Please email your story to Jemma.North@ITV.com she is the assistant producer for

TONIGHT WITH TREVOR McDONALD.    They are interested in our story.

Come on folks, you may be PIOs or even better but please help those of us that have put up money to 'buy' (financed the builder with an interest free loan more like) to at least have a chance to get our money back as is the right of all world citizens.

Sign up and help to at least get some justice here. And I don't mean taking over Goa's beaches either, just human rights. Sign up.

There is a journalist who is offering to help us get our stories across to the British public.

Tell her your story ginetta.v@ntlworld.com

have you signed the petition on 10 Downing Street site asking our Government for help

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Goa-properties

I am new to this site and have been reading others as well. Sadly I did my homework too late and am now in the boat with you. I notice in all of these sites that there is no suggestion of getting rid of the hated FNs who have laid their money down, by giving them back their money and selling on to their beloved locals, who really deserve to own the land.

For those of you who want to stand up and be counted one brave soul has started an on line petition  which requires 200 signatures to be picked up by a UK MP. Do go online and sign it, it may do no good but we can try. For those of you who still believe that you will one day 'own' your properties, indulge us poor faithless unbelievers and sign the petition. It can't do you any harm.

The web address is http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Goa-Properties

At least we can get some clarity on the situation.

Hi all,

Just a quick update. I made a flying visit to the site recently and all seems to be ticking along. The dentist sign has now gone although the rubbish situation in general does not seem to improve. Most of the general rubbish seems to be dumped at the back of block B near the large open concreate hole (still unsure what this is for). Having said that whenever I put rubbish there in a bin bag it was taken away within an hour so there is obviously some sort of system in place.

Building on the Donna Sylvia site is moving along well. While I was there they were digging the hole for a new swimming pool. It would be good if the society could negoiate use of the pool area for a reasonable annual fee. I would be happy to pay up. At least when the site is complete the boundry wall at the back will be secure and most probably be patroled by their security

Many of the shops at the front have not opened and at least 2 are still for sale. The taxi drivers from the Hathi Mahal are beginning to congregate on the front concourse again but that is probably because there are, for some reason, very few tourists around now. Makes it easy to find a taxi when you want one though.

Had sereral severe rain storms with very spectacular thunder and lightning. Naturally the power went off but apart from the main road flooding near the Rice Bowl the rest of the site held up very well.

Speaking to some of the local shopkeepers and restaurnt owners it seems that the season has been very poor tourist wise. Many of them are concerned that next year may be worse and their standard of living may drop. To quote one local businessman 'we pray each day that the tourists will return'!

Hope those of you that are still about to visit grab the last of the sun and wonderful beach. Roll on November.

Keep in touch everyone, there is still contact to be made although the season is all but over..

All the best,

Su

UNTIL THE ISSUES BELOW ARE CLEARED UP I WOULD ADVISE AGAINST ENTERING INTO ANY CONTRACT WITH  MICON REALTORS.

Tragically it seems as if Micon Realtors may have a different agenda at Danika & other sites.  It appears the plan is to harrass, and deny purchasers the deeds, until they are worn down, and then offer them a refund. 

Of course this means Micon owns the houses, and then sells them a second time for over double what we paid.  Several people seem to have 'chucked in the towel' already, and accepted the loss, just to get rid of the mental anguish/stress.

(A word of warning: do not give Micon your receipts, they are offering to exchange them for new ones, however they will state that you are only buying a 56 month lease (your original receipts say you are buying a house))

RE DANIKA: The site is virtually insecure.  No main gate as promised in the contract.  We are told there will not be one either.  Thus we are all having to have expensive grills fitted to guard against our houses being plundered when we leave for the rainy season.

(All other builders seem to be playing fair and not giving this hassle. We know this as we have bought in the North aswell.)

