 Southern India Starter Kit, Everything you want to know about Southern India |
|
|
| sharon1306 |
 Jun 16 2007, 06:26 AM
|
Wayfarer
Group: Members
Posts: 52
Joined: 1-June 06
From: Goa, India
Member No.: 986
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
 Sharon Dias says: Just want to quickly introduce myself to the forum… I live in Goa, India and I would be happy to answer any questions with regards to travel in India, especially the southern region. Please let me know if I can be of any help  Below are some tips for a first time traveler to India: I’m going to try to keep it as brief as I can, but let me start by saying India is a difficult country to travel in, more so if you are coming to visit for the first time. No matter how much you prepare, India is an assault on the senses. The sights, smells and sounds are overwhelming. Having said that, I am also fairly certain this will be one of your most memorable trips, one that will stay with you always. I guess tips, as such, would vary depending to the region, because India is extremely diverse in many ways. It is a country that has so many different kinds of people, religions, languages, cultures and even landscapes. But generally. I guess I would say: 1.Come with an open mind. You will find dirt, filth and probably more poverty than you’re used to. You have to deal with that and not let it get to you. The touts are sometimes aggressive and so are the beggars. It is best to ignore them. Lots of traffic, lots of people, lots of noise. But that is also what makes India fascinating. It will take you a few days before you learn to cope. In one day your experiences can range from extremely frustrating to extremely magical… 2.The benefits of travel in India definitely outweigh the negatives. You will find India chaotic at the surface, but it really is organized chaos and it takes a while to get used to it. Getting the simplest things done might take more time and effort than you’re used to, but it’s definitely worth it in the end. Be careful about what you eat or drink. Drink only bottled water, eat hot foods, avoid ice, desserts and salads and wash your hands. Its good to carry a hand sanitizer for when you don't have access to soap and water, insect repellent, water purification tablets and toilet paper. 3.Just go with the flow. There’s a lot of craziness around but that’s what makes the country special. Make an effort to strike up conversations with people. Most people are very friendly and open and will be willing to help you in any way they can. 4.Be respectful of the culture and customs. Lots of religions are practiced in the country so some areas might be more sensitive than others. Take lots of pictures… It hard to take a bad picture in India, with all the faces, colours, scenes. 5.Don’t think about it, just go. India is a very culturally rich country, which engages you with its fascinating art, history and the sheer numbers of everything. There aren’t any ‘dangers’ as such you should be aware of, just petty annoyances. This is one trip you will find hard to put behind you, because when you experience India, it seeps into your pores and it’s very difficult to just forget about it once you get back home. India is a challenging country to travel in, and you will be taxed mentally and probably physically, but it will also be one of your more memorable trips, if nothing more… Sharon |
|
|
|
|
|
| sharon1306 |
Jun 23 2007, 07:12 AM
|
Wayfarer
Group: Members
Posts: 52
Joined: 1-June 06
From: Goa, India
Member No.: 986
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
I can understand why you would feel a little nervous about planning a trip here, but if you do decide to come, I guarantee you an unforgettable experience… What kind of yoga do you practice? And what part of India would you like to travel to? There are yoga/meditation centers that offer retreats all over the country. Or you could plan a trip with yoga and meditation as the central theme. There are so many possibilities. There’s an organization called Ambika Yoga Kutir, which has about 45 centres all over India and they give yoga/meditation instruction free for women. If spa’s are more your style, then perhaps you could consider the Ananda Spa, situated in the Himalayas. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this place but haven’t been there myself. It overlooks the holy Hindu town of Rishikesh as well as the river Ganga. If you could give me more information about the type of retreat you're interested in, the length of time you plan on spending and the area where you're most interested in, it would be very helpful. |
|
|
|
|
|
| pstocktonsmith |
Jun 30 2007, 02:53 PM
|
Armchair Adventurer
Group: Members
Posts: 4
Joined: 30-June 07
Member No.: 65880
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
