My wife and I have just returned from two marvellous weeks in Goa, India. The first week we spent at Club Mahindra, Varca Beach and the second week at Royal Palms, Benaulim. It's true what's said about the beaches, wide, soft sand, endless and empty and stepping in the sea was like getting in the bath. Add to this the excellent service and meals provided not just in the resorts but at beach shacks also and, well what more could you ask for? The only comment needed about the sun is to say it shone all day.
Both resorts were delightful with all the staff very friendly, polite and always helpful. If you have not been then go soon, for I fear it will not be long before "The British Pub" and other similar establishments start to appear.
There is another side to Goa and to be honest, we found our trip from the airport to the resort upsetting, seeing what we call the poverty of the people and we wondered if we would enjoy our holiday. I don't think you ever lose your initial feeling, you just become acclimatised to the situation, and surely it is better to buy something at a price agreed with the seller, even for say, only 100 rupees, which goes to their family, than not to buy at all.
Pigs, chickens and bullocks wander along the road aimlessly, and although this is an everyday sight, you still gaze with amazement. You might even have an unexpected visitor like us - a wild eagle on our balcony.
We don't think it's a holiday for families - although the kids will love the pools and the beach, but the sea has a strong undercurrent.
We had thought of holidaying in Goa for some time, and I don't think we could have achieved this, certainly not in five- and four-star luxury, without being members of RCI.
The only negative was "Peter the Palm Tree," as we named it. We asked for a room with a view of the pool at the Royal Palms, but this was obscured for 150 of 180 degrees by Peter the Palm Tree. We asked to move rooms, but nothing was available.
Marie and Barrie Blakemore