Flew Monarch Premium LGW to GOI via MAN - interesting route! Flights very good, service food and seating (2nd row window) perfectly adequate (yes this was Monarch). Landed 20 minutes early, made to wait 1 hour on taxiway, before pulling up close to Dabolim terminal.
Very simple and smooth immigration and customs, no hassle from porters - was this really Goa?
Taxi (booked from UK) to Holiday Inn - then over 4 hours to get a room - they were allocated on a last in gets first room basis. What a set of clowns! Unimpressed to say the least.
Got to room (downstairs not upstairs as requested) dirty bathroom, filthy floor. Cleaned bathroom as didn't want any hassle (had enough of that last time out in Bangkok Shangri-La) and got on with the holiday.
Beach great; 5 shacks not including the hotel's. Sam's (favourite) Pearl's (near Leela) Mike's, Betty's and Titanic (in order of preference). A few good restaurants locally; Fisherman's Wharf; Bettys Place and Hill's Den (in order of preference) and then many more in Cavelossim, a short taxi trip away.
Absolutely loved Mobor beach and walking to the Sal Estuary or to Cavelossim along the beach. No real hassle with beach sellers (only one who eventually gave up, saying he much preferred Russians to the English - I must have made a real impact there!).
Shacks held regular beach parties - all similar with music, dancing, entertainment, fireworks, etc., but good fun nevertheless.
Taxis much higher priced this year and demanding commission from every shop that you visit causing much ill feeling with the genuine traders.
Had a meal in the Leela Palace and managed to blow 9,000 Rps (Yes I know, but it was fun), but could eat very well in restaurants for about 1 to 2k price and shacks for about 500 for two! Surprisingly good food in the Indian restaurant in the Holiday Inn, at a reasonable price and an absolutely magnificent Thai oil massage in their spa (from two Thai girls). Janet and I agreed that it was one of the best we had experienced, so we returned a few times despite the expense!.
Visited several other hotels as Janet was looking for 40 to 50 rooms for November. The Leela looked good, but expensive and rather lacking in atmosphere. The Hyatt and the Radisson White Sands were both excellent; the Taj Exotica also looked very good, if a little tired, and the Ramada also seemed good, but slightly below the others in quality. We were made welcome at all hotels and the food at the Ramada was excellent and reasonably priced for hotel food. All seemed to have great beach locations.
We had previously done most trips, including Betty's Boat on the Sal and Dolphin spotting, so contented ourselves with the pool, the beach, the shacks and local restaurants, although we did visit Margao and the markets - 50 minutes by bus at 10Rp each going and 200 by tuk tuk for the return. Whilst the markets and the shops were interesting, as a working town we prefer Vasco - sights, sounds and smells, much better. Had intended to go to Bogmalo but never made it - sorry jcbrum, beer next time perhaps? Cavelossim held little interest for us and we only went in 3 or 4 times. Food in Goan Village and Get Down was pretty average and nondescript.
All too soon, it was time to return. Painless trip to airport by taxi. Very, very smooth check-in and departure procedures (is it my imagination or have they expanded the departure area after security). Great flight back, front row, window seats, good food good service (shame about the stop at MAN on the return flight).
Arrived at LGW on Good Friday only 12 minutes late and then it happened. No suitcases! Reported to baggage handlers and was assured we would get a call regarding the cases on Saturday. Checked on their website Friday night and, whoopee , cases located. Waited in on Saturday - no call. Contacted baggage people, told to expect a call and bags on Sunday. Waited in on Easter Sunday - repeat of Saturday, told to expect a call and bags on Monday. Monday came and (you've guessed it) no bags. They finally were delivered, after having to divert them to Janet's workplace on Tuesday.
A great, relaxing holiday, good hotel and staff (despite the early problems with cleanliness) good flights, but we were Monarched in the end!
Peter
-
Edited by
PeteB
2008-03-29 15:00:51