Hello Sharon I came across this forum quite by chance, and briefly as artist as well as a traveller I'm thinking about southern India in Feb next year and wondered if you had any suggestions for an itinerary/route etc. I found your writing very informative. Hope to hear from you. Peter QUOTE(sharon1306 @ Jun 16 2007, 06:26 AM)  Sharon Dias says: Just want to quickly introduce myself to the forum… I live in Goa, India and I would be happy to answer any questions with regards to travel in India, especially the southern region. Please let me know if I can be of any help Below are some tips for a first time traveler to India: I’m going to try to keep it as brief as I can, but let me start by saying India is a difficult country to travel in, more so if you are coming to visit for the first time. No matter how much you prepare, India is an assault on the senses. The sights, smells and sounds are overwhelming. Having said that, I am also fairly certain this will be one of your most memorable trips, one that will stay with you always. I guess tips, as such, would vary depending to the region, because India is extremely diverse in many ways. It is a country that has so many different kinds of people, religions, languages, cultures and even landscapes. But generally. I guess I would say: 1.Come with an open mind. You will find dirt, filth and probably more poverty than you’re used to. You have to deal with that and not let it get to you. The touts are sometimes aggressive and so are the beggars. It is best to ignore them. Lots of traffic, lots of people, lots of noise. But that is also what makes India fascinating. It will take you a few days before you learn to cope. In one day your experiences can range from extremely frustrating to extremely magical… 2.The benefits of travel in India definitely outweigh the negatives. You will find India chaotic at the surface, but it really is organized chaos and it takes a while to get used to it. Getting the simplest things done might take more time and effort than you’re used to, but it’s definitely worth it in the end. Be careful about what you eat or drink. Drink only bottled water, eat hot foods, avoid ice, desserts and salads and wash your hands. Its good to carry a hand sanitizer for when you don't have access to soap and water, insect repellent, water purification tablets and toilet paper. 3.Just go with the flow. There’s a lot of craziness around but that’s what makes the country special. Make an effort to strike up conversations with people. Most people are very friendly and open and will be willing to help you in any way they can. 4.Be respectful of the culture and customs. Lots of religions are practiced in the country so some areas might be more sensitive than others. Take lots of pictures… It hard to take a bad picture in India, with all the faces, colours, scenes. 5.Don’t think about it, just go. India is a very culturally rich country, which engages you with its fascinating art, history and the sheer numbers of everything. There aren’t any ‘dangers’ as such you should be aware of, just petty annoyances. This is one trip you will find hard to put behind you, because when you experience India, it seeps into your pores and it’s very difficult to just forget about it once you get back home. India is a challenging country to travel in, and you will be taxed mentally and probably physically, but it will also be one of your more memorable trips, if nothing more… Sharon |
|
|
|
|
|
| SlipperyCoconut |
Jun 30 2007, 03:20 PM
|
Voyager
Group: Members
Posts: 82
Joined: 1-August 06
From: McLean, Virginia, USA
Member No.: 10856
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
QUOTE(sharon1306 @ Jun 23 2007, 08:12 AM) If spa’s are more your style, then perhaps you could consider the Ananda Spa, situated in the Himalayas. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this place but haven’t been there myself. It overlooks the holy Hindu town of Rishikesh as well as the river Ganga. Ananda Spa -- rooms start at $350 to $1250 US Dollars - tax and tip extra. PER NIGHT. With a separate price schedule for nationals. Hmmm.... That's a bit outrageous, don't you think? The REAL rates for Ananada Spa
--------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
| sharon1306 |
Jul 2 2007, 06:15 AM
|
Wayfarer
Group: Members
Posts: 52
Joined: 1-June 06
From: Goa, India
Member No.: 986
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
Hi Carmella,
Sorry for the delay in response, I was out of town… Anyways, yes, there are an amazing amount of options out there. Considering you haven’t been to India before, I would suggest sticking to a more-or-less typical north Indian itinerary including Delhi, Agra, cities in Rajasthan (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur) and maybe Varanasi for the Ganges. Also, if you’re interested in wildlife you might want to add Ranthambore for the tigers. That would be a great introduction to India with the forts, palaces, the Taj Mahal and of course the holy river Ganga. Let me see if I can gather information on yoga retreats in these areas. It would be interesting if you could intersperse some yoga activities with seeing the sights. Towards the end of the stay, you might want to retreat to the hill stations in Himachal Pradesh.
Yes, the Ananda is a high-end property and the prices are really out there, but its one those totally inclusive spas. There are all kinds of properties, catering to various budgets, so it really depends on what you’re looking for. There are a lot of traditional ayurvedic health resorts that incorporate a lot of yoga techniques, which you might consider looking into.
