After a gap of 2 years, we are making another trip to Goa. This could be the 7th or 8th trip to Goa. Each time we visit, we learn a bit about the place, the eating joints, what to eat and what not to order, changing attitudes of Goan people, growing interference of Goan police, rise of new businesses, etc.

However, after each trip, it’s normal to forget many aspects of the trip – journey, destination, travel, stay, restaurant trips, etc. So, to commit to memory, I’m penning down what I have been through before my memory distorts the facts.

Picturesque sights from Window Seat

First leg of my journey was from Bangalore to Mangalore. The morning train departs from Yesvantpur station at 7:10. I woke around 5, took bath, checked the stuffs to be taken. Then ordered a Ola cab. When the cab reached my house early when I was having two minds about carrying walking shoes. I was thinking if it would be a dead weight for my trip.

The diver of Ola cab drove like a F1 formula driver – covering a distance of 12 km in 20 minutes from Domlur to Yesvantpur. After paying Rs 240 for the trip, I had a feeling I should have taken a Metro train for a change and save money.

With almost an hour to wait, I asked a potter for the platform – he said platform 5 or 6. Now, here I had to end one confusion – where is platform 6 in Yestvantpur. It’s the side of Metro railway station.

The C1 AC coach was close to engine, and I walked all the way to the front. Thankfully, I had a window seat and that too on the right side – a sunlight shadow side.

Before the train departed, I went to the Vegetarian restaurant and bought Idli, sambar and coffee for 60 bucks. I got it packed so that I can have it for breakfast by 9 ish.  That was a good decision, as I didn’t think that the guys who sold food had hot and fresh ones.

Scenic scene – Sakleshpur Terrain

This is my first day trip by train through this terrain. The first part of the trip was regular one – passing through the fringes of Bangalore. After few stops there was a longer halt at Sakleshpur. In this time, additional engine is fixed and people loaf around buying munchies. I too succumbed to temptation and bought a pack of yellow cylindrical fry stuff.

Next leg of the train journey from Sakleshpur station started with the sight of coffee plantation. When the train moved further, we crossed bridges and tunnels – some really tall and long. Some bridges looked like the one in the movie – Bridge Across the River Kwai.  After a while I stood at the train door to see the sight of train moving and coming out of the dark dungeon. It was like the idiomatic phrase – finally there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

At one of the halt after Sakleshpur

Due to the dryness of the weather, all the streams and rivulets were bone dry. In some places, pool of water collected on one corner. It was must the drought phase soon. Also, I noticed ferns, and some cute looking plants what was growing in the drain next to the railway track. When the train stopped or slowed, I was tempted to get down and pick a plant or fern. NO, I didn’t have the nerve to do it. What will happen if the train leaves without me.

Next two seats near mine was empty. I had a free run to move in and out to take pics as the train crossed another great view of this range. Long back, one of my friend said that he had walked through the abandoned Sakleshpur track, before it was renovated and made into a broad gauge track.

Btw, I have to read more about this rail route – who started Sakleshpur rail route? When and why?

Train Stop at Road

A good looking lady passenger got down at this stop. There went my only fair sighting on the train. I too boarded this stop, looking to buy lunch. After seeing few people at the station shop, I went and found the typical curd rice. The price was cheap, so too was food.

Wish they had some egg or probably, some Mangalore treats. ( steam fresh ones).

At Mangalore Junction at 4:45

When the train reached ahead of the scheduled time, I was doubtful if this is the stop I have alight. After double confirmation from a fellow passenger, I got down. Took the overbridge and went to the platform. The ticket inspector asked for ticket, which is bit of rarity these days.

Now – What to do in Mangalore Junction

As a clueless chap at Mangalore station, I went out and then came in and sat in one of the station chair. I know it’s an absolute waste of time to search for activities to do in Mangalore. Here I’m at 5 PM and my next Netravathi Train to fetch me to Canacona is at 11ish.

For a stranger with less cash – what are the options to do in Mangalore?

Who will host me, who will treat me for a tea, who will listen to me! Who will lend me 10K which can be returned at a future, future date. These are thing I want now – NOW!

Well, it’s not just about me, there will be thousands of people who will have such thoughts running in their head and where are the answers? Obviously, Google is not going to help now. Some smart social app has to take the role of connecting, helping, etc.

