Imagine what lasting image these purges create for first time visitors to Goa - illegal or otherwise, if this had occurred on my first visit, especially if I was in one of the shacks torn down, I am not convinced I would want to return.

Why do this when these shacks are full of tourists - they could just go and pull down the shacks in the early hours.

Dread - x

Mean while in Baga, Britos seems to be getting larger by the year.From a small restaurant that made most of its money by opening during the monsoon, to a mega food mall that has crept at least 5 metres onto the beach.I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that Fernandes,the Sarpanch of Calingut eats there and is mates with Cadje, the owner( Mr.Brito) It could be just a coincidence though........feel for the poor buggers down the beach in Candolim and the Christmas present they have just been given by the High Court.Does the phrase High Court, means that it stinks ?

Nothing in today's Heraldo about any demolitions.

AndyD 8-)#

But there was in TOI. 4 shacks demolished at Candolim.

Page 7 on the classifieds section Navind Times.Government of Goa.Tourism Department. Public Notice. Also in the Times of India as above.So what will the local unemployed youth do now.The beach is begging for cleaners too.You would think that the political leaders would recognise the fact that unemployment leads to crime, simple as that.According the papers last week Calingut spends 16 Lakh a month on cleaning the beach ! What a load of rubbish, sorry for the pun....Bardez is slowly sinking under the weight of builders rubbish,bottles and general garbage and all the politicians is pocket the money allocated to deal with the problem.We had such a laugh the other night when some one brought up the fact that Calingut is paying some one to clean the beach 16 Lakh a month.Its pretty obvious who ever it is he doesn't holiday in Goa.Maybe Dubai so he can bank at the same time...if this was a joke it would be very funny.Maybe some one should tell all the unemployed beach bed attendants....?

Saturday Night Market at Arpora opens today!

www.snmgoa.com

Thats completely dictated my New Years Eve travel plans.After last weeks organised chaos around Mackies and now Arpora Market, has started its going to be complete madness on the roads.To get from Arpora to Baga Creek near the bridge i had to get through 3 police road blocks.The flash mob idiots on scooters are going to love it though......heard a funny story last night involving a tourist from the UK.Young bloke staggering along the Baga Calingut Road drunk,staggered into the road and nutted a passing rickshaw knocking the wing mirror completely off.Result 7 stitches and 3000 rupees to replace the mirror ! Has he a hard head.................Happy New Year to all

OMG, seems like not much has changed since 2009 (although I'm sure I won't recognize the place anymore when I arrive in late Jan)...
Guess I'm gonna let my 500cc Bullet take me down to Kerala for a week or so, if I can spare the time in between all the lawyer, notarial, etc. pp. appointments...

And yea: Happy 2012!

I would do anything to change my circumstances and be stuck in traffic at the night markets, and taking 20 mins to cross the road by Newtons.
Happy and Healthy New Year to you all.

Grandson just brought me a cup of coffee, giant scone with raspberry jam and brandy cream. yum yum x

Making me feel hungry! Stayed in hotel last night (in UK) and had a huge breakfast so have not had lunch. Will have to go and make something to eat now.

Nice to see your cute little slave is looking after you Noni
Now p'raps you could send him down here with one of them there giant scones.....

Dread - x

Finishing off my packing tonight as my son is picking up the cases early tomorrow. We leave home later in the day to meet him from work, we get the bus into town which saves him having to do a 20 mile round trip to pick us up. Our flight leaves LHR at about 9pm. Goa the day after tomorrow, hurrah.

Safe trip!

Will look forward to hear your take on the current situation there?


.

Thanks, will post my views after I have been there for a week or two, it will probably take that to get my internet connection up and running.

A debate on NDTV last evening. Keith Vaz's first words were " We Indians .............. " I was astonished, I thought he was British.

We live and learn.

W.