Goa (Baga)

[jambo74]

Hello, i am going to Goa March 27th 2007 flying from the Uk. Could anyone tell me the best currency to take i.e. travellers cheques, sterling ?

Also i am will be looking for a good time, does anyone know the names of the best clubs/bars ? I am staying in Baga,

thank you

[mrsann]

Don't know for sure but several people have told me to take �50 notes sterling for the best exchange rates as wea are going there in a couple of weeks but it sounds a bit risky to me so any more advice would be good

[Dee Sa]

I might sound like a know all, but---- I have been married to a Goan chap for 20 yrs and we spend our holidays there & have a small house[ in Ribandar in Old Goa not near the tourist area]
50s or 20s are easily changed, euros forget it half of them havent even heard of them.
Travellers cheques can be changed at your hotel but you will get a bad rate, all the banks [ as far as I know] are situated around the capital Panjim area and its approx 40 mins from the tourist area i.e. Calangut, Candolim & Baga
Ask any taxi driver to take you to local money exch if you dont spot one by yourself..
Change about �20 into rupees at Gatwick, they have to tell you by law its illegal and then they change small amounts for you, this will help with small tips etc dont forget they earn peanuts at the hotels and 100 rupees is a big tip for them.
In Calangut there is an open air, all night, night club called Titos, the most popular place to eat is called Britos, very popular with the Brits but pricey by Goan standards, there are so many bars[ some with satellite tv] and places to eat, try along the beach and just visit a different one each time until you feel at home, the Goans are very friendly but most bar owners/ waiters are not Goan at all they drift in for the holiday season.
Whatever u do do not go all inclusive, who wants to eat the same meals for 14 days ? and booze is cheap unless you visit the Taj or Marriot hotels.
If in Candolim [ next to Calangut] -- walk along the beach in opposite direction to Calangut/Baga and go to the very last beach restaurant its great, clean kitchen,good food, cheap and they are so friendly and will cook you anything you want but not on the menu, also get you a taxi back save all the walk, this place is not visable from the road.
Dont forget to visit the spice fields, forget the crocodile farms too many mosquitos.
Happy to answer any other questions if I can.

[Dee Sa]

forgot to add the infamous all night beach parties are by word of mouth with under 24 hrs notice, someone in a bar, you getting chatting to, will give u the gen about them.
If you are young & adventurous think about hiring a motorbike or scooter to get around, hire rates are dead cheap about �5 per day.

[jambo74]

Thank you all for your answers. (very helpful) My father visited Goa every year for last 16 years. Unfortunatley my dad died in Goa (Anjuna) last October by drowning whilst fishing off Anjuna beach. Hence the reason for my trip over in March, to lay a reef and to see why dad loved Goa so much. Dad did mention to me that you get a good excange rate for �50 notes on the black market.
I will be hiring a motorbike to get around during the day, but will use taxi at night. My father stayed with good friends called the 3 sisters accomadation in Anjuna and they will help me out and dads best friend who hires motorbikes in Anjuna. Overall it wil be a trip that i hope i can enjoy in memory of my father. Thank you, anymore tips would be great. I love a good curry, roll on march 26th 2007, can't wait.

[Dee Sa]

jambo 74
So sorry to hear about your Dad, sincerely hope you have a good trip and will also make Goa your holiday destination for many years to come.
Dee & Francisco Sa

[jambo74]

Thank you Dee Sa, i'm sure i will fall in love with Goa just like dad did ! Really looking forward to meeting lots of dads freinds in and around Goa in which he made so many, i'm sure most people will know him just for his kind nature who would always help people before himself, its a huge loss, but hopefully visiting Goa will help to heal my wounds a little better. Do you know if i can get a Floral Reef made up anywhere in Goa, so i can lay were dad lost his life ? Also Dee Sa, do you think i should take �50 notes, i was thinking of taking around �350 spending money for 1 week, just for myself, do you think that will be enough ? Also take my bank card.
Thank you very much, regards Matt

[Memore]

Titos in Baga is the best place to start and you will hear of the parties by word of mouth also Shore bar at Anjuna used to be good back in the day as well as mafia cocktail - illegal rave - disco valley depending on the police and their mood and how much you pay them! Shore bar was on a Wednesday I think on the beach and everyone wore white but that was late 90's