I imagine he will try and do the same at Coastal Paradise.  I hope I am wrong.  He refuses to give any of us our sale deed, saying we must provide RBI approval and Home office NOC certificate first.  Our lawyer states that it is nothing to do with Micon, and they should give us the sale deed as per the contract.  Then it would up to us to get all necessary permission and register the sale deeds to our Indian Company. (After all, what have we paid stamp duty and deed fees for?) 

The Assistant Attorney General has clarified this in an article earlier this year, stating it is mandatory to give the sale deed to an Indian company even if the directors are foreign.

If we do get our sale deeds, I will of course appologise on this forum for being so suspicious! 

Hi Guys!

Hope all's well at your end.

Just a quick note to say that we had another meeting of the residents and shop owners on sunday(Minus Mr.Gomes) and discussed the same issues that have been pending.

And like Mr.Gomes takes forever to do anything he is taking forever to transfer the property and society in our name as a result of which we are unable to initiate any action yet.

Hopefully it will get sorted out soon....

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Blanche and Varun.

Hi everyone and a happy New Year to one and all. Lets hope that 2008 brings the long awaited completion of what will be a wonderful complex, espcially now that Dr Varun has authority to speak on our behalf.

Just one query, does anyone who is not Indian have their freehold deeds yet? It is beginning to concern me that despite following all of the rules the deeds do not appear to be forthcoming as promised on the original agreement. Although I am very happy with my apartment and have no intention of selling it (so I don't NEED the deeds) I would be interested to know how long it takes to get them.

I am going back at Easter and am really looking forward to spending the whole of my time in my 'second' home. I was very surprised at how many people I knew during my last visit and it will be great to see everyone again.

Wishing you all the best for 2008.

Su

Just taking a minute to wish everyone a Happy New Year

Looking forward to meeting up at sometime in the course of 2008

Best Regards

Rabi and Teri

Apartment AF8

Hi Everyone!

Compliments of the season!

Wishing you all a very Happy new year 2008.

Kindly note that the dental Care sign that has been dumped at the site does not belong to us and we shall soon send a notice to the other dentist to take it away.

Mr.Gomes did notice it when he arrived to address the first general body meeting but did not pay much attention to it.

The garbage disposal has become a great issue and we have submitted a written application to the local panchayat to make arrangements and are awaiting their response.

Anyways thats all for this one.....

Love,

Blanche.

Su

Sorry to hear about your experiences

We were there for a couple of weeks in early December and have to agree that the general look of th eplace is mproving. I share your concerns that the shops are leaving their rubbish in the grounds I too had to chase Ranjit to come and get it cleared on two occasions.

It was also disappointng that the Dental Care sign was simply dumped on the side - I was told it had been there for six weeks before we arrived and was still there when we left!

I have also arranged for one of my relations to act as agent for my place . She wll visit the flat on a regualrly basis and give it an airing. We found keeping it shut for a long times causes things to go musty.

She will also assist with the lettings - get the place ready,  meet guests at the airport and check them in and out.

She is happy to do this for anyone else who might be interested. Let me know and I will pass on contact details to you.

Finally hear is wishing everyone an enjoyable festive season and happy holidaying in 2008

Regards

Teri and Rabi

Dear Dr Blanche & Dr Varum

Hey how are you two? All seasons greetings and all my love and best wished for 08. I am so delighted that Dr Varum has been nominated as president of the committee and i hope both mine and Sue's vote helped. Cant wait to support all the changes and really make the arcade our own. let us know about any financial contibutions required as you know how passionate i am about the complex and wish it to be the best for ALL OF US!

NOTE TO ALL PLEASE VISIT THEIR NEW DENTAL SPAR IT IS GOING TO BE THE BEST IN GOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately if you or any others wish to contact me it will have to be by private message on here, so i will send you Dr Blanche a private message to explain all. This relates to the difficult time in Goa i recently experienced due to the property and pending legal action i am having to now initiate to address the issue.

Westley

Hi Everyone!

Greetings from rainy Goa!

