Because when I go to Goa, Thailand, or Oz in our winter it's a bit chilly on Scotlands beaches ! Alan

It is part of being on holiday. While I am at home, I never seem to sit down and read a book, If I am in the garden on a sunny day, Ican't stay still long enough to sunbathe, I have got to be doing something all the time.
As soon as we land in Goa, every thing is laid back, we keep on saying we must get out and visit this or that, but we don't seem to get around to it. I just love lying on the sunbeds, reading my book and watching the world, and some very odd people go by. We spent 8 weeks doing it last year, and I expect we will spend our time doing the same thing this year.

'We spent 8 weeks doing it last year'

Each to their own but with all the books in the world I'd have to go walking/exploring. It certainly is a long way to go to lie on the beach for 8 weeks.... would find this a bit tedious.

most of us don't JUST go there to lay on the beach, but it is a very nice part of the holiday. particularly in goa the beach shacks are an integral part of the beach scene. theres people watching, getting a nice tan at a time when you couldn't get one in thr UK. of course theres the lovely warm arabian sea to tempt you into a swim as well.and its better than going all that way just to sit by a pool!!
BOB

The warm Arabian sea does it for me, I just enjoy the whole Goa beach scene, there is so much going on e.g trapeze artists that I could never get bored.
I also love the way you can have a lovely massage or get your nails done on your sunbed , then walk just a couple of steps into the shade of your beach shack and get a freshly cooked lunch for pennies served up, nowhere in the world has the beach scene that Goa has which is why I will always go back.

"nowhere in the world has the beach scene that Goa has"

Surely this is a bit of overstatement? Much as I like Goa I'd like to think this isn't the only place in the world with a great 'beach scene'.

I didn't read it like that Neil- I read it as nowhere else has the same beach scenes.
Bob

most of us don't JUST go there to lay on the beach

that is what I say re Thailand- there are so many other experiences! I'm just interested to hear what Goa members say

What about Costa Rica. The beaches look much better than Goa?

Funny you should say that Neil , I know it's off topic but I have to say Costa Rica is on my list of places to go before I die, why don't you be the guinea pig and let us know if it's worth a trip ??

Actually I was planning going in Feb past but went to Goa because it was a last minute cheapy. Could be Costa Rica this year or early next year!

I am happy sitting on the beach watching the world go by, despite what others say there are some beautiful beaches in Goa - still does it for me, can't wait to go back. We all expect and get different things out of our holidays - me I just want to chill out and in my opinion there is nowhere better

Big Neil - some of us only have 2 weeks away from Britain, which most want to just relax. I would say that a lot of people on here have been going to Goa / India for some years and have made a lot of the trips that are on offer,fair enough....most of these trips will be the 'touristy types' but most on 2 week breaks don't want to be on there travells for 3 or 4 days or more.
Been there,seen it,done that, hell of a lot more for me to go and see but with only 2 weeks and the other-half not always up for it,then it's just a relaxing break.If I could get 3 or 4 weeks then sure..it wouldn't be a problem.

I was only referring to the quote of 8 weeks!

I don't like the Winter, and as I got older found the only way to survive it was to take all my holidays at this time, and go in search of the sun! No chance in Europe, so first it was Tenerife, crowded beaches, freezing sea, and not always sunny and warm.
So we tried Mexico, Cuba and the Dom Rep, going all-inclusive, the weather, beaches, and warm sea's were great. But it was the service in the Hotels that got us down, the scramble around the buffet at every meal, the waitng to be served with a drink, and the couldn't care less attitude of the staff.
I had always wanted to visit India, my OH not so much, so persuaded him to give Goa a try( India for beginners) We chose Varca beach and the White Sands Hotel, we were not dissapointed, the beach was perfect, the sea was warm, but what did it for us was the friendly and courteous service from the staff. In fact everywhere you went it was the same, smiling faces and good service.
Since then the Hotel as put up luxury tents in the sand dunes, so this is where we stay it can't get much better than that for a beach lover like myself.

A holiday should be what you want it to be and if that is 2 weeks of lazing on a beach why not? Goa is so much more than that though. We were enchanted by the simplicity of the place and the people, ive never felt so welcome or relaxed anywhere, its a magical, spiritual, beautiful place. I cannot even explain what i loved about it so much. We met a cynical old Yorkshire man now living in Arpora. He said you will know after 24 hours of being there if you will love it or hate it. He said Goa gets into your blood and you will want to return again and again. I think he is right, i felt so at home there and am so looking forward to returning.

and why not. why stay at home all week doing the everyday things,i would go once a month for 1 week to keep sane ,my hubby and daughter are there now for just 1 week ,we have only been back 3 weeks after a 3 weeks break there.i was too ill to return and have a spent a week in hospital. after returning from goa ,and the rest .resting at home,some infection i picked up while there but never mind im getting better now and it keeps the doctors on the infectious disease ward on there toes ,growing cultures to see which disease i picked up while there lol,oh by the way i took malaria tabs and all injections are up to date,but that still didnt stop me falling ill,im just glad it wasnt the blood clot from long haul flight that i was originally admitted with

Sorry Big Neil - I guess I would suffer with back ache laying down for 8 weeks !! and would spend quite a few of those weeks travelling - as you say... each to their own, but if thats what people want to do with their break, fair play to them.

The question is, was that 8 continuous weeks, or spread over 2/3 holidays? I have spent 4 weeks out of this winter doing exactly that, lying on the beach, chilling and reading, this was in two 2 week holidays. So if 8 weeks was spread I can completely understand.

Yes I could spend my time off sight seeing but I do not feel in the slightest bit guilty that I haven't. I thoroughly enjoy the taxi drive to the beach each day, we have had the same driver on each of our 6 visits to Goa, and he knows that he can stop and do a bit of shopping etc along the way, which we love as it shows us where the locals go and what they actually pay for things.

It's strange but from my very first visit to Goa I knew that I would be returning and that sooner or later I would get to see a lot of the things which she has to offer. So go, enjoy, lay on the beach as much as you like and soak up the atmosphere, it doesn't take long for Goa to get under your skin.

Done the trips.Just enjoy the whole beach thing.The shacks,the ipod,the books,terrific people watching.With only two weeks we like to chill.

regards

Papa