Hi Gemma

You say you've just got back. Where were you? Is it very quiet. Are the shacks closing in the evening? I'm travelling Christmas Day. Not nervous. Just need to be careful and will have a good time whatever. Just wondering what it's like at the moment.

Hi we got back from Goa last Friday. Yes its very quiet but everything is still opened. The locals are worried that business is so quiet.
I am not sure about the shacks opening/closing. One of the boys at the Oceanic told us that the shacks were closed every night for 25 nights starting from 23 December, then the next day it was in the local Navhind Times denying it, so I really dont know to be honest.
I heard the Nizmar hotel in Calangute is 80% empty!!!! We always stay the at Marinha Dourada, a hotel thats nearly always full and they had loads of empty rooms as well.
Have a great holiday x

I'm sure we will Gemma thank you. We're staying at the Marina Dourada too - not stayed there before usually stay at Lagoa Azul but felt it had seen better times so we've gone for a change this year. Good choice I think!

Staying at the Nizmar 1 week from jan 24th, been there before and can't believe it to be so quiet. Oh well will have to wait and see. May be chance of better room????

I stayed at the Lagoa Azul (once) about 18 months ago. Really liked it and would go back. The MD is undergoing renovation as well just now. I dont think theyve done lots of the rooms yet, but we were looking round a room that had been modernised and they look great.
I am sure you will have a great time at the Marinha Dourada, its a fabulous hotel, enjoy Dont worry ilovegoa you will still have a brilliant time, and yes maybe you will get the pick of the rooms

I'm sure we'll love it Gemma it does seem very popular.

As for the title of the topic to go or not go - For me and the OH we never asked the question. We are going, we're gonna have a fantastic time as always, be sensible or maybe not so sensible after a few beers. You have a lovely Christmas 'cos I'm sure no terrorist is gonna ruin my Christmas. If the shacks are closed - not so bad there's plenty of restaurants and other bars off the beach, and I can always keep a bar seat warm for when you return to the MD.

xx

dave's wife and mind leave me a large honeybee at the bar as well

No problem Gemma - I'll leave two. So excited now. Love this forum keeps me in touch with the place we all love so much.

And just so as we stay on topic. I'm still going !!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone should go NEVER give in to these horrible people thats what they want.
Have a great holiday. Look forward to hearing all about it when you get back, safe journey xx

Thank you - Will do. xx

Hi Gemma
We were at the MD from16/11 to 7/12 and at the L.Azul in Feb 2007. Must have bumped into each other !
I have read recent reports about the MD and they vary so much I don't believe it's the same hotel !
Our room , right at the end of the second block was light and spacious. There was little noise from either residents or building work.
The breakfast was fine... not sure what people are looking for when you have juice,coffee,eggs, toast plus other bits.
As for being dangerous from potential muggings, well we walked everywhere, including through the woods to Arpora in the dark and we never felt at all threatened.
I actually thought the whole holiday experience was better than our last visit as many things have improved. Can't wait to go back but we are hesitant about making it too soon as we don't want a 'repeat' holiday.
We need to try another part of Goa that offers the same value for money as the M.D. !
cheers
Dave

Dave we must have walked past each other a hundred times at the MD but I was wearing my blue wrist band. It was April 07 I stayed at the Lagoa Azul.
We return to the MD March 09.

Hello, i don't want to talk too much about what has happened in India over this past few months, but i have a few questions.

After the awful thing that happened in Mumbia, i said i wouldn't be returning to Goa. However my partner and I will be going to Goa for a week next month.

We haven't booked the Goa holiday yet, as i said i would ask on this forum for some advice.

I want to know if the Goans feel scared about terrorists, or is this season the same as last season?

What is the atmosphere like, can you tell people are maybe a little scared, or is there nothing to be scared of?

We were there when Mumbai happened, in my opinion the locals didn't seem unduly worried about a terrorist attack, they are more worried about how it is affecting business.
All the people I spoke to, restaurants, shacks, beach sellers alike were praying that visitors would still come. Everyone was just going about their business as normal.
I would recommend go and have a great time.

thats good to know.

I came back on Saturday and had a great holiday. I was very scared about going, and was not alone! British bookings are well down but I saw lots of Russians, it's the quietest I've ever seen Candolim,Calangute and Baga. My plane was about 1/3 full (if that). I'm going again in March and looking forward to it.

glad you had a nice time candy.

adele

I think the things that are getting to them the most are:

a) confusion of what is happening when /where etc. I knew about the beach closures before the shack guys and on one day I bought all three papers which ALL said something different.

b) where there next wage/ money is going to come from. They are struggling right now, and at times you can see real sadness in peoples faces if you catch them off guard.

Yummymummy..... go for it. I wish I could go again this season!

Thanks Celcat, you can always sneak in my suitcase if you wanted to