Guess you all will be surprised to read this but yes we did have some showers yesterday.Thia is probably the first time we have had rain in December.

This evening was the First General Body meeting at Micon Arcade.Mr.Minguel Gomes was present too.

Dr.Varun has been selected as the president of the new committee that has been formed and if you have any problems or want anything done then please feel free to contact us or email us at blanchethemudo@yahoo.com or call us at 0091-9890498928.

We have decided to beautify the complex further and also make arrangements for garbage disposal and parking.We have also decided to have security at all times,morning and night.

We shall soon have another meeting to resolve all these issues.

Any suggestions are pleasde welcome.

We too have been having terrible problems with garbage disposal and unfortunately Mr.Gomes who should have made some arrangements with the local panchayat for the same hasnt done it.

Su really sad to hear bout somone letting you down.We hope you have managed to sort things out.Westley...Hoping to see you again soon.Really sorry for not being able to caht with you the couple of times you have visited the surgery,but i'm sure you know and understand that we were really busy.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to you all.

Loads of love,

Dr.Blanche and Dr.Varun.

Hi All,

Just returned from Cavelossim on Sunday night after 2 weeks stay. Have to say that things did not go quite as planned. Firstly when I arrived I couldn't get into my apartment (BG3) as the front door seemed to have been locked from the inside. Thought that perhaps the lock had jammed shut. Fortunately I had booked into the Mobor Beach for a few days in case thing were not as expected. Went back the next morning and looked through the windows to find that the place appeared to be occupied. Finally went round the back to discover that the glass in the louvre windows of the shower room had been removed. Found a local lad to climb in the window and let us in only to be confronted with a hovel. Yep someone had been living there and it was filthy, I wouldn't have put a pig in it. Eventually found a case containing documents giving the name of the occupant. It was the guy that I had given a set of keys to who was supposed to let the workmen in. Instead he had let himself and his girlfriend in although I still can't work out why he had locked the front door. He had even taken the cushions from the chairs to use as mattresses on the bed! I had know this guy for arond 5 years and thought I could trust him. Had to have the locks changed, extra grills put on the shower room windows and pay someone to clean it up and remove the rubbish. On top of that the guy Ashok who was site manager in March this year had taken money to do some electrical work and plumbing and had only done a small amount of it. Message here; be very very careful who you trust and who has keys to your place. I know that most of the locals are probably trustworthy but I won't have any work done in the future unless I am there to supervise it. Unfortunately I seem to have spent a large part of my visit doing just that.

The other problem I encountered was that the electricty bills are not being paid and we are not being notified that they are due. I found this out because the electricty company delivered a bill to the apartment while I was there and it was also a threat to cut us off as it hadn't been paid all year. It seems that you can pay in advance for up to one year at the same time you pay the outstanding bill. However it as not as simple as it sounds as there is a fair bit of red tape to go through and time sitting around offices and banks before you can do this. I did ask to have the bill transfered to my name but unless you hold the title deeds that can't be done. I won't go into a lot of detail here but if anyone wants more information on how to go about sorting the bills please contact me privately.

There is still a problem with rubbish disposal as there are no waste disposal services or bins on the site. I guess we will have to find out if there is a company that we as a group can pay to clear it away. I paid to have mine taken away on the last day by a local lad but it is not very satisfactory.

Apart from these minor hiccups the general look of the site is improving daily. The front gates have been painted and there are plants in the beds and lighting around the perimeter.  There are still several shops unoccupied or for sale and so far no sign of a resturant but I still believe it is a good investment and will get better as it matures. Cavelossim village and the beach itself are still a stunning place to spend time in and I am really beginning to feel at home there. The apartment is starting to feel like a second home and I was surprised at how many people I knew. The monsoon has been very bad this year and the beach huts have been late going up but I still wouldn't change it for a kings ransome.

