et Ahead invited readers to share their suggestions on things to do and places to stay at in Goa. The following feature, in response to that invitation, comes from Projnan Jana.

Check out: The Cavala Seaside Resort near Baga Beach, a quaint, charming, smallish place with 20-odd rooms. The entire building is covered with creepers and the rooms, though small, are clean, functional and, above all, comfortable! It also has a swimming pool, with a separate child pool and a lounge/bar area.

But: You don't get a seaview. If that's a criteria, I would suggest you give this place a miss!

The stay: Cavala is run by a fun Goan couple, Marius and Medha Monteiro. The food is good -- not exciting, but definitely good! It includes Goan, Indian, Chinese and Continental fare. The service is friendly and helpful. Cavala is a comfortable stay if you aren't fussy about 5-star comforts.

The price: Air-conditioned rooms are available for Rs 900, while non air-conditioned rooms cost Rs 450-Rs 500 depending on whether they are on the ground floor or the first floor. Non air-conditioned suites are priced at Rs 650. Light breakfast is included, but the three per cent tax is extra.

Come October, though, the prices will shoot up. An air-conditioned room will cost Rs 1,600 while a non air-conditioned room will cost Rs 850 to Rs 1,100 depending on where the room is located. Non air-conditioned suites will be priced at Rs 1,500. This includes a full breakfast, but the taxes will rise to eight per cent.

The prices are only expected to come down again in April or May.

Discount: Ten per cent on air-conditioned rooms and 15 per cent on non-airconditioned rooms if you are staying for more than three nights. You could get a similar discount if you are looking to book a minimum of three to four rooms. Also, try booking through an agent. He should be able to offer you some discount.

For direct bookings, call: (0832) 276090 / 2277587

Things to do in Goa

The best way to get around Goa is to hire your own vehicle.

Hire a scooter/Kinetic for as little as Rs 150 a day (the fuel is on you) or a Maruti 800 for around Rs 500-600 for the whole day and drive around town. Goa is driver-friendly with well-appointed signposts for every major tourist destination. We hired a Honda Activa on the first day and a car the next day. That made life a lot easier!

Don't miss: Fort Aguada in north Goa. The Portuguese fort constructed way back in 1612 offers a breathtaking view of the sea below. A picturesque road shrouded in greenery (we went there right after the rains) leads you to the fort.

Go there by late afternoon and stay for the sunset if you can.

The Taj Fort Aguada Resort is close by on Sinquerim Beach. You could watch the sunset there too. What makes this view more interesting is a huge ship that was stranded three years ago on a sand bar a few hundred metres off the beach in front of Taj Aguada � though an ecological disaster of sorts, it still adds an interesting dimension to the scene!

Of course, you must go down to the other famous north Goa beaches -- Calangute, Anjuna, Vagator, Morjim, the list is enough for all you water babies! All of them are within driving distance from Cavala

If you happen to go to Goa during the peak season, you can catch those rave parties at Anjuna Beach.

If you happened to go there, like us, during off season, you will find many of the places closed. Most of the fun nightlife places are shut during the off season! What's more, Tito's on Baga beach, said to be a hugely happening place, was shut for renovation.

And now for some pet pooja!

If you like seafood and have a pronounced sweet tooth, you just can't afford to miss Britto's restaurant on Baga beach.

This is a permanent structure, not a shack. The charm of the place is that you sit outside in the open. At nights, they put out tables and chairs on the beachfront, with a solitary candle on each table and the moonlight to keep you company.

Don't miss: The food is yummy. Don't miss their Prawn Xacuti and their desserts. There's an amazing variety to choose from. Enough to spoil you and drive all thoughts of any diet out of your mind!

Do you have ideas/suggestions on how to have a good time in Goa? Here's your chance to tell us!