DITTO THE ABOVE. we're off to goa in january for the eighth time!! we love it!!

BOB

Whereabouts in Goa are you staying? Yes there are piles of rubbish in some areas but I found there was less rubbish when I stayed in Cavelossim than Candolim.

As for swimming in the sea, there are strong currents and big waves along a lot of the coast (particularly in the north) so you have to be careful swimming in the sea. I've swum in the sea in both north and south Goa but made sure I didn't go out of my depth and I did get knocked over several times by the waves in Candolim.

Rubbish tip with Palm trees is about right.

We went to North Goa (Baga beach) we absolutely hated it.

Everyone said ooohh the South is much nicer. Yeah right.

IT WAS ALL AS BAD we could'nt wait to leave.

Apparently some love it, cant imagine why though.

I know lots are going to disagree with me, thats what makes life exciting though as we are all different.

I suggest you go there and form your own opinions, people you meet there will make the holiday good or bad as much as the resort.

Try and keep an open mind, you dont want to start ruining your holiday before you get there.

Happy travels.

T-W-I-N-E

It is a third world country so you cant expect it to be all gleaming! However I always go to the south - Betalbatim nr Majorda and the beaches I have always found pristine. I dont swim in the sea because its not really safe - there are strong currents and its not that sort of sea - however on the weekends and public holidays all the locals are in the sea in their Saris!

If you want a clinical, pristine, clean all inclusive holiday resort then there is not point in going to Goa. If you want something a bit more "real" you will love it. Excellent food, so cheap you wont beleive and beautiful scenery and lovely people....I love it and go every year as my father in law has a house there so its cheap for me!

Third world, my foot. There are several pristine beaches in many third world countries, including India. Goa has been thoroughly ruined by tourism as well as commercial and industrial growth. You can't step into the water at the beach, or turn anywhere without people trying to sell you things. What is still absolutely charming about Goa is the people, the villages in the interiors, the temples, the Portuguese churches, and of course, the sea food.

Are you saying its not third world?

I'm sorry, I should have phrased it better. I'm saying that the sad state of Goa's beaches is not because it is third world...In my experience of India, the more poor and obscure and 'third world' a village is, the more beautiful its beaches are. Goa's problems are actually because it is developing and industrialising too fast. The primary industry is tourism. Goa handles 12% of all tourist arrivals into India. This has led to increased pressure on beachfront areas, migration of labour into the resorts, shacks, restaurants, ...it's an all-too-familiar story, as anyone who has been to Bali will tell you.

Oh...whatever..it doesn't matter where u go these days, it is overtaken by tourism....so if u don't like it...just stay home..

I make the best no matter where i go and it seems to work in my favour as i always have a great time and try not to complain unless it absolutely necssesary (dirty hotel rooms for example)..

I don't consider India third world, rather it is a developing country so these bouts of tourism are expected!!

Same in Egypt, Thailand, Mexico, Bali, etc, etc..

When we go to Goa..we stay away from the crowded places and do alot out of the main areas...Having friends living there helps as we do more local things.

Anyways, there is good and bad in all places, but apparently many like Goa as they keep coming back!

Trouble is though, the first time I went to Goa was I thought Oh! my god what have I done, what a dump!. For the first 2 days I just wanted to go home. All that rubbish lying around. The fear of getting Dehli belly and all that sort of stuff. Even the drive in the taxi from the airport to our hotel was enough to put me off. That's before we even got to our hotel. After a late night good talking to, by one of my mates, I started looking through what it looks like and started talking to the Goan people. Wow I was shocked. After all, all I knew, was going on holidays to Florida where basically all was laid on and catered for me. Nice and clean every-where etc etc. Where as Goa, well this is it. Real life in an up and coming Country. The Goan people. Well NO where in the world I have been where the local people have been soo friendly,helpful and content. There is just something there that touches your heart. Still can't really say what that is but I just know that I can't wait to go back in January and enjoy that feeling again. So it seems to me that you really do need to realise that you are not going to a place that has lovely pavements and nice clean toilets, every where you go. You WILL get fantastic food. Just look on this site to get an idea of where to go. There are soo many places to go you just won't be able to eat in them all. This is it. Real down to earth life. Struggles,poverty,begging all that sort of stuff, it's there right in front of you. It may take you a little time like me to accept and start enjoying Goa or you just will not like the place. (unfortunately) What ever happens I wish you a very good holiday and you come back home totally refreshed. Please put a post on here to let us all know what you thought.

Goangrasshopper.