Well, well, Things have got interesting. I'm pleased to hear so many responses are supportive of my concerns as to the results of mass tourism and the eco damage it wreaks when allowed to run unregulated. .I would point out to those who widened my criticism to the whole of Goa and it's people, my judgement was aimed at Baga and Calangute and I happen to love India as an holiday destination and will happily go again. I also warned of the danger of eating mussels and swimming in the river ...your choice, that's one reason why you should have the hepatitis vaccine as a necessity before you travel.
It's thanks to this forum and the views expressed that I found the great pleasure of walking to Anjuna around the headland, dined at J&A's (twice, it's so good), sampled All Spice several times (thanks Neil) and had a brilliant day out taking the local bus and ferry to Panji, enjoying a brilliant location in Hotel Venite. The Lucky Horshoe looked superb but we were just too late for lunch (thanks Max). We chose our hotel well, thanks to contributors who recommended Lagoa Azul for being my type of place, that includes those who put in negative reports saying they didn't like it as it was too isolated etc, it was just the ticket for my needs. Arpora has retained much of it's village charm and is an oasis in comparison to the beach strip.
My own personal recommendations for places I can't remember seeing mentioned on the forum are Spice Oven and Starlight restaurants in Arpora. Spice Oven, opened in November has superb hygiene standards and offers a mixed menu, Starlight is, in my opinion, the best for Indian cuisine.
I enjoyed a taxi tour into the hinterland, visiting the iron ore mining region and stopping in a couple of villages en route. Unfortunately, due to poor communication and a lack of Internet access, we missed out on a trip to Wildernest. Next time hopefully, (they have banned all plastic bags and bottles on their premises so they too are concerned).
So that ends my contribution, if I have put anyone off Baga, it's because we are like minded, if I haven't then you are prepared for what you will find. For those of you who are going again, two thoughts.
1)This forum is a discussion forum to enlighten people as to what they might expect not just a message board for excited people who have one hundred and two sleeps to go before departure day.
2) On your last day will you ask yourself what impact your visit has had on the rubbish gathering behind the beach area or simply wonder what price a Kingfisher will be next time.
Enjoy !

Irishcolleen
Do you have to tell everyone its magical, now they will all want to go.

Bibbs its such a pity that you are taking this persons views 100% on board and decided against Goa. Ive been a frequent traveller to Turkey also for many years, and it doesnt have any of the magic of Goa IMO. Enjoy yourself whatever you decide on.

Dave,

A lot of valid points here. I totally agree with what you are saying about Baga. 5 years ago it was fine, now it's a polluted mess.

I'm dissapointed in the way people think that your comments are negative. I personally think you are spot on.

Goa seems to get filthier year by year. I can't understand why I have had Gastritis on my last 3 visits and never had any bugs in the previous 4. I've travelled around the world a heck of a lot and never been this ill anywhere. Maybe it's bad luck but it's always been when I've stayed around Baga. And yes the sea is getting dirtier and dirtier.

well this has been a good thread

Lez

I haven't visited Baga for quite a few years, its sad to hear it has gone downhill, Calangute - in preference I wouldnt stay there - too manic for me, but well worth a visit for the shops Tibetan market etc. Further north you can still find quiet beaches and the laid back atmosphere if you want it. My favourite place is Candolim, sure its changed over the years but the beach is still wonderful, excellent restaurants and friendly people. Maybe I am looking through rose coloured glasses but never saw any more litter than there was previously - perhaps I have got used to it.
For anyone who hasnt visited, give it a go, make your own mind up. Posh it ain't and won't suit everyone - go with the flow and you will have a fantastic time.
I have been going for donkeys years, ate in shacks, restaurants , from stalls at the markets and never been ill

thanks gemma 33,
i will,and i hope yours is great to.
i havent only made my decision on what dave said,but the posting did make me trawl through a lot of the postings again,but this time reading what was there and not what i wanted to be there(if that makes any sense)i just dont want us to be spending a lot of money and time,then come home dissapointed,but you never know,we might still go yet,ive got to take a look at this little place ive just been told about,it's in the -*-*-*-* region,doh nearly spilled the beans then,secrets still safe, ssshhhhh.

I think its interesting to hear peoples differing opinions of Goa and I fully accept that some dont like it.Its not everyones cup of tea. I have met many people over the years who have said they will never go again.
We met one couple last year who were horrified. They just couldnt believe we had been so many times, couldnt understand what we liked about it.We tried to tell them they would probably love it after a few days, sadly this was not to be, they couldnt wait to get home.
This year we met some people on the plane going out who naturally asked us about this and that. They were very excited about it after listening to us saying how great we thought it was. We saw them in a shack a day or two later and when I asked them how they were liking it one of them said she had never been so shocked in her life. She asked me why I had made out it was great when it was so awful. She was actually angry with me and accused me of lying!!! I told her that I had only been giving my opinion and if hers was different then she was entitled to it and I repected that. She told me that my opinion was wrong!!!I avoided her for the rest of the holiday. I dont think I will be bumping into her again thankfully!!!

what,you didn't buy them a drink then,

I think it is a bit of a shame that Dave was jumped on for his opinions and observations. I didn't agree with some of the things in his post and agreed with others. I thought this was a Goa Discussion forum, not just an 'I love Goa' forum.

