First Time In Goa Chilling, Chillums Etc?

Bifter · Jul 24th, 2005, 19:34

Hi all,

Me and my girlfriend are going to Goa in November for 2 weeks, we are backpacking and have no itinerary except maybe Palolem and waterfalls.... we want to soak in the culture, and chill in beautiful scenary... maybe see some wildlife.. oh and a few chillums along the way. Any advice...neither of us want crazy parties or too much drink.

Cheers

Bifter

cyberhippie · Jul 24th, 2005, 19:58

Well if it's November you may want to reconsider Palolem it will probably be very busy at this time. Perhaps Benualim, Patnem or Agonda might be more up your street. Though personally I love Palolem even with the hordes!
Get yourself a bike in South Goa it has miles of quiet back roads to explore and some of the most beautiful scenery in Goa, rivers ferries, mountains, temples it's all out there.
For wildlife you might want to Visit Molem which you could combine with the massive Waterfall at Duhdsagar,
Goa has a beach for everyone just find one that suits you!!
The list above will help you get started!!

Bifter · Jul 24th, 2005, 20:44

hanks for that. How busy is busy??? Thought Palolem would be relitavely chilled, no?

GoanCanuck · Jul 24th, 2005, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bifter

hanks for that. How busy is busy??? Thought Palolem would be relitavely chilled, no?

Depends on how you define "busy". There will be lots of people on the beach but the number will be much less as compared to Calangute. You can always go to Agonda which is pretty close and Agonda is more scenic although it has fewer bars.

cyberhippie · Jul 24th, 2005, 22:22

Think traffic lots of it, though as Goancanuck said this isn't Calangute!
There will be a lot of people around in November but don't let me put you off, maybe I read to much into your wish for a chilled beach!
palolem is a great place to spend some time as is Agonda or patnem both in the vicinity so if Palolem isn't your cup of tea it's a short walk/rickshaw ride to another beach with a slightly different scene!

AnnieG · Jul 24th, 2005, 23:46

There is more to North Goa than Calangute .... the so-called 'Northern Beaches' like Morjim, Ashvem and Mandrem are lovely, with lots of huts on stilts near to beach shacks to rent for about Rs300 per night. A good combination of quiet but not too far from civilisation and other people.
I always compare North Goa to Majorca - there are areas which are ghastly and ruined by the charters but they are actually quite contained, and most of it is still gorgeous and quiet and laid back.
Enjoy!
AnnieG

cyberhippie · Jul 24th, 2005, 23:50

Sorry annie never intended to denigrate the northen beaches, they remain on my to do list.
Morjim and Ashvem have been on my list for a while I guess I'd better get my skates on!

GoanCanuck · Jul 24th, 2005, 23:57

Morjim, Mandrem, Vagator and other beaches in North Goa are good for relaxing but not for swimming. Unless you are an exceptionally good swimmer you can be easily swept out to sea by the strong current. Too many people have lost their lives.

AnnieG · Jul 25th, 2005, 01:33

I wasn't being sensitive! Just pointing out that there is more to North Goa than Calangute, which is prime charter-land.
As for the safety of the Northern Beaches, I'm not sure that they are particularly worse than the South.
There *are* drowings every season, but mainly its Indians from out-of-state on holiday who see the Westerners in the water and don't realise that you need to be able to swim if you are going out of your depth / go into the water drunk. There's usually several from Mumbai and other places who drown every year. Very sad. Last season it was a whole group of students on holiday. None could swim and were in the water out of their depth. Very sad.

Dr Funkenstein · Jul 25th, 2005, 01:51

The swimming's fine off Arambol in the North. However, the waves tend to get pretty big in the late afternoon and you do have to keep an eye out for the wicked undertow.

First thing in the morning's best - very calm and no rip to worry about. I used to swim for about an hour every day before my breakfast. *sigh*

Dr Funkenstein · Jul 25th, 2005, 01:52

You might want to think about the North, Bifter - it'll be busy in November (pretty much all of Goa is) but might not be quite as swarming as Palolem.

