I wasn't sure what to expect before we went on holiday to Goa but what we found was certainly pleasurable. Will we return? I think it's pretty much certain we will mainly because it's such good value still. Speaking to someone on the coach back to our car park from Manchester airport I was able to to discover the north is quite a bit more expensive it seems. A large Kingfisher was 190 rupees in the hotel we first stayed in in 2006. The north is much more commercialised and to many more attractive in terms of restaurants, shopping and other activities like night markets etc. It has it's downsides though!
For us this was a fill in holiday at a budget we can afford. I deliberately cut back on things like guided birding...I have other opportunities for that in the coming year...so it was just a winter escape really.
I had hoped to maybe photograph 50-60 species of birds and in fact I think I managed 73 so that to me was a great result.There was only one I hadn't seen before, a distant Lesser Adjutant.
but there was enough to make it very worthwhile.I definitely got my best ever views of several species too.
Little Minivets to large Asian Openbills!
Applying for an e-Visa is so much simpler than it used to be too even if the queue at immigration can be a bit tedious after a long ( and in this instance delayed) flight.
Was it worth it? You bet it was.
Next time I'll venture further afield, maybe hire a guide and transport to widen my scope too.
I'll let you know if we do.
cheers
Dave
For us this was a fill in holiday at a budget we can afford. I deliberately cut back on things like guided birding...I have other opportunities for that in the coming year...so it was just a winter escape really.
I had hoped to maybe photograph 50-60 species of birds and in fact I think I managed 73 so that to me was a great result.There was only one I hadn't seen before, a distant Lesser Adjutant.
but there was enough to make it very worthwhile.I definitely got my best ever views of several species too.
Little Minivets to large Asian Openbills!
Applying for an e-Visa is so much simpler than it used to be too even if the queue at immigration can be a bit tedious after a long ( and in this instance delayed) flight.
Was it worth it? You bet it was.
Next time I'll venture further afield, maybe hire a guide and transport to widen my scope too.
I'll let you know if we do.
cheers
Dave
Hi Dave
ReplyDeleteIt was great to read your report and to see your great photographs as usual. I wonder if it was my November report that you mentioned. I was at the Dona Sylvia in Cavelossim for 4 weeks Nov/Dec and put a report on BirdForum and Cloudbirders. I'm really envious of your Black-shouldered Kite sightings, it is a bird I almost always seem to miss. I missed them on four visits to Goa and only managed a fairly distant view in Sri Lanka, made worse when my pal and his wife watched one hovering at the back of the hotel at Kirinda beach whilst I was at the front having breakfast, made even worse when he showed me some great shots he got with his travel camera!
I enjoyed your 'honest' review of the cruise you and Clare went on but felt really guilty after I sent the link to a friend who had just booked what sounds like the same cruise for next winter, but then again - fore-warned is fore-armed!
I look forward to reading about your next exploits, warts and all!
Ian Hargreaves