Am planning to pop out for a week in March as I can't resist one last trip before the season ends. Hope you all enjoy your stays there, its well worth the effort.

All the best, happy holidays,

Su

Hello All

We are out to Micon Arcade on 17th November but only for a week unfortunatly. We will be opening our business account then in order to be able to complete the "freehold" purchaseof the apartment. Has anybody actually completed the deal with Micon and do you have a solicitor you can recommend for the registration of the documents once the payment from our Company is made to Micon.

I am always grateful for any information you may be able to provide

Kind regards

Pete & Tracey AF7

Dear All

I am working on the letting agent issue though my relations in Goa and happy to let you have details as I get them

Feel free to communicate with me further via my private email Rabi@heathrowcity.co.uk

Teri and I will be in Goa from 30th November for two weeks - Looking forward to Mike's Cusine and the bargains on the beach !

Regards

Rabi and Teri

Hi all,

Nice to be back in contact after the long and wet summer. Feel as if I should have spent it in Goa after all.

I am thinking of letting my apartment but so far have not managed to find anyone reliable that will do that. I would be happy to discuss terms. I am going out on 17th November for 2 weeks, hopefully to stay at the apartment but have booked 5 days at the Mobor Beach just in case!

If anyone is out there then I would love to meet up. I'm in B3G

Happy holidays.

Su

Hi Guys

Good to see some of you are back in Goa.

I have some family contacts in there and I will be happy to organise getting a letting agent for us all

Let me know if you want me to pursue this option. I could organise for some one to meet a couple of you and discuss terms etc

We wont be going down till November to complete our furnishing our apartment and get it ready for letting

Regards

Teri and Rabi

Hi

Unfortunately we haven't been able to find a letting agnt in the South. Has anyone had any luck or are any of you planning to let your apartments.

Debby & Rich

Hi Debby

Did you sort out a letting agent?

Hi all,

Passport Fraud !

Just recieved this fron a solicitor in North Goa It is something we all should be very much aware of

PASSPORT FRAUD
> Important Information. Please pass it on to all you know..
> Dear All,
> Be Careful At the Indian Airports, This is a well-organized conspiracy by Indian Immigration, Police, Customs and Air India staff with networking at all the Indian International Airports.
> Be watchful whenever you give your passport to Immigration/ Customs/Air India staff. The passport can be easily tampered and can create trouble to you. They have found easy way of making money from NRIs. This is the way it works.At the time of the passenger's departure, if the passenger is not looking at the officer while he is stamping the exit, the officer very cleverly tears away one of the page from the passport. When the passenger leaves the immigration counter, the case is reported on his computer terminal with full details.
> Now all over India they have got full details of the passenger with Red Flag flashing on the Passport number entered by the departure immigration officer. They have made their money by doing above. On arrival next time, he is interrogated. Subject to the passenger's period of stay abroad, his income and standing etc., the price to get rid of the problem is settled by the Police and Immigration people.
> If someone argues, his future is spoiled because there are always some innocent fellows who think the honesty is the basis of getting justice in India . Which is wrong...Please advise every passenger to be careful at the airport. Whenever they hand over the passport to the counters of Air India , or immigration or the customs, they must be vigilant, should not remove eyes from the passport even if the officer in front tries to divert their attention. Also, please pass this information to all friends, media men and important politicians.
> Every month 20-30 cases are happening all over India to rob the NRIs the minute he lands. Similar case has happened with Armco¢s Arifuddin. He was traveling with his family. They had six passports. They got the visa of America and decided to go via Hyderabad from Jeddah. They reached Hyderabad . Stayed about a month and left for the States. When they reached the States, the page of the American visa on his wife's passport was missing. At the time of departure from Hyderabad it was there, the whole family had to return to Hyderabad helplessly. On arrival at Bombay back, the police caught them and now it is over 2 months, they are running after the Police, Immigration officers and the Courts. On going in to details with him, he found out the following: One cannot imagine, neither can believe, that the Indian Immigration dept can play such a nasty game to harass the innocent passengers.
> All the passengers traveling to & fro India via Bombay and Hyderabad must be aware of this conspiracy. Every month 15 to 20 cases are taking place, at each mentioned airport, of holding the passengers in the crime of tearing away the passport pages. On interviewing some of them, none of them was aware of what had happened. They don't know why, when and who tore away the page from the middle of the passport. One can imagine the sufferings of such people at the hands of the immigration, police and the court procedures in India after that. The number of cases is increasing in the last 2-3 years. People who are arriving at the immigration, they are questioned and their passports are being held and they have to go in interrogations. Obviously, the conspiracy started about 2 to 3 years ago, now the results are coming. Some of the Air India counter staff too is involved in this conspiracy.