ChristineAtSea · Jul 25th, 2005, 02:03

Hi there , India a beautiful place to see. I was there for over a month exploring the country and spent 11 days in Goa. I was staying in the area of Salcete near Betalbatim & Colva Beach. I was visiting friends from Margao & Navelim. While I was there I went to see the Shri Santadurga Temple in the area of Ponda. This temple is dedicated to the goddess of peace. The Shri Mahalsa Temple near Mardol was very nice to see as well. If you proceed into the area of Old Goa you can go to House and basililica of Bom Jesus where lies the body of St.Francis Xavier . In that same area you can also see St.Catherines chapel, Church of Cajetan and the Archelogical Museum. It is interesting to see the carvings and paintings from the Portuguese homes. Goa also has lovely beaches for you to enjoy. Frech pineapple, water coconuts, papaya, are so delicious . Enjoy yourself and have a wonderful time.

AK74 · Jul 25th, 2005, 02:41

yo bifter , what a name, GREAT ! Me and my girl went to Goa for two weeks two years ago and loved it . In fact we loved it so much we are going back to India for four months on Nov 18th . People seem to frown on package holidays but that was what we went on ,and i thank the tour operator for it now otherwise i would never of gone to and experienced the country . We went to Calangute in November and if your idea of busy is a beach in Ibiza in the summer then Calangute and Goa is deserted ! I swam everyday on every beach i encountered and had no trouble at all . As for the chillums you will find someone ,almost certainly , that will be willing to sell you some of his wares. But be wary the sentences for drugs are heavy (as i was leaving in the airport the sign read DRUGS ! LIFE INPRISONMENT . You will undoubtedly enjoy every minute , if you do pass through Calangute try the Tibetan kitchen for some munchies it is a fabulous restaurant with amazing food and from what i can remember cheap as chips

. I am planning on reaching Goa mid December and through till Christmas i believe this is the true Busy season and dont care as i know i will enjoy it whatever the state of affairs . P.S you need to ask for a toller or at least thats what i was told to ask for and thats what i received . Have fun !

Bifter · Jul 25th, 2005, 03:39

Wow, Thanks for all the information peeps

. Been reading abut Bhang Lassi's... any good? Can you get them in Palolem and the more remote beaches further down? Cheers Bifter

GoanCanuck · Jul 25th, 2005, 06:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bifter

Wow, Thanks for all the information peeps

. Been reading abut Bhang Lassi's... any good? Can you get them in Palolem and the more remote beaches further down? Cheers Bifter

Not as far as I know. You would have to go to Northern India although there is one chap in Vasco who does make them on special request.

Jul 24th, 2005, 19:34	#1
Bifter Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 14	First Time In Goa Chilling, Chillums Etc? Hi all, Me and my girlfriend are going to Goa in November for 2 weeks, we are backpacking and have no itinerary except maybe Palolem and waterfalls.... we want to soak in the culture, and chill in beautiful scenary... maybe see some wildlife.. oh and a few chillums along the way. Any advice...neither of us want crazy parties or too much drink. Cheers Bifter

Jul 24th, 2005, 23:46	#6
AnnieG Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Goa and Penzance, Cornwall Posts: 152	There is more to North Goa than Calangute .... the so-called 'Northern Beaches' like Morjim, Ashvem and Mandrem are lovely, with lots of huts on stilts near to beach shacks to rent for about Rs300 per night. A good combination of quiet but not too far from civilisation and other people. I always compare North Goa to Majorca - there are areas which are ghastly and ruined by the charters but they are actually quite contained, and most of it is still gorgeous and quiet and laid back. Enjoy! AnnieG __________________ AnnieG Live life to the full - you never know what's around the corner.

Jul 25th, 2005, 01:51	#10
Dr Funkenstein Joolay !!! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh Posts: 854	The swimming's fine off Arambol in the North. However, the waves tend to get pretty big in the late afternoon and you do have to keep an eye out for the wicked undertow. First thing in the morning's best - very calm and no rip to worry about. I used to swim for about an hour every day before my breakfast. sigh __________________ Out There Somewhere : My Travel Blog.