I feel that we should be able to post (and discuss) the good, the bad and the ugly.

Not sure about the Blackpool comment though!

Excellent post Dave. Great mini review of your last trip.

Sure I wholehartdly agree with your views of polution etc.

Your intial post I think was misconstrued and typed off the cuff and a lot of goa lovers could have took personal offence as in "so is he saying im stupid for lying on that mattress on that beach etc".

As for the posters who are sayin this is a discussion forum etc, if I can speak on behalf of the people who though the post was negative, im sure they understand that, but have read a lot of negative posts lately typed in a way that can be interpreted of people looking down their noses.

What a good post,i am glad people are speaking there minds,there is people on here that wiil jump down your throut,if you say a bad thing about goa.I went baga jan,i came back hating it,i have been going 10 years,i hated it for all reasons that have been said,i got home and said i would never go again.Today i have booked the logoa azul,Goa must have some pulling power.I still agree that somthing needs to be done urgent,its a timebomb waiting to go off.

We've just returned from our first visit to Goa staying in Candolim.
We chose that area because we were told it was quieter than Calangute/Baga but must admit when we arrived we thought 'If this is quiet what on earth are the other two like?'
Our first impressions were of disappointment - we found the area a lot more commercialised than we expected and hated the busy main street which was full of rubbish.
As with any holiday we gave it time and did settle in quickly loving the Candolim beach,the beach shacks and the wide choice of restaurants and excellent food.
We went to Calangute to eat one night but really didnt like how hectic and busy it was.
Another day we walked along the beach from Candolim to Baga and soon realised why people said Candolim was the quieter resort! The beach was dirty in parts and the hassle lots worse than in Candolim. Obviusly many people like that area of the beach as it was very busy but definitely not for us.
We do travel a lot and have visited Africa many times so were quite prepared for the culture shock that some people have. We just weren't prepared for the sight of all the rubbish everywhere which I must say we havent seen as bad elsewhere.
I understand where Dave is coming from. We would return to Goa but would probably try the south next time or a quieter resort in the north.
I spoke to several people who have been going to Goa for years but feel that they will not be returning. That would be very sad.

I agree with some of Daves comments and I'm not a fan of Baga and Calangute beaches. However Candolim is still great and some of the beaches further up North are fantastic. Rubbish is a big problem but some how the charm of the place seems to make you accept all the downsides. I believe India is classed as a third world country but one were the economy is on the up and up. I would and have recommended Goa to friends and family. I was recently in Cairo and the poverty in some parts of the city was appalling and far worse than anything I've seen in Goa. Also the hassle was much worse and certainly more aggressive. We will be back in December (don't know how many sleeps) and can't wait.

"I believe India is classed as a third world country but one were the economy is on the up and up"

Goa is the richest state per head in India yet now seems the most polluted.

Progress?

If all you eco warriors out there are all so concerned about the environment why step on a plane, you are all just hypocrites, because you are adding to the rubbish and polution. I believe there should be something done, but what, who can take control, I agree it is a time bomb waiting to blow, and as for checking out the kitchens in the places where someone had stated on an earlier posting to where they had eaten, when or who did this in England last time they took there wife out for a meal, **commented removed** One things for certain I will be back again next Dec 07 (health permitting), and will be spending my hard earned cash hoping, the waiters, beach sellers, street sellers, taxi drivers, boat owner, bar owners, beach bed attendants, and not forgetting the beggars and the street childern, all benefiting from not only me spending, but all the other HT'ERS who also enjoy the place so much...... Jxk8.

PS. Bibbs been to Turkey last year and its one place I would never ever ever return to, but I must say to you do not miss out on Goa.

hi jxk8,
like i said,horses for courses,didn't do my research very well on india tho,iv'e just been informed that most places are winding down or even closed in may,this is the time of year that we get away,due to our circumstances,maybe one day if things change,i might be posting on here about the fantastic time i had,watch this space,no best not,it could take about four years,

I think even those of us that love Goa and keep going back will agree there are some very real issues with tipping and filth.

It's a finely balanced thing. Part of what attracts me to Goa is the disorganised mayhem that is a part of everyday life. A polished, spotless Goa wouldn't be the same. But it does need to raise its game with regard to managing waste and mounds of plastic bottles.

Bibbs
I noticed a few posts back that you were reconsidering whether to go to Goa as

and for us we like to have very nice accomodation,eat in good resturants,sunbathe on clean beaches and hate being pesterd by sellers

We have just come back from our 6th holiday in North Goa and love it, even though we have seen massive changes as our first visit was in 1994, but I think the criteria you state above may not be met by a holiday in Goa.
Unless you are considering paying a lot of money to stay at one of the top hotels you would be unlikely to get the 'very nice accommodation' that you prefer. Clean, basic rooms that are kept clean? In our experience, yes.

Beach sellers (and the people in small shops and stalls along the road that you usually have to pass on the way to the beach) are a fact of life, certainly in North Goa but it depends what you mean by 'pestering'.
We find that a polite 'No, thank you' works fine.

Good luck in choosing you next holiday, wherever it may be.

Polly