Internet is the best place to look for deals on places to stay in Goa and I have made my decision after going through all the deals I found online.

Here are some places I recommend looking at:

 Indian Flight/Hotel Booking Portals:

Look for special offers on these sites:

• http://www.makemytrip.com
• http://www.yatra.com
• http://www.travelguru.com
• http://www.cleartrip.com

Look for traveler hotel reviews on:

http://www.tripadvisor.com

I really cannot imagine planning any trip without Trip Advisor.

Coming back to my choice, we decided on the beach resort ’Cidade de Goa’. I did take a look at all the special deals offered by the travel portals listed above, but decided upon taking a special off-season package offered by the resort itself. It includes a Classic Room (their second best; we did not take the deluxe as it is on ground level which would pose a problem with my lively 2-year old), airport transfers by a/c car, a half-day sightseeing tour including a spice plantation tour with lunch, a cruise on river Mandovi with live entertainment and a lot of discounts and freebies on in-house services. The resort also provides baby-sitting services and a special playroom for kids. I hope to enjoy it out there with Cidade de Goa!

My first stop today was the local drug store where I bought an SPF 40 sunblock. It also has shine control and mattefying properties both of which are good for the coastal climate of Goa.

One item off the list. 15 more to go!

Finally, it’s some time off for me. My DH gave me a lovely surprise (although at too short a notice to be able to shop adequately for the trip. I think that was the idea! :wink:) - a trip to Goa. So I am off to Goa for a few days to take in the Konkan beauty, laze away on the gorgeous beaches, soak in the swimming pool and find some good bargains in the beach bazaars.

I am leaving on the 24th morning which is coming Monday and which means I have only this week to shop for essentials and take care of my home and work so that they both function effectively while I am away. Gotta get started!

A trip to Pench Tiger Reserve was all that I could ask for after a really tiring holiday business season. And the trip turned out to be more exciting than I had bargained for. I spotted a tiger and a leopard TOGETHER! Oh well, they were not exactly walking hand in hand. The leopard was right by the roadside and we saw the tiger passing over some rocks high above on a hill, its skin turning white from the falling sun rays. Both the mighty creatures were unaware of the other’s presence. The whole thing was over in a few moments and there was no chance to take a photo. The leopard was still there but all I got on my film was hind portion which is not too recognisable. The pic. that follows was taken the next day when we were shown a tigress and her four grown-up cubs on elephant back.

I was afraid my 15 month old daughter would not sit on elephant back but she enjoyed the rocking back and forth so much that she wouldn’t climb off it! And her reaction when she saw the tigers? She gave them one look and said called out nonchalantly - ‘Meaoww’ and turned to see the elephant she was riding upon. She thought they were ordinary cats!