Hi. Haven’t read all the reviews about the place so a few of the things I say may be repetition.pls bear. First: I’m Goan who often goes to Goa. Sometimes with reason. Sometimes without reason. The effect is the same; refreshed, rejuvenated. Second: I don’t do the sightseeing stuff.(I’m Goan, remember?)
First - unless your fanatic about comfort you can stay at virtually anyplace you want. From small rooms on hire to 5 Star hotels. If you’re travelling alone or with a partner then pick a place as per your budget. If travelling alone you can reach there and get a place to stay. Foreigners are readily accomodated. Don’t worry about transport. For abt Rs 200 you can hire a small scooter and see all of Goa on your own. Its a fantastic experience.
Second - Carry lots of books with you. The peace, quite and solitude of the place is ideal for introspection. Unfortunately that can sometimes make us suicidal. Thats where the books come in. If you don’t know how to read or don’t like it. cheap alcohol! A large peg of vodka comes for around 30 bucks! Most of the shacks allow you to consume your own booze if you order the snacks from them.but remember to smile when you ask if you can do it.
Third - This brings us to something important: food. Goa= tourists= continental food= bland. So if you’re an Indian or love only Indian food(who loves us Indians except another Indian, or NASA or Bill Gates!) then always specify that you want food for Indian palate. DO NOT TRY THE CONTI STUFF. Goan cuisine is rich in spices and taste. Try that. Pls don’t go to Goa and order Chicken Makhani or idli dosas!
Fourth - Swimwear. Ladies, you look funny prancing about in the ocean with your sari. Especially when the men all around you are either wearing shorts, quizzical looks and pot-bellies. You think anybody cares? I’m progressing towards a pot-belly and I roam around the beaches in my shorts. So can your partner/spouse. So can you.(Not the potbelly but defi shorts and t-shirt.)
Fifth - Travel. As mentioned above if travelling as a couple then hire a scooty and see the whole of Goa in a day! I’ve done that! Goa is overall safe.for women and children especially at night. But it always makes sense to take precautions. Have breakfast in the hotel. Lunch and dinner outside. It’s a great way to spend a holiday or embark on a journey of non-suicidal introspection. During season time the cabby will fleece you. Off season, you fleece them! Take the cabs hanging outside your hotel. If none are there, ask the receptionist about transport. Most of the cabbies are known to the front desk staff. Do not strike a deal with an outside cabbie to pick u up from your hotel environs. Thats asking for trouble. Cabbies are very clique oriented. If travelling with a large family i.e. wife and children get an Omni to yourself and keep him for the entire day at a fixed rate.
Carry good walking shoes, chappals, towels, sun-glasses and sunblock if your the "Oh my complexion!" type. Don’t forget a cap. Lotsa sun!
Sixth - Etiquette. Touchy topic. Goa=tourism=foreigners. The average Goan entrepreneur is bothered about the white skinned.(Something to do with forex payments. This is inspite of Indian being more frequent visitors and higher tippers.) So in some restaurants / hotels you will see the foreigner get preferential treatment. Deal firmly with it and the service will improve. I once had dinner in a restaurant with a large family(8 in all) and the staff was behaving as though they were doing us a favour. Called the manager, I took his pants off while my Mom gave him a piece of her mind(in Konkani!) and voila! Quick, courteous service. My guests were suitably impressed! But it anyway left a bad taste in the mouth. In my experience, I’ve found the shacks to be the best. I strike a good rapport with them and they go out of their way to accomodate us. One guy; on Calangute beach, besides the Goan Bananas beach sports shack, arranged a sea food buffet for us(5 people) for just Rs 1500! I did not want to cut his throat so I paid for the booze seperately. Needless to say we always go there and he also offfers to have a "fireworks display" for us at night. Too touristy!
Anyway, nothng more to add. If you guys(and gals) need any more gyan then do let me know.
Cheers
Olly