Lets not get caught out, we must be vigilant, if this sort of thing is going on

Ian & Jenny

Hi,

I am buying on another development in south goa and just wondered if any of you can help.

Is there anyone on your development with a tourism company who has managed to register

their sales deed?

Many thanks for your help

Pat

Hi all

Just got back from cavellosm  after completing the set up for our company,stayed at our apartment quite an experience, most of our furniture completed no complaints with the company we chose.There is a huge amount of building work going on around us and they are cramming  in as much as they can. There could be a problem which most of you may not know is that some of the shops are purchasing the apartments behind them and knocking out the walls to the shops to make them larger. one shop second from right (front) has purchased AS2 & AS3 and have taken out all the walls to make a restaurant with entrance from shop we thought this was a residential development with shops to front at the moment it looks more like a building site. your thoughts on this?. The gates are still not painted and they still have trouble with the water, ie none because the pipes keep breaking. Had a run in with our friend Gomez told him if he did not fix the water I would phone him on his mobile every hour until it was fixed, he tried to blame all the building work that was going on but I stuck to my guns and he fixed it. Over all not a bad trip. Hope to hear from you all.

Regards Tony & Yvonne  

To all of you who contacted me to offer help and information with regard to finishing my apartment, many thanks. I will be contacting you individually. I am confident that I will be able to sort out the rest of the furnishings armed with your help and advice. It confirms that the community of Micon Arcade is alive and kicking. Together we can have a wonderful development and I am looking forward to meeting lots of you later in the year. Again my thanks.

Su xx

Hi all, glad to read that things are moving slowly along. Can't wait to go out and hopefully meet a few neighbours.

I have hit a small problem and was wondering if anyone can help me out. I have ordered my furniture from a wonderful local carpenter and am reliably informed that it will be fitted in the next week or so. I was relying on someone else to complete the furnishings (bedding, mattresses, cutlery, crockery curtains etc.). However they are no longer able to provide this service for me which leaves me in the position of having a half finished apartment. Sadly I am not able to go out again until November of this year and I was hoping to stay at the apartment which I obviously can't do now. Also I may not even be able to stay for more than a week due to work commitments. As I am flying solo since the death of my husband I am also worried about going out and about purchasing all this stuff without running the risk of being fleeced (or worse).

Does anyone know of a reputable company or reliable person that would be prepared to complete the furnishings for me?

All suggestions gratefully received.

Love to all,

Su

Evening Goa residents

had feedback from my next door neighbours in Goa that they have been able to locate some building and contents insurance for the apartments that is quite a good deal. £300 for 10 years £30k buildings cover and 5 year £5k contents. Also there is a contact now in Margao that will set up your business account for you!!!!!!

Westley

Namaste

We too just got back from Cavelossim having dared to spend a couple of days in the apartment even though we have not finished furnishing itReally pleased with the place - but what a pity it has no swimming pool. Still the sea is just minutes away

Found the experience challenging but fun.

It was good to meet some of the other neighbours in waiting!

We too hope to go back later in the year - this time to relax a bit instead of running around.We opted for cane furniture which is available in various designs, fits in well with fhe apartment and is not expensive 

As for Gomez - we even got him to smile - only just !!!

