The Travel Thread

[Jigsaw]

10 minutes ago, kunjanp said:

During which months are the shacks closed? Because we are looking at March-end or April first week. Again, I told them to go right now but they are "busy" with "work". It's around Easter, so I guess there should be enough shacks and bustle around then?

 

Usually during the peak monsoon season so July to August. But then I have always visited baga during those months to minimise viewing Indian uncles mistaking underwear (holes dlc included) from beach shorts. Baga still has a lot of shacks open even during that time compared to Calangute. Blue Frog IIRC is one amazing upscale shack on baga. The farthest ends are the ones where you get great good buy also shady high 16yr old kids who think they're 26.

 

Easter is absolutely fine. Everything including the buttons on your shirt will be open due to the heat. 

Edited February 22, 2021 by Jigsaw
Update

[quixote_1989]

Just now, Jigsaw said:

Indian uncles mistaking underwear (holes dlc included) from beach shorts.

That's amateur level.

 

Visit Puri for some good old "uncles wearing white Pyjamas with no underwear" action.

[Jigsaw]

Just now, quixote_1989 said:

That's amateur level.

 

Visit Puri for some good old "uncles wearing white Pyjamas with no underwear" action.

Jesus what's wrong with you? I need a good sleep after a long day 

[Bird Bird Bird]

2 hours ago, kunjanp said:

Guys, my friends are planning to go to Goa for 3 nights. It might be hot but I can't change that.

 

So I will really appreciate if people who have been there or live there can let me know of which place we should look for the hotels so that there isn't much commute.

And more importantly which places to visit like which beaches to go to at night, which pubs to visit (someone was raving about a local beer), where to go for must have food and if there are any less known gems to explore.

 

Please let me know. Thanks.

@Walker in case you have suggestions. 

 

Oversimplifying, but Goa is predominantly divided into two depending on the crowd you wanna meet and what you wanna do - North Goa for all kinds of partying, alcohol, easy drugs etc. As the kids say - a "happening" place. I have been there twice, and probably will never go again. Calangute, Baga etc are just too loud, too flashy and too crowded for us. 

 

South Goa for those wanting peace and tranquility. You have Airbnbs to 5 star hotels, all available easily. I have been at Radisson, Dona Sylvia, Zuri White Sands and some other properties at South Goa. Radisson and Dona Sylvia are absolute tranquil. Zuri is also good, but the service leaves much to be desired. The best stay though we had was at Cassoi at Turtle Beach (https://www.cassoi.com/rooms - look at the last option - AC Glamping tent). 

Glamped in a tent, which was a stones throw away from the beach. You could hear waves crashing in the night. It's a nesting beach, so no loud music or harsh lights allowed in the night, which leads to an absolute feeling of bliss with nature. There's a canopy of trees which serve as an excellent shade in the sun for daylight relaxation. Their in house cooks are just phenomenal, and they made food better than most hotels I have stayed at. Plus they also serve Eight Finger Eddie (the beer I was raving about). Absolutely amazing trip, and I am salivating just thinking about going there again. Couldn't find a single fault with the stay. 

 

The tent:

 

 

Eating area at night:

 

 

Just outside the tent:

 

 

The beer:

 

 

The epic food:

 

 

And the awesome team which maintains this place:

 

 

I will never get embarrassed pimping them. Such an amazing place. 

[AtheK]

3 hours ago, kunjanp said:

Guys, my friends are planning to go to Goa for 3 nights. It might be hot but I can't change that.

 

So I will really appreciate if people who have been there or live there can let me know of which place we should look for the hotels so that there isn't much commute.

And more importantly which places to visit like which beaches to go to at night, which pubs to visit (someone was raving about a local beer), where to go for must have food and if there are any less known gems to explore.

 

Please let me know. Thanks.

@Walker in case you have suggestions. 

Just came back yesterday night after like my 15th trip to Goa, go there and you will feel like Corona never came.

 

The weather was borderline pleasant, and it rained once so helped, but it is only gonna get hotter from here. If you go march end or april mid, you are literally screwed. Lot of inputs already provided, but if it is the first time you are going to goa, North goa eyes closed.

Edited February 22, 2021 by AtheK

[KunjanPSD]

1 hour ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

 

 

Thanks a lot, this really is helpful.

 

1 hour ago, AtheK said:

Just came back yesterday night after like my 15th trip to Goa, go there and you will feel like Corona never came.

 

The weather was borderline pleasant, and it rained once so helped, but it is only gonna get hotter from here. If you go march end or april mid, you are literally screwed. Lot of inputs already provided, but if it is the first time you are going to goa, North goa eyes closed.

Yeah, gonna be the first time. I know about the heat. This whole trip was going to take place in some part of Europe but we all know that isn't possible and no one will have time once we start working, so will have to deal with it.

North goa is gonna be the place and probably Calangute. We aren't really looking to party because of Corona, just some music and bustle while sitting in the distant, we'll keep the party to ourselves. It's just gonna be catching up on the old times.

[AtheK]

6 minutes ago, kunjanp said:

Thanks a lot, this really is helpful.

