What's best - North or South???

roselegrew

Hi, Can anybody help!!

My partner and I are off to India for a year from the end of November. We plan to fly into Gwahati first where we are picking up a car and then driving down to Goa for Christmas and New year (yes your not the first people to tell us we're mad, but you know how powerful childhood dreams can be!!).

Anyway...we spent a month in Koh Panyang, Thailand a few years back and we're hooked by the paradise seclusion of the north western side of the island. You are far enough away from the parties to feel like you're in paradise but close enough to go to them when you want to. Getting onto India...we are desperately looking to replicate the experience in the sense of finding somewhere that feels beautiful and peacefull without tripping over people left, right and centre but we want to be close enough to things so we can have some fun.

Ok so now you know what we're after here's my question!!!
I've narrowed down the area to Asvem, Madrem and Morjim in the North which is nice and close to Anjuna for shopping and the other place i can't remember the name of but has a good night life...OR...Agonda down south just north of Palolem so it has some action but is supposed to be quiet and idylic!

What do you reccomend? We just want a nice hut on the beach. Nothing fancy, just nice small groups of people and a pretty beach - Any advice would be greatly recieved.

While we're at it, do we really need to book a hut in advance or is it highly likely that if we walk down the beach we are likely to find somewhere to stay?

PLEASE HELP US!!! As you can see I've done the research but it's hard to know if i'm chasing the impossible.

Thanks x

patrickday

i spent last xmas new year there agonda its quiet (ish) not crowded but enough people to have a quiet drink with ........

steven_ber

Do you mean Guwahati in Assam? (3177kms from Guwahati to Goa)

That's one hell of a drive, ironically driving past about 1000kms of deserted coastline before driving across India to get to Goa.

Just one more thing, have you ever lost £1000, then on your way home found £1, that's the kind of feeling you may experience if you imagine Goa's beaches to be anything like Koh Panyang.

Sounds like a bit of an adventure though, and there’s a load to see on the way from Assam to Goa.

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roselegrew

Hi Guys,

I have to say I'm amazed at the rapid response, India Mike is worth it's weight!

Hmmmm, i have to say I'm not sure how to react to the comments! I'm aware that we are rushing the first leg from Guwahati but the idea is after Christmas we can take our time. Thanks for the reminder of just how far it is!!

The only reason we thought about Goa is that there would be other people to talk to a suss out what's worth checking out and visa versa however when put like that it does seem a bit nuts driving all that way past the quiet bits to then expect peace on the busy patch!

Agonda sounds good, we do want some life but if i went somewhere with big concrete blocks and 'Brits Abroad' scene i would cry!

Any thoughts on booking?

Thanks in advance

patrickday

no brits abroad and no concrete blocks ,, not allowed the ghandi family tried many years ago and come unstuck trying to build a 5 star hotel ,,, lost in court to the locals.. so only a village with beach huts and i will be back there this xmas as i loved it last year ,, watching the sunset xmas eve cold beer and no brits abroad,, as for the beach huts get one when you arrive i did 23rd dec last year 300 rps,,, might see you

roselegrew

Hi, that's sounds very promising, not that i have anything against brits, just the egg and chip brigade!!!!
Beach hut on the beach around christmas with a good group of people for 300rps sound perfect.

Thanks for the info, we might see you!

MrsT

Last year we went down South over Christmas and New Year,
sorry to tell you but the beach huts were not 300 rups. they had gone up to 2000 rups a night we did complain and had a small reduction but Xmas and New Year they are really expensive.
for the accommodation you get.

Gone are the days of the cheapies.

the three b's

Not egg and chips, rather 'goats cheese and rocket salad on rasberry coulis washed down with a delightful Sancerre'

Just a more expensive brand of the same thing?

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Madaboutindia

For reasonably priced huts in Agonda take a look at:

www.macprofessor.com

Contact details available on the site. We visit every year and Agonda is a beautiful place. If you're lucky you may see Turtles hatch.

roselegrew

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the info, you've been a great help.

roselegrew

Thanks for the link, it's nice to see some proper pictures of the area.
Agonda is starting to win the vote!

Thanks

crea

another option might be Patnem, just south of Palolem

bye the way, did you stay it "Bottle beach" at Ko Pangan?
As said before, "it will be different"

Madaboutindia

Take a look at:

www.flickr.com/photos/chateau96

Some pics of Agonda and the surrounding beaches, ie, Mobor and Varca.

maltabella

november 2007 palolem double beach huts with bathroom and fan: 900Rs, only one room left, tried to bargain but price did not move.