Lets all keep in touch

Teri and Rabi

Hello everyone

Just come back from 3 weeks in Cavelossim.  We took possession of our apartment and were pleasantly suprised.  People on the website was saying how poor the finish was but we found it was good for indian standards.

While we were there we met some of our neighbours, Phil and Debbie, Dave and Sonia, Ravi and Teri and Jenny and Steve who we met last year and have made there apartment a show case home. Its lovely.  We had ceiling fans fitted, hot water installed and our aircon fitted.  We have ordered our wooden blinds for the windows and we still got change out of £1800.

Hope to go back out there later on in the year to sort out the furniture. Missing Goa already.

Yvonne and Tony

Hi All

I was just wondering if any of you are planning to let your apartments out? If so, are you using a local agent or are you aware of any reliable cleaners?  All replies and contact numbers will be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Debby

Hi Ian and Jenny

We have just purchased an apartment in Peace Valley, Goa, and although we are purchasing our kitchen through the builders, we would prefer to buy our own furniture.  Do have have the contact number for the people who built your furniture.

Kind Regards

Jeff  

evening 2 all

we really need 2 try 2 get some insurance cover mainly 4 the building of each apartment..........have tried and will continue 2 contact a number of brokers........will inform all with results

Westley

HEY DR BLANCHE

1st thing i need to mention 2 all that when u are out there go and visit Dr Blanche and Dr Varun at Micon Arcade they are in Carvalho's dental clinic have some work on yr teeth.........the best dentist's in Goa!!!!!!!!!!! PS SPREAD THE WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yep im fine..... should be working on my interior at present........there was no way Mr Gomes was moving on the % so i was in a position i had 2 pay 2 get the work started.......all paid now.........yep we do need 2 get things moving on the society as there are a numberof jobs that need addressing.......will email u some more pics

love 2 u both

Westley

Hi Guys!

It was interesting to find out bout this site that actually discussed problems bout our Property.

Westley....how have you been doing?Not heard from you for a while.Hope the info i e-mailed you last was of some use to you.

I hope you only payed 2% and not more.

Yeah there have been a few problems we have still been facing at Micon Arcade and we can only hope they get sorted out in due time.

We definetely need a security guard there .It's not even safe to park one's car.My new car was scratched when i had parked it in the property.

Mr.Gomez had promised to give a set of keys of the gates to each of the owners,but it hasnt happened yet.

Sometimes when his boys are not on site it really is a nuisance to get our vehicles out.But nevertheless its better to have the gates locked than to have it look like a taxi stand.

The grey mix he has put all around on the roads is so ugly.

The tiles of my clinic are already spoilt with the coarse stones...and they are supposed to be Vitrified non-scratch tiles.

Neways hope you guys get possession of your property soon and we can have our own Society to run this property.

Thanks,

Dr.Blanche.

Hi all

Just returned from 3 weeks in apartment and everything was fantastic!!!

Had a few days with water problems but after shouting down to Woomer a few times no more problems. There are villas being built next door so the views should be differant next year. We found the people around very helpful and they can't do enough for you. Sirpa's furniture is lovely and of top quality too.

Any shopping you need ie household items ask a local taxi driver they will take you and get goan prices for you too!!!

Having grills fitted to doors and windows which are highly recomended by everyone during monsoon time can be made localy (see Ashouk site foreman)

Can't wait to go back in October.

Enjoy

Pete and Trace AF7

ps nice to meet you Ian & Jenny sorry we missed you to say goodbye looked in the Jazz for you see you next time xx

Enjoy yourselves and your apartments. As long as the money is in his bank Mr. Gomez should be OK. My apartment is B3G. I am expecting the carpenter to begin work on my furniture any time so feel free to go and check it out. Bring back lots of photos in case anything has changed. Good luck.

