Has anyone been in Palolem recently?

DestinationX

Hi!

We've been hanging in Arambol for over a week now, and wondering wether there are other places like it in Goa. I was in Palolem for about 8 years ago, and then it was really cosy there. Peaceful, nice beach with beachhuts / bungalows strait on it.
We were just considering heading down there, until I heard a rumour that the goverment has destroyed everything in Palolem and built big resorts now.

Does anyone know whether this is true? I don't wanna pay 1500Rs in taxi fare to go down there to find only expensive resorts... That would be really sad, because it was such a nice place before.

Thanks!

cyberhippie

Palolem is up and running as if nothing had happened but yes, it's way bigger than it was 8 years ago. Not with big resorts though. It's just small camp after small camp now, with virtually all the space under the palms used for tourism in one way or another. Try Agonda!

kidsan

there used to be a great little restaurant in agonda that made what i swear were the best thalis in india! it was called something like 'fatimas'....do you know if its still there CH?

cyberhippie

To the right of the church on that little terrace of shops?? If so, I think your talking about Ole Doris ( restaurant named after her daughter) who does indeed do great Thalis, yep she's still there!

thejoebell

i was there in december - its pretty much the same as it was two years ago, only minor changes really - i wasnt here years ago so i dont know how it was (seems to be the same story of every place like that ive ever visited - 10 years late!)i looked into it all before i first came and decided palolem and gokarna were what i was looking for - anjuna put me off the north, awful place & couldnt find any parties... not sure im actually looking for them anymore, until someone really sells me anothe beach im staying in the south.

DestinationX

Does Agonda also have a few smal shops/fruit/supermarket where I can buy some food/bananas for my one year old?
And as much I would love to live in beach hut just like the good old days, with my baby I need a simple bungalow with attached bath... I guess I can find those too in Agonda?

Otherwise It's strait to Palolem or Gokarna (heard some good things about that place too. However, I also heard that much is closing down for the season at Gokarna...)

cyberhippie

Agonda will suit your needs, there are quite a few nice little rooms tucked away in Agonda.
The north end of the beach has the best options. Family run affairs with rooms to let out.
Turn right at the church as you come down into the village. Follow the road, which peters out into a sand track.
On the sand track you'll see plenty of rooms for rent close to the beach. Right at the end of the road just before the little bridge there's some nice rooms on the left.
From here your close to the river, get a bit of sea breeze and the beach is quieter up this end. Over the bridge turn right on the main road and it's a short walk to a couple of little shops (I reckon brekkie might be a possibility here as well but I'm not SURE)
There are a few restaurants which serve touristy stuff, as well as the aforementioned Doris's which does delicious Fish Curry rice!!
Plenty shops for your needs and the bus to Chaudie/Palolem only takes about 20-30 minutes!
I'm not often in Agonda ( I have my other little secrets) but I imagine all the western stuff has found it's way into the shops which is no bad thing, you know tobacco, sun screen Pringles mars bars etc etc.
Internet is there as well, dunno about a change place though but that can easily be done In Palolem 8Km away which has loads of money changers!!
The nearest ATM is also in Chaudi, (State Bank Of India) it accepts credit cards and debit cards on the cirrus network amongst others!!

Any more info you need just ask!

ananda2193

I saw yesterday you said take a left at the church and I was going to mention the place to the right of the church having great food, but I see you re-edited your post and changed it to the right of the church, so were talking about the same place.
She does have great food though you wouldn't know it by passing by. There's just one table if I remember right and you would never guess it was a restaurant. But she does get rave reviews from people.

cyberhippie

He he I dunno how I ever managed India, I don't even know me left from me right!

Madaboutindia

Cyberhippie ~ As Agonda is well 'on the beaten track' these days are you going to share with us some of your 'other little secrets'??

Seriously, I was a little disappointed in Agonda when I was there in February, two years ago at the same time there were twenty turtle nests along the beach and this year only two. The beach is becoming much, much busier. Still a lovely place though.

thejoebell

well said madaboutindia, though i have a feeling cyberhippy is going to keep those to himself - im off to palolem in a week, if i recall agonda is dead in april so any advice on any where else worth a day trip would be appreciated.

are any of you in goa now?

Madaboutindia

I spoke with Shekhar from Madhu in Agonda last week and he says he's more or less fully booked for the whole of April so it may not be as quiet as in previous years. Have a great holiday and enjoy your time in Palolem.

DestinationX

Thx Cyberhippie (and others), good tips, I'll just print this page and fold it away in my bag. Since Agonda is on the way to Palolem we may check it out! And don't share your secrets hehe, otherwise they wouldn't be secrets!

How about the beaches? Are they clean? Because the main beach in Arambol is not as clean as I would like it to be

DestinationX

We ended up in Gokarna! With no regrets! It's absolutely beautiful, the the real india compared to Goa ;-)
And they have cashewnut lassi here, best lassi I ever tasted!

thejoebell

if Goa's not India... where is it? I've been to Portugal and I can assure you Goa 'isnt' portugal either. I really dont mean to be pedantic but ive heard that comment so many times in Goa - always by western tourist/travellers who have deliberately come to a beach full of their own kind (its not a quiz is it?) i generally point inland and say "walk a mile that way, cos i can assure you you'll find some real india over there" Is Mcleod Ganj real India? what about Manali/bagshu?

Leicester Square..... its not real England.