Mini Dubai in Bhatkal (after Karwar, in Karnataka State) become very popular with Goans. I first heard about it 5 years ago. People (including traders) go there for shopping foreign goods mainly gulf products(dont know about North Goans). As I like seeing new places, we decided to go there too (few days back). It is a typical Indian Village. We visited few small-small shops there just to compare the prices. Main items are like Clothing, electronics, Food stuff etc We came accross so many konkani speaking customers.
I usually buy small tins of KRAFT cheese from local Magsons superstore for Rs.120 per tin, there they are selling for half price i.e. Rs.60. So, I bought 5. Small MINI DV cassettes for my digital Camcorder, the popular shop opp GPO Panaji selling for Rs.200 per cassette, there it is just Rs.120 so I bought 5. There were memory/media cards too. Another item I was interested was Olympus Binocular 8x24 price was Rs.2500 but was not aware of the actual retail price elsewhere. Sorry, I could not compare the prices of any other items. All items seems genuine (imported from gulf). Food stuff like chocolates etc, Maggie cubes, Soaps etc seems pretty cheap. Next, we went to Murudeshwar, which comes first before Bhatkal about 10ks. Rickshaw charge about Rs.100. There I enjoy the most. Large giant size Statue of Lord Shiva surrounded by sea water all 3 sides. It was really magnificent and wish to go there again day time. (We reached there night time and could not enjoy much). The sitting Statue is about 25-30 meters high excluding the rock on which he is sitting (see pics below). I understand there are some boat rides for tourists plus beach to relax, hotel right into the waters (see pics) We are soon thinking to go there again, this time with hired mini bus on 1 sunday. Are you interested? How to get there: Bhatkal/Murdeshwar. Cheapest way is to travel by Konkan Railway. Its about 170kms from Margao stn. There are two trains twice a week (Tue & Fri?)leaving Margao early morning around 730am you can come back same day from bhatkal.But seat in the general compartment is not guaranteed as the train comes from out side Goa n the same whilst coming back are trains coming form kerala etc. Alternately, A train (Verna-mangalore) leaving Verna every day at 2pm arriving margao 2.25pm (from 15/6/05 it will originate from Margao only) and arrive Bhatkal before 6pm (fare Rs.37), in this case you will need to stay there overnight Hotels are very cheap not more than Rs.400 double room (there are plenty at Rs.180 with attached bath but no towel,soap, bed shit provided). From Bhatkal Stn Rickshaw charge Rs.25 to Mini Dubai. There are buses to bhatkal too e.g. one leave panjim 7am. We took bus from Bhatkal to Margao fare Rs.90 it was like local and it took 5 hrs to reach margao (normally less than 4). There are trains to come back same night but arrive margao around 2 or 3 am. Pl note, if you go to Murudeshwar only, then buy ticket to Murdeshwar and get down there which is one station before Bhatkal. Take rickshaw to Lord Shiva/beach fare around Rs,25. Remember, most trains stop bhatkal and verna-mangalore stops at all stations canacona, balli, karwar,.... murudeshwar etc Please feel free to ask should you require further info. Check this photos.. http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/joegoauk/album?.dir=c360&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/joegoauk/my_photos [EMAIL PROTECTED] for NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ For info on Konkani VCDs (Films, Tiatr, Comedies and films on GOA...) http://konkani-vcd.swiki.net/1 ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Messenger - NEW crystal clear PC to PC calling worldwide with voicemail http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
