Comments on: Images of India: Goa http://neoindian.org/2009/06/21/images-of-india-goa/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=images-of-india-goa Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:27:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: neo http://neoindian.org/2009/06/21/images-of-india-goa/#comment-1982 neo Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:06:24 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1412#comment-1982 Hi Kiran, We did visit some of the churches. They were quite wonderful. Any suggestions on where we can stay ? We've stayed at Fidalgo in the past, just because I like to be in the heart of the city, and they have that decent vegetarian restaurant for Mrs. Neo and Neo Jr. -Neo Hi Kiran,

We did visit some of the churches. They were quite wonderful.

Any suggestions on where we can stay ? We’ve stayed at Fidalgo in the past, just because I like to be in the heart of the city, and they have that decent vegetarian restaurant for Mrs. Neo and Neo Jr.

-Neo

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]]> By: Kiran http://neoindian.org/2009/06/21/images-of-india-goa/#comment-1964 Kiran Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:45:33 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1412#comment-1964 Oh yes .. good ol' Miramar brings back the memories of school days - watching the sunset with a plate of Bhel Puri in hand :) Suggestions for next trip - you simply cannot miss the Churches at Old Goa. And, regardless of how religious a person you are or are not; you should also visit one of the temples around Ponda. Reason being, if you have gotten used to the crowded and un-clean temples in South India, this will be a welcome change for you! And finally - I suggest some off-the-beaten-track places like Terekhol fort at the northern tip of Goa - getting there is a good experience in itself what with the ferry crossing (at a spot where a river joins the sea if I may add) and everything. Oh yes .. good ol’ Miramar brings back the memories of school days – watching the sunset with a plate of Bhel Puri in hand :)

Suggestions for next trip – you simply cannot miss the Churches at Old Goa. And, regardless of how religious a person you are or are not; you should also visit one of the temples around Ponda. Reason being, if you have gotten used to the crowded and un-clean temples in South India, this will be a welcome change for you!

And finally – I suggest some off-the-beaten-track places like Terekhol fort at the northern tip of Goa – getting there is a good experience in itself what with the ferry crossing (at a spot where a river joins the sea if I may add) and everything.

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]]> By: neo http://neoindian.org/2009/06/21/images-of-india-goa/#comment-1943 neo Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:10:55 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1412#comment-1943 Hi Charu, R2I around the corner ? Cool! Are you moving to Bangalore or some other city ? I'll try to post more pics. And if you haven't already, check out indiamike.com for a lot of travel tips. I lurk there quite a lot. -Neo Hi Charu,

R2I around the corner ? Cool! Are you moving to Bangalore or some other city ?
I’ll try to post more pics. And if you haven’t already, check out indiamike.com for a lot of travel tips. I lurk there quite a lot.

-Neo

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]]> By: neo http://neoindian.org/2009/06/21/images-of-india-goa/#comment-1941 neo Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:06:55 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1412#comment-1941 @Kiran Yes, you're right. I remember someone telling me about this as well. Although, some of the beaches might be technically public, but there is no easy way to access them except through the hotel, so they end up being de-facto private beaches. And, although it's nice to get "beach-side" service by the hotel staff, good old Miramar beach is still my favorite. Do you have any suggestions for our next trip to Goa ? -Neo @Kiran

Yes, you’re right. I remember someone telling me about this as well. Although, some of the beaches might be technically public, but there is no easy way to access them except through the hotel, so they end up being de-facto private beaches.

And, although it’s nice to get “beach-side” service by the hotel staff, good old Miramar beach is still my favorite.

Do you have any suggestions for our next trip to Goa ?

-Neo

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]]> By: Kiran http://neoindian.org/2009/06/21/images-of-india-goa/#comment-1939 Kiran Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:21:44 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1412#comment-1939 Hi Neo, Although I am not a Goan, I stayed in Goa for 8 years - from age ten to my late teens. And I must say I am simply in love with the place. If you think visiting the place as a tourist is good; you really should be living there to get a real feel of the Goan life. It does make me very sad always when Goa is stereotyped (by tourists, film industry, magazines - everyone); and people end up knowing Goa for the wrong reasons (if you know what I mean!! Check <a href="http://ashishyahoo.blogspot.com/2007/02/goa-just-holiday-land.html" rel="nofollow">this excellent article</a> by my friend about the stereotyping of Goa) And hey, btw, I dont think that tiny beach in front of Taj Fort Aguada is a private beach - its all part of Sinquerim beach which is open to public. There are very few private beaches in Goa since there is a law which prohibits construction for some distance (i think a few hundred metres) from the waterline. Cidade de Goa was built before this law was passed I think. Anyways - this rule is for the good - else I am sure we would not have had a single inch of free sandy beach for the public by now! Hi Neo,

