At the risk of repeating myself, the roads here just feel so much more dangerous. When we started coming to Goa many years ago the roads were full of small Maruti/Suzuki taxis and traffic was hectic but manageable. Increasing wealth means there are now Toyota Land Cruisers and immense sports utility vehicles and the roads are not wide enough to cope. It's pretty scary on a scooter when you've got a mammoth 4x4 tooting away behind you and a bus careering towards you - they don't care what gets in the way.
A huge Land Cruiser cut me up the other day and it had "Jesus Lights the Way" on the back window! It would be good if he could also fill in a few potholes while he's at it with his light.
We're used to seeing odd things being transported by pillion riders on scooters - mattresses, panes of glass, entire families etc.. A couple of days ago we saw two hippie type westerners with a naked three year old stood up on the seat between them going at speed into Calangute. If Jeremy Kyle ever runs short of mopheads to feature on his show, he could do some recruiting here!
Yesterday, there was tragedy when the brakes failed on a bus near Panjim and eight people were killed as it careered into a river- some of them were young children. Very distressing pictures on the local TV station.
Apart from the scary roads, we're having a very lazy time and my mind wanders to all those things that annoy and yet seem not to have a sensible answer.
Why do shops never have change?
Why do shop assistants serve five people at the same time?
Why do most letting rooms have bolts and padlocks rather than "Yale" type locks?
Why don't Indian people understand the principle of queuing?
I'm sure there are many more and in the challenging lazy days ahead, no doubt I'll think of some!
Laugh of the day - I read in the papers that Mumbai Airport has been voted the third best airport in the world by Airport Council International. I think they need to get out more!
The papers are full of election coverage that despite my efforts, I can't really understand who stands for what. You just get the feeling the whole thing is corrupt. I've just read "White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga and that is such a good book for illustrating just how things are made to work in India - money, power, religion, corruption at every level.
The 10.30 curfew is a real pain - it's not that we want to booze into the early hours, it just cuts short your night. Some shops are running out of gin because people are stocking up for the alcohol free days!
Incredible India, they say.....
they have obviously never been to dabolim airport!!!!!!!!!!!!
oops sorry i misread your original post. thought you said worst not best. anyway dabolim will take over as best when the new airport is finished or will only the internal flights see inside it and international will still be hearded into the usual cramped and overcrowded conditions?
smudger2
oops sorry i misread your original post. thought you said worst not best. anyway dabolim will take over as best when the new airport is finished or will only the internal flights see inside it and international will still be hearded into the usual cramped and overcrowded conditions?
smudger2
We keep hearing rumours that next year there will be a limit to the length of stay for foreign visitors to Goa. One person has said two weeks, another has said one month. You're never sure what's just idle scaremongering and what has a grain of truth in Goa. If you believe what's said, once the elections are over, an announcement will be made.
The reason is the fact that many foreigners are bringing drugs into Goa and there have been instances of schoolchildren using/selling drugs. Surely a better way to deal with the problem is for the police to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards drugs and prosecute those found dealing them. I think we all know why that won't happen! Restricting tourism would be a way for the authorities to be seen to be doing something without killing the goose"¦.let's see if anything happens or whether it's just talk.
On Baga beach today the police were busy implementing the 10 sunbed rule and throwing (and wrecking) sunbeds where there were too many. It's just so ridiculous - there are huge gaps where sunbeds should be, tourists with nowhere to sit and huge amounts of precious trade lost by the shack operators. I've not seen anybody taking any notice of the 10 sunbed rule in Candolim but perhaps the heavy mob is on on its way.
We decided to have a couple of days of luxury after a month of our fairly basic accommodation in Candolim and checked into the Kenilworth Resort in Utorda, South Goa. It's a lovely 4 star hotel, right on the beach with a huge pool and extensive grounds. We don't really know a lot of South Goa but sat on the beach after sunset last night, watching a chain of volunteers haul a fishing boat ashore and a gang of young lads playing cricket. It reminded us of North Goa when we first came here 13-14 years ago. It was delightful and we really enjoyed the stay, even if paying the bill was a bit painful. The food and drink prices in these places are ridiculous. Must learn more about South Goa!
The election dominates everything in the papers and our local booze shop (AMJ Wines) has been closed for days. I think we have two or three completely dry days coming up next week. I wonder why they don't have elections in the rainy season when it doesn't damage the tourist businesses"¦.another one of those questions!
