Join in the fun, it's party time in Goa!

Tourism season has started in Goa, and you might be wondering if any foreign tourists are visiting the State, or what the scene is like this year.

First up, some reviews of experiences shared by visitors on social media:

• 'Lovely meal at Sebby's last night, bottom of Holiday Street, Calangute. Small family run restaurant and very reasonable prices. Lovely, friendly family.' – Carol Clarkson.

• 'Among the many charms of the vibrant resort city of Pattaya in Thailand is the delightful convenience of its shared 'hop-on, hop-off' pick up vans. Amidst the current discord in Goa’s tourism , it would be wise to embrace such an efficient and budget-friendly mode of transport.' – Jhon Mir.

• 'Just back in a miserable North West UK after an amazing fortnight in Goa. We stayed at Comfy Villas in Calangute, the room and bathroom spotless, nice bright and had AC…..@ nights at Alagoa in Betalbatim, we had some excellent meal at Fishka restaurant and the guys at Dommat shack on the beach served us amazing cocktails and food.' – Mick Holt.

PARTY ZONE: Partying all night at clubs is the in-thing in North Goa.

Above is just a whiff of how this tourism season has started, and perhaps an indication of the way forward. If social media was a predictor, many in the industry would have started to jive in delight.

With the peak of the season set to descend, one thing is clear, the divide between the north and is about who enjoys action, and who wants to soak in the quiet.

North Goa awakens at night and the action is controlled by who have managed to corner most of the nightspots and left the locals struggling to determine where they erred.

The south awakens on the beach when the sun is to set and the shacks open up with sundowners and music that mellows each gulp. The beaches are full, but they are not dirty.

The south awakens on the beach when the sun is to set and the shacks open up with sundowners and music that mellows each gulp. The beaches are full, but they are not dirty.

The best beach stretches in the north are from to Baga and onward where you walk on rocks and pathways carved through the labour of years, discovering paths from one beach to the other.

The beach stretches in the south are continuous and the expanse invites the young and old for long walks. Along the way, if you feel tired, a break in a shack fuels the energy.

Action in the north entails visits to pubs and where a heady mix is best found and food enjoyed at various food carts dotting the roads. It’s party inside and savour food outside.

Though most clubs are open from night till early morning, it is not a norm because most nightspots function on the whims of lawmakers. So, roaming around with a sachet of doubt is essential.

NIGHTLIFE BECKONS: All geared up to party the night away in North Goa.

Tourists staying in the south will travel to the north to party; those in the north may travel to the south to catch a glimpse of the other side of the State. The south is about enjoying nature – as long as it remains.

Foreigners have descended on both sides of the divide, and most nationalities prefer to club together, and hence, you find exclusive pockets of the English, the and now, the Polish.

The Anjuna Flea market has opened in North Goa, and so have various other activities like yoga, and even music classes in extreme , where the bubble of noise pollution has not yet burst.

In the south, there is the Margao market, temples, fishing trips and treks to discover the mountains, besides some quaint beaches around Canacona that offer a different experience.

The Anjuna Flea market has opened in North Goa, and so have various other activities like yoga, and even music classes in extreme Arambol, where the bubble of noise pollution has not yet burst.

The taxi drivers are at peace with each other, the public transport is good – expect time delays – and the Tuk-Tuk service is functional with that being the favourite of many tourists in the south.

If one is in Goa on a , enjoy, because the fun has just begun. For those planning a holiday, book now before you realise it’s too late because Tourism 2024 is on!

Join in, after deciding which side of the swing you want to be on.