Anyone been to Goa?

[timtim]

..we're off on hols there for a couple of weeks. Anyone got recommendations for places to visit?

Cheers,

TimTim

[mockney piers]

Went a few years ago, so it may have changed since then.

But I enjoyed Baga, a little more chilled than Calangute (which was a bit costaey), with some great food. Believe it or not I had probably the best Italian meal of my life there.

We basically hired mopeds and just pootled around the area avoiding cows and the lorries that go for you, tooting your horn permanently.

Gokarna and nearby Ohm beach (2k walk) were worth a few days visit, it's south of Goa in Karnataka (about 6 hours by taxi though), and at least then was largely unspoilt, with Gokarna being a lovely little town and a pilgrimage centre with all the associated sights sounds and smells.

Ohm Beach

Gokarna

[Domitianus]

No.

[Jah Lush]

Ain't Going To Goa - Alabama 3

"Ain't nothing worse than some damned fool in spandex trousers doing damned dope lying on a tropical beach somewhere thinking he's getting consciousness expansion."

[hayesgrover]

I'm going on the 15th. Don't forget your Malaria tablets! Just picked up 112 of the buggers today. What a pain...

[mockney piers]

I didn't touch mine. There's almost no malaria out there at all.

[Asset]

I've never bothered with them either. Not guaranteed to protect you from all strains and side effects can be bad. Mind you I hardly ever get bitten by mozzies, lucky I guess.

[mockney piers]

Yeah, I was very uncomfortable about the possible side effects and checking it out showed there's next to no incidence in that area, it's pretty dry right now (and very hot).

It might be a different story in Guatemala on my honeymoon!

[timtim]

I took Lariam (mefloquinne) for 6 months in Africa and the side effects can be horrible!

Are they still prescribing this, or have things moved on?

[snorky]

NO But my wife is going to the caribbean .....

[lozzyloz]

Always found this malaria website useful when travelling. I tend to use Malerone which doesn't have the side effects that makes Larium so unpleasant. I'd suggest that you don't use Homeopathic remedies but I'm sure someone will come on and argue the case for.

[mockney piers]

Mind you, I more to worry about than Malaria, as searching for our first port of call I found this

 

[Ted Max]

Confidence-inspiring name for the Volcano.

TimTim if you're going to Goa for a coupla weeks ad you don't know anything about it, you should at least get a Guardian blog out of it.

[timtim]

oh yeah that blog is hilarious

[dulwichmum]

I believe that they have insects as big as bread rolls, and the toilet paper has the consistancy of steel wool.

[Asset]

Hey Snorky, Jamaica?????

[Asset]

DM, toilet paper? That's what your left hand is for.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

No, she went of her own accord. Boom, boom.

[KateW]

Hi timtim. My friend and I went to Goa about 5 years ago and stayed in Calangute. I totally agree with mockney piers, the food was fantastic. We too had truely great Italian food in a restaurant where the tables were dotted around a garden with fairy lights - think enchanted garden. Also had great French food (a chocolate fondant to die for) and some wonderful fresh fish. I'm a bit of a foodie and in all my travels I am still amazed by some of the great food we had in Goa (I mean apart from excellent Indian and Goan dishes, other world cusines too). I would definitely head down to Palolem (Paradise Beach) and stay for a few nights in the huts on stilts; the beach side cafes are great there too. Happy holidays!

[timtim]

Thanks Kate, Paloem is definitely on the list - a group of our friends went last year and had a great time staying in the beach huts. Mrs TimTim is something of a foodie too, so will defintiely check out some of those eateries.

Is Calangute a bit resorty? Its just that I see there are lots of package holidays there.

[mockney piers]

It's still a bit too shacky to be truly resorty, but yes, there is a whiff of it, but it's still a nice place. I stayed there a couple of nights and then headed up to baga (really not very far) which, as I said, was more chilled.

KateW, ooh ooh, I think that must have been the same Italian place, fantastic wasn't it. Beautiful at night with those fairy lights and the palms and the sound of the ocean behind you. And damn good mojitos too I recall.

[tinagwee]

hey

when you go there check if they use the name 'beringela' for aubergine, let me know if that is the case,

Azul (pretending to be Tina)

[tommy]

Azul - actually they use the word "Bringal" for aubergine

Never thought that piece of info would every be used on the forum...

[????]

I went to Calvi(?) and Anjuna in 1991 or 92...it was full of Full Moon parties and ravers who are probably now city bankers