Why Goa?

babycakes

Hi all, we are a family and usually travel to Turkey for our hols, we find the people there fantastic and we always feel relaxed and happy which is why we go back. Next year we would like to find somewhere else where many people go back time and again and we came up with Goa.

I have read that the people are fantastic, but wondered what else it is about Goa that makes you love the place? Sorry if its a boring question but I like to research our holidays well so we know what to expect in general.

Thanks

hash666

baby cakes u gotta experience goa to know why ppl keep returnin year after year there....

oldhippie

If you are looking for friendly locals you should consider Thailand. The people are a lot friendlier and the beaches a lot cleaner.

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Too Many Gandus, Too Few Bullets.

PhilA

Never been to Thailand, one place I would love to go, I bet the food is amazing aswell, Oldhippie would you care to mention some quiet places ? but if you'd rather keep quiet I understsand

babycakes

I might consider Thailand another time, but we are considering Goa at the moment. Can anyone else tell me what it is about Goa?

SydneyKate

I haven't been to Goa (so why the h*ll am I giving my opinion you may ask!), but I have travelled a bit around India and read a lot about Goa and its appeal. I suspect part of the appeal is that it's a bit more "westernised" than most of India, you can probably find restaurants with westerner-friendly food, western bread etc etc. Also with what sounds like a huge expat population you are going to find reliable medical facilities etc. In short it's probably a bit "easier" that much of India, yet sounds like it has a great charm due to its history. Also there are beaches and beach resorts, which is a high priority if you live in a cold country (tho I read they can be dirty).. Goa doesn't really appeal to me but then I'm pretty wierd anyway. Have a great trip!

babycakes

Thanks Kate, it is appreciated. If there are a lot of expats there, please tell me there are no karaoke bars or bingo nights?! I can appreciate the rest of what you say, I just hope its still "foreign" enough not to be Little Britain!. I am still at the beginning stages of researching, I know very little about the country at this stage, but would be very disappointed to find it's like many mediterranean resorts.

freenote

Goa has been a tourist spot now for many years ,Therefore the infrstructure is geared to make things a little easier for the western tourist,but it is still India!!!!I have only been down south and what made it for me was that it was still an indian culture ,differant to what i was used to.and then to the thing that took my breath away was that beach!!!! Colva beach .It stretches for about 20 k ,it's wide,white sand,fringed with palm trees,warm sea,and in amongst the trees little shacks who serve good food and beer.I'm going back.

cyberhippie

Freenote again I have to admire your insight!! On Goa you had this to say!!
Right onnnn!!

hash666

babycakes the expat pop in goa during non season is probably less than 50 ppl...in season ppl travelling from all over india come down to party and have a good time by the beach...the greatest appeal it has to most westerners are the drugs,parties and meeting other travellers and ofcourse the delicious food and the cheap alcohol..

seventies'hippy

There are places like Calangute which are becoming more like Little Britain every year, with english bars, sports bars,& everything associated with them including drunken rowdies,

Krishnika

Goan culture and history are truely fascinating and very unique, and I think it's such a shame that visitors come and ignore it. Partying is very much a part of the local culture, but in a very different way - no drugs, but lots of music and dancing and eating. And there are soooooooo many beautiful places away from the beaches. I've been going there ever since I was born, and have very rarely seen foreigners - never in our village or beach until a hotel was built a few years ago. And unfortunately, they are not very interesting people - only hang out at the beach and seem afraid to have any contact with the locals and from the few small chats I've had with them, know nothing about where they are. pathetic.

hash666

very insightful krishnika...

The Gallifreyan

Haha, we were in the Plantain Leaf restaurant last year, this bloke introduced himself and tried to invite us to the bar where he worked. He thought that it would be good for us being British because they had football and occasional fist-fights. I can't understand why someone would want to go halfway round the world just to sit in an"English" pub all day, watching football and eating steak & chips. Still, plenty of people seem to want that, sad really.
By the way, I was under the impression that cows are sacred to Hindus, so how come the steak & chips crowd go to Calangute?
Maybe the old "sacred cow" thing is based on a widespread cultural misunderstanding. I wish someone would put me straight on that, I like to try to understand something of the culture when I go places

seventies'hippy

Yeah I agree, It's certainly not the reasons I ever decided to go to & fall in love with India for,,,,,,,,,

Give it time & there'll be a 'Hari Ramsdens' (famous for fish & chips in the uk)