Being just the 2 of us this year, we thought about what to do, where to go etc.. but having done just about everything going in the past 11 years, every day was spent down the beach apart from the odd morning in Panaji and Calangute having a browse and watching the world go by.
I did post about north or south earlier, for overnight accommodation, but every other day we said ''shall we go tomorrow'' - eventually time caught up with us.
Monarch Flights - Very good both in (9 hours) and out (11 hours), no stop off at Bahrain, and despite the usual cramped seating, the time passed so quickly. They need to change the breakfast though - cornflakes/muesli bar and a bun - not for me (but I ate it)
Dabolim - So easy, in and out this time, but the silly shuttle bus is still pointless.
Accomodation - Booked JJ's in Candolim via e-mail a month before we flew and got a very good price of 900rps per day.
A friend text me at Manchester airport that JJ's had been closed for the previous 4 days, so was thinking we were going to be like Mary and Joseph on our arrival.
Arriving at JJ's we were greeted by the new 'part owner' Anthony, who explained the change in ownership and they were only allowing the private bookings, and not passing trade looking for a bed.
The room we had was overlooking the main road (almost opposite Ruffles). Clean, but in need of an up date here and there, which Tony explained that all the rooms, restaurant etc were to be re-vamped for the following season.
Tony is in partnership with a guy called Paul from London, and it seems they are going to make a go of the place, and keep the costs as low as possible (if not the same) and with a basic breakfast thrown in.
I will post more details when the new season comes round with info for prices etc.. Tony is also owner of Green Peace Holiday Home, just at the back of JJ's which is another option to look at. He is also running Tony's Place restaurant in Candolim (this guy is busy...)
Restaurants - Can't say we had a bad meal this year, but here is where we pigged out.
Top Nosh - Candolim - Very good.
Flambe - Candolim - As good as ever and good prices.
Spice Garden - Candolim - Ate here twice when having a steak, and have to say they are the best around.
Spice Garden (Nitya Resort) - Calangute - Very Good Tandoori.
Over The Flames - Candolim - Great set up but one dish was a bit tasteless and 'gloopy'
Ganesh Shack - Candolim - Was a 50th birthday fro a shack regular so was invited to a great night with the shack all trimmed up and a great buffet style of curry/fish/prawns/samosas etc..
Foxes Steak House - Candolim - Good, but Spice Garden is better.
The Carvery - Candolim - Nice curry and the Bombay Potatoes were the best ever.
Delhi Darbar - Panaji - What else can you say, but excellent night in there.
The Bistro - Candolim - Very good.
Food Stalls - Calangute High Street - Fancied a change and tried a few different snacks - quality, (give these a go)
Tony's Place - Candolim - Good
Mackies Night Market - Very good food stalls as ever.
The Weather - Driving from the airport was very foggy, and thought we were in for some humid nights - but non to be had, a cooling breeze every night made it the best time we have had for March / April.
Ganesh Shack - Met up with a lot of regulars again and also HT'ers Billy Blue Nose (Alan & Jackie) and GEC (Gail & Ray) and not forgetting Maz.
Service and food in here as good as it gets - well looked after, so cheers to Ganesh, Yeshi, Raju, Santosh, Chef Rajuthan and Babu (will you ever stop winding my other half up !)
Exchange Rate - As bad as the Russians 66.80 the lowest
Prices in General - Restaurants seemed reasonable, and most bars we visited charged anything from 30 rps to 60 rps for a small kings. The Shacks however (and not just Ganesh's) were well up, but for 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, beers, water, pop tea and coffee + sun beds it still comes under £20 for the day. Add that to £20 for a night out eating and drinking and you still get within a £50 budget.
Taxis I don't argue with anymore, I know what to pay and they get it - and I get out, like it or lump it guys..
Had a great night out at Mackies with good acts on stage, and enjoying the company of Billy Blue Nose and GEC , who enjoyed there 1st trip there.
Also had an entertaining evening on the Mandovi Sunset Cruise with BBN - got to be the best value for a 150rps trip.
Reading other reports about rubbish in the areas - depends where you are I suppose, Candolim seemed to be better this time, along the main road and leading down to the beach.
Beach sellers were non existent along a wide stretch of shacks around Ganesh's as they had all paid for private security due to thefts of bags / phones etc.. further up the beach. The only ones being allowed in the shacks were the leather man (Ram) and the dvd seller.
News on the River Princess is that 12 company's have put in tenders for it's removal, Umm"¦
Worrying for the shacks next season is that the hotels are going to kick off again so don't expect anything up until December again. They say they want there own shacks - money talks, so who knows what to expect.
There was a visit from the shack wreckers for non-licence holders, so every shack was on look out for the visit.
Sudahs next to Ganesh's was taken down by themselves (was pulled down in January for flaunting the rules) and never went up again due to lack of customers.
Must give a mention to the meet up - had a great night folks, and quite a good turn out.
Well that's it for this year - a lazy 2 weeks, but most enjoyable meeting the ‘old faces' again.
Will start looking for flights soon and accommodation is pretty much sorted so lets hope the next 12 months go well here in the UK for work and we will be back in that great place next year.
Spike (Phil & Dee)
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