A couple of years ago I went to Goa for a fortnight in January. I stayed in an all-inclusive hotel right on the Bogmalo beach.
The beaches are wonderful, and though we stayed in a large hotel there was always a secluded spot to be found.
On the beach people would try to sell you their wares, there was the old lady with bannanas and a group of young girls who invited me to their ’’shop’’ which consisted of merely a tent under which they had all their wares, sarongs, carpets and trinkets.
The locals were absolutely lovely people genuinely friendly, ok we were their business but they didnt make you feel like that they really made a fuss of us and made us feel special. And they were always smiling.
In the village behind the hotel we met a family who had a little store selling postcards sweets etc and they did photo developing, we made friends with the man of the house because he was also a local taxi driver, we used to hire him and his jeep with other couples sharing the cost, because a lot of towns were quite a way away.
He had all his family living in that little shop, not only his immediate family but brothers and sisters etc and he was working really hard to try and save for a house for them all.
Anjuna market was a good place to visit a real spectacle with plenty going on loads of brightly coloured stalls and people (and beggars) buzzing about everywhere.
Genuine bargains were to be had there and they had designer stuff and every type of stall imaginable.
All in all Goa was a wonderful place to go to lovely weather, laid back friendly people good weather and a lovely place.
The only things we didnt like were the ’’beach huts’’ that served food you had to be careful in as I went round the back to the toilet and saw rats running around. Quiet a few people got ’’funny tummies’’ so be careful what you eat if its not in a hotel.
Also if you like night life you will probably be disappointed as there isnt much there, it is the place to go just to relax, chill out and enjoy yourself.