MISCELLANEOUS, Goa

Everywhere you go in Goa, you can't help but fail to see Tailors willing to make dresses, suits, tops, skirts, trousers and pretty much anything you can think of.

What to buy: If you know what you want or already have it and want it in every other colour then just go in and ask.

One problem you may come across is that lycra is not that common, so if you want something tight....forget it!

Under the ban yan tree at Calangute.

That's the address of this shop that's run by a Terry Thomas look alike. Its near the junction most people know it.

We buy jewellery here every time we visit Goa and when valued at home is always over double what you pay for it. He will make things for you in record time (sometimes same day )

Opened last year these two book stores mean you never run out of good reading material. Excellent selection in both shops with Oxford having more fiction, and Sarkands more non-fiction. Some lovely glossy coffee table books at okay prices, good selection of classics for 90 rs, interesting indian cook books, indian authors. If you like to read these are the shops to check out.

This is a general note that we found about shopping in Goa. The markets are excellent - but the longer you are in Goa - the cheaper things get. Prices I think are based on how white (or green horn) you are. Unlike my picture here - for shopping - you ought to look like you mean business if you want to get the best prices.
The markets were generally great value if you shopped around - but the cheapest and best things we bought - I think came from the shops around Baga Beach. We bought excellent wooden jostick boxes from about 50p to £2 and they seemed to get cheaper as the weeks progressed. We also bought bargainous materials and cussion covers. Look out for OM SAI also - its a chain of stores selling really great surf wear. There is one behind me there in Calangute. I wish I'd taken an extra suitcase for these. Surf T-Shirts and shorts are a fraction of their price at home.

What to buy: We took an empty suitcase and filled it with: some lovely statues of Ganesh and Shiva, hand carved jostick boxes, materials, cushion covers, surf wear from OM SAI and several other things we picked up.

What to pay: It varies - but leave your main spending til the end of your hols and get a feel for the price. Shop at the markets and little shops - rather than the more fancy government and tourist shops. The latter offer free drinks and quality - but you've get more value at the little shops.

Based in Candolim - Super Tailors - highly recommended. The tailor has catalogues for you to view ( even the NEXT directory ) you choose a style and fabric, the tailor measures you and the following evening you go for your fitting. Minor alterations are then made with the final fitting the following evening - what a great service. 10 pairs of trousers, 5 skirts and 5 jackets ( lined ) all made and posted to the UK - arrived 2 days after us all for ?280

What to buy: Specialists in Gents and Ladies Suits, Western Garments and Leather Garments.

What to pay: You can spend, spend and spend. The suits made for me would have cost me triple the price and thats for off the peg suits. These suits were made especially for me. Super quality.

If you run out of clothes after changing 3-4 times a day because it's so hot, each village have clothes shops where ou can find T-Shirts at 3-4 USD and Shorts at 4-5 USD.

What to buy: Shirts, shoes, sandals

What to pay: Vey cheap...but deal the price down !

Although most hotels supply the essentials it is always a good idea to buy some toilet tissue in the local shops, as for soap and shampoo there is a wide choice but for the women you should bring a supply of the tampons that you are used to because the Goan women seemed to be built a little different to the western woman although you can survive with the range that they have in the shops, and it's getting better.

crystal rock shop, the owners are so friendly and you can look at everything

What to buy: if you are looking for good jewelry then this is the place you can make about 3/4 times more over in uk