Tailers in Goa

[mrsann]

Has anyone had any tailering done in Goa and can they recommend a reliable tailer please?I plan to have a cashmere coat and a couple of skirts made if I can find a good tailer.We sahll be staying near Calangute so would it be better to go to the capital for shopping etc or are there reliable workshops nearby?thanks a lot

[Dee Sa]

There are so many and a good one last year will often change shops, best thing to do is look around and see the work that is already done & hanging up awaiting collection, also the hotel tailors. Always offer less then they ask and fix this beforehand.
Dont forget to take a picture of a latest handbag u like and go along half way between Calangut & Candolim on the main road to a shop called "Fakes are Us" & the shop next door, they will copy the bag within 48 hours for you & charge about �25, last year the did a very good copy of a �750 Paddington bag for �25.
Have a great time, dont forget to visit the Spice Fields.

[mrsann]

Thanks a lot It sounds like it's the same as Bangkock where I had some fab tailering done.the spice fields soudn great I've added them to my list of places to visit

[Dee Sa]

Sorry I forgot to say dont forget the mosquito repellant, Boots do o good roll on one and the coils for the room u can buy once there.
Next week I have the horrible job of getting my visa from the Indian embassy in London,organised chaos in one room.
Go to the Nike & Beneton shops in Panjim [ capital] they are cheaper than home but otherwise the shops cater more for Europeans down where u are staying, also specs are cheaper everywhere there but for everything you must barter. If like me you are a "stout" then u wont get much in larger sizes in the shops.
There is a good flea market twice a week, lots of bargains.
I hope u enjoy your stay.
Dee

[mrsann]

Thanks for all your super advice.we are already well stocked up with mosquito repellants (been to Sri Lanka for a month also Kenya and borneo among other places equally mosquito friendly!)I am a size 16/18 so rarely find much ib the shops to fit hence the need for good tailers.Looking forward to it a lot though.good luck with the emgassy though when we went I got yelled at for laughing after am amazing guy 5'2" tall and 4'11" wide came out into the waiting room and yelled at everyone to "BE QUIET" just as the person next to me said something really funny OOps!!!!!!!

[Dee Sa]

just an afterthought, take a picture of the coat you want, they are better at copying than being original or they show you a Littlewoods catalogue from about 10 years ago.
I usually take trousers/jacket and say copy these.
If you are staying near the Victor Exotica in Candolim, their tailor isnt bad, but check the work first because it depends if the guy has moved on & its someone else.
When are u going ? at least the restrictions for carry on luggage are a bit better now, we have just got a list from Virgin flying club.Booze is cheap to buy, not worth buying at airport before u fly.
good luck
Dee

[mrsann]

Thanks for all your help Dee it does help a lot.Any more tips about must visit/see places as we hope to hire a taxi for the day several times while we are where.We have been told it's best to arrange with one taxi driver to take you about for the two weeks.Is this the case? It definately was best in Sri Lanka

[Dee Sa]

We use a guy called SAGAR [easily recognisable as he has protruding teeth- bless him], he is a family friend, speaks good English and knows what the Europens want.
his number is 9822175809, say u have been recommended by Francis & Dee from Ribandar [I am English, husband is Portugese/Goan mixture & thats where the family house is.] He is fair but always fix a price.
If u want unspoilt try Morjim beach near Anjuna, its basic, no electrics but good beach restaurants and people go for the day, use the ferry not the bridge more "local".
Further afield and a nice treat go to The Taj Exotica near Cavelosim for lunch outside in the coffee shop, afterwards go to reception and ask for a tour around [ potential tourist] ask to see the spa & the meditation area its lovely & they take you around in a little buggy.
Then carry on to the Leela Palace hotel its lovely like and old Maharaja's palace, stroll around the grounds and have a coffee or if u are feeling flush a meal there.
Dont want to bore u with too much, we are going on 25/11/06 for I month but we will spend 1 week in Goa and then fly to Poone as I am in the middle of having teeth implants done and then we go back to Goa. When do u go ?

[mrsann]

We are going on Dec.1st and are staying at a very basic hotel the Village Royal inland from Calangute as we love the more "real" aspect of holidays to exotic places we're not people who like to be insulated from life at all and always seem to make and keep in touch with loads o fnew friends every holiday.thank you so much for all the help you've given me