Goa information needed

Mira

Hey all

I am new to this forum so let me introduce myself. Im a 24 years old girl from the Netherlands who just got back from a 8 month trip in South East Asia. My original plan was to end my trip in India but due to circumstances I never made it there. Being back here I couldnt believe I missed out on India. So last week I went to the travel agency and booked and Im flying into Goa the 20th of November.

I have been using this site since then and I have to say it has been great so far. You people are the most helpfull and generous I have seen so far (unlike lonely planets thorntree) .

My plan is to explore Goa first, and head up north after newyear. I already made up my mind where I want to stay in Goa, a few beaches to start with Vagator Beach, then to Arambol and as last chill out in Palolem.
Anyone knows some good places to stay in Vagator or Arambol, places where you feel at home immediately. I dont need anything fancy, just basic comfort will do. It would be a plus if they have a good kitchen. Which takes me to a new subject, the food. I like my food spicy, rice chicken curries. Any dishes I must get when Im there? Any restaurants I must check out?

Second question I have is about the nightlife, the ambience. I do like the odd tranceparty from time to time but I prefere the more laid back hang out places. I fell in love with the cushion n hammock places in S E Asia , wondering if they have them in Goa too.I d rather sit down and chat and meet people then having to shout at eachother at parties. Any places where they play more chilled out music?

Thirth question is about getting around. I d like to explore Goa, visit different beaches, old goa, etc. Is it possible to rent a scooter for a longer period of time, and what are the prices. When exploring Goa, what places I should not miss? Any nature wonders, hidden villages, does anyone recommand exploring the goa hills? Is it for example possible to drive from Arambol all the way down to Colva or is it better to take a bus?

Aw, I realize I am asking a lot now. I hope you people are willing to share some of your knowledge. I just dont want to miss a thing. I have only one month in Goa so I want to experience it to the fullest

lots of love

Mira

lobo

Goa is beautiful, I loved it there.
Dont miss anjuna flea market if you like shopping and meeting lots of people its an experience.
food wise you are in for a treat if you like seafood, tandori fish was excellent and so was the squid.
There is a lot to see in goa and i havent seen most of it but im sure there are a few goa vetrans out there who will help.

Enjoy keep us posted how it goes

cyberhippie

All the beaches you mentioned have loads of accomodation, it's probably better to just dump your pack somewhere and look and see what suits you!!
Scooters arer available on long term hire and the cost for say a month should be between 100-200 rupees per day depending on the age of the scooter etc.
The distances are not big in Goa a journey from Arambol to Palolem, almost the entire length of Goa can de done in less than three hours.
I'm not familiar with north Goa so I can't tell you much about driving conditions but in South Goa the roads are pretty quiet and lend themselves to pottering about on a scooter!!
Shop around for the best price, If your going to do a lot of traveling then paying a bit extra for a newer scooter might be a good idea!!
The occasional trance parties still happen in North Goa usually around the Anjuna area again just ask around you'll find one!!
Again all these beaches offer plenty of night life in the way of Bars and restaurants it's just a case of finding the place that has the right vibe for you!!
Goan cuisine is delicious, here are just some of the things you could try!!
chicken Vindaloo, beef Xacutti, paw bhaji, makeral fried in semolina and spices MMMmmm and of course the ubiquitous fish curry rice is not to be missed!!
Other dishes like prawns balchao and goan sausage but also well worth trying!!
For things to do around Goa well I can only talk about Palolem but there are plenty little sorties up and down the coast or indeed up into the hills I'll PM you the info!!

Happy Traveling

charlotte

ALWAYS ride a scooter when you are sober because the other buggers on the road are not and don't forget the Saturday night market in Arpora which is far better than the Wednesday Anjuna market. Lots of good music, shopping, food and whatever - it has a brilliant atmosphere.

spunkychops

I just got back from Goa a couple of weeks ago (pre-season) I stayed in the north really in Arambol. Arambol is probably the quietest place but I think the best beach. If you do go there, walk round to the more northern beach. There is a shallow fresh water lake about 200m from the sea and it is very warm. If you walk up the river that flows into it you will come to a pool where you chip away at the river bank (sulphurous clay) and you can have a clay/mud bath, its great. If you are lucky there will be some local holy men there. If you go further there is a huge tree where people camp out at night under its canopy. Arambol is definitely my favourite place in Goa, so much so that I have been looking into buying land there, and I am planning on building a house. You can basically rent scooters from anyone who has one, if you go to the 'NEST' restaurant and ask they will find someone to rent you one for about 200 rupees a day. We used scooters a lot, but you really need to be carefull and beware of police looking for baksheesh. There new trick is stopping people not wearing helmets.....also technically you need a driving licence....Oh and under no circumstances carry herbal tobacco on you while on the roads, you do encounter the police quite often.

be safe

rockyS

hi
well just to ans a few of your Q , the places to party are like one of the post said bar 9 and paradiso , for trance,other places are club cabana , and titos, and well if u like
cushion and hammock parties than the best places are the baga /calangute shack places on the beach they r fun and relaxing well besides that u have private parties well that u can only come to know when ur there.most of the good places to eat are in and arnd titos , there is a very good italian and another excellent indian restaurant serves excellent spicy indian food. a scooty u can hire for generally 100 bucks a day for long term use and if ur into bikes u can hire the pulsar thats abt for 150 a day.well if u wanna stay in a goo place thou thats located on baga beach its called villa goesa , very quaint and a nice place , nad well dutch friendly , a lot of dutch ppl stay there.
have a good time and if ur still in goa in xmas new years time maybe we will meet am going there then.

alfa

Hi passerby,

It seems you really know the scene around in Goa. Can you just also tell, what sort of money we are talking of spending for the party scene? And how is the crowd?

Thanx in advance.

Mira

Thanks a lot all of you for making an effort answering my questions (special thanks to cyberhippie )

You all have been very helpfull. I finally got my mind made up about where to stay and what to do.

I got a couple of last questions though. I read a lot about Arambol and Vagator being Israeli beaches. Now, I dont mind Israelis, I had a great time with them travelling in SE Asia. But a few of the beaches they took over (like Haadrin, Koh Phangan) looked a bit like catwalks, people more into the latest trends/looks then the sociolizing. So what can I expect from Arambol/Vagator?

And I decided not to take malarone/larium, not untill I leave Goa. Whats your opinion about this, am I not taking a too big risk?

Anyway, I will stay in touch with this forum, and report my goa experience.

lots of love

Mira

cyberhippie

It's purely down to you if you want to use anti malarials or not!!
However Goa like everywhere else in India (save the high Himalaya) does have Malaria and there is no case for not taking anti malarials just because it's Goa!!

The choice is yours!!