Thread: India...

looks like i could be on my way. time to be that newb again! i'd like to ask any of you with experience (russ? re_fuse? others?) a few questions, would really appreciate your input...


1. 5 places or things not to be missed?

2. anything or place you'd recommend missing?

3. how are the visas these days? for a brit and a thai? strict? lenient?

4. what about working/staying long-time? what's the dilly-o on this?


can't wait to read some replies!


cheers all...

If you are going to eventually teach there, I would look into Bangalore (the Indian Silicon valley). I have a few contacts if you need any.

thanks trav. living/working in a huge city doesn't hold much appeal to be honest but i'll bear it in mind mate...


link don't work kw...or was it a joke? or...mai loo...

Unwell....Hey, glad this may be underway.

I spent my time pretty well in the North. Didn't get south of Rajastan. But let me address these things

1. Kolkatta......This place has a spirit unique. I would say on the planet. There's something very unique about the Bengali culture here. Many places to see. Stay in the Sutter street area if you get there. It will be a nice experience.

2. I'd try to get to Darjeeling.....A town way up in the foothills of the Himalyas. And yet looks in places like a quaint Scottish town. Very interesting folk there. (Expats)

3. The Chula Valley.....There's a valley in there where the country is rough and beautiful. You're probably not interested in such things , but this is ganja central. Everything is cheap and just lots of people from the west who settled over there in the sixties, and remain still. (see Shimla, Mandi, Manali). Incidentally, if I go back, which is likely, this is where I would hang my hat.

4. I'd visit Dharamsala (Mcleod Ganj), home of the Dalai Lama. This is a very interesting place. You could spend a lifetime there. Magic...Tibetan energy very strong here.

5. 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. I'd miss Dephi, old and new. Nightmare. But that's a personal experience perhaps. In any case, if you travel in the north, inevitably you are going to end up there.

I got a six month visa pretty easily from Korea. That was with a Canadian passport. About sixty US. Thirty five pounds to you.

I met people who had been there for years, literally. Without having to leave. Compared to Thailand, pretty striaghtforward.

I do hope you make it there . Way to many places to mention. You'll love Goa.

India rocks.

(Jees , you've got me thinking now)

bless you mate, will look into all of those...

saw a documentary about darjeeling, sounds beautiful.

and a long-term india traveller buddy of mine wants to die in rajahstan!

Just a couple of things Unwell. I was there for only about six months but these things are worth bearing in mind.

1. You'll likely arrive in India in the dead of the night. For some reason International flights invariably seem to arrive in the wee hours. Change only about fifty bucks to rupees at the airport. These places are notorious for giving you fake currency.

2. Never use money changers. Stick with India state bank and ensure those Rupee are crisp and new.

3. Carry your own solid lock (not Chinese made). Never use the locks hotels and guest houses give you. Also carry a few good extra locks and chains. Keep what is precious on your body. Everything else keep well locked and secured. ( You can't buy decent locks in India)

4. When you do a transaction and receive change, ensure those bills are clean and in decent shape. If not, absolutely insist they give you clean and non torn money.

Those are two down sides and well worth keeping in mind. These are arrival items and can set the tone of a trip.

ta.

This is a great forum they will be answer most of your questions:

http://www.indiamike.com/india/?

With regards to places not to be missed, the Taj of course - It is something that just needs to be seen, early morning is a great time to be there before the crowds arrive.

Jaisalmer in Rajastan is also great - do a 2 day camel trip into the Thar desert and sleep under the stars, the camel guide will knock up an amazing meal over a camp fire.

Udaipur - nice place to spend a few days. Check that the lake has water in it before you go...it didn't a couple of years back.

My favourite place - and the only place i go back to nowadays- is Ranthambore National Park. 5 hours south of Delhi by plane. Great if you are into nature and wildlife. I am just planning my next trip for feb or march.

Places to avoid - in my opinion Pushka is not all it is made out to be..just a lot of lost it western hippies.

Also, Sanuali is a place that the guide books tell you to avoid staying in over night...guess what? i missed my bus and did stay there over night...Dont go there!!!

Cheers

S'funny - i quite liked Pushkar. But then again i AM an old Western Hippy!

Depends what you're into. If you're not into the full on India thing, and it aint everyone's cup of chai, then the west coast from Goa down to Trivundrum is for you.

If you can hack it, the east coast is where its at. If you're into mental communal living, baguettes, boules and Indian women speaking French then Pondicherry is where to be......plus Auroville. Bizarre.

If you play safe - buy the lonely planet.
If you walk to a different tune, buy the Rough Guide.
If you're as mad as cheese, just go where your befuddled mind tells you.

ldma is a dumb cvnt

an extended trip to travel, check things and potentially stay. africa's also a possibility but i know there's a few guys here with indian experience.




i'm not gonna plan to move for quite somewhile without first taking a look around mate! i'm farily dumb, but not quite that dumb...