Finally, I’m not quite sure why it’s free for women, but from I understand, the knowledge of yoga is supposed to be passed on free of charge, or something like that. Of course, now it’s definitely commercialized especially in the West, but there are places here that give free lessons. I joined a free class a few years ago but didn’t last very long… It was at 5am every morning, and waking up that early just killed me…
Sharon
|
|
|
|
|
|
| sharon1306 |
Jul 2 2007, 06:18 AM
|
Wayfarer
Group: Members
Posts: 52
Joined: 1-June 06
From: Goa, India
Member No.: 986
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
QUOTE(pstocktonsmith @ Jun 30 2007, 02:53 PM) Hello Sharon I came across this forum quite by chance, and briefly as artist as well as a traveller I'm thinking about southern India in Feb next year and wondered if you had any suggestions for an itinerary/route etc. I found your writing very informative. Hope to hear from you. Peter QUOTE(sharon1306 @ Jun 16 2007, 06:26 AM)
Hi Peter, Welcome to the forum! Feb is a great time to visit India. Have you been to India before? What are your interests like and how many days do you plan on traveling? Southern India is great for a very laid-back, tropical, beach-filled trip. You could start your trip in Bombay, great place to shop, and then head south to Goa (for the beaches and a bit of the Portuguese culture, paddy fields, coconut palm groves) or maybe Cochin in Kerala. Kerala has a lot to offer. Wildlife sanctuaries, the lazy backwaters, tea plantations, etc. You could travel to Kumarakom, Thekaddy, Aleppey, Varkala, Trichur etc down to Kanyakumari (the southernmost tip of India). If you got more time to spend in the South, you could visit some of the cities in the state of Tamil Nadu famous for some amazing temples in places like Madurai, Tanjore, Trichy, etc and perhaps end your trip in Chennai (Madras) on the east coast. There are so many options out there to give you a good feel for the colours, culture and variety of India. Sharon |
|
|
|
|
|
| sharon1306 |
Jul 2 2007, 06:20 AM
|
Wayfarer
Group: Members
Posts: 52
Joined: 1-June 06
From: Goa, India
Member No.: 986
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
QUOTE(wakingdream @ Jul 1 2007, 08:21 AM) QUOTE Hmmm.... That's a bit outrageous, don't you think? Whoa. It better be a damn good spa!  It is:) Sharon |
|
|
|
|
|
| pstocktonsmith |
Jul 3 2007, 04:17 AM
|
Armchair Adventurer
Group: Members
Posts: 4
Joined: 30-June 07
Member No.: 65880
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
[quote name='sharon1306' post='29485' date='Jul 2 2007, 06:18 AM']
[quote name='pstocktonsmith' post='29382' date='Jun 30 2007, 02:53 PM']
Hello Sharon
I came across this forum quite by chance, and briefly as artist as well as a traveller I'm thinking about southern India in Feb next year and wondered if you had any suggestions for an itinerary/route etc. I found your writing very informative. Hope to hear from you.
Peter
[quote name='sharon1306' post='28683' date='Jun 16 2007, 06:26 AM']
[/quote]
[/quote]
Hi Sharon
Thanks for your reply. I haven't been to India before, all your suggestions sound great. I was thinking of a months' trip.
My most 'foreign' journey has been in Marakech area, where I found a lot of inspiration to make new work. I am looking for an adventure and ideas for making art, without ending up with too much hassle. Do you suggest trains for travel, or are there other options?
If I travel solo will this cause problems and do you have any tips on finding accomodation, especially on the early stages, say in Bombay and then Goa?
A lot of questions I know!
Thanks
Peter
|
|
|
|
|
|
| sharon1306 |
Jul 6 2007, 01:57 AM
|
Wayfarer
Group: Members
Posts: 52
Joined: 1-June 06
From: Goa, India
Member No.: 986
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
Hi Peter, Do you mean Marrakesh in Morocco? Sounds like a great place… If you have a month, you can explore southern india at your own pace. Buy a couple of guidebooks (or get some from the library) and see which places appeal to you. Traveling solo is not a problem, as long as you follow general precautions like you would in any country. I prefer to book accomodation in advance instead of just winging it. Especially for Bombay, where the hotel rates are very high and it is difficult to find a place within your budget at the last moment. Goa during peak season is also always booked. If you have a firm itinerary in mind, it makes sense to arrange your accomodation before you leave. About travel within the country, again it depends on your routes. For certain areas I suggest flying. Eg. Mumbai – Goa. There are tons of budget flights available on this route which wouldn’t cost much more than a train ticket (which is a 12 hour journey). Southern India is very well connected by train. You can read more about train travel in India here: http://www.seat61.com/India.htm Certain inaccessible areas you might want to explore, you could hire a car and driver (comparatably cheap in India). |
|
|
|
|
|
| sharon1306 |
Jul 6 2007, 06:37 AM
|
Wayfarer
Group: Members
Posts: 52
Joined: 1-June 06
From: Goa, India
Member No.: 986
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