Right now no one has answer to these kinds of needs! All we have in Google are searches like ” what do in Mangalore”, Activities near to Mangalore Railway station”. These are useless stuffs which we can find without using a search engines. And sadly, all the top searches are taken by travel booking companies who are stuffing some keywords and getting on top. Is there an easy option to search for results from blog or from personal travel diaries.

I bet there’s space for someone to collate such kind of things on an App. Btw, I have a App which can covers these needs. Let’s trade ideas for cash! 🙂

Coming back to my clueless state in Mangalore Junction, I went into the task of recollecting the pub where I had visited with my office colleagues on our way to a wedding in Mangalore. During that stopover trip we visited one or two places for dink, food and ice cream. Well, again a famous ice cream joint in Mangalore – forgot its name.

After Googling again, I found the place which matched with my memory search – It’s Froth on Top.

Next I looked for it’s location which said, Balmatta. Oh, I could remember this place now! How I remember Balmatta. Bal is the stating words of my uncle Balan and Matta for mutta.

That’s the only way my mind can tag some names!

Okay, again back to Mangalore story. I took a pre-paid auto to take me to Balmutta. It was Rs 100 to be paid. After I got down near this pub, I waked aimlessly around the street. Took a way down and sat in a basement tea shop for killing my time with two tea. This small restaurant was mostly visited by locals and so to spend more time, I ordered tea, and more tea. Gave some tip and left this place. Meanwhile, I tried calling two places for pedicure service – only thing that can fit my budget. Again, it was more expensive than in Bangalore.

Point about How to Respond to a  Customer’s Call Positively
Sometimes, I feel the business rep or receptionist at the other side seems to be causal about the call. They don’t use the words which gives some kind of pull for the customer to visit, let along go for the service.

They are just doing their job – probably they are owners, who is least bothered about a caller looking for a pedicure, then they would get more excited with a massage or other heavy pack services.

• I often wonder why we go lax with a low service taking customers? 
• Why do we have pre-conceived notion about a person who orders a small meal from the menu? 

Who knows, the impression you leave to this change paying customer, can bring new business to you tomorrow. Probably, he is not a top-line customer, but he or she can influence others. What if that customer is a boy spending his pocket money for a small service – with time, he will start earning and he will think of your business who took him seriously and with love during his younger days!

After tea in my tummy, I started with beer at Froth of Top. I sat outside for fresh air and space to keep my bag. I took few pics – shared it on Whatsapp with few and later when it was around I had to decide whether to have the cheapest dinner here or try my luck for any non-veg places in Mangalore Junction. I remember seeing a non-veg IRCTC restaurant board in the station.

Next I hailed a Ola cab and reached station by paying 100Rs. Cool. I think a auto guy will take more at this time, especially when return trip will be difficult for him.

At Mangalore Station, I walked toward the only refreshment shop open. Happily dropped all my lougage and the friendly, smiling waiter told me that all fish items are over.

Ordered, chapatti and egg curry. Spend some 40 minutes with the dinner. Paid Rs 51 for the dinner.

Train to Goa – Nethravathi Express

This train starting from Kochu Veli passes through Canacona. Only drawback is that it reaches Canacona station around 4Am. Lukily for me, the alarms on two phone helped me to wake early.

Only few people got down at this 2 minute stop station. It was still dark and chill at 4:30AM. Thankfully, the AC coach was near the station building – saving me the effort to lug the bags. I made use of a bed sheet to wrap around me to get some warmth from the early morning chill.

The vendor at the station started serving tea/coffee by around 5:AM. Few foreigners who got down in the same train, sat inside the station. Around 6ish, sky began to clear. We took our belonging and started a short walk towards the main road. Luckily a private bus took us and deposited near the main entrance of Canacona beach.

Problem with Wrong Booking 

After asking few people about the Neptune hotel – then checking the booking print, we realized that the booking is for Neptune Hill Top. This is not I had in mind. I wanted to book the room right on the beach which by now is called Neptune Beach Resort.

We called all our lugage all the way to the hill top, wondering if we are going to be struck in this lonely cottages. Later we spoke to the reception guys that we made a mistake and we wanted to shift to the beach side. They were reluctant, later asked us to wait till 11ish.

Next we took an auto, which costed Rs 150 from hill top point to a spot behind Nepture hotel. Here, I had to repeat the same story about the mistake in booking and asked them to consider us for the beach view rooms. After some haggling, they agreed but had to pay additional 2 k.

