Goa for a beginner- does my idea exist?

FreeK

Hi,
I'm planning on going to Goa on my own to, basically just have an adventure on my own, which i hvan't done before coz i've always been with a partner. I still am with my partner but am going away with his blessing to see what i can find out about myself.
Anyway, I would like to go somewhere I can rent a cheap hut on the beach, clean sheets and mosquito net all that i need. I would like a cool local community that i can chat to, a bit of reggae, abit of a boogie, and meeting likeminded folk (or not, i just want to meet new people!).

I've read about Arambol and Gokarna, where is the the place local expats live, i would like to steer clear of pissheads. Does my idea of Goa still exist?

Cheers,
K

stevebenaulim

Gokarna, sounds like the place you are looking for.
Enjoy.

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poipleshadow

Palolem is still one of my favourites... Has a great night life... chilled out bars, relaxed atmosphere (most of the time), you get a few 'tourists', but mostly back packers and the ilk...

There's also beaches north and south (close) which as nearly as nice and might have a few less people...

Gokarma is nice but not in Goa... I presume you knew that... The beach isn't as inviting and some of the Indians there are a bit 'freaky' had one seemingly enjoying himself about 3 meters away from some of our pretty volunteers and just staring at them hand under the water... Makes me cringe, don't know how they felt... But perhaps that group was a one off...

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Trying to make the world a better place is really hard...

GoanCanuck

Sorry have to disagree with that. The beach shacks in Palolem are most definitely not "chilled out" in my opinion. As far as night life is concerned there is not a single nightclub in Palolem.

I would like to advise the oroginal poster FreeK to avoid Palolem especially if FreeK is a woman and travelling alone. A female member of this forum lost a lot when she was in Palolem earlier this year thanks to some unsavoury elements who have made Palolem their favourite hunting ground.

Mama Screech

FreeK is a female. Where would you suggest GoanCanuck?

GoanCanuck

I would recommend Asvem and Mandrem. Very laid back with nice beaches for swimming.

stevebenaulim

If shes single, with me, only a joke honestly!!!!!!!!!!!

FreeK

Greatly appreciate all the replies to my post.
Yes I am a young woman planning to travel alone, so advise on where NOT to go is appreciated!
i get the feeling Palolem is not down to earth enough for my tastes.

Another question if I may: Are any of the places recommended good for yoga classes, are they a dime a dozen or do you have to go to retreats run by white hippies ( i can say that i think i'm one)?

stevebenaulim

Not sure on yoga, but from an ageing (old) hippie,
Gokarna will be your scene.
I was in Goa 1981 in my hippie days.
Goa is spoilt, from the hippie years, now i prefer beer to the herb.

byronic

I agree with GoanCanuck on far North beaches like Asvem and Mandrem. Goa is one of the most amazing places to soul search. The beaches are calm there and international newage neo-hippie, the upper crust Mumbai hipsters frequent those beaches too, so its a nice mix IMHO, very laid back, and not many ugly tourist.
Yoga, pretty much only Euros and Asia tourist take the classes, and most are taught by ex-pats as far as I can see.

Wrldtravler

if u want to do yoga seriously. then goa or any of the tourist places r not the place for it. They r full of quacks who know not what they do.
U can look for iyengar yoga centres in bombay and rimyi in pune. also down south in bangalore and chennai.

Wrldtravler

oh about beaches.. have not been to gokarna.. but is it really how goa was in the 60's. I am too young to have experienced it but every time i go there.. i always wonder how it must have been.
I normally go to ashvem and arambol, though arambol is a town with pool halls & multiple bars, b ut a beach town none the less. Nothing like what u mentioned u craved - beach shack and mosquito net tranquility.

stevebenaulim

I was in Goa 1981, and no Gokarna isnt anything like goa was then.
All i can say is, Gokarna is much more of a hippie hangout than anywhere in Goa, as it is now.
Goa has a few pretend hippies, bank workers etc for 11 months of the year, then in Goa walking around with no shoes.
Everything cool man.
cool

johnbmain

There is a place near Palolem.Very close friends of mine use it and they are female too.Its somewhere near Spice Valley.There are places in North Goa near Anjuna, but they are just expensive traps for the well healed.More indulgent Yoga for the over 40s with oil massages etc.If your deadly serious about yoga and learning more about the discipline, then type yoga and india into your search engine and see what comes up. Mangalore is up and coming but the place which seems to be attracting alot of attention is Varkala in kerala. The problem with Palolem and the surrounding area is that it has become heavilly criminalised with break ins and bag snatching. Pune is Ok because of the Osho Ashram there.I would suggest contacting some of the schools in the UK by phone and asking their opinion. It might help because of the personal experience angle.India is full of quacks and sharlatens so be carefull and some of them are European, so watch it.