Take a holiday from your holiday!

The Mayfair Hideaway Spa & Resort is a dream of a resort and perfect for those who have  had enough of being surrounded by hoards of people, gangs of hawkers and of course simply by those so tired through 'roughing it' in a shack on the beach needing a comfortable bed!

The Mayfair  is a beautiful resort of International standard but retaining an Indian ambiance that is so badly lacking in many of the newer Hotels. Little touches that add a very personal feel to all of the reception rooms makes  the difference and  you are immediately comforatble with your surroundings. The design and layout of the Hotel exudes quality and style and actually the smallest hint of a sense of humour! You will just have to go to understand what I mean.

The pool area is chic with the pool overlooking the beautiful estuary of the River Sal, its not surprising that this Hotel is used as the backdrop in many film productions.

Rooms are large and  comfortable with all the usual amenities and my friends that stayed there last week where totally satisfied with everything.....and he's American!

The spa area is smaller than I had expected but I suppose there's only a limited number of massage beds you can use at one time, but the ambiance as with the rest of the Hotel is perfect.

Of course, there are a couple of things I would change, but heh, I'm a Brit, we always want to change something, but I'm only refering to the large flat screen TV in the bar area, which I would quickly remove and the big seahorse....less said the better.  I believe that TVs in bars are only needed by long term married couples and couples that have just argued, get the idea?

Service is as good as anywhere, ( I chose my words carefully) and although I have been to the Mayfair many times and a known face and known never to spend more than a few rupees on a coffee or lunch, the service is as if I were spending lakhs! Very impressive.....unless of course they just feel sorry for me......

I suppose we have to discuss rates, seriously dont worry about it, incredible value for money and well below the rack rates of the International Hotels across the River. Just tell the wife its twice the amount, she will believe you , she will be impressed and happy and so will your wallet!

So that's it, The Mayfair offers everything I would need or particularly what my wife needs for a wonderful vacation, the beach is only across the river for those that want sand between there toes, but knowing the Hotel as I do, I am sure the Bikash the GM ( a really nice chap) would be able to arrange something! 

Hip hip hoorah for The Mayfair!

Cinema Night at Neptune Point

Location : Palolem

Tele: 097422232007

Child friendly: Check rating

 

Cost: 150rs pp

 

 

'Cinema nights' have become quite common in Palolem, it seems they are almost becoming a pre-requisite to running a successful bar, but how do you know which one to go to? It can’t be based on the film as basically they all screen the same films. Maybe it based on cost? Maybe it proximity to where you are staying or maybe because it has something else to offer.....

Cinema night at Neptune Point comes under the umbrella of the famous 'Silent Noise' parties; as such it tells you immediately that it’s worth going to. Why? Well as with the 'headphone parties which are held every Saturday through the season, you are guaranteed quality, fantastic ambiance, excellent setting [if you get there early enough take a view of Palolem beach from the Yoga Hall] and the choice of waiter service for food and drinks or just make yourself comfortable at the bar.

Yes there is a charge, but do you want an experience or just somewhere to go where you can sit and watch a movie and not have to speak to your partner for a couple of hours! For the sake of a few bucks you will get something to remember even if the film sucks...

....and with a % of the entry fee going to the local Animal Rescue Centre,  it has to be worth a visit! 

For more info about Palolem and surrounding areas check out http://www.goabuddy.in/

Get in your partner's 'good books' .....be romantic!

Location: wherever appropriate
Tele: 09742232007
Child Friendly: NO!

Cost: from 1000rs

After 228 years of ‘wedded bliss’, I know from personal experience that a little bit of romance in a woman’s life can bring a few days of heaven for her partner or a fantastic holiday, of course there is a little pain….as in pay me some ‘dosh’‘ and Ill sort it for you!

If you are Italian, French, Indian, Latin or Brad Pitt you probably don’t need to read on but for lesser mortals without the ‘romance gene’, here is some advice and suggestions:

·         champagne breakfasts

·         surprise picnics for two

·         dinner on board your own boat

·         sleeping under the stars  

·         rose petal bathing

·         ‘hand made’ truffles and fresh flowers delivered by hand

·         synchronized massage

·         surprise luxury ‘stay over’

·         cocktails on deserted beaches

Sounds easy but it are not. I know from experience; so let’s look at one suggestion:

 ‘Rose petal baths’ with candles and soft music is a winner, but where the heck are you going to get bags of rose petals from? You will have to disappear for a few hours…believe me…..and then have to explain where you’ve been! Then there are the practical matters…….running a bath and then carefully lighting the candles and sprinkling the petals sounds a doddle but, as happened to me, you don’t wash the petals! The scene is set your partner is overwhelmed by your ideas, slips into the warm bath and enjoys the aroma and experience and then suddenly she is covered in ants…at best… that have taken a ‘leap of faith’ and swam for safety!  Screams from the bathroom are not exactly what you were expecting as you were getting the chilled wine from the fridge.

‘Dining on board your own boat under the stars’ is also a particular winner but where do you get the boat? Got the idea?

