Might go next year for a bit. Still dunno exactly where though. It's be my 2nd visit. Maybe Nepal either. Rajasthan seems to be the most frequent recommendation. There or Kerala. Those are both places I didn't see on the last trip. Anyone got any more pointers?
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I spent a fair bit of time in Darjeeling and highly recommend. There's no place quite like Darjeeling.
Dharamsalla is also a good choice.
The Kulu Valley is great as well.
India, so many places and so much delicious food.
If you do decide on Rajistan I wouldn't recommend the hot season.
And watch out for the hash cookies.
India, a completely different scene from Thailand.
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I was in Darjeeling and West Bengal before and thought it was great. I wanted to visit another region though. Somewhere south or north-west maybe. Been anywhere 'round there russ?
I went to Rajastan about 4 years ago, and to Bombay / Goa Kerala about 12 years ago.
I preferred the S. India trip myself. Maybe I just prefer Buddhist culture.
I particularly recommend the Kerala backwaters trip.
I think it's very much on the tourist trail now - but reckon it's still well worth the jaunt.
I know lots of people fall in love with rajastan - I enjoyed parts but found it a bit of a trial at other times.
I did a semi circle around the Southern coast, flying into Bombay and out of Chennai
Bombay - Goa - Kerala - Kochin - Trivandrum - Madurai - Tanjore - Mabalapuram - Madras (now Chennai)
I got a great 'thali' of S. Indian experiences.
And some top chillum.
With less manic driving, more reliable food ( I love S. Indian breakfasts) and many more smiles.
Last edited by Cyrille; 16th October 2009 at 01:50.
Never did make it down south. Folks tell me it's a completely different scene.
New Delphi is probably the only place I wouldn't be interested in returning to.
That's what we were considering. I'd love to see some amazing old architecture and monuments which Kerala doesn't seem to have much (or does it?). Is it too long jaunt to Karnataka from Kerala area for a 12 days to a fortnight trip?Originally Posted by Cyrille
^ No, you can do that in a fortnight rob.
I wouldn't do it in any shorter time than that.
If you're interested in architecture (which you are right kerala doesn't have much of) then I'd recommend Kochin.
Has a fascinating history of anglo/jewish/arab settlement, and it would be easy to incoportate into a karnataka / kerala schedule.
A Salman Rushdie novel was set in Kochin - but don't hold that against it.
It was still a very atmospheric place when I was there - still a busy fishing port using the old style nets etc.
Only thing is, the exchange rate changed from 1 bht = 2 rupee in 1996 to 1=1 in 2004. India was pricier than Thailand when I was last there, especially for acceptable accomodation though that was in Delhi and rajastan. I expect the South is still cheaper than those areas.
I'd happily do that S.India trip all over again.
In contrast, I wouldn't mind if I never see Delhi again.
Did you go on a houseboat trip Cyrille?
No - far too pricey for me, and there weren't that many of them around at the time. I think it must be much heavier with tourist traffic generally now. On my day trip I think we only saw one other tourist boat all day.
If I remember rightly I booked a bus / standard boat trip from Kochin.
The price included a stop off at someone's house on the way for a thali lunch on a banana leaf which was cool.
It was a boat with two floors and all the farang were sunbathing on top with just me and the Indians in the shade on the bottom floor. Sunbathing lost its appeal for me about 15 years ago.
Less cool was the fact that we had to pay a previously unmentioned extra fee to get the bus from where the boat stopped into town. This caused considerable anger amongst a lot of people on the bus. I just shrugged and coughed up the extra five bucks. I can't remember where we got off the boat now.
But no, I was traveling on my own on a Thai TEFLer budget - those houseboats were way beyond my pocket. Also, I think that if you hire a houseboat then you would want to take your time - a couple of days at least, probably three. If you have a limited amount of time then I think doing it as a day trip is fine.
Thanks for all the help. It'll be next March/April so we've got plenty of time to decide.
By the way, is the 2/3 day trip worth it do you think?
Hard to say Rob. It's a trip that hinges on getting a slice of real rural life.
Is that possible now that it is so much on the tourist map?
I honestly don't know.
My trip was too long ago - the houseboat thing barely existed back then.
Hope you enjoy it anyway - let us know how you get on.
Ain't that the truth. I can't count the number of times I boarded buses in India just to have them "breakdown" a few kilometres before reaching town.
Now on the up side, by some quirk of nature when the breakdowns occured there was always a group of taxi's and motor ricketshaws pre-assembled assembled at the same site.
I made many an entry into many an Indian City crowded in the back of some noisy and smelley two banger jam packed with travellers.
Frequently Israeli's, but that's another matter.
Quite so Russ - they're always the most vocal presence at times like that.
How's the quotient in Kerala? It's fairly near Goa which is a little worrying.
Hi,
Every place in India is just great and you should take maximum advantage of that.
There are various places here in India like
Visit Rajastan.....just way to many places to mention here. You want desert, check it out. And absoltuley don't leave this state without at least trying their famous "milkshakes" at least once.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar is one of my favorites.
One more place the silicon valley in Bangalore,really amazing.
Thanks.
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