Travelogues

The party never ends discovers Jude Cardozo as he checks out the hottest night spots around town during the peak season and winds his way through a veritable treasure trove of entertainment options

Show Me The Money

I wondered 'Does he make a lot of money out of it?' “Not really, I spent about Rs.. 20 lakh to set up the entire thing and spend Rs. 32,000 every day only on electricity and sometimes barely break even. However, back home in the Netherlands I make enough money as director of documentary and industrial films so I don't really bother about the financial aspects,” reveals Ingo. “What then is your motivating factor?” I ask confused. "Putting up the flea market gives people a chance to meet other people and a fruitful social encounter develops,” he says. Ingo started the Saturday Nite Bazaar seven years ago and has been at the existing village for four years now.

What next? I asked. Almost like he was expecting me to pop this question long ago he says, "I want to create the biggest Saturday bazaar in South East Asia for which I am trying to acquire land of 200,000 sq mts and I'm determined to achieve my goal." And what about other bazaars that have tried to duplicate his success down to copying his nomenclature, "I am not really worried about them as my sellers will remain with me wherever I move," Ingo retorts.

Pot Shot

Yet another interesting feature of this fascinating market is Clay pigeon shooting. It takes place every night close to the venue of the Saturday market where shots can be heard at one side of the venue. On venturing closer one sees the intriguing sight of a fluorescent skeet flying through the air with five shooters literally taking pot shots at it. But no real bullets are fired and the entire system is built in such a way that real shotguns are modified to shoot out laser lights with a hit being recorded on the electrical scored board with the sound of shattering glass for pure effect on the speakers. Welcome to the world of laser clay pigeon shooting, managed by Peter Wadhwani who quit his job and the rat race in London in the IT industry and invested his life's savings in laser equipment needed to start his own company called PJ Leisure Enterprises. Besides the Saturday market, PJ Leisure has tied up with Satyakam, a Goa based agency which conducts team building activity for corporate houses during their conferences in Goa. According to Peter, this is the only system of its kind in India and its great fun with all the thrill of real clay pigeon shooting.

I must add here that while Anjuna flea market is a day market with a long reputation and has a larger number of stalls with throngs of jostling tourists it still falls short on quaint quotient of Ingo’s Saturday Nite Bazaar. At some point in time I remember reading the book 'See Naples & Die' and for those coming to Goa I have a similar diktat, 'See Ingo's Market and Leave Goa.'

Top Night Clubs of Goa 

Night Club Contact person Rates for normal evening For New Year Telephone Number

Paradiso

Nandan Kudchadkar

Between Rs 300/ - to 500/- Not yet finalised 9823081810

Titos

Agustino Between Rs 300/- & 500/-    2275028

Rs 2000/- a couple     

Club Cubana

Rahul Shah Rs 500/- per person   9823232910