I'm planning a trip to India with my brother and his girlfriend Noshin, for January. I was meant to go last year but the bombings happened the day before I was to leave, so I decided to postpone the trip. It was such a hard choice, but I promised myself I would go the following year. So here it is...time to book and plan.
Any tips? Must see places? We're thinking of start in Delhi and heading South as it will be winter in the North and really cold.
I'm so excited, Ive wanted to go to India for ages!
When I go to India, I plan to visit Varinasi (Benares), Kerala (and stay at the Green Magic Nature Resort - which is a "resort" of treehouses), and to see the ancient temples uncovered by the 2004 tsunami in Tamil Nadu.
My friend Yan took some amazing photos in India. He also got his camera stolen and was bitten by a dog. Eek!
Beautiful Photos: http://mishylane.blogspot.com/2009/05/yan-chan-photographer.html
@Indie Tea ~ oh wow, I hadn't heard of any of those, I'll look them up. My brother would love the treehouses!
@Mishy & Ange ~ I was bitten by a dog when I went to Thailand. Wow I havent ever heard on someone else being bitten. It became this crazy experience of rushing me to get my needles in time because so many dogs have rabies in Asia.
Liss i'm so excited for you. It's going to be such an amazing time! Ahhh :)
I've never been to india, but that sounds so exiting. I hope the planning all goes well :D
i've never been to india,or any other country in asia.though i would love to visit thailand and japan and kores.south kores, of course:)).how was thailand like?i'm happy for you that you can finally go and visit india.make your dreams come true!
India it's a colour place!
Wow, that will be an amazing trip, I've not been, but it seems like a really interesting and beautiful place.
x
After reading the book Shantaram I really would like to go to Bombay. But I would also recomend the city Madras and the little beach resort just south of Madras called Mahabalipuram.
my best friend was in india this spring, she came home with an indeed culture shock, things she had told us about this country were amazing and unbelievable at the same time. She said she had a feeling she was not on the planet earth but somewhere completely else! :) Enjoy your trip! My friend was so happy after it! :)
you must be so excited!!!!!!!
don't forget Agra and the Taj mahal
excitement.
did you change the pictures on this post? haha
Is the food good in india?
I mean I love "indian" food, but who knows how much it has been westernised here...
x
I agree with Indie Tea, Kerela is a must, but that may be because I'm from there. Get an oil massage while you're there, it's their speciality.
Great market shopping in bombay (silk scarves and stuff)
Jaipur and surrounds is a must as well, since the taj mahal and mughal palaces are all near by and they have a colour and aesthetic unique when compared to the rest of india. Apart from that, they are known for a thin cotton/silk quilt that is meant to only weigh 1kg but is oh so warm.They also have a different traditional dress for the rest of india, with beautiful full length skirts and hand made paper journals...the food however, you have to be careful about.
I've rabitted on too much havent I?
Oh I went to India earlier this year and it absolutely changed my life! I have written about it here: http://thisisnotpretty.blogspot.com/2009/03/happy-heart-open-eyes-big-belly-two.html and here: http://thisisnotpretty.blogspot.com/2009/03/blood-lines-country-love-perception.html. Delhi is quite possibly one of my favourite cities in the world now, and the south is like a different continent. I want to write a book when I'm over there next... Enjoy! xx
awesome! how exciting. my aunt is actually leaving for india tmw she will be gone about 2 weeks. ill let you know of her adventure when she returns. :)
peace & love.
Sounds like an amazing trip that you're going to have lots of fun planning! xx
i can't even explain how jealous i am.
it's my dream to go to india.
just go and eat as much naan as you can.
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if you are fond of food, come to mumbai and savour the street cuisine.... beware though, go only to the clean corners as hygiene can be quite an issue! :)
i know you're heading south, but you must visit Benares and Darjeeling if you have a chance. i spent 8 months travelling all around India and they were definite highlights for me. oh, you're going to have such a wonderful trip! India is the most magical country on earth.
Ah, that's amazing! I would die to go to India. Indian food is my favorite, haha. I wish I had ideas of places for you to go, but alas...never been there. Good luck!
I am a proud Indian :)
India is a must visit country. Winters are months away in north, you have ample time in hand.Delhi, is an architectural treat.
Plus, don't miss out on the spicy food treats of Old Delhi.And...of course the Famous Tajmahal.Do visit the golden temple, displayed in the last picture.The calm and solace over there is out of this world.
South India is a paradise.The Ayurvedic treatments and massages are one of their kind.
I can go on and on about India.Am eager to learn about your experience :)
wow that's so cool. india is something that called my imagination. you should definitely stay there more than 10 days. and by the way iknow people who have been there and after coming back they are totaly diferent!!! and have seen such an unknown and intrigue things that they start to like things that haven't before. it would be really fantastic! :)
those photos are fabulous. enjoy the fabric markets in india! they have such lovely silk.