Su

Hi  Rabi & Teri

We are in Cavelossim from the 24th March for 3 weeks hoping to take possession of apartment, AS8 every thing is in place but Mr Gomez will probably spoil that, we are staying at the Haathi be nice to hook up some time and swap information, have a good flight. If any one would like us to check their apartments when we are there we will be glad to.

Regards Tony & Yvonne

Ian and Jenny -- your information was most helpful - Thanks

We are due to be in Goa from the 28th of March to take possession and furnish the flat etc and will probably use some of your contacts

Will let you know how we get on

Rabi and Teri

Hi with regard to using the plastic in the ATM's.  You will need to take your bank contact details with you.  When you use your card the first time you do not have a problem you will be given the cash,  when you try to use it a second time you will probably find that it has been blocked,  this is due to the fact that you are in India and your bank is being on the side of caution with regard to fraud!!  Don't worry.....    call your bank and they will take the block off.  Even if you tell them in advance that you will being drawing cash in Goa it will still be blocked. We know it has happened to us the last two times that we have been there and each time when we arrived home we received a letter from the bank explaining about fraud.  We have even told them in advance that we will be drawing cash out.!!!  

Good Luck to all in your new homes!!!!  

Jenny and Ian

Hi with regard to using the plastic in the ATM's.  You will need to take your bank contact details with you.  When you use your card the first time you do not have a problem you will be given the cash,  when you try to use it a second time you will probably find that it has been blocked,  this is due to the fact that you are in India and your bank is being on the side of caution with regard to fraud!!  Don't worry.....    call your bank and they will take the block off.  Even if you tell them in advance that you will being drawing cash in Goa it will still be blocked. We know it has happened to us the last two times that we have been there and each time when we arrived home we received a letter from the bank explaining about fraud.  We have even told them in advance that we will be drawing cash out.!!!  

Good look to all in your new homes!!!!  

Jenny and Ian

Hi with regard to using the plastic in the ATM's.  You will need to take your bank contact details with you.  When you use your card the first time you do not have a problem you will be given the cash,  when you try to use it a second time you will probably find that it has been blocked,  this is due to the fact that you are in India and your bank is being on the side of caution with regard to fraud!!  Don't worry.....    call your bank and they will take the block off.  Even if you tell them in advance that you will being drawing cash in Goa it will still be blocked. We know it has happened to us the last two times that we have been there and each time when we arrived home we received a letter from the bank explaining about fraud.  We have even told them in advance that we will be drawing cash out.!!!  

Good look to all in your new homes!!!!  

Jenny and Ian

To respond to Watford's enquires:

The apartments do not come as standard with either fridge, cooker or air-con. It depends either who you brought it from or what it states as per contract. You will need to check what you brought at the time either through your agent contract or it will state in your contract with Micon.

hope that helps

Westley

Dear all

Some of you have mentioned the cooker and fridge that was provided by Micon

Does this mean the apartments come with these items in situ.

What about the Air Con system? Is that in all the apartments too?

Dear Rabi and Teri

just a note on the ATM's they do take your UK cards however take a spare because if you are using the card and there is a power cut.....you basically lose your card

Regards

Westley

Hi Rabbi,

The quote I got from Zamil for my apartment was: 

Master bed; 1 double bed, 2 side cabinets, fitted wardrobe with hanging &  shelving, full length wood framed mirror, shelves and mirror in on suite shower

2nd bed; 2 single beds, 1 large side cabinet with draws, fitted wardrobe with hanging & shelving, cupboards over wardrobe to full width of room

Loung/diner; 4' x 3' rectangular table, 4 ladderback chairs, 3 seater sofa, 2 single chairs - all upholstered, coffee table

These are all being made in local Teak (its the cheapest wood in India - other woods may be more expensive) and varnished. Total ammount was Rs 305000 which is roughly £3631@ a conversion rate of Rs84/£.