Although I am not a Goan, I stayed in Goa for 8 years – from age ten to my late teens. And I must say I am simply in love with the place. If you think visiting the place as a tourist is good; you really should be living there to get a real feel of the Goan life.

It does make me very sad always when Goa is stereotyped (by tourists, film industry, magazines – everyone); and people end up knowing Goa for the wrong reasons (if you know what I mean!! Check this excellent article by my friend about the stereotyping of Goa)

And hey, btw, I dont think that tiny beach in front of Taj Fort Aguada is a private beach – its all part of Sinquerim beach which is open to public. There are very few private beaches in Goa since there is a law which prohibits construction for some distance (i think a few hundred metres) from the waterline. Cidade de Goa was built before this law was passed I think. Anyways – this rule is for the good – else I am sure we would not have had a single inch of free sandy beach for the public by now!

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]]> By: Charu http://neoindian.org/2009/06/21/images-of-india-goa/#comment-1936 Charu Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:04:27 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1412#comment-1936 Thanks for this. We travel a lot here and hoping Goa would be the first place for us to go if we R2I (which suddenly seems to be around the corner). Would love to see more info/pixs from such travel.. Thanks for this. We travel a lot here and hoping Goa would be the first place for us to go if we R2I (which suddenly seems to be around the corner). Would love to see more info/pixs from such travel..

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]]> By: Joanne http://neoindian.org/2009/06/21/images-of-india-goa/#comment-1935 Joanne Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:39:15 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1412#comment-1935 I am *very* scared of crows too....but reading Wikipedia doesn't help me, unfortunately, nor does knowing the term for the "group of crows" !!! But seriously, thanks for taking the time to respond to comments....keep writing and entertaining! I am *very* scared of crows too….but reading Wikipedia doesn’t help me, unfortunately, nor does knowing the term for the “group of crows” !!!
But seriously, thanks for taking the time to respond to comments….keep writing and entertaining!

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]]> By: Auroracoda http://neoindian.org/2009/06/21/images-of-india-goa/#comment-1920 Auroracoda Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:03:14 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1412#comment-1920 Thanks so much for the reply Neo! This helped quite a lot. I'd rather ask people I know and trust living there than what I read on the 'net. But you're right....learn it as I go when I finally move there. By the way.... THIS comment.... "Being a multi-racial couple will make people stare more “is he her driver ? tour guide ? office colleague traveling with her ? OMG its her husband! Quick, hide the kids!”. (kidding about hiding the kids but they will stare)." ....made me laugh so hard I had a five minute coughing fit, which started all over again when I told the future Ahoo about it and he said "why not Hot Young New Bollywood Actor with Gori wife". HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA he's a funny FUNNY guy. :) Thanks so much for the reply Neo! This helped quite a lot. I’d rather ask people I know and trust living there than what I read on the ‘net. But you’re right….learn it as I go when I finally move there.

By the way….

THIS comment….

“Being a multi-racial couple will make people stare more “is he her driver ? tour guide ? office colleague traveling with her ? OMG its her husband! Quick, hide the kids!”. (kidding about hiding the kids but they will stare).”

….made me laugh so hard I had a five minute coughing fit, which started all over again when I told the future Ahoo about it and he said “why not Hot Young New Bollywood Actor with Gori wife”. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA he’s a funny FUNNY guy. :)