I went to Bangalore for a month, completely lush, AMAZING markets! So so gorgeous. We were working with children in orphanages and visiting slums but had some great daytrips too, will have to try and remember the place names.. Would have loved to go more rural though, that's on my to-go list..!
wow, that is so exciting. I'm going to India too, a dream come true also. I can't wait to see your pictures and where you went.
ah, i'm so jealous! India is high on my list of places to visit (:
wow, india sounds awesome! i can't really help you out in the where-to-go department as i've never been there and don't know much about it.
anyways...i think you're awesome so i gave you the awesome girl blog award! (haha, how cheesy did that sound?)
and do you know how to get the date at the top of each post? it's been driving me sooo crazy!
xoxo,
Micaela
best place on earth, promise!
i went to india the year i was 21 and it was the most sad yet beautiful experience ever. my favourite part was fort cochin in kerala. gorgeous spice houses, perfect blue water, wee fishermen telling stories to one another . . .
go and c a kathakali (ancient dramatic dance) and sample local art and lovely food in kashi cafe.
you will have a magical time. i actually found your blog last year at the time you had to cancel your trip and i remember hoping you would get to go a different.
kerri x
have a fantastic time! india looks like such an intense vibrant colourful place. very jealous here!
I spent 3-weeks in Rajasthan back in 95. It is a country that works on every emotion you can muster and even some you thought you didn't have... it will hit you as soon as you step off the airplane. Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer (my fav) and Udaipur (have a drink at the Lake Palace) are a must see and all on the tourist trail - be warned you may suffer "Delhi Belly" so bring plenty of pepto, oh yeah, and take a ton of pictures. I can't wait to read about this GREAT adventure.
You have to go to Tamil Nadu. It's green and beautiful and friendly. South India is so much more beautiful than the north. Everywhere you go will be lovely, but don't stay in all resorts. You won't see the real India if you stay in resorts the whole time. Visit the villages.
And Indian food has actually not been westernized! It's very much Indian here as well. In the north you have completely different food than in the south. Northern food is what is similar to what you get in the west. South India has equally amazing food that is often overlooked.
@Everyone ~ thank you so so much for all your suggestions. Im getting so excited now!! I know this experience will be life changing and I can not wait!
ooh, how exciting! i wish i could go to india, but i think i need to start off my travels with europe, then go to the even more foreign (to me, at least) countries, like India. i hope your trip is amazing!
yay holiday!! do take lots of photos when you're there. i've never been there but i am excited for you!!
no tips, just jealousy!!!
go to the Osho International Meditation Resort, Pune, India... Totally spiriually uplifting experience.
Have fun!
taj mahal at agra
mysore and ooty in south-beautiful places
chauki dhani in rajasthan
these r few places u must visit...
besides, see delhi, beaches at mumbai n goa...
there's a lot to see actually!
Ahh I went to India, just a few days after the bombings. It was rather warm down in Goa, but up in new dehli every thing was pretty cold during the night. India's wonderful you should try Mumbai for excellent shopping just make sure you're mentally perpared for poverty. I also visted Varinasi, which was very lovely, espically the festival at night.
Hope you have fun.
--Sanchezz
...I was the one got his camera stolen and was bitten by a dog...... Eek!
If u start at Delhi and head south, u could go Agra-Jaipur-Jodhpur-Udaipur-Ahmedabad, then head to Mumbai and further south. Agra is a must go place bcause Taj is there, and u shouldn't miss Jodhpur and Udaipur, amazing towns~
Tips would be get yourself a [Lonely Planet] and take it ease for all the unexpectedness in India. Good luck : )
@Yan ~ ah thanks for the tips, amazing photography too!!! I also got bitten by a dog travelling, but in Thailand. Its amazing how many stray dogs just wander the streets over there!!
Hello India!
DB, Aug. 27,
Taipei
It will be a magic trip!
wow that should be amazing
and those photos are really beautiful
That should be one amazing trip! I wish you a lot of fun, and I'm sure it wille be unforgetable!
I have spent a total of 4 days in India for a wedding. We were in Mumbai which is a dirty city and from what I hear, not exactly the gem of India. But the people made it such a memorable experience that just 4 days there still remains in my memory as one of my best 'holidays' ever. I am so envious of your trip! Enjoy it ♥
1. goa (north & south both)
2. delhi- dilli haat for shopping
3. leh & ladakh
4. rajashan - jaipur, udaipur,jodhpur,pushkar,ajmer,jaiselmer
p.s.- dont waste ur time in mumbai..mumbai has nothing to offer,the traffic wil drive u crazy
Hi from New Delhi India!
I'm so glad you have planned a trip to India..Welcome!:)
Delhi
Agra
Benaras
Jaipur
Gujarat
Goa
Tamil Nadu/Kerala/Karnataka
Sikkim
Ladakh
Oh how long is the vaccation?? You will need many trips to absorb it all.
India will hit you, yes it always evokes a strong reaction...good or bad irrespective...strong! A land of so much diversity/contrasts and extremes you will love it. Travel light as you know you will shop a lot..yes it is cheap! When in Delhi avoid the Delhi Belly(indigestion:) by drinking only bottled water!
Cheers
I hope you have a great trip!
My husband and I are off to India this Christmas Eve for a wedding. Taking note of all the suggestions. A 'tour' has been organized by the French bride, so less hassel for us. Looking forward to it though....I think.
Kerry
Welcome to India...
Rajasthan The place to visit.
And Agra "Taj Mahal" of course.
Hi!
I just got back from India, and my favorite city by far was Rishikesh. I stayed at Hotel Green, I would definitly recommend because its on the better side of the Ganges river. Lots of yoga, Ayurvedic treatments, Sadhus, monkeys, ashrams, and its easy to get around.