Goa retrospective 2: Shack tactics and the "Shack List"

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 A typical Goa day for Greyrocks would revolve around the beach and its large number of shacks. All we need is sunbeds and access to the sea, preferably with some peace and quiet. This season it has been both difficult and irritating to stay all day in our usual spot between breakfast and sundowner, so we have moved around more than before.  Here is a summary of how we have found those we have used:

The “Shack List” 2019-20

An entirely subjective selection of the beach shacks along the length of the bay at Palolem, South Goa. It covers around a third of them all, with emphasis on daytime sunbathing, drinks, snacks and light lunches.

	General	Sunbeds	Food	Drinks
Sundowner	Access issues at High Tide! Wonderful view. Good Yoga sessions	None!	None	Pricey and no large beers
Dreamcatcher	Quiet area with river view.	None!	Healthy Menu	Pricey! Good on juices
Cozy Nook	Renowned as drug den – but no evidence seen! Popular spot with distinct seating areas	A few but liable to tidal flooding	Good menu, but very slow!	Normal prices, no large beers
Banyan Tree	Simple spot with shade from banyan.  Afternoon personal space pressure from families with babies. Very pleasant staff	Old but comfy!	Thai emphasis but wide menu. All good but very slow service from separate kitchen	Good value!
Fernandes 3	Long established, small inside with solid furniture. Many regulars and some active children of staff, but charming people!	Back row quite well-spaced	Very good!	Good value – even the wine!
Havana Cuba	Spacious with plenty of staff! Good music until late afternoon, when it becomes loud rubbish in competition with shack next door!	Numerous but see warning re noise later in day!	Good!	Normal
Neptune Point	As above without the noise!	As above	Good!	Normal
Big Bamboo	Very pleasant staff, fairly spacious, many Russians and Israelis!	Good quiet back row	Excellent	Good value – even the wine!
The Nest	Hob for Brits! Great welcome, good music but subject to appallingly loud & intrusive conduct at times!	Usually full!	Great breakfasts. Many very good main dishes and snacks. Efficient service	Good value but no large beers
Tide Exotica	Tatty, but spacious! Useful as annexe to next door!	Close together but not usually full!	Standard menu.	Normal
Found Things	Jolly place with friendly staff! Base for boat trips so can get overwhelmed when Russian group returns for buffet!	Fill up with large groups as day progresses	Italian tendency with good bruschette. Serves bought-in British style pies and steaks in the evening.	Normal
Papillon	Spacious and with very helpful staff.	Back row is fairly civilised!	Good! Interesting salads	Normal
Chascaa	Beautiful view! Attracts lunchtime day-trippers and groups. Eager staff	None!	Excellent menu including active tandoor all day and fresh fish. Efficient service.	A shade pricier than some!