 

Yeah, gonna be the first time. I know about the heat. This whole trip was going to take place in some part of Europe but we all know that isn't possible and no one will have time once we start working, so will have to deal with it.

North goa is gonna be the place and probably Calangute. We aren't really looking to party because of Corona, just some music and bustle while sitting in the distant, we'll keep the party to ourselves. It's just gonna be catching up on the old times.

That is what we thought too, but the place is crowded, no one is wearing mask and no social distancing. That said the time you are planning to go it should be better. If you are on budget stay in chalston, beautiful place at a very decent cost, right on beach. A little upmarket stay in the park, again on the beach. Looking to splurge stay in Taj fort aguada. 

 

 

[Walker]

3 hours ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

 

Oversimplifying, but Goa is predominantly divided into two depending on the crowd you wanna meet and what you wanna do - North Goa for all kinds of partying, alcohol, easy drugs etc. As the kids say - a "happening" place. I have been there twice, and probably will never go again. Calangute, Baga etc are just too loud, too flashy and too crowded for us. 

 

South Goa for those wanting peace and tranquility.

What he said. 

 

tbh I've not seen Calangute or Baga in about 5 years and I have no intention of seeing them again either. The last time I've really been north was about 3 years back. Nowadays I prefer my drink facing the sunset while there's some progressive psy playing softly somewhere in the background.

[North]

@kunjanp I've also been to Goa multiple times now, all with family. Agree with Bird and @Walker, South Goa is quieter in that aspect but we preferred that.

 

We stayed in Mahindra's resort in front of Varca Beach (its next to Zuri White Sands, the one @Bird Bird Bird mentioned).The resort is huge and the beach is fantastic. Its not a private strip, but its gets less crowds and is very safe. Its literally on the beach so you can hop between the resort and the beach all day.

Even if you don't stay in Mahindra, I'd recommend that area since the beach is great! 

 

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Does anyone know if one can see a fair amount of snow in March in Kashmir? Plan brewing with friends, probably going around 15th March. 

Will see all the popular spots, would love to know hidden gems in and around Srinagar. Gulmarg Pahalgam is on the itinerary, hoping to see some snow.

PLS DO TELL. 

 

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Came back from Jaipur today, had a great 3 day trip. Stayed at Four Points by Sheraton, good location, amazing rooms, and the food was the best part. 

Road trip from Delhi. First trip since after COVID.  

Edited February 23, 2021 by Chirag2001

[Bird Bird Bird]

3 minutes ago, Chirag2001 said:

I've also been to Goa multiple times now, all with family. Agree with Bird and @Walker, South Goa is quieter in that aspect but we preferred that.

 

We stayed in Mahindra's resort in front of Varca Beach (its next to Zuri White Sands, the one @Bird Bird Bird mentioned).The resort is huge and the beach is fantastic. Its not a private strip, but its gets less crowds and is very safe. Its literally on the beach so you can hop between the resort and the beach all day.

 

Even if you don't stay in Mahindra, I'd recommend that area since the beach is great! 

 

I also remember the beach in front of Zuri had some shacks opening till late night. The ones in front of Radisson/Dona Sylvia would close pretty early. 

 

Still, Cassoi just rules the roost. I will highly recommend glamping in their tents or stay in their boat shaped huts (of course, in colder weather). It's just this little perfect place tbh. Great food too !

[AtheK]

they are guys going to have fun, why the f**k is everyone suggesting them South goa, south goa is good for family trips and if you need peaceful time. Even i prefer south over north, but this time it was all guy friends having a reunion of sorts, so we decided north. It was crowded, but was fun and we had some real good time. For first timer it should be north goa, only go to south goa if it is peace and quiet that you are looking for. 

[KunjanPSD]

4 minutes ago, AtheK said:

they are guys going to have fun, why the f**k is everyone suggesting them South goa, south goa is good for family trips and if you need peaceful time. Even i prefer south over north, but this time it was all guy friends having a reunion of sorts, so we decided north. It was crowded, but was fun and we had some real good time. For first timer it should be north goa, only go to south goa if it is peace and quiet that you are looking for. 

Yeah, we have decided on Calangute, maybe Vagator if we find some awesome beach resort (Aria Beach Resort?). We have never been on a trip together and were all ready for this one, which would probably be the only one for years. So North it is, years later if we plan again then we will go to South. But hopefully by then international borders will be open.

[AtheK]

Yeah, we have decided on Calangute, maybe Vagator if we find some awesome beach resort (Aria Beach Resort?). We have never been on a trip together and were all ready for this one, which would probably be the only one for years. So North it is, years later if we plan again then we will go to South. But hopefully by then international borders will be open.

Book the Park at Baga, nice decent resort. You can walk down to calangute. They are two ends of same beach. It will be crowded both sides, but all shacks are open, take precautions, as no one else cares right now. Rent a scooter when you reach there, and roam around in scooter. Go to the normal places, Chapora Fort, Anjuna beach, Visit curlies in the night, have breakfast at Infantria, Britos. Visit a casino, do water sports (go early morning). Just sit at a shack and relax.

