Ok, this is my first full time monsoon experience and we have been collecting names of eateries that remain open during this time, any one else recommend any where else worth visiting during this time.

Also things to do, places to see/visit etc would be interesting to hear about?

Personally I'm looking forward to the deserted beaches and quiet roads...

Not monsoon entertainment -but its the feast of Milagres in mapusa for the next 10 days.
The road from the market up towards the Church is just full of stalls selling furniture and the road running parallel up the hill is a street full of market stalls.Quite interesting to go and have a look!
You can normally buy the hand carved stone pestle and mortar there.

Kernow you can practice dancing and singing in the rain We have only stayed until the end on June.

In Bogmalo Joets have live music on Friday and Saturday nights.The Pentagon in Majorda has music most nights.

John

You should all have a knees up somewhere once a month
then report back and give us a laugh.

Videos please !!!!

Dread - x

You can always go to Britos and watch the waves lash against his new illegal extension and the waiters running around like headless chickens trying to stop it.

But don`t eat there!

nearly eat there once, but service was so bad, we up and left

is the food that bad then ?

Had a fish platter the last time I was there and it was awful!I don`t think anything on the plate was fresh.The prawns were a prawn cocktail,the mussels had white wine sauce poured over them, the stuffed crab was cold
-I think all the sauces were to disguise the fact it all came from the freezer!

Its a shame about Britos because i have known Cadji him for years. He travels to relatives throughout Europe during the Monsoon getting ideas for the restaurant.However, he now caters almost exclusively to middle class Goans and elderly Europeans, usually from the package market.Both haven't a clue what real food is and go there just to brag about it and bask in the ambience of The Brito Experience.At the moment its theme is Moroccan Bazaar....The toilets are situated at the start of Rat Alley which leads to Laxmans.And the soak pit is situated next to the redundant well with tables sitting on top of its grisly contents. The food is best described as Canteen Food and yes its pre-prepared and heated up, just like Wetherspoons and 90% of pub grub in the UK. Ever wondered why pub menus all look the same in London ? He has certainly learned from masters.......

Best stick to a liquid lunch of you go to Brittos then ! I'm sure there are worse things to do on a monsoon apres midi.

Dread - x

Hey all Goans.
Interesting to catch a few clues on what hot and what not in Goa from you regulars.
I sure can see though that us hitting the town on Jun 19 2011 is not the wisest thing to do because of this evil Monsoon thingee you comment on.
Unfortunately Air Asia "Promo" fares rule my travel life, so it shall be.
I picked up on Bettys cruises,and the shack from your comments,
looks good,thanks.
Bars/Shacks, a dime a dozen, so no info needed there.
What I cant find googling,is a site or company,offering all the 2 night 3 day bus tours out from Goa,then return.
Cheapos as in local style.
I guess if its like Bali,or Bangkok,s Khao San Road the streets are loaded with agents signs promoting local tours.
Can a good member confirm that.
Or a URL.
Ta

P.S
I hear that the Goan Port is sweet and sickly, is that true?
I dont think the original colonial Portuguese masters would appreciate hearing that!
Oh!
And the best brand of Indian made Gin. Please advise?
Thats one good thing the Brits did in India,taught them to make drinkable gin.
Likewise in Malaysia.
Cheers
Not yet an expat,but workin on it!

Cant help with tour operators, not sure many would be open along the "beach belt", but im sure Panjim may do something, others on here may be able to help, however monsoon, mad driving and indians are probably not the best combo, but you pays your money and you takes your choice

Gin i can help you with, although not the biggest fan, they do Blue Riband gin here at 135 odd rup's, and to me tastes like Gordons or any others i've tasted in my time. (Gin officianados dont shoot me down)

Personally I'd recommend the Old Monk brandy, cheap and goes down a treat

Hi Nomad,

Are you sure you have understood this monsoon thing?

Most of the activities you describe plus shacks aplenty simply do not exist during monsoon time......closed down or impossible to run.
Plenty of agents but most will be shut, and "locals" dont do these tours, unless you mean Indian tourists, and these days they are comparative big spenders!
On the booze front, Port wine is sweet and thin, not a north European taste usually, KP is 100% right about Blue Ribbon Gin (Blue Ribband is a chocolate biscuit!) and sadly Old Monk is a Rum, not a Brandy.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!


.