Thanks to HP (Hewlett Packard) and the American tax payer I'm going on a 5 star trip to India. I came 20-40th in HP sales in Oz. If I'd been in 1-20th I'd be going to Russia. Wife Russian, well sort of, born to White Russian parents from Harbin in China, but didn't want to go to Russia (work that out) so happy I 'failed' this year for the first time in 6 yrs to come in the 2nd tier. Personally I'd rther go to Russia but India is a good 2nd choice IMO. Anybody got any 'must visit' places as I know there are lot's of Indians living in North America. The terrorism situation worries me me a bit but you can't go through life worrying about that. I'm pretty excited but scared at the same time. Taj Mahal should be something else and the Red Fort etc.
India - I need some advice
- Thread starter sprintman
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my friend Tom contracted Hepatitus C the 2 weeks he was in Banglore.
Yes, get your shots.
Then eat. A lot. Give us a full food report. Our (US AND OZ) India cuisine is not the same.....
LUCKY!! (why US tax payer???)
Then eat. A lot. Give us a full food report. Our (US AND OZ) India cuisine is not the same.....
LUCKY!! (why US tax payer???)
I think HP gets a deduction on its consolidated return, Uncle Sam would just waste the money.
congrats on the sales! india would be interesting!
my grandfather spent time in harbin on his way from russia to the US. is she of mennonite decent?
my grandfather spent time in harbin on his way from russia to the US. is she of mennonite decent?
I'll check. Oz Indian is very hot in general. My favourite Pork Vindaloo a Goan dish is hard to get for obvious reasons. I'm hoping to get 'off the beaten track' but won't have much chance unless we extend for a few days and travel at our cost which is allowed.
Too many generalizations here, I contacted e coli in my second month in US from canteen food in school, India is a sub continent and therefore variety is everywhere as language, food and cultures differ hugely from state to state. South is hot, North is bitter cold in winters depending on where you are, India has the coldest regions in Kashmir, Himachal and some of it seeps into Delhi as well during winters, this is due to the Himalayas.Food varies as well, from over-spiced and hot south Indian crude offerings to delicate and aromatic north Indian offerings which draw the likes of Gates, Clinton, Putin et al and easily blows away the much vaunted French cuisine or the limited scope Chinese and other Asian cooking as well.
As for terrorism, it can happen anywhere so that is entirely a matter of chance, good to avoid crowded places during festivals etc. As for street food, avoid it at any costs, only go to proper places, don't miss Bukhara restaurant in Delhi if you are there, India is 6000 years old, so bear with it, no sweeping changes here so there is a mix of old and new living in compromise. As for tourist spots, there are too many to fill in few weeks but prioritize, and you will be a happy camper. If you like ancient 4000 year old forts and construction, then North is for you, if you like to see the Himalayas, again north is for you and watch out, its cold here now. If you like tropical weather and myriads of ancient and new temples, south is for you then, I am not too fond of their food but as people, they are more receptive than north.
Lastly, don't be a scared tourist and go into a cocoon, that way not only you loose out learning, you also get into the classic tourist trap and get fleeced as well. So enjoy and if you need any more tips, send me a PM.
As for terrorism, it can happen anywhere so that is entirely a matter of chance, good to avoid crowded places during festivals etc. As for street food, avoid it at any costs, only go to proper places, don't miss Bukhara restaurant in Delhi if you are there, India is 6000 years old, so bear with it, no sweeping changes here so there is a mix of old and new living in compromise. As for tourist spots, there are too many to fill in few weeks but prioritize, and you will be a happy camper. If you like ancient 4000 year old forts and construction, then North is for you, if you like to see the Himalayas, again north is for you and watch out, its cold here now. If you like tropical weather and myriads of ancient and new temples, south is for you then, I am not too fond of their food but as people, they are more receptive than north.
Lastly, don't be a scared tourist and go into a cocoon, that way not only you loose out learning, you also get into the classic tourist trap and get fleeced as well. So enjoy and if you need any more tips, send me a PM.
