Travel Tips Series: India
India is well worth a visit. If you are a first time traveler maybe it’s not the best place for you, but with some traveling and life experience under your belt you will relish in the chaos that India is, rather than be overwhelmed or even fearful.
It is a place that is vibrating high with personality. You truly need to embrace it and get out amongst it to enjoy your time in India. You can have no fear. To travel throughout India in fear means missing out on the unique experiences that make your trip an adventure, a journey. Smile. Laugh. Enjoy the ride. Somehow amongst the tooting of horns, cows on the road, dodging monkeys, squirrels, dogs, poo piles, goats wearing jackets, school children by the side of the road waving, people hanging on the edge of trains and buses, driving in the opposite direction down the wrong side of the road, going the opposite way around a round about, speed breakers everywhere (speed humps), street markets, overnight trains, amazing ancient buildings, the chaotic nature of traffic, animals on the road, people everywhere and chai masala tea for sale on every corner; it all flows. Their popular saying is ‘anything is possible in India’.
My sister and I had five weeks in Northern India on a Intrepid ‘India Revealed’ tour earlier this year. If you are considering a trip to India then take these top tips on board…
travel with a backpack, rather than a suitcase. It is much more practical.
pack light so you can carry your own bag. Otherwise porters will demand money if you get them to carry your bag at a train station
use a bike chain or padlock to lock your bag on overnight trains. There are hoops to attach it to. It will help you to sleep easier. Though saying that, don’t expect to get alot of sleep on the train. There is alot of stopping, people getting on and off and the tea guy coming through offering Chai every half an hour. There is often unexplained delays but hey, it’s all part of the experience. Expect the trains to run overtime or arrive late
always negotiate and agree on a price before getting into a taxi or tuktuk. Get a feel for the price from your hotel staff or locals
Indians do get excited to see ