the USA ,were by you are asked to declare your convictions (and also if you have ever been a spy ) needless to say, if you people don't delclare they are none the wiser
Debi

"if you people don't delclare they are none the wiser"

Aren't criminal records on a database accessible by the US visa authorities? It certainly used to be the case, minor offences were wiped after 10 years. It was always/still the case with US, one MINOR drug conviction .... NO VISA .... fact.

Sorry Neill, that is not the case. I work in an area were we have to do police checks on people before they can start work and it takes on average 8 weeks for us to get the information and we live in the UK. When entering the USA on a charter package the visa form is filled in on the plane and you declare convictions on that form. If you have convictions you are advised to phone the American Embassy for advice prior to flying, take my word if they don't phone they are allowed in. I have been on flights with people (not travelling with them) but well known in my area for certain acivities and several long holidays at HM pleasure and they have got in no problem.

Sorry can I add when I put "you people" i meant "if people" hope it wasn't a Freudian slip

This thread is going way offtopic now. Lets remember this is Mardon's trip report.
For USA visa queries there is a sticky in the America forum.

Sorry Fiona, but it was Neill's fault

I don't read this forum as much as I used to. We won't be going back either. Although we had a lovely time it just wasn't the same when we went at Christmas. There was a different atmosphere this time and it wasn't a pleasant one. We stayed in a fabulous hotel but when out and about people weren't as friendly as they have been in the past.
Great post Mardon and I hope you find another holiday place that you will enjoy.

Great, honest and open report Mardon. Goa is changing - rapidly and not for the better i'm afraid.

Although, overall we did have a lovely holiday, we both felt that something wasn't quite the same any more and that perhaps we would give Goa a miss this year and perhaps we would try Thailand

Sydney we have been thinking the same as you as well. We normally visit Goa twice in British winter time, and we have already booked for November 08, but after that I am not sure what will happen. I think one visit to Goa each season is enough. its lost some of its sparkle.

Same with us Gemma i think once a season is quite enough,thats our plan for
next time
ann

Mardon sorry your trip didn't live up to expectations. Your feelings about the place are very similar to how I felt after my experiences there in Feb. On a positive note I returned yesterday and because I'd gone with much lower expectations found that I had a much better time. For me the idyllic paradise I remember no longer exists but there is still some magic in the place, especially in some of the beach areas further North and I think I'll go back next year. Really enjoyed your report.

Good reading mate, some of your observations are spot on and it does sadden you a little, but as Sim said returning with a different approach could do the trick, my approach to Goa did change while I was there and I made the best of my holiday which I enjoyed immensely. Sorry I didn`t get to meet you, I thought I had put your number in my phone but didn`t ah well there`s always next time

I also have to agree with what Mardon has said, my first and only visit to goa at christmas involved similar experiences and the pervyness of the locals on the beach either oggling, taking photos etc certainly did it for our party and we are a family both over 40 with a young son.

having said that im pleased i went if only to experience it otherwise i would never have been able to appreciate what it was like, just disillusioned now with the whole experience and would never go back due to my perception of the seediness out there.