Wife and I sure won't be hanging around the hotels were gonna hit the streets as much as possible. We go on a Shatabdi express trains and another the Taj Express. Fly Delhi to Jaipur. The Fatehpur Shikri interests me a lot
Well, just don't miss Bukhara at Maurya Sheraton, Chanakyapuri Delhi if you want to know about the real Indian cooking, the finer side. Fatehpur Sikri is recent among constructions, check out older forts in Rajasthan. If you are near Red Fort, ask for Karim restaurant, its 100 years old run by descendants of Mughal kings chefs. As usual, its crowded so watch your pockets and don't fall for anything. Take pre paid taxis from stands and make sure there are police registering them.
I am not sure if it is running winter season
Try the Palace on Wheels ... it is a luxury train service that runs through Rajasthan , the old princely India.
check your messages.
Try the Palace on Wheels ... it is a luxury train service that runs through Rajasthan , the old princely India.
check your messages.
Yes thanks emailed you our itinerary. I think we may extend and take in some of the areas we will undoubetdly miss. Travelling mid March.
Steve, congratulations.
India is one place I do want to visit. The Vet and his family at one of the big Thoroughbred studs here are from Puna (nearest big city is Mumbai), our local newsagent used to be an exec at ICI/Orica and used to travel there frequently, and a few of the other locals that had a restaurant keep going back there. They all have fantastic times and keep urging me to go.
Give us a full report on return.
India is one place I do want to visit. The Vet and his family at one of the big Thoroughbred studs here are from Puna (nearest big city is Mumbai), our local newsagent used to be an exec at ICI/Orica and used to travel there frequently, and a few of the other locals that had a restaurant keep going back there. They all have fantastic times and keep urging me to go.
Give us a full report on return.
Yes I'm getting pretty excited. Hope to extendif I can find some money.
So avoid street food even if cooked in a hot wokor similar? D@mn I was looking forward to eating real food. Is mugging a problem in desertd areas? I stopped at Columbo airport way back when it as Ceylon. My GP here in Oz is from Sri Lanka, very good indeed.
I'm not from India, but originally from Sri Lanka, which is similar in most things:
Things to look at shouldn't be hard to find, so Here's what I would be careful about (might have been mentioned already):
Mosquitos (take repellant)
Street-side food, cooked in the open(try to avoid)
get all vaccines recommended
take a well-packed medicine-emergency-box.
Voltage is 230v, I think, so take all kinds of electrical adaptors you might need...some hotels might have those, too.
be careful of tourist-guides, and all kinds of people "wanting to show you around" and sell you stuff...
don't go around deserted areas alone...even when they look pretty.
Things to look at shouldn't be hard to find, so Here's what I would be careful about (might have been mentioned already):
Mosquitos (take repellant)
Street-side food, cooked in the open(try to avoid)
get all vaccines recommended
take a well-packed medicine-emergency-box.
Voltage is 230v, I think, so take all kinds of electrical adaptors you might need...some hotels might have those, too.
be careful of tourist-guides, and all kinds of people "wanting to show you around" and sell you stuff...
don't go around deserted areas alone...even when they look pretty.
Sprintman,
There are no deserted areas. I always have stomache trouble when I go, and I only eat in hotels and restaurants of known quality. Try to stick with the cooked foods. Raw vegetables and fruits are more of a problem. Never heard that mugging was a problem, but the beggars are very agressive and persistent. I have heard stories that if you give them something, they go tell their friends and you will be hounded. I always ignore them, but they don't go away. It is hard because the poverty there is the worst I have ever seen. I hope you enjoy the Taj Mahal. It is incredible. It is quite a contrast from what lies right outside the gate.
There are no deserted areas. I always have stomache trouble when I go, and I only eat in hotels and restaurants of known quality. Try to stick with the cooked foods. Raw vegetables and fruits are more of a problem. Never heard that mugging was a problem, but the beggars are very agressive and persistent. I have heard stories that if you give them something, they go tell their friends and you will be hounded. I always ignore them, but they don't go away. It is hard because the poverty there is the worst I have ever seen. I hope you enjoy the Taj Mahal. It is incredible. It is quite a contrast from what lies right outside the gate.
Street food depends on where you eat, at popular joints, its as safe and clean as the joints in NY, as for mugging and pan handlers and poverty, seen em all in varying degrees all over the world including NYC where I spent 17 years of my life.
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