Jul 25th, 2005, 02:03	#12
ChristineAtSea Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada Posts: 7	Goa is beautiful ... you shall enjoy it. Hi there , India a beautiful place to see. I was there for over a month exploring the country and spent 11 days in Goa. I was staying in the area of Salcete near Betalbatim & Colva Beach. I was visiting friends from Margao & Navelim. While I was there I went to see the Shri Santadurga Temple in the area of Ponda. This temple is dedicated to the goddess of peace. The Shri Mahalsa Temple near Mardol was very nice to see as well. If you proceed into the area of Old Goa you can go to House and basililica of Bom Jesus where lies the body of St.Francis Xavier . In that same area you can also see St.Catherines chapel, Church of Cajetan and the Archelogical Museum. It is interesting to see the carvings and paintings from the Portuguese homes. Goa also has lovely beaches for you to enjoy. Frech pineapple, water coconuts, papaya, are so delicious . Enjoy yourself and have a wonderful time. __________________ Christine

Jul 25th, 2005, 02:41	#13
AK74 Ken Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birkenhead, England Posts: 66	Calangute Package holidays and Tollers yo bifter , what a name, GREAT ! Me and my girl went to Goa for two weeks two years ago and loved it . In fact we loved it so much we are going back to India for four months on Nov 18th . People seem to frown on package holidays but that was what we went on ,and i thank the tour operator for it now otherwise i would never of gone to and experienced the country . We went to Calangute in November and if your idea of busy is a beach in Ibiza in the summer then Calangute and Goa is deserted ! I swam everyday on every beach i encountered and had no trouble at all . As for the chillums you will find someone ,almost certainly , that will be willing to sell you some of his wares. But be wary the sentences for drugs are heavy (as i was leaving in the airport the sign read DRUGS ! LIFE INPRISONMENT . You will undoubtedly enjoy every minute , if you do pass through Calangute try the Tibetan kitchen for some munchies it is a fabulous restaurant with amazing food and from what i can remember cheap as chips . I am planning on reaching Goa mid December and through till Christmas i believe this is the true Busy season and dont care as i know i will enjoy it whatever the state of affairs . P.S you need to ask for a toller or at least thats what i was told to ask for and thats what i received . Have fun ! __________________ dont let your dreams stay dreams

Jul 24th, 2005, 19:58	#2
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	Well if it's November you may want to reconsider Palolem it will probably be very busy at this time. Perhaps Benualim, Patnem or Agonda might be more up your street. Though personally I love Palolem even with the hordes! Get yourself a bike in South Goa it has miles of quiet back roads to explore and some of the most beautiful scenery in Goa, rivers ferries, mountains, temples it's all out there. For wildlife you might want to Visit Molem which you could combine with the massive Waterfall at Duhdsagar, Goa has a beach for everyone just find one that suits you!! The list above will help you get started!!

Jul 24th, 2005, 20:44	#3
Bifter Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 14	hanks for that. How busy is busy??? Thought Palolem would be relitavely chilled, no?

Jul 24th, 2005, 22:22	#5
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	Think traffic lots of it, though as Goancanuck said this isn't Calangute! There will be a lot of people around in November but don't let me put you off, maybe I read to much into your wish for a chilled beach! palolem is a great place to spend some time as is Agonda or patnem both in the vicinity so if Palolem isn't your cup of tea it's a short walk/rickshaw ride to another beach with a slightly different scene!

Jul 24th, 2005, 23:50	#7
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	Sorry annie never intended to denigrate the northen beaches, they remain on my to do list. Morjim and Ashvem have been on my list for a while I guess I'd better get my skates on!

Jul 24th, 2005, 23:57	#8
GoanCanuck Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,204	Morjim, Mandrem, Vagator and other beaches in North Goa are good for relaxing but not for swimming. Unless you are an exceptionally good swimmer you can be easily swept out to sea by the strong current. Too many people have lost their lives.

Jul 25th, 2005, 01:33	#9
AnnieG Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Goa and Penzance, Cornwall Posts: 152	I wasn't being sensitive! Just pointing out that there is more to North Goa than Calangute, which is prime charter-land. As for the safety of the Northern Beaches, I'm not sure that they are particularly worse than the South. There are drowings every season, but mainly its Indians from out-of-state on holiday who see the Westerners in the water and don't realise that you need to be able to swim if you are going out of your depth / go into the water drunk. There's usually several from Mumbai and other places who drown every year. Very sad. Last season it was a whole group of students on holiday. None could swim and were in the water out of their depth. Very sad.

Jul 25th, 2005, 01:52	#11
Dr Funkenstein Joolay !!! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh Posts: 854	You might want to think about the North, Bifter - it'll be busy in November (pretty much all of Goa is) but might not be quite as swarming as Palolem.

Jul 25th, 2005, 03:39	#14
Bifter Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 14	Wow, Thanks for all the information peeps . Been reading abut Bhang Lassi's... any good? Can you get them in Palolem and the more remote beaches further down? Cheers Bifter

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