Whatever, it was a relief – thinking of the hill top point which lies at the horizon.

About the Stay at Neptune Beach Resort 

We were allotted one of the room which had the beach view. It’s room #2. It was around 11:30, and slightly hot inside the room. As we stepped outside the room, it was much cooler, with steady flow of strong winds. Any traveler would have enjoyed the gushing feeling of wind and the view of the beach. However, one drawback was that we weren’t getting the complete view. The roof of the shack was blocking most of the beach view. I think most rooms are like this – except for room #6, which stood outside the five normal rooms.

I think, the A/C is faulty – only hot air blast on a hot noon.

For lunch we stepped behind the shack to see the rows of restaurants. I had previously searched for budget food – Goan fish thali kinds. The SERP results of this query showed, Soumaya, Sai, and Fisherman’s , etc.

We landed on Fishermen’s Shack and ordered our first Goan fish thali of this trip. The sight of mackerel fried in a coat of rava, clams in metal bowl, was something made by eyes wide open with delight. Being a sucker for fresh fish, I am bit weavry of makeral as it gets spoiled fast, and even in sea side town, like Goa or Trivandrum, we often get to taste a old ones. However, this was within the acceptable levels, not that I would rate one star for it.

Tell of Something Novel to do in  Paloleum Beach

Again, I”m going back to the same topic of improving the search factor, probably it’s covered in the next level semantic search. As of now, there’s only one avatar or persona for search. A first time visitor to Paloleum or a veteran in Paloleum will see the same search. How to get a better search experience for a seasoned traveler. Is there a way I can adjust Google in an easy and practical way so that it shown only my kind of result.

For example, before hiting the search button, I get an option to remove all the listing from travel companies ( Tripavdisor, or holiday.com and makemytrip types). Of for that matter, I should be able to tailor my persona in search – for instance, I’m able to configure 3 avatar ( One is a novice search, second another criteria, or a third one more criteria). well, it’s not mandatory to create a persona, but multiple persona will help me see three kinds of search results ( probably in one window – divided into coloums) or each search will be visible when the person clicks on the persona).

Or give a radio button option, where the searcher will ( Click here for detailed write up on search)

( Search Engine – Semitic Search or JC’s Search Engine Modality)

Few things from my experience

– Fish tali meals at Sumaya or Fishermen’s are around Rs 150
– Made a mistake of ordering fish thali in Querty.
– Wrong choice of ordering chicken stake at Dropadi, when I’m a fishy by nature
–  Average lunch or dinner came to Rs 500 ( two fish thali,beer)
– At times the bill swelled close to Rs 600, while ordering additional dish. ( wrong decision to buy sear fish curry at Sumaya. Fewer pieces of fish and it’s a juvenile fish ( most sear fish kept for display was had more years at sea. Netted early.
–  Leg massage at beach bed is banned. Shucks!
–  Serves beer at the bead bed ( when is that going to be banned) India the land of bans
–  Carried walking shoes and walked for some 20 minutes in the morning ( Good habit)
–  Set breakfast given at Neptune is a sad option ( two slices of bread toast, sauted potatoes, two eggs ( poached, boiled, sunny side up, etc and coffee/tea
–  Paid close to 12k for 3 days at Nepture. ( includes rate give to transfer the booking from hill top to beach resort)
–  waiters were okay – few were seen too happy with foreigner ladies that taking with Indians)
– Btw, who do waiters have grim faces when the tip is less. Is it universal? Suppose you made a mistake of giving less one time, it doesn’t mean, next time you the waiter should ignore you or give you a lesser service. Why can’t waiters give a smiling face even when  tip is less or no tip is given ( After all we Indians are still learning the habit of giving tip at restaurants)
– Auto fare paid from Hill Top to Neptune is Rs 150. Auto fare from Neptune to Railway station is Rs 100
– Closest ATM is after Canacona station. Walked all the way up and down to withdraw cash. On the way, had good tea and baji at a Udipi tea shop ( I think it’s Mallikarjuna Prassana)
– I saw how fishing was done from the shore – a line with three or four baits and at the end of the line, is a weight. Using the power of the weight, take a loop shot into the sea. I think I should try this out in Kovalam beach.