This does not include matresses for the beds or any soft furnishings other than the upholstery on the 3 pc suite. You choose the design from a selection of books and swatches of materials. It is cut at his workshop in Margo and fitted on site. I don't know if he will have started on mine when you get there but he is doing a couple of others there so he will probably be able to show you the work.

Hope this helps. Have a good trip.

Best regards,

Su

Hi Su and fellow future neighbours

Thank you so much for all the useful information you have supplied re the progress of the apartments and for the photos.  Teri and I will be flying out to Goa on 27 March for 3 weeks and now have a fair idea what to expect - thanks to you.. I hope to meet up with some of you then. Our apartment No is AF8 building A.

Su - it would be helpful to know what the approximate cost of furnishing the apartment is likely to be.Am also curious to know if the ATM's work OK with UK plastic.

Regards

Rabi

Hi all,

Landed back in UK last night after a wonderful 2 weeks in Cavelossim. Have put up some new photos of the development. After many phone calls and one aborted attempt to meet with Mr. Gomez I finally got my lease and keys on Wednesday last. I visited the site nearly every day and managed to make friends with one of the site managers, Ashok. Once you have your keys he is as nice as pie. Sorted out my water heater, filter, internal window grills, door grill etc. for a reasonable price. Inspected my apartment with a fine tooth comb and bearing in mind this is an Indian build it is in pretty good shape. The air con units installed by Micon are top speck, remote controlled, auto timer and temperature setting, the works so I'm told. The fridge is very nice, however the kitchen units fitted by Micon are not the best, the metal handles are already rusting and the edges of the worktops have not been polished, standard for India aparently. (Check out the photos of my kitchen). Another thing, there are no lights fitted in the kitchen. The only light socket is behind the fitted cupboards. Sensible eh! Still haven't seen the 'hob' either although I am assured by Ashok that they are on site. Aparently they are the cheapes available. Also It might be advisable to take some tubes of sealant with you when you go out as one or two of the apartments I looked at needed the the windows and some of the tiling resealed.

Have found a local (Margo) man who does solid wood furniture, built to your choice, who gave me a very reasonal quote for wardrobes, beds, bedside units, dining suite and lounge suite. He is currently working on another apartment there so I was able to look at his work, which was very good. If anyone is interested I can give you his details (phone number etc.)and he is very happy to meet you on site to discuss.

I have to say that the grounds are a little dismal, the grey shingle laid down is very thin to say the least. The 'flower beds' are in but I doubt if there will be any floweres unlsess we put them in ourselves. The front gates are still unpainted and are a brown rusty colour, not very attractive and do not give a 'classy' appearance to the place. Some of the shops are occupied but mainly with the usual garments/cheap artifacts type of stuff. There is a money exchange in one of them and a dentist. It doesn't look as if there are too many takers for the rest but it is the end of the season so maybe they are waiting untill next season.

Have found out from my friends in Cavelossim that Dona Sylvia are developing the land behind the site into an extension of the hotel, Dona Sylvia II. It is going to have its own resturant, pool etc so maybe we can do a deal to use their facilities when it is finished. At least it means there will be 24 hour security on the other side of the wall. I have also been told that the Hathi Mahal are asking £800 per year to use their facilities which seems rather a lot as we will only be there for a max of 6 months per year. However you can walk in and buy a meal there if you can get past the guards.

Oh yes, one last thing, Gomez is now charging you for bank charges on his account for the final money transfers!! It only ammounts to about £30 and to be honest I was so tired out of fighiting with him that I paid up just to get the documents and keys. Also you have to have the utilities transfer and lease counter signed by another notary, a further 200 rupees. Take plenty of cash when you go, you may need it for bribes!!!

By the way the photos of the fishermen hauling nets and the sunset and sunrise were all taken on Cavelossim beach. Watching the fisherment hauling nets and sorting fish in the early morning was an unexpected treasure on our last day. It makes it all worthwhile.

All the best,

Su