The practicalities are not that difficult but can be extremely time consuming so just pass the baton to me and I’ll sort it.

You’ll need to pay for most items up front, giving someone a bill at the end of the meal or ‘pulling the plug’ and handing over the bill as you are stepping out of the bath may not be that conducive to a romantic evening to remember!

for more info check out http://www.goabuddy.in/

Mangal Farm. 35kms from Palolem 25 years from Baga

Location: 35 km from Palolem .....a dream ride for bikers!
Tele: n/a
Child Friendly: Well its a bar so your decision

Cost: Lunch for 50rs!

I finally found out about Mangal Farm when a friend accidentally let slip about a local bar in the mountains serving simply fantastic food. 'Oh yes, so how come no one has told me? '  'Actually, no one knows about it except a handful of locals who have all sworn an oath of secrecy!' Too late Buddy! The secret is out!!!!
Ok, I know all you purists will be saying, its wrong to tell the whole world but put it like this, I chatted with the boss and his lovely wife Brundha and they really would love to have more business so there you go......When I say chat, I think they said they wanted more business, anyway they always smile when I go so I think they are happy.

So what is so special about Mangal Farm? The food is fab, the choice is either veg or non-veg. I am nt a foodie, but its the best food around , on my first visit I had a mushroom masala made with frsh forest mushrooms picked that morning!  There is  nothing plastic about this place other than the chairs...its honest, it does not try to be anything other than a local bar for local people and the 'odd' tourist that drops by.  You sit under a covered area with a couple of dogs and possibly a local who has been drinking fenni since seven in the morning. Very friendly dogs and very friendly locals but no hassle, bad breath maybe but no hassle. I promise. You may even get an impromptu lecture on spices where the fenni guy decides to sow you what is growing around you and once one starts all the locals join in, so after about 20 minutes, the table looks like a florists at closing time!
The drive to Mangal Farm is spectacular, pass padi fields and waterfalls,  hair pin bends and stunning vistas, on the return if you are lucky you may even glimpse the sea on the horizon, stunning abs stunning. I will give you directions in a minute...
Seriously, everyone I have taken there has been totally staisfied with the experience and it really is an experience. If you travel by scooter you really will appreciate the full beauty of Goa but I know some are very wary of two whelers, for those just jump in a taxi, get away from the hassle of the beach. As I have said before Mangal Farm is 35 kms from Palolem and 25 years away from Baga.

Directions:

Drive through Chaudi, pass Police Station on right, after a couple of kms you will see a church on your left, drive a litte further and you will see a sign post for Neturlim. Take the left, under the barrier, and just drive straight, there are a couple of roads that join this one, byt just ignore and keep going. Its probably about 20 to 25km. Eventually, once you have driven through the pass there is a turning right and a nursery, continue just a little further and then you will see Mangall Farm on the right. Its tucked away so if you are speeding you will miss it , its signposted 'Mangal Farm Enquiries'. If you do miss it you will come to a bridge and another road barrier, just stop and turn round, the bar will be just on the left.

For more information check out http://www.goabuddy.in/ 

In the know! SCOOTER SAFARI

Location: Surrounding area
Tele: Chris 09742232007 or email chris@indiabuddy.in for more info
Child Friendly: yes under supervision!

Cost: from 250rs per person

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If you are only in the area for a couple of days, there  so much you could miss, so our 'Scooter Safari' is a great way to get to know the area, we can show you everything or just an introduction the choice is yours. 

So if you have the time let us show you the real Goa! The Goa before Trance. The Goa before the Charter Flight. The Goa before the Hippies! Goa even before the Portugese….

Whether on two wheels or four, driven or self drive, we will take you to our favourite places and hideaways, waterfalls, temples, places of legend and of course beaches..
2hr, 3hr, 4hr excursions are available to give you a new experience.

Itinerary 1:
North Canacona :
Staying with the coastline and introducing you to spectacular coastline and 'film set' beaches. Taste traditional Goan cuisine , have lunch on the beach, in the mounatins or even in a locals home, the hospitlity is as warm as the vindaloo is hot.
Visit historic sites and beautiful temples, all this can be done in just a couple a few hours and you don't have to worry about a regimented approach -we can be as flexible as you want, no problem.

Itinerary 2:
South Canacona :
Waterfalls, mountains, wildlife and wilder beaches. Lunch at a shack, fresh seafood oysters, lobsters perhaps even a boat trip and lunch on a secluded beach? Just be sure to take your camera, photo opportunities everywhere!

Itinerary 3:
A la Carte:
Trips and adventures, sightseeing and forna. Tell us what you are interested in and we will put a package together for you, designed for you.
......and dont think we are restricted to just Canacona; Goa is our home and we will be happy to take you further afield, just let us know.

Our vehicles are well maintained and we can  provide you with everything from Activa to Enfields, Ford Icons to Jeeps, so you are not limited to just scooters!

For more information about the area, including places to stay and eat check out www.goabuddy.in