Luxury resort?
Blackpool?
Mmmm
Path to our new, clean abode!GOA???
Well, I suppose we knew we had to make a big mistake somewhere along the line - and today was it! We were having problems synchronising flights to Goa, taxi to Bangalore airport, and transfers to a hotel. The hotel was suggested by the Thomas Cook rep in Mysore who seemed very helpful. Fine, taxi came - almost on time. Maybe should have worried it wasn't a/c for a '3 hour' trip, but thought 'Open windows will do...' Long nightmare ride through horrendous traffic, often stifling in jams, took 4 hours or more. Nice airport, easy boarding etc. SpiceJet is a budget airline, but OK, and arrived on time in Goa. Taxi was waiting with our name on a board - always fancied that - and away we went for the '45 minute journey' to a 'really nice hotel near Panjim.' Well over an hour later, long past Panjim, we came to a place called Calagute, and turned off down a grim lane lined with rubbish. 'Keep hoping' we said. No, no point, the hotel was a dim and dusty 'luxury resort' that was the most depressing place you ever saw. Everything you touched left your hand dirty, and there was a little pool that was so grey you couldn't see the bottom. The whole place smelled - don't ask! - and basically just would not do, even trying very hard to be stoical! No phone to phone out, mobiles didn't work there, no internet.... Worst of all for the first time, because we had used an agent, we had booked and paid for 3 nights in advance.
Finally texted Martin, (eldest son)who stayed in Candolim ten years ago, and asked where he stayed. He replied fast with name and number. We phoned; no rooms. However, a rather downmarket associated place had a room. Apologised to very nice staff, (people tend to be nice, even if place isn't. I think it's that 'different kind of clean' I've mentioned before) ,called taxi and left. (Same taxi as from airport.) Eventually found new place - restaurant in front looked OK, so saw room. Clean, basic but quite comfortable, nice staff - no a/c but at least the fan works. Booked one night only - will see what tomorrow brings. Decent meal, unexciting but OK. VERY large gin (2 to be honest) - thank goodness this place isn't dry!
Trying hard not to be a travel snob but the place seems to be full of British holiday makers who don't seem to know this is India - just hot Blackpool Gather that the place has changed somewhat in last few years, and is lots of 'fish 'n chips' and 'real pub'. Also been huge influx of Russian visitors, all menus etc are 'in English and Russian'.. Lots of vodka advertised too. No longer keen to spend a lot of time in Goa.
Ah well, tomorrow is another day! We'll find the churches etc and make use of a short stay!
Well, I suppose we knew we had to make a big mistake somewhere along the line - and today was it! We were having problems synchronising flights to Goa, taxi to Bangalore airport, and transfers to a hotel. The hotel was suggested by the Thomas Cook rep in Mysore who seemed very helpful. Fine, taxi came - almost on time. Maybe should have worried it wasn't a/c for a '3 hour' trip, but thought 'Open windows will do...' Long nightmare ride through horrendous traffic, often stifling in jams, took 4 hours or more. Nice airport, easy boarding etc. SpiceJet is a budget airline, but OK, and arrived on time in Goa. Taxi was waiting with our name on a board - always fancied that - and away we went for the '45 minute journey' to a 'really nice hotel near Panjim.' Well over an hour later, long past Panjim, we came to a place called Calagute, and turned off down a grim lane lined with rubbish. 'Keep hoping' we said. No, no point, the hotel was a dim and dusty 'luxury resort' that was the most depressing place you ever saw. Everything you touched left your hand dirty, and there was a little pool that was so grey you couldn't see the bottom. The whole place smelled - don't ask! - and basically just would not do, even trying very hard to be stoical! No phone to phone out, mobiles didn't work there, no internet.... Worst of all for the first time, because we had used an agent, we had booked and paid for 3 nights in advance.
Finally texted Martin, (eldest son)who stayed in Candolim ten years ago, and asked where he stayed. He replied fast with name and number. We phoned; no rooms. However, a rather downmarket associated place had a room. Apologised to very nice staff, (people tend to be nice, even if place isn't. I think it's that 'different kind of clean' I've mentioned before) ,called taxi and left. (Same taxi as from airport.) Eventually found new place - restaurant in front looked OK, so saw room. Clean, basic but quite comfortable, nice staff - no a/c but at least the fan works. Booked one night only - will see what tomorrow brings. Decent meal, unexciting but OK. VERY large gin (2 to be honest) - thank goodness this place isn't dry!
Trying hard not to be a travel snob but the place seems to be full of British holiday makers who don't seem to know this is India - just hot Blackpool Gather that the place has changed somewhat in last few years, and is lots of 'fish 'n chips' and 'real pub'. Also been huge influx of Russian visitors, all menus etc are 'in English and Russian'.. Lots of vodka advertised too. No longer keen to spend a lot of time in Goa.
Ah well, tomorrow is another day! We'll find the churches etc and make use of a short stay!
So you were having problems synchronising flights to Goa, taxi to Bangalore airport, and transfers to a hotel.
ReplyDeleteWell you must refer online reviews of hotels, before booking them.