Scuba

Ratty100

Hello Everybody

This is my first post though I've been using the site for some months. Have just about arranged our 1st trip to India, there are 3 of us; myself and partner (both 37 years) and daughter (12). We are staying 12 nights in Benaulim (Camilsons) and 2 in Mumbai (Shelley's) - have a few questions I'd appreciate some help with:
1. Opinions on the dive school @ Bogmalo
2. Do the ATM's in Colva & Margoa accept amex pre paid travel cards?
3. Can I buy mosquito nets locally should we feel the need?
4. Must see sights in Mumbai bearing in mind we only have 2 nights there?
5. Is it worth pretending to be married to my partner for ease's sake?

Phew looks a lot when written. We arrive early Feb. Many many thanks.

oceanic

hey,

i'm responding to a few of your questions. while travelling in india, it's safest to carry visa or mastercard cards. amex is accepted at a few places though. of course you'll be able to get mosquito nets and a hundred other things to help repell mosquitoes. and finally, while travelling with your friend and the kid, you won't have to pretend that you're married.

cheers!!

GoanCanuck

I shall answer your questions in order.

1) Excellent school. Possibly the best one in Goa.

2) Your ATM cards should work fine. Look for ATM machines from ICICI, HDFC and SBI. These ATMs are more likely than not to accept your card.

3) You can buy mosquito nets in Margao but I think Camilsons resort will be able to supply you nets on request. Camilsons is an old haunt of mine from way back in 1991. Did not stay there but came regularly to booze at the bar which is adjoining Camilsons. The stretch of beach in front of Camilsons is the best place for swimming in Goa with lovely breeze at sunset.

4) Take a boat trip to Elephanta island and do some shopping in Colaba.

5) No need for that in Goa and Mumbai although if you visit the interior states you may very well be required to pretend that you are happily married.

Ratty100

GoanCanuck

Very helpful, thank you.

Feelthevibe

Definately a good day out Elephanta Island, one word of warning, do not except the offer of the guides as the boat docks, follow the path up the steps where there are official guides should you need one. Also not far from where you are staying are the Dhobi Ghats where all the cities washing is done in the open air, that would be a memorable sight for yourselves and your daughter. Try Leopolds in Colaba for an evening meal too .

Ratty100

Feelthevibe

This is just the kind of info. you can't get anywhere else. Dhobi Ghats must be quite a sight, will definitely try to fit a visit in. Many thanks.

aadil

Hi there,

Welcome to India!!!

Plan for Mumbai:

Mumbai is a nice city to explore on your own. Visit the Gateway of India and you will also get a nice view from the top if you go to any of the higher floors of the Taj Mahal Hotel opposite and look out from one of the windows. If you want to visit the Elephanta island for the famous caves then take a boat from the Gateway and it will take you about an hour to get there. The tickets can be bought in front of the Gateway from one of the booths selling them. There is a free guide inside the caves complex from morning to afternoon (just inquire with the security guard for his/her whereabouts). After you get back from the islands you can carry on walking towards the Regal Theatre and see the Museum as well as the other places for art like the National Gallery of Modern Art and the Jehangir Art Gallery for some interesting art exhibitions. Then carry on towards the other side of the university of Mumbai buildings and see the Rajabai Clock Tower, Library and Convocation Hall. Also see the High Court of Mumbai buildings. Then if you look across there will be a game of cricket going on in one of the famous playing grounds (maidans) called the Oval Maidan. Across the street is the Eros theatre and opposite that is the Churchgate railway station and in front of that is the Western Railway Headquarters as well as the Tourism office. If you wish you can walk down to the Marine Drive promenade and take a long walk towards Chowpatty beach for a snack of Bhelpuri, Pav Bhaji and also some Indian icecream called Kulfi and another sweet dish called rabadi. There are some other nice places to see inbetween like the Flora Fountain and Hutatma Chowk (Martyr's Square) and the St Thomas' Cathedral which is very beautiful with a lot of nice sculptures inside it. Nearby is the Bombay Stock Exchange building and also the Jewish Elaiyahoo Synagogue and the David Sassoon Library as well as the Elphinstone College buildings opposite it. The Town Hall building with the Horniman Circle and gardens is also worth seeing behind the cathedral. Then take a short walk along D N Road towards the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (the erstwhile Victoria Terminus) for another latest addition from the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. You can visit Mani Bhavan (the house in which Mahatma Gandhi lived in Mumbai) which is now a museum devoted to his work and life as the father of the nation. Nearby is the F. D. Alpaiwalla Museum which has a lot of Iranian artefacts housed in the Khareghat Colony Hall and if you climb the steps leading up to the Hanging Gardens from the outside then you will be able to get a good view of the Queen's Necklace from above. And on the way down you can visit a very elaborately carved Jain temple and then come down towards the Governor of Maharashtra's bungalow before reaching Chowpatty beach. Then you may carry on towards the Mahalakshmi temple and the Haji Ali shrine in the middle of the sea followed by a trip to see the Dhobi Ghat which is from the bridge over Mahalakshmi station. If you are interested in shopping then depending on what you want to shop for there are many specific markets like Zaveri Bazaar for gold and silver jewellery, Mangaldas Market for clothes, Chor Bazaar for antiques (and not so old stuff too!!!), Bandra Linking Road for lots of designer shops. Lots of other shopping arcades and malls have recently opened up in many areas so you can just walk into one for a quick look and buy whatever catches your fancy.

There are many good places to eat in Mumbai city and some of the good ones are The Tea Center at Resham Bhavan near Churchgate station for some of the best Indian teas as well as good Indian and continental food, Cafe Mondegar at Colaba for some great continental food as well as a jukebox which you can play for some good music and beer too at the Cafe Leopold but only if you want continental food, then there is Not Just Jazz by the Bay near Marine Drive which has a live band playing on weekend nights for some good music and food too. If you want some Pizzas then there is Pizza Express nearby which is quite good and recommended even by my Italian friends!!!

Hope this helps and if you have any more questions please feel free to ask. Glad to be of any help.

Cheers,
Aadil.

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Ratty100

Aadil

Thank you for all the info., stuff on Rs much appreciated too.

aadil

Hi there,

You're most welcome, anytime!!! Hope you can enjoy my city and take back fond memories after your trip out here. Take care and enjoy and feel free to ask any more queries if you need any more information about anything. Would be glad to be of any help.

Cheers,
Aadil.

navinkurian2002

Hey ratty

Let us know how the diving sessions were at
http://www.goadiving.com/
Joel's Guest House, Bogmalo Beach, Vasco 403806.
Ph: (0834) 555117, 555036.
Contact Person: Mr William Downie

I wanna do the padi course .

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GoanCanuck

That should be Joet's Guesthouse.

Ratty100

navinkurian

Will let you know on return. We are already padi qualified, but will try and see how they run the course + quality of dives.

Not long now!