( Next trip, I plan to come prepared with my snorkel kit, fishing baits, weights and floats, binoculars and more $$$)

Canacona Railway Station

Boarded train from Canacona station to Madgaun. A short trip. From Madagau to reach Candolim we took this path.

Auto fare was Rs 150 to Madgau bus stop. From Madgau bus top, we took Kadamba bus to reach Panaji station. From Panaji to Candolim by private bus service

Airbnb Booking Story at Candolim

The same day morning we sat at a restaurant in Cananoca to book two day’s stay at Canacona. We tried booking hotel rooms and my criteria was a place with a pool and a kitchen. Not satisfied with booking options, we tried airbnb.com. Most options which I liked and within our budget was booked for our dates. Next, used the date filter and few options were given. In that, we booked Alore Grand, which is near to all the water holes in Candolim area. While booking, we didn’t dig too much into the review. Almost all the hosts were given a tag – super host. When all are super host, how do know the super of super hosts.

With the intention to reach this hotel, we got down at Candolim stop. After asking direction, we proceeded to our location. It’ was short distance, however, multiple bags and a trolley bad made it all the more difficult. Then we reached to the lane where this Alore Grand – the white building, with a large entrance. wow!

At the reception, we showed our booking msg on phone. The young girl gave me a dirty and a irritating look. At first I thought she made a mistake. Her expression was plain this – get out of this, you folks are to go to the back side of the property. Okay, with a bad feeling, we gain clutched our belonging and walked by the side of the building. At first, the sight of swimming pool was pleasant and happy. It probably was something what I had thought – a balcony view, airy place with lots of light in our room. A place where I can have endless cups of tea or coffee and watch the mermaids splashing in the pool. These thoughts was temporary and faded soon, as we knew what were destined to stay. One block after, we went behind the pool, leaving behind well tended garden. After all the way, we found out that our place is almost to the back side of this large complex.

We were fools – thinking that our host will be waiting there with the key. Assuming that our message at the time of booking, we had mentioned that we will be arriving between 1 and 3. Scrambling through the Airbnb app, we were able to contact the host. At first, she was asking back questions – who, when…. later we found she must be having a nap on a Sunday afternoon and we didn’t make a prior call. we assumed that she would get our message and do the necessary

After contacting the person, we were asked to wait for another half an hour. At first they said, we should have called them before lading in front of the place. Later, the host cooled down – probably she was in a trace state after her afternoon siesta.

The one bedroom apartment was on the second floor – no lift. The flight of stairs took use and the caretaker to our place. Rooms and bed room was kept well – kitchen had very few vessels. Good part of the accommodation is the two balconies – one in the bedroom and another in the living room. The of palm tree leaves and white balcony, was kind of reminiscent of the house owned by some wealthy Spanish or Mexican don. Anytime, we can expect a Spanish maid or mistress walking out of it.

Modification or Options in Airbnb

Recently a neighbor who’s working with hotel industry asked me about my experience with airbnb. I say my first experience in Pondichery was not upto the expected level. So, this one too added to the list of not so good feedback

Another things which was disturbing about this place was the door to the next apartment. As the host owns two adjoining apartment, they have made a door. The problem is that there’s no door latch in our side. This is not a good feeling. Also, there’s no latch in the bedroom. This made me a bit jittery, especially I always remember the scene in Yavanika. Also, I have the habit of closing the bedroom door in my house.

Few things not mentioned about the house:

1. One of the picture showed the swimming pool and the building. Though it never said, it was facing the swimming pool, it gives an impression that this house too will have a balcony facing the pool
2. The stairway is not mentioned ( 2nd floor)
3. Is there an option to send prior message to the host ( Is the balcony facing the pool? Is it on ground floor? Is there broom kept for cleaning? How often is cleaning staff coming to clean the living quarters?

Night at Candolim

After hiring a scooter at 6PM for Rs 400 a day ( we paid only 300 last year during Dec end) we went around Calungute, Baga side. Riding around and observing the shops, people, music, it seems, very less has changed in one year. Tito’s club seems to have lost it’s power to draw people. The caption showed – Free Entry for Ladies and Free Drinks. It was there – same poster.

