Just back last night, after 3 weeks and saying never again after last year
Here goes, prepare to be bored didnt do a great deal
The flight - Monarch Manchester - Bahrain - Goa. Couldnt fault it, payed for extra leg room and what a difference, On time, comfortable, food fine, pleasant air hostesses - nice little stop off in Bahrain, time for a quick whizz around duty free, a couple of ciggies and then back on the plane.
Accommodation - booked via internet into a guest house, didnt quite know what to expect, well it was way and above any expectations. A very spacious one bedroom apartment, lounge, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom - 2 good sized balconies where you could catch the sun from morning until night. Not a particularly interesting outlook but surrounded by palm trees and the wildlife was amazing. The apartment was kept spotlessly clean, linen and towels changed every other day and swept and polished to an inch of its life. Fabulous people looking after it, couldnt do enough for you - really really loved the place, a little bit loathe to do a hotel reccomendation as I would like to keep this little paradise to myself - however, I will, they like many others lost bookings after Mumbai and will struggle.
Meals - as usual mainly fab, a couple of grotty ones - but probably due to me picking up a cold a day into the holiday so everything was tasteless. Anyway, highlights - Tuscany Gardens, virtually next door to Kingfisher Villa, garlic mushrooms to die for and any and every pasta dish you could wish for. Very nice wine list too and reasonably priced, I'm a Vin Ballet girl generally so it was nice to have a bit of the posh stuff for a change. The Bistro - excellent as usual, fillet steak was superb. Pasta House, Sinquerim (one of our locals) consistently good, a varied menu but everything freshly cooked. Ruffles - not generally a fan but their Sunday roast (minus meat) was just what the doctor ordered, a good old Sunday lunch with plenty of fresh veg and yorkies.
Shacks spent quite some time at Zappas, our usual haunt, as usual can't fault the food or service, the beach is great there so well worth a visit. During our second week we did happen upon the Calamari, Sinquerim end of the beach - absolutely loved it. Fresh towels for your sunbeds, bowl of water at your feet, excellent food and service and very reasonable prices - they have a write up reproduced on their menu from an article in the telegraph, saying what an excellent place it is, and its true it is.
Bars - tried a few, can't get my head around Ninos Nook, felt a bit like an alcholic going to buy a bottle of cheap booze and then drinking it on the premises - however it does seem to be very popular and they are a friendly bunch that go there. Helens - read Nino's very similar set up. Nintendras (Full Moon) I remember this place as a Nino's Nook type from a few years ago, however they have upp'ed their game a bit, now have a nice restaurant upstairs. The bar is still pretty cheap and cheerful but is very popular and a great meeting place. Cinnebar, great coffee selection and fab milk shakes -`do a good breakfast too - well worth a visit
Taxi drivers - no probs, we asked price on first day, from Sinquerim, stop at Newtons, down to end of beach road 100 rps, we thought it was reasonable so thats what we paid all through the holiday up and down the strip, pick up newspapers etc. Calangute was 150 each way and Panjim we paid 600 return.
Was there a downside, well yes , there is still a problem with rubbish removal. River Princess is no longer an eyesore it is causing a huge problem. The terrorist threat - well we live with it here every day.
All in all I had a wonderful holiday, wish I was still there