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]]> By: neo http://neoindian.org/2009/06/21/images-of-india-goa/#comment-1918 neo Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:42:01 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1412#comment-1918 HI Auroracoda, Hey hope you feel better soon. I shall ask Mrs. Neo, but I have a feeling I know what she's going to say. If I'm wrong, I'll come back and correct this comment. 1. This is India. Its a curious country. Everyone stares at everyone else. As a white woman, you'll probably be stared at no matter what you wear. It will take some time to get used to it. Being a multi-racial couple will make people stare more "is he her driver ? tour guide ? office colleague traveling with her ? OMG its her husband! Quick, hide the kids!". (kidding about hiding the kids but they will stare). 2. https://splas004.secure.omnis.com/store/images/uploads/website_photos/sport_print.jpg <--- I'm guessing Mrs. Neo would rather not go to the beach/pool than wear this. 3. http://www.modest-swimwear.net/Swimsuit%20pictures/002-1.JPG - That just looks totally fine as beach wear for <em>public</em> beaches. The "rules" (i know, ugh) get significantly more relaxed to almost 100% western as you get to private beaches/pools (i.e. owned by the better hotels, apartment complexes, private clubs etc.). 4. There's a much wider variance amongst cities in India than in the US. Just follow the lead of people around you, like in any other unfamiliar place.. I wouldn't worry about this too much. You'll get a sense once you've spent some time in India. -Neo HI Auroracoda,

Hey hope you feel better soon.

I shall ask Mrs. Neo, but I have a feeling I know what she’s going to say. If I’m wrong, I’ll come back and correct this comment.

1. This is India. Its a curious country. Everyone stares at everyone else. As a white woman, you’ll probably be stared at no matter what you wear. It will take some time to get used to it. Being a multi-racial couple will make people stare more “is he her driver ? tour guide ? office colleague traveling with her ? OMG its her husband! Quick, hide the kids!”. (kidding about hiding the kids but they will stare).

2. https://splas004.secure.omnis.com/store/images/uploads/website_photos/sport_print.jpg <— I'm guessing Mrs. Neo would rather not go to the beach/pool than wear this.

3. http://www.modest-swimwear.net/Swimsuit%20pictures/002-1.JPG – That just looks totally fine as beach wear for public beaches. The “rules” (i know, ugh) get significantly more relaxed to almost 100% western as you get to private beaches/pools (i.e. owned by the better hotels, apartment complexes, private clubs etc.).

4. There’s a much wider variance amongst cities in India than in the US. Just follow the lead of people around you, like in any other unfamiliar place..

I wouldn’t worry about this too much. You’ll get a sense once you’ve spent some time in India.

-Neo

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]]> By: Auroracoda http://neoindian.org/2009/06/21/images-of-india-goa/#comment-1916 Auroracoda Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:08:10 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1412#comment-1916 Auroracoda is heinously sick and thinking that Neo has shared the wealth. :P Hope the fam is feeling better soon. Am wondering though...deep deep thoughts that only Jack Handey could have I'm sure...WHAT does a Gori Wife wear to the beach when married to an Indian citizen, going to the beach or pool WITH said Ahoo and all while living in India as well (ie: living there so not able to escape gossip by going back to US or Canada or Europe, etc.). Can you please ask Mrs. Neo what she suggests? Have heard horror story's of needing to wear things such as this.... https://splas004.secure.omnis.com/store/images/uploads/website_photos/sport_print.jpg Auroracoda is thinking this ensemble DEFEATS the whole purpose of getting cool by the pool. Auroracoda would prefer to wear something modest but not all consuming, perhaps like this... http://www.modest-swimwear.net/Swimsuit%20pictures/002-1.JPG (of course Aurorcoda doesn't wear this in the US but understands more modesty is needed in India...but does NOT understand exactly HOW far modesty needs to go) Auroracoda is heinously sick and thinking that Neo has shared the wealth. :P

Hope the fam is feeling better soon.

Am wondering though…deep deep thoughts that only Jack Handey could have I’m sure…WHAT does a Gori Wife wear to the beach when married to an Indian citizen, going to the beach or pool WITH said Ahoo and all while living in India as well (ie: living there so not able to escape gossip by going back to US or Canada or Europe, etc.).

Can you please ask Mrs. Neo what she suggests? Have heard horror story’s of needing to wear things such as this….

https://splas004.secure.omnis.com/store/images/uploads/website_photos/sport_print.jpg

Auroracoda is thinking this ensemble DEFEATS the whole purpose of getting cool by the pool.

Auroracoda would prefer to wear something modest but not all consuming, perhaps like this…

http://www.modest-swimwear.net/Swimsuit%20pictures/002-1.JPG

(of course Aurorcoda doesn’t wear this in the US but understands more modesty is needed in India…but does NOT understand exactly HOW far modesty needs to go)

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