writealiving: I'm a good bit older than you (and female), and I have been to India, and to Goa, solo, and I never felt that I was in any danger. Don't wander around in shorts and a tank top, and stay off the commuter trains - long distance are fine. Otherwise just take normal travel precautions - plus Asian food and drink precautions.

Heya gertie: yup, I'm here. Well, kinda. Actually, I'm there.

My favorite woman in Goa was in her late sixties, dressed in a flowing, see-thru white cotton blouse, her dangling breats somehow held up with two pink pieces of string. She wore a bikini bottom and a pair of sandals. Between the bikini and the sandals was a frozen waterfall of cellulite. It looked like tanned, molten lava to me.

She was walking down the main street of Panjim, encased in a phalayx of her sweet Russian sisters, oblivious to the wave of revulsion she caused. A Beach-Boy Bonanza, indeed.

So don't copy her - and you'll be fine. Of course you'll be safe.

To answer your question - why not 2/2/2? South, Panjim, North?
or 3/3.

But gertie - when you go to Goa do not, under ANY circumstances, think that it represents India in any way at all. But I think you already know that. For chill purposes it's totally cool. Me? I'd sooner be cool somewhere else - anywhere else. A lot will depend on what you want to pay for your accomodation tho' - with the hotel/homestay/boutiquey place comes a scene/lifestyle - choose well, and you'll think that Goa is great.

Sorry to interrupt your tread Gertie.

But Dogster, if you are where, I think you might be.
Just one word for you: Kumbarkonam

Thanks, Gertie and Thursday. I've traveled alone quite a bit but mostly in the states. I live in NY and its funny because I hear all sorts of warnings about danger here and I always feel so safe. I do try to apply that to other places but I've had people in my ear lately about India and women traveling alone in certain countries. You'd think I was venturing to Kabul which actually I'd love to do at some point. Anyway, thanks for your thought. Gertie, my trip is going to be around the same time. If I do it, I'll let you know. If not, I hope you have a wonderful time!