QUOTE(whereshegoes @ Jul 2 2007, 07:36 AM) Hi Sharon Thankyou! You know, just talking to someone from there makes it a whole lot less...intimidating. I am pretty sure I need an authentic experience. I am doing yoga here and it is, as you say, quite Westernized. At least, I think. I guess I have no real way of knowing unless I come there and find out. Thank you for your help! Hi Carmella, You are welcome anytime. What kind of yoga do you practice? If you're looking for something totally inclusive with accomodation and meals, you could take a look at this holistic spa called Soukya, located just outside of Bangalore city. Sharon |
|
|
|
|
|
| pstocktonsmith |
Jul 12 2007, 04:46 PM
|
Armchair Adventurer
Group: Members
Posts: 4
Joined: 30-June 07
Member No.: 65880
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
Hi Sharon Sorry not to have resonded earlier, but have been in Venice for the Art Biennale and having great time hanging out on the Lido beach etc. Marrakech was great, the best smelling air ever. Thanks for your advice I will look at booking in advance, are the flights all Indian airways and easy to book while I'm there? Read a really good book on holiday, 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' by Tahir Shah, do you know it? Thanks again. Peter QUOTE(sharon1306 @ Jul 6 2007, 01:57 AM) Hi Peter, Do you mean Marrakesh in Morocco? Sounds like a great place… If you have a month, you can explore southern india at your own pace. Buy a couple of guidebooks (or get some from the library) and see which places appeal to you. Traveling solo is not a problem, as long as you follow general precautions like you would in any country. I prefer to book accomodation in advance instead of just winging it. Especially for Bombay, where the hotel rates are very high and it is difficult to find a place within your budget at the last moment. Goa during peak season is also always booked. If you have a firm itinerary in mind, it makes sense to arrange your accomodation before you leave. About travel within the country, again it depends on your routes. For certain areas I suggest flying. Eg. Mumbai – Goa. There are tons of budget flights available on this route which wouldn’t cost much more than a train ticket (which is a 12 hour journey). Southern India is very well connected by train. You can read more about train travel in India here: http://www.seat61.com/India.htm Certain inaccessible areas you might want to explore, you could hire a car and driver (comparatably cheap in India). |
|
|
|
|
|
| sharon1306 |
Jul 13 2007, 01:49 AM
|
Wayfarer
Group: Members
Posts: 52
Joined: 1-June 06
From: Goa, India
Member No.: 986
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
Hi Peter,
No need to apologise. Venice is lovely, I'm sure you've been having a wonderful time...
There are tons of airlines operating different routes. The best are Kingfisher and Jet Airways, then the so-called budget airlines like Spicejet (I personally like this one), Indigo, Deccan etc with Indian (airlines) at the bottom... They are very easy to book once you're here, or if you have your itinerary in place, you could look into booking them online before you arrive. You generally get better rates if you book in advance as opposed to the very last minute.
Glad you liked the Sorcerer's Apprentice. I haven't read it yet, but I've heard about it. Sounds like a great read.
Take care and let me know if I can be of any help with regards to your travel planning.
Sharon
|
|
|
|
|
|
| pstocktonsmith |
Jul 17 2007, 11:39 AM
|
Armchair Adventurer
Group: Members
Posts: 4
Joined: 30-June 07
Member No.: 65880
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
Thanks for all the advice Sharon, I'll get in touch when the plan starts to take shape.
I have a website with my work on it, if you're interested.
www.stockton-smith.co.uk
Thanks
Peter
|
|
|
|
|
|
| sharon1306 |
Jul 18 2007, 08:01 AM
|
Wayfarer
Group: Members
Posts: 52
Joined: 1-June 06
From: Goa, India
Member No.: 986
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
QUOTE(whereshegoes @ Jul 13 2007, 05:50 AM)
Hi Sharon,
At the moment I am practicing Bikram (hot) yoga. Its become a bit of a fad it seems but it really works for me. I am glad to have been lured in by this extreme form of yoga because it has taught me alot about myself. I have bypassed yoga for years because it didn't seem to be challenging enough. But whoa, now I understand.
So as for a trip there, I think I will be looking for something more spiritual as I have the physical stuff under control. For the most part.
Do you do yoga?
Hi Carmella, Glad Bikram yoga’s working for you. It definitely is more challenging than it looks… Yes, I do yoga (Hatha, not hot…) Its too hot most of the time here for any ‘hot’ yoga:) Sharon |
|
|
|
|
|
| sharon1306 |
Jul 18 2007, 08:02 AM
|
Wayfarer
Group: Members
Posts: 52
Joined: 1-June 06
From: Goa, India
Member No.: 986
Nominate me as a Local Expert
|
QUOTE(pstocktonsmith @ Jul 17 2007, 11:39 AM)
Thanks for all the advice Sharon, I'll get in touch when the plan starts to take shape.
I have a website with my work on it, if you're interested.
www.stockton-smith.co.uk
Thanks
Peter
Hi Peter, You’re welcome anytime. I took a look at your website. I now have a better understanding of the kind of work you do. Very interesting. Sharon |
|
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
|
