Wooden teeth and dishwashers

Its pouring down and here I am sitting on the porch of my fisherman’s cottage and deliberating...I really like my house, or as my son calls it ‘The Hut’.  

That got me thinking, yes my roof leaks, only a bit, but yes it does leak and I have atrocious and an outrageous drainage system , I tell people I am recycling the washing up water by letting it just run into the garden, the Cannas like it, but actually its simply because the bloody thing is blocked. It’s great being ‘green’ when it saves you money, why have I left it? Well, I just know that if the plumber arrives to fix the sink, something will go wrong with the washing machine! 

There's a shock for a number of you…yes we have washing machines! And guess what we also have dishwashers both electric and two legged versions, but I digress!

But what type of accommodation would I recommend?

I have come to the conclusion that most people in the West, especially in Dudley are under the impression that we actually live in huts! I suppose my son referring to ‘the hut’ does not help, but the fact is my mother has not yet been to see me in India, perhaps that’s the reason, and she only lives a few miles from Dudley so I know…..alright!.

To be fair, the ‘shacks’ on the beach really are generally speaking  ‘shacks’ but thats the subject for another blog ......

As an alternative I have been looking at independent properties for rent in Goa, there is a whole spectrum out there, but you really do have to do your homework or go with a Company that has pre vetted the accommodation so you don’t get any nasty shocks.

Speaking honestly I have been asked to put properties on the Goa Buddy site and I am always happy to do so, but you have to be truthful in the comments. I have one house, quite pretty but there is not a single piece of furniture let alone a bed or even a hob to cook on and when asked how do they think their clients will cope they answer ‘Its ok they will bring everything with them!’ . Okay Okay Okay. So now you know why you have to do your homework, if you turn up at a beautifully restored Portuguese mansion to find you have to sleep on the floor, you might as well go into the garden and move the lawnmower over!

 I really believe that there are three categories, independent luxury, independent basic and ‘Oh my God!’ On Buddy I have some lovely properties , if they are very basic you will know but it’s all reflected in the price One thing you should consider, especially if you are staying for a long time is that proper bricks and mortar…….’hold it!’ ….’bricks and mortar?'..... Ok something more substantial than a wall made of grass and used tooth picks can be cheaper and give you more space!   You might even get a garden and a fan and a fridge and a hob and a bed and hot water! Get the idea? It’s not that I am ‘anti shack’ I just think people should be aware of the other options...

The old fisherman’s cottages are generally inexpensive, young fisherman’s cottages are about the same price, all the houses look the same anyway, my house is about 7 years old but has all of the charm of something from the 17^th Century, including a leaky roof,  all I need is wooden teeth to feel totally in character.  The preferred colour of the fishermen’s houses is ‘zinzi pink’ or ‘lycra lime’.

Newer properties, are a little more in the rental stakes and often owned by chaps working on the cruise ships, you can tell as the architectural style of all the ports he has ever visited will be reflected in the building……Greek columns, Portuguese tiles, Spanish balconies, French windows, Italian marble, German car on the drive or at least a Hyundai with a German Manufacturer ‘go faster stripes’.  Generally, these properties are well fitted and inside look like your grandmothers, crochet doylies and brown. These properties tend to be clean and spacious and offer good value; unfortunately they tend to be located away from the main tourist areas so you will probably need transport. Perhaps the Maruti 800 with Ferrari stickers can be part of the package?

That brings us to the ‘luxury independent’ category. This is the category that would shock everyone from Dudley, I have lived in India for 8 years and I know that anything that is considered ‘luxury’ in the West is available here. Goa is a rich state and the money is flowing in, with the money come the professionals and architects and interior designers to graze on the rich folk who decide to build a second home. These independent luxury properties are just that and can stand up against anything the west has to offer, whether its design, style, comfort, impact! Expensive?  Well you are not going to get 4 bedrooms, a swimming pool, chauffeur driven cars and private garden opening onto the beach for 200rs a night but when you do the math’s they work out extremely good value, plus generally if you are going on holiday you want to experience something new and perhaps something that gives you a dream rather than experience something that makes you feel sorry for your lawnmower.

Buddy has a few of these top end properties, ‘Lazydays in Goa’ have some of the best in North Goa and South Goa Villas have a small number around Palolem, both have fantastic Management Teams and don’t worry its ok to mention Dudley!   Needless to say my little house does not appear in the luxury  listing but you can stay here providing you feed the cat and bring your own wooden teeth.