Fish Curry Rice at Fishermen’s Cove

We decided to settled in a place where there’s live music. Last year, we had dinner at this place so decided to settle here. Other highlights

– Singer sang, Brown Girl in The Ring with a happy, happy face
– Fish curry rice was a flop show. Just a waste of money – one bow of rice and fish curry ( Mackeral and that too it wasn’t fresh to my standard nor to match the price charged)
– Partner order Chicken xacuti. It was good
– During the dinner, I saw an short verbal fight with the restaurant folks and a guest. A foreigner couple. Looked like the two of them sat on a table for six. Foreigner was in a agitated mood. And the restaurant folks too spoke in a louder tone

How should restaurant employees deal with irate customers, even if the customer or patron is wrong?

A customer raises her voice, what strategy will you adopt as a restaurant employee? Even when you are right, how do you tame an agitated and temperamental person? One thing is for sure, it’s not a good behavior to shout back, when there are other customer in your shop.

So, how to train employees to deal with a trouble causing customer? How to neutralize or sober it down? What are the subtle ways to find a solution even when it looks absurdly hopeless or when the customer is rude without any valid reason?

Answer to such questions must be coming from business owners, managers? Is there any role play activities where such hostile scenarios are played? Is there a company which gives a in-house training for waiters, store clerks, store managers, stores attendants?

Special Fish Thali at Fat Fish

Again, we are having this thali after a gap of 2 years. The price of the Thali is Rs 350. We ordered one, which we both shared and two roti’s and a beer. It was a complete package, good enough for two people.

With each passing year this place is attracting more tourists and others. I feel it’s time to try some other restaurant for a change. Also, I was thinking of a similar restaurant in Trivandrum or in some part of Kerala – convert a part of rice field into a restaurant serving Kerala cuisine. Imagine a fish thali in Trivandrum – crab, mussles ( kaka), fish fry, fish curry, dry praws chamandi, rasam, thoran, ( but no avial), pickle, etc. Probably, I should start one like this in Trivandrum.

Attitude of Goan People Towards desi Tourists – Has it Changed?

Off late there’s been a lot that’s been shared online in the form of articles, posts and pics of general outlook of Goans towards Indian tourist. There are few things I have observed from my visits. Here are they

1. On the road, it’s easy to make out a Goan. They honk longer, louder, ride faster in the while number plate vehicles – seem to show they are the owners of the land.
2. Last two times I have seen road accidents. One was on New years eve and it was brutal, the way the local was trashing and punching a tourist. Who is wrong I don’t know, but violence is not required.
3. Make hay while sun shines attitude. Money is there only during season time, so I have seen bike rental people, hotel owners seems to get too greedy during season. ( Probably this is true in most tourist destination)
4. From the first visit around 2008 or 2009, I have change the way Goan police is operating. Now, they started checking in Baga side, which wasn’t there. If it’s for maintaining law and order or enforcing rule, then it’s fine, else if they too look to pocket extra dough, then it’s not a good trend. There are many articles in news and online sites about how they also target Karnataka and Maharashtra vehicles. I know that personally how our office vehicle from Bangalore was stopped and we almost lost a day waiting by the road side. ( It was not a tourist friendly attitude they had displayed)

Stop at Londa – Almost an Hour to see the town

I had apprehensive about stepping outside the railway complex and search for a medical store. I took the over bridge and it took me to a road with shops at either sides. The small shops were of all kinds – it someway it’s like stepping back in town to a sleepy, upcoming town. In these shops, mostly selling vegetables, tailoring shops, booze shop, a clinic ( Bharat Clinic) where a middle aged doctor sat watching something on his mobile. There was a screen, a place to examine patients or give shot in private. I was tempted to have a drink. NO. I had too much of beer in this trip and something inside seems to be hurting and wriggling. A pain at random times. Got to see the doc again.

When walking up the Londa road, my mind thought of the people here – who would be the rich man in this place, the womanizer, the pervert, the carpenter, noble man, the poet, the visionary, the gentle, the generous.

Why did this town become like this – not prospering, not growing to the way of other towns. How can this town find a path towards prosperity? What kind of business will be suitable? Where will the young men and women find job?

Interesting talk with a young fellow passenger

A causal conversation with a chap who was also heading towards Bangalore. A mechanical engineer working with a water purification technology company. This company based in Austria.

Few things that I found interesting about this chap!

1. At one point of the conversation he was saying…soon we all will get down at our destination and go to each other’s path. Why…is it not strange?
2. He’s writing a short story in Marati. It’s about the bad side of social media. In this case, he’s writing about a young man who’s blackmailed through social media.