Flew out from Gatwick on 13 March. Have to say that after all I have heard I was not looking forward to flying with Monach but I have no complaints and the level of service was very good. The plane left almost on time and yes the seats are a bit narrow but I am a bit taller than average and the leg room was ok.
Landed early in the morning and had the usual scrum at the airport. Then onto the courtesy bus and off to the Nazri hotel which we loved, will do a separate hotel report. We have stayed at the Marinha Dourada the last two visits but it was coming up too expensive this year so took a chance on this new hotel. Have to say I'm glad we did. The position of the hotel (opposite East Meets West) is spot on and we could walk or take the bus to lots of places. We spent a fraction of what we usually do on cabs and took the bus, which passed by the front of the hotel, everywhere.
Went to see Blues on our first night and were lucky to find that his daughter Emily was also singing. Believe all you hear they are fantastic.
Finally managed to visit the South. Set off after breakfast one morning on the second week of our three week holiday. Just packed a couple of bags and 4 buses and 4 hours later got off the bus in Patnem what an adventure! We had not booked anything so after going up and down the beach looking at huts finally settled on the Goyam Bungalows. We got a very good price of 1000rps a night and booked in for 2 nights but ended up staying 3. We were very impressed with the Goyam we had a mossie net which covered the whole bed. Clean towels and soap were provided and at night they lit a coil and sticks outside the door to keep insects away.
Our favourite shack this year was Fishermans at Empire Beach. We would get the bus to Calangute and walk along the beach - it was about 30 shacks along towards Candolim. It's very popular and we were often lucky to get a bed.
Favourite bar was Cape Town Cafe in Titos Lane. This was new this year and they had happy hour all day 50rps for 2 Kingfishers.
Soynemans Kitchen was excellent as usual, I had prawns in a dark rum and lemon sauce as a starter one night and I am still dreaming about them. I must also give a special mention to Thalassa, Mariketty's Place, Greek Taverna at Small Vagator Beach. This restaurant is beautiful, its on the top of the cliff and the food is wonderful. Other places that stand out are Le Jardine and Jamies Place but really never had a bad meal.
Went to one of the HT meets at the Carvery. Lovely to see Mike Richardson who we met last year when Bob had a game of football for Mike's team. Also met Chilli and Mike, the Dragons, Gemma 33 and OH, Irish Noel and OH and another couple who had just had a grandchild but I did not catch their names. Everyone makes you feel so welcome.
Thoroughly enjoyed our 3rd visit and going for 3 weeks was a bonus. This was our best holiday yet and I am already looking for next year!!
Great report , I was there for 2 weeks from 8th March , our 6th time and loved every minute, I have read some good things about the Nazri , like you said the position is excellent
another great report, glad you had a fabulous holiday and the hotel was lovely. The Goyam Bungalows sound great, could you tell me bit more about these please Goadreamer
The Goyam bungalows are directly on the beach at Patnem. I wanted to stay front line and have a sea view but they were charging 2500 rups per night. For 1000 rups we got a bungalow which was two rows back but much larger than the ones at the front. We did not have a veranda with a chair swing but we were so near the beach we did not need it.
They were spotless and provided two pink towels and two blue towels which smelt lovely. The floor was concrete and it had a tiled roof and it was more substantial than a beach hut. They have their own sunbeds on the beach which were free to use for guests and these also had freshly washed towels provided.
The bathroom had a shower which was as powerful as the hotel we were staying in and the water was always hot. There were security boxes for use in the restaurant which overlooked the beach but as there was a very substantial padlock on the door we did not bother to use one.
I would not hesitate to recommend them.
Good report, well written.
What a great positive report glad you enjoyed it
Love reading all the reports
Great report, it was lovely meeting you again and hope to see you next year
Hi Goadreamer very nice report and was great to meet up with you at the Carvery. Hopefully see you again next year
hi goadreamer.. love the idea of setting off to patnem for a couple of days and goyam bungalows sound really good .. we are staying in baga late nov for 4 weeks and are keen to take a few days out and go there .. when bussing it , where do you set off to on first bus ? then 2nd 3rd etc .. rubbish at travel arrangements .. we stayed in tree house at ashvem last year and loved the change .. Pat .
Nice report Goadreamer, thanks!
I am staying near Titos road so will definitely give that place a visit or 2
Excellent report and was great meeting up with you, I think it may have been you that recommended the Greek restaurant to us???
Thalassa, Mariketty's Place, Greek Taverna at Small Vagator Beach. This restaurant is beautiful,
well yes have to agree it is brilliant, we really enjoyed that place and will be going back for sure... if it was your recommendation many thanks just a word of caution to anyone thinking of trying it out, its advisable to book!!! it gets sooo packed and we went after most turists had gone home
hope to meet up again next season
Chilly and Mike
Yes I believe it was me who recommended this Greek restaurant to you - glad you enjoyed it. Wasn't it funny to discover that we were born in the same hospital in London and had lived up the road from each other in Sutton!
Hope to see you again next year jobs permitting. Working for a PCT in the NHS at the moment is not a good place to be.
In answer to your question on catching the bus to Patnem definitely give it a go. Buses as follows
1 Baga to Calangute
2 Calangute to Panjim (stay on bus until the end of the journey which is the bus station).
3 Panjim to Margoa (you have to walk through the bus station to the other side to the ticket office, (we asked someone for directions) there you buy a ticket for the express bus which is non-stop to Margoa and everyone gets a seat - no standing.
4 Margoa to Patnem (you will need to get the bus that goes to Palolem which is the end of the line) and ask on the bus for someone to tell you when to get off.
We can't remember exactly but the whole journey each way cost us around £1 each - it would be a good idea to have lots of small change with you.
Hope this makes sense.
Wasn't it funny to discover that we were born in the same hospital in London and had lived up the road from each other in Sutton
Hi Goadreamer
Yes it was unreal!!! that was the night at Maggie Malones!! St Patricks night a brill laugh this year!! and was great meeting at the Carvery too....looking forward to meeting up again next season! and what a great restaurant it is
chilly and Mike
thanks goadreamer for your bus time table .. really looking forward to this trip .. any other good trips to try we would love to know how and where .. thanks again ..Pat
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