Well been back 2 hours, so thought it best to type while my head is full and the washer is clattering away (don't you just hate that on your return !).
Flights
With Monarch again - out landed 10 mins early - return 1 hour delay but made up time, both flights no problem.
Dabolim
Easy in and out this year, on our return due to the delay they seemed to push things and speed up the process to get the plane out (why can't they operate like this all the time) No chaos, and not hot when checking in - perfect.
Accomodation
Stayed at JJ's Guest House for the 2nd time, in Candolim more or less opposite the noisy Ruffles bar/hotel.
No change to the rooms as was mentioned last year with Anthony, but the room non the less is fine,clean and in a good position.
Anthony has now placed a restaurant at the front (on the main road) that he talked about last year and it's called 'Friends'. This place (I guess some on here have been to ?) seems to be a great success. A mix of Indian and continental - you can't go wrong here, very popular, busy each night/morning and talked about by many.
Out and About
Well I know I asked for anything new to do/venture to, but guess what - didn't bother again ! Too hot/too lazy !!
I did spend a day in Panaji with Billybluenose, showing him the way around, and having a few drinks in known watering holes (hic-hic). Thanks to Roma for suggesting the Crown hotel on the hill - easy to get to and great views over the Mandovi.
Calangute more busy than ever with the mass of Indian tourists (still like it/still hate it - can't decide !).
The River Princess
Have had to put up with other comments as to why people want to beach down that way with the work going on. Well for the love of Ganesh shack (our 13th year) I wouldn't give up on him as long as there were no problems. All the shacks down that way were doing great business and the biggest amount of customers I have seen for that time of year.
It was interesting to see how they tackled the cutting up, occasional banging and motors from the barges at the side, but not enough noise to drive people away. No evidence of metal scraps/rust/dust or whatever coming in with the tide, I think more people moan about noisy/petrol fumes from jet skis than the RP (and the 'whooping with joy' the Indians make in the sea!!!)
The Shack
Good as ever. HT'ers in there, Billybluenose/Maz/GEC. Also good to see again many old faces from over the years still making the trip the same time as us - a great bunch that you can sit and chat/laugh with every day.
Eating out
Headed for our old favourites again - Flloyds/Foxes/Flambe/Delhi Darbah, also new to us Kalinga (Fort Aguada Road) Pande (in front of Whispering Palms) Sheetall (bottom of beach road) ok 'till the rat ran across the wifes foot ! good food though, and Friends @ JJ's. The poorest meal has to be at Suza Lobos in Calangute - not been here for a few years and wouldn't rush back, poor service/food and grubby, not what it used to be. Choccolatti is a cool place to go at lunch time, and also the new cafe/cake shop at the Spice garden.
Summary
Enjoyed every day !! 1st week was hot but managable and most nights humidity was low with a breeze. 2nd week changed and day time was getting hotter and hotter and the nights a bit on the sticky side, which we coped with (well one of us..)
Exchange rates went from 72 - 73 - 71 better than last year (av.67)
Great to be there for the cricket semi final, what an atmosphere all round, many fireworks let off in the road and loads of happy mad Indians wanting to shake hands (shame we got back while the Indians were just lifting the trophy - a few hangovers Sunday, I bet !!) As mentioned, a mass of Indian tourists, no problem at all, just the same as us - wanting to be happy. The Russians also seem to be up in numbers, and a few stories of trouble in same places with them but nothing that we came across, I just wish they wouldn't dress as they they are going to a 70's disco though.
No stomach problems to report and no 'yellow bombs' taken
Thanks to all who made the HT meet a good night.
So are we going back next year ? - Will look for flights asap and fingers crossed the prices will be good, so yeah, it looks like Goa again, boy do we love that place, and missing it already.
Enough for now, got to put another load in and maybe order an Indian..
Spike