 

If you want to go to Copacabana Shack, meet a gut called prashanth there, he will set you up well. We hijacked the shack in the noon time, and played our own music to our heart content till evening, was awesome fun. PM me if you want, i will give you his number. Notice the beers at half time [emoji14]

 

[KunjanPSD]

19 minutes ago, AtheK said:

Book the Park at Baga, nice decent resort. You can walk down to calangute. They are two ends of same beach. It will be crowded both sides, but all shacks are open, take precautions, as no one else cares right now. Rent a scooter when you reach there, and roam around in scooter. Go to the normal places, Chapora Fort, Anjuna beach, Visit curlies in the night, have breakfast at Infantria, Britos. Visit a casino, do water sports (go early morning). Just sit at a shack and relax.

 

If you want to go to Copacabana Shack, meet a gut called prashanth there, he will set you up well. We hijacked the shack in the noon time, and played our own music to our heart content till evening, was awesome fun. PM me if you want, i will give you his number. Notice the beers at half time

 

The Park looks nice, it isn't a beach resort though but it's just around the corner. We have shortlisted 4 places, I will through this in the pile as well.

We want to have fun but no compromises on safety at all, I don't think any of us will be removing the mask unless it's for food or just us. 

I will PM you soon once our bookings are done around March 1st week, just waiting to see if Maharashtra forces Goa into a curfew or not.

I personally don't partake but my friends will be over this shack then and especially the Eight Finder Eddy which Bird recommended.

Edited February 24, 2021 by kunjanp

[AtheK]

11 minutes ago, kunjanp said:

The Park looks nice, it isn't a beach resort though but it's just around the corner. We have shortlisted 4 places, I will through this in the pile as well.

We want to have fun but no compromises on safety at all, I don't think any of us will be removing the mask unless it's for food or just us. 

I will PM you soon once our bookings are done around March 1st week, just waiting to see if Maharashtra forces Goa into a curfew or not.

I personally don't partake but my friends will be over this shack then and especially the Eight Finder Eddy which Bird recommended.

PM me which places have you finalized, i pretty much know all the places there. Let me see if i can help

[SuperT]

On 2/11/2021 at 11:59 AM, Chirag2001 said:

 

Did you go with family, or friends, or alone? Cycling? This can't get any better. Will def get hold of a cycle in that case. 

Will ask for specifics to do Singapore once these f**king borders open up.

 

 

Too much. I've been there multiple times over the last few years, but last time I took the safari it was 3.5K for one jeep. 

Go to the official site imo.

 

If you're going by your own car, would highly recommend going a bit further up to Marchula. Shouldn't take more than an hour, but the view is absolutely beautiful, and the road is easy to drive as well.

 

On 2/11/2021 at 11:17 AM, Bird Bird Bird said:

 

We went in Feb 2017. 

 

 

https://www.corbettonline.uk.gov.in/

 

This is the only official site. 

 

On 2/11/2021 at 11:59 AM, Chirag2001 said:

 

Did you go with family, or friends, or alone? Cycling? This can't get any better. Will def get hold of a cycle in that case. 

Will ask for specifics to do Singapore once these f**king borders open up.

 

 

Too much. I've been there multiple times over the last few years, but last time I took the safari it was 3.5K for one jeep. 

Go to the official site imo.

 

If you're going by your own car, would highly recommend going a bit further up to Marchula. Shouldn't take more than an hour, but the view is absolutely beautiful, and the road is easy to drive as well.

 

 

Hi guys, So I checked out the official website. I can get the jungle safari permit from the site. Any idea where I can book the Jeep in advance for the safari ?

Also, I did some research and I have finalized Bijrani Zone for the safari, any suggestions if this is a good zone ?

[KunjanPSD]

41 minutes ago, SuperT said:

 

 

 

 

Hi guys, So I checked out the official website. I can get the jungle safari permit from the site. Any idea where I can book the Jeep in advance for the safari ?

Also, I did some research and I have finalized Bijrani Zone for the safari, any suggestions if this is a good zone ?

Has Singapore opened for tourism?

[SuperT]

1 minute ago, kunjanp said:

Has Singapore opened for tourism?

No clue my post was for Jim Corbett 

[North]

15 hours ago, SuperT said:

 

Also, I did some research and I have finalized Bijrani Zone for the safari, any suggestions if this is a good zone ?

 

This is THE zone. Max tiger spotting chances. I've been to the others, one of them is Sitabani, but no tigers in that one.

 

So yes, good choice. 

[Bird Bird Bird]

17 hours ago, SuperT said:

 

 

 

 

Hi guys, So I checked out the official website. I can get the jungle safari permit from the site. Any idea where I can book the Jeep in advance for the safari ?

Also, I did some research and I have finalized Bijrani Zone for the safari, any suggestions if this is a good zone ?

 

Man, things have changed a lot.

 

When we went, there was only a buffer zone and core zone, and we stayed at the starting of core zone in an English bungalow, with trenches cut on all sides to ensure the elephants don't demolish it. 

 

Now you have resorts and what not. I doubt you will see much animals where there's lights/human activity.