squigs wrote:

Well personally Twm, I now find it much easier getting the visas and also think Goa is much cleaner than it used to be. Toilet facilities are greatly improved and restaurant standards are much higher. Most people who go to Goa regularly, know what the taxi fares are so shouldn't be "ripped off" What has happened to "the Goa we all knew and loved" is, it has, like lots of other places moved on, but lots of us still love it and will continue to go back!!! :cheers

I 100% agree with you Squigs, many things have improved over the years and like you we still love it and will continue to go back.

Twm wrote:

What has happened to the Goa we all knew and loved.

Ok Twm , I know you are long term ,the same as many of us who are there for 5 or 6 months,many of us ,dont think like you,and who have seen all the changes over the last 20 years,and yes ,cant say we agree with them all, but most are easily avoided.
In my opinion there are still many positive things in Goa and by far out weigh the negative .

Why! Oh! Why! are the Goan Government messing around and not getting the shacks up, the Charters will be coming in and nothing on the beaches for the tourists. DO THEY REALLY WANT US THERE. Beginning to think NOT
Have been going to Goa for over 20 years, it has gone downhill, dirty, hassle getting Visa's, and being ripped off by taxi drivers and any body who can make an extra rupee out of you. What has happened to the Goa we all knew and loved.

It has gone for ever.We just have to love the Goa we have now.

Papa

A Goa that has gloriously hot weather, virtually guaranteed.
A Goa that still has some wonderful beaches.
A Goa that has a wide choice of food at exceptionally cheap prices.
A Goa where you can go out for a good night on the town and still have change from a tenner.
A Goa where there are still lots of friendly people who make you most welcome.
A Goa that is paradise for us ladies who like a bit of shopping.
A Goa that I hope I will still be visiting for many years to come!!

Well put,squigs. Couldn't agree more

.....and I've just been told today by one of the lads that they're building Fishermans Paradise shack as we speak!

well said squigs !!!!
lets look on the good points and count down the seconds till we get there!!
J

I take it from that you'll be packing your blinkers and the proverbial nose peg for the subtle aromas.

A bit of balance' truthwise' on the Holiday Truths wouldn't go amiss. There is a strong suspicion that many of the posts might have a commercial interest in promoting only the so called 'good side' of Goa. It helps to put bums on aircraft seats, fills package company related rooms, lures innocents into overpriced tours, and can be a huge disappointment for those novices to Goa who take the advice on this site as gospel.

There is no escaping the fact that Goa has gone gravely downhill, is no longer as cheap as many far more beautiful and cleaner destinations in the region, and is becoming increasingly safe. Be realistic, what are your chances of a proper investigation, prosecution and recompense if you end up the victim of crime, whether petty or serious!

All IMHO, of course (and a great deal of like minded souls who are deserting the place for less tawdry destinations.)

Goa never was 'high class', but then that was it's charm, a simple life. What's the point in paying top whack prices to get and stay there, discover it's not as described on the tin, and be severely aggrieved at the amount of hard earned you forked out for a sub standard product with almost no infrastructure on standards of hygiene.

When looking at those glossy travel mags and consulting the various forums just remember 'Buyer Beware'. Al said, forums do give a good outlet for exchange of information on the small daily necessities, etc.

Well said Moksha!

A long overdue and accurate counterbalance to some of the previous posts.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, has improved in Goa in recent years if you loved Goa for it's original appeal.

Goa never was 'high class', but then that was it's charm, a simple life. What's the point in paying top whack prices to get and stay there, discover it's not as described on the tin, and be severely aggrieved at the amount of hard earned you forked out for a sub standard product with almost no infrastructure on standards of hygiene.

Yes, well said. I liked Goa when things were 'simple'. I don't mind paying that bit extra on holiday but often in Goa it appears they keep wanting more. I personally want to see more of India outside Goa, surely tourism has opened up in other states?

Looks like the shacks will be up by the middle of November - the draw to take place on 29/30th October according to todays Herald.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=28867&cid=2

Years ago I would have happily recommended Goa to anyone but not now - some of our friends would be horrified if they went to Goa on holiday and I am talking of ordinary working class people here not people who usually holiday in 5 star hotels.

moksha
"There is no escaping the fact that Goa has gone gravely downhill, is no longer as cheap as many far more beautiful and cleaner destinations in the region, and is becoming increasingly SAFE"
moksha - just thought I would point out "unsafe" I think?

At last from Moksha a post on the current state of Goa that I can recognise. I'm off there again in three weeks, but with no illusion that the old Goa that seduced me many years ago still exists. I shake my head in amazement at some of the rose tinted posts that appear, that seem to see a very different Goa than the one that I see now when I visit. It's mostly meeting old friends that takes us there now, not the dubious pleasures of dirty beaces, wall to wall garbage etc etc.
Alan

*Admin edit - due to copyright we can't allow post to be taken from another site. Spaldy it's ok for you to provide the link instead and I'll place it here - Glynis*

Well with an attitude of that shack owner... he can go and stuff it. I won't go back if that is going to be their general attitude. They should tidy up their back yard first!

Do we know which shack? Would like to know so that I can avoid it. Fizz

Not sure will try to find out the name of the shack....got a good attitude though hasn't he?
How many others think the same?....not that you would be told to your face!

Yes , thanks for the typo correction 'waterproof'. Goa is certainly UNSAFE, especially after today's ruling whereby, even after CBI investigation, not one single person will be brought to justice regards the murder, rape and paedophilia perpretated against Scarlette Keeling.

These murderers and rapists are stilll at large in Goa and they are known to those in the know. This is justice, Goa style (i.e. no justice).

Scarlette, R.I.P.

Moksha, are you related to Scarlett because you appear to be very upset by all the events surrounding her death?

Yes , thanks for the typo correction 'waterproof'. Goa is certainly UNSAFE, especially after today's ruling whereby, even after CBI investigation, not one single person will be brought to justice regards the murder, rape and paedophilia perpretated against Scarlette Keeling.

These murderers and rapists are stilll at large in Goa and they are known to those in the know. This is justice, Goa style (i.e. no justice).

Scarlette, R.I.P.

Moksha,

Sorry,

But for whatever reason this upsets you deeply. However anyone who has even the slightest inkling of the way things work in Goa can not find this news in any way suprising.

Money changes hands and things go away.

We should be careful to try to stay on topic or the mods may have no choice but to lock or delete this excellent thread.

I for one go in November so would appreciate updates on the shack situation.

Papa.