there you go- this could be the start of something

Sorry gazthomas,
But there's no way I would give a Taxi Driver a mobile phone, that cost £300, in return for two free trips. No wonder he was happy, and go'es some way to explain, why the Taxi Drivers are not my friends, as i only offer a small tip for good driving.

x lassi

the phone cost me nothing as part of a contract - its value at new was £300 but it was a year old by now. if i was to have put it on ebay i would have been looking at 30- 40 quid for it...

quite right i wouldnt have given a £300 phone away for a couple fo trips....

Oh dear!! i used the wrong word!! what every the right word should be, you never give sellers/taxi drivers their asking price i was always told to 1/4 it then go up from there, a little bit of profit is better than no profit, sangita always tells me the right prices of items she buys anklechains for rps25 so there you go. must use my thesaurus more often.

you will need to tell us more "real" prices. That would be handy

new thread now started here

I always find - http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/
An excellent source for news from Goa, today there are two pieces of news, that will be of interest to members.
" Do not come to Goa there is chaos in Goa " and

Sailor in mercy mission to Goa - It's always good to see Children Walking Tall get publicity .

x lassi

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Columnists/The_tragedy_of_Goa/articleshow/3028784.cms

The whole thing is now a real mess. I heard that the original pathologist in the Scarlette case has had his suspension lifted, no surprise there!

How do they expect shacks to make a profit with only 10 sunbeds? My wife and I would normally spend 400-600 rupees on a day at the beach. I know that many will spend more, but some will also spend less. If you take 500 rupees as the average, then shacks will only take in a maximum of 2500 per day. Given that the season last year was barely five months because of the licence fiasco, how can they hope to make enough to live on all year. Twenty beds per shack would be more like it. It is also worth remembering that in the busy areas, many of the beds are not even owned by the shacks, but by other Goans who also pay a licence for their 10 beds. The shacks get the blame for the congestion, but it is not always their fault.

how can they hope to make enough to live on all year

Well in the past the Goans would take on other work. It's a fact that a lot of Goan's don't want to work out of season and only want to rely on tourism.

It's the same here in Scotland, there's going to be a lot of berry fruit not going to be picked because no one wants to do the cheap work anymore (only immigrants, and now the Govn' are cutting back). A lot of young people signing on not wanting to do the low paid work.

It's no different in Goa. Friends of mine living in Goa are telling me there are a lot of youths who don't want to do the farm/land work as they would rather rely on tourist hand outs/tips etc.

I'm all for cutting down on beach beds, I'm a walker and if It comes to buying a beach mat and spreading some throws on the beach, that's what will be done. The shacks will still be used for eating/refreshment.
The amount of beds around Baga is a disgrace. The pollution behind the shacks is not tolerable.

property news moved to here

More bad news!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1021026/Predators-paradise-How-divorcees-holiday-toyboy-hid-sinister-unexpected-twist.html

I find this very sad. It could happen to anyone because it is so easy to be off your guard on holiday and for some, commonsense seems to fly out the window. Let it be a warning to us all!

Candybabe

Can I ask please that we keep to news stories which are unique to Goa and relevant for those who want to holiday there.

Sorry Fiona

no roxey- I realised that it was not clear what the thread was about so have added a bit to the beginning now
Mind you, it could probably go in the gossip thread

It was reported in the Herald that a beach shack owner was arrested and released on bail for displaying the indian national flag above her shack where liquor is being sold thereby causing disrespect to the national flag. It was a tourist cop that reported her. No mention of the shack name but her name is Rosy Fernandes from Saunta Vaddo Calangute, some regulars will know her I am sure. I wonder what all that was about, she said she has been displaying the flag for three years.

Just read this - http://navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=061547
Doctors up to the same tricks as the Taxi Drivers
x lassi

Sometimes I feel I walk around Goa with MUG on my forehead and due to that they feel they can overcharge for dentists, taxis, opticians, medical treatment etc. They are in danger of pricing themselves out of the market and then we will start to hear "why are less tourists using the services we have developed" answer fed up of being ripped off

When will Goa realise if they treat us fairly we will continue to visit, spend our hard earned money and return year after year. We won't be ripped off in the UK by anyone so why should we accept it in Goa.

Haven't a problem with anyone making a living and charging a fair price however why should it cost more in Goa than other Indian states?