I've just read that HT may not continue - that would be a real shame. It's helped me enormously as I'm sure it has others. I've met many contributors and feel as though I know many others. I hope a way can be found to keep us all together!
The reason is the fact that many foreigners are bringing drugs into Goa and there have been instances of schoolchildren using/selling drugs. Surely a better way to deal with the problem is for the police to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards drugs and prosecute those found dealing them. I think we all know why that won't happen! Restricting tourism would be a way for the authorities to be seen to be doing something without killing the goose"¦.let's see if anything happens or whether it's just talk.
On Baga beach today the police were busy implementing the 10 sunbed rule and throwing (and wrecking) sunbeds where there were too many. It's just so ridiculous - there are huge gaps where sunbeds should be, tourists with nowhere to sit and huge amounts of precious trade lost by the shack operators. I've not seen anybody taking any notice of the 10 sunbed rule in Candolim but perhaps the heavy mob is on on its way.
We decided to have a couple of days of luxury after a month of our fairly basic accommodation in Candolim and checked into the Kenilworth Resort in Utorda, South Goa. It's a lovely 4 star hotel, right on the beach with a huge pool and extensive grounds. We don't really know a lot of South Goa but sat on the beach after sunset last night, watching a chain of volunteers haul a fishing boat ashore and a gang of young lads playing cricket. It reminded us of North Goa when we first came here 13-14 years ago. It was delightful and we really enjoyed the stay, even if paying the bill was a bit painful. The food and drink prices in these places are ridiculous. Must learn more about South Goa!
The election dominates everything in the papers and our local booze shop (AMJ Wines) has been closed for days. I think we have two or three completely dry days coming up next week. I wonder why they don't have elections in the rainy season when it doesn't damage the tourist businesses"¦.another one of those questions!
I've just read that HT may not continue - that would be a real shame. It's helped me enormously as I'm sure it has others. I've met many contributors and feel as though I know many others. I hope a way can be found to keep us all together!
Really enjoying your reports Roma 
Pleased to hear that you liked Utorda Beach, we stayed at the Hotel next to the Kenilworth a few years back, it really is a lovely beach, one of my favourites in the south. Zeebops is a good place to eat, we always have a meal there.
xx lassi
Pleased to hear that you liked Utorda Beach, we stayed at the Hotel next to the Kenilworth a few years back, it really is a lovely beach, one of my favourites in the south. Zeebops is a good place to eat, we always have a meal there.
xx lassi
Hi Papa - No, not all wine shops are closed. I went in the small shop just up the road from the Anand Sagar (past the white church in the middle of the road) and asked the lady what the rules were.
She launched on a diatribe about bl**dy politicians and she had a business to run, staff to pay and how could she do it if she was forced to close just because of some bull**it politicians.
It was priceless and we ended up having a good laugh - I suggested she should stand for office because she had real fire in her belly!
She launched on a diatribe about bl**dy politicians and she had a business to run, staff to pay and how could she do it if she was forced to close just because of some bull**it politicians.
It was priceless and we ended up having a good laugh - I suggested she should stand for office because she had real fire in her belly!
Really interesting reading but a bit scarey with the robberies.
Mumbai airport- try waiting one and a half hours for non of your luggage to turn up
It wasn't funny at the time of course.
I would just love to go away for 6 weeks- really jealous of you! Someday perhaps.
I can't see how they can enforce short stays in Goa only. This must be for the whole of India surely? I would say it was unlikely that they would limit stays in India to 2 weeks- but then nothing about India would surprise me now.
The first stay in Goa I remember almost having a heartattack as OH said just follow me across the road, you won't come to any harm! I had to drag him back.( I think we had been in Vietnam before that where the traffic was an absolute nightmare but they all just drove around anyone crossing the road. We were told they avoided knocking down tourists as too much paperwork was involved
) If the traffic is now a lot worse there must be accidents galore.
Enjoy the rest of your stay!
Mumbai airport- try waiting one and a half hours for non of your luggage to turn up
It wasn't funny at the time of course. I would just love to go away for 6 weeks- really jealous of you! Someday perhaps.
I can't see how they can enforce short stays in Goa only. This must be for the whole of India surely? I would say it was unlikely that they would limit stays in India to 2 weeks- but then nothing about India would surprise me now.
The first stay in Goa I remember almost having a heartattack as OH said just follow me across the road, you won't come to any harm! I had to drag him back.( I think we had been in Vietnam before that where the traffic was an absolute nightmare but they all just drove around anyone crossing the road. We were told they avoided knocking down tourists as too much paperwork was involved
) If the traffic is now a lot worse there must be accidents galore. Enjoy the rest of your stay!
Loving the reports Roma, how long more you got out there? we arrive Tue week 6th march. Hope we can meet up before you leave.our love to Mrs Roma.
Hi Noel - What a shame - we leave on the 6th, the day you arrive! Hope you have a great stay and a big hello to Geraldine!
Thats a pity Roma,would have loved to catch up again, maybe next year. Enjoy the rest of your trip,
Take care
Take care
Well, time marches on and we're in the final few days of our holiday. I dread somebody asking me when we get home, "so what did you get up to?" because the answer is precious little. Days have flown by in a mix of reading, eating, talking (mainly rubbish) and sleeping. A very lazy and self-indulgent get away.
We had another day in Anjuna, breakfasting in Orange Boom -as good as ever and after the market, we ended up in a new restaurant for us, Thalassa at Little Vagator. It is stunning. It's perched at the top of the hills overlooking the sea and very smartly laid out with white linen covered chairs and tables. We're going to return on Monday and watch the sun set, literally, on our holiday.
We often used to go to Scarlet's Juice bar when in the Anjuna/Vagator area but we went a couple of weeks ago and whilst we know Chapora is very Russian and very druggy, it just seems to have got a bit too seedy to enjoy. The kids behind and at the side of me were rolling up joints and I was getting high on their smoke! If the police are serious about tackling drugs, Chapora would be a great place to start"¦..but don't hold your breath!
One of our favourite breakfast places, Kenny's, has been closed for the past two weeks with no explanation so I don't know what's happened there. We're now in the middle of the two day alcohol ban - no more alcohol sales until 5pm on Saturday because of the election. It wasn't a massive problem last night because Mrs Roma had a touch of Delhi Belly so I sat on the balcony with some samosas, crisps, a book and my own little stash of Honeybee!
Yesterday we went to Presa di Goa in Nagoa. It's a small (but recently extended) country house hotel with lovely gardens and a pool. Provided you book in advance and spend at least 350rps on lunch, you can spend a day there. I love it - the perfect antidote to the beach; very peaceful and restful.
We managed to call at the Carvery for one of the HT meets and it was great to catch up with familiar faces and have a laugh or two. It's a shame that circumstances prevented us from attending more than one meeting.
We will make the most of these final few days of sunshine before returning to the grey of Blighty but there are one or two things to look forward to:- crumbly Lancashire cheese, a good pint of Moorhouses Blonde Witch, being able to have a walk without fear of being mown down or disappearing down a ditch. And I really won't miss the filth - I would vote for any of the dodgy politicians that was serious about cleaning this place up. In many places the level of filth and stench is just not acceptable. We access the main Cal/Can road down an alleyway that we had christened "Rat Alley" and what was waiting for us a couple of nights ago? Yep, a huge dead rat - you could have put a saddle on it, it was enormous. So yes, there will be some upsides to getting home!
We had another day in Anjuna, breakfasting in Orange Boom -as good as ever and after the market, we ended up in a new restaurant for us, Thalassa at Little Vagator. It is stunning. It's perched at the top of the hills overlooking the sea and very smartly laid out with white linen covered chairs and tables. We're going to return on Monday and watch the sun set, literally, on our holiday.
We often used to go to Scarlet's Juice bar when in the Anjuna/Vagator area but we went a couple of weeks ago and whilst we know Chapora is very Russian and very druggy, it just seems to have got a bit too seedy to enjoy. The kids behind and at the side of me were rolling up joints and I was getting high on their smoke! If the police are serious about tackling drugs, Chapora would be a great place to start"¦..but don't hold your breath!
One of our favourite breakfast places, Kenny's, has been closed for the past two weeks with no explanation so I don't know what's happened there. We're now in the middle of the two day alcohol ban - no more alcohol sales until 5pm on Saturday because of the election. It wasn't a massive problem last night because Mrs Roma had a touch of Delhi Belly so I sat on the balcony with some samosas, crisps, a book and my own little stash of Honeybee!
Yesterday we went to Presa di Goa in Nagoa. It's a small (but recently extended) country house hotel with lovely gardens and a pool. Provided you book in advance and spend at least 350rps on lunch, you can spend a day there. I love it - the perfect antidote to the beach; very peaceful and restful.
We managed to call at the Carvery for one of the HT meets and it was great to catch up with familiar faces and have a laugh or two. It's a shame that circumstances prevented us from attending more than one meeting.
We will make the most of these final few days of sunshine before returning to the grey of Blighty but there are one or two things to look forward to:- crumbly Lancashire cheese, a good pint of Moorhouses Blonde Witch, being able to have a walk without fear of being mown down or disappearing down a ditch. And I really won't miss the filth - I would vote for any of the dodgy politicians that was serious about cleaning this place up. In many places the level of filth and stench is just not acceptable. We access the main Cal/Can road down an alleyway that we had christened "Rat Alley" and what was waiting for us a couple of nights ago? Yep, a huge dead rat - you could have put a saddle on it, it was enormous. So yes, there will be some upsides to getting home!
Good reading , hadn't realized you were still out there and thought you may be just suffering from insomnia at 3 am in the morning.
Be about half 8 there I guess, so milk the rest of your holiday for all its worth pal cos Lancashire crumbly cheese and the The Blonde Witch ain't going anywhere anytime soon.
Whilst your enjoying breakfast in the sun I shall forthwith retire to my saggy little pit and dream a little dream of days to come
Happy days and a safe journey home
Looks like I am the last one out so I'll grab the hot water bottle, slurp down the last remnants of the horlicks, dim the lights and click a few adverts on the way out to keep this fine old board going.
Night night
Be about half 8 there I guess, so milk the rest of your holiday for all its worth pal cos Lancashire crumbly cheese and the The Blonde Witch ain't going anywhere anytime soon.
Whilst your enjoying breakfast in the sun I shall forthwith retire to my saggy little pit and dream a little dream of days to come
Happy days and a safe journey home
Looks like I am the last one out so I'll grab the hot water bottle, slurp down the last remnants of the horlicks, dim the lights and click a few adverts on the way out to keep this fine old board going.
Night night
great read as usual roma.
i was really sorry that you had the booze ban to contend with but as you say it finishes on the 10th march and you had a stash of honeybee to keep you going. luckily for pat and myself we arrive on the 11th (what timing) so im glad you enjoyed your "do nothing" holiday sorry we wont meet up this time but maybe november.(we are already booked) and i hope our stay is as relaxed as yours but with a trip with irishman and irish colleen to hampi booked i somehow think not but really looking forward to it.
have a safe trip home and enjoy your last days of sunshine and warm.
p.s. got sunshine here but only 12 c
smudger2
i was really sorry that you had the booze ban to contend with but as you say it finishes on the 10th march and you had a stash of honeybee to keep you going. luckily for pat and myself we arrive on the 11th (what timing) so im glad you enjoyed your "do nothing" holiday sorry we wont meet up this time but maybe november.(we are already booked) and i hope our stay is as relaxed as yours but with a trip with irishman and irish colleen to hampi booked i somehow think not but really looking forward to it.
have a safe trip home and enjoy your last days of sunshine and warm.
p.s. got sunshine here but only 12 c
smudger2
Hi Taximania and Smudger - Hope you both have a great trip and I'm sure Smudger, you'll enjoy Hampi. We loved it but watch out for those mossies - they are very active little blighters up there...and it's seriously hot!
Very happy to have bumped in to Split on the beach yesterday and had a great chat and catch up. Lovely to see him and Joan again.
Very happy to have bumped in to Split on the beach yesterday and had a great chat and catch up. Lovely to see him and Joan again.
Beach, shower,eat,sleep.........same as before!
The no drink rule was extended beyond the scheduled 5pm last night because the parliamentary candidates were fighting in Calangute! Don't you just love this place?
Hopefully we can get a drink today and then it will be dry on the 6th but we fly out then so not a problem.
The no drink rule was extended beyond the scheduled 5pm last night because the parliamentary candidates were fighting in Calangute! Don't you just love this place?
Hopefully we can get a drink today and then it will be dry on the 6th but we fly out then so not a problem.
Roma, safe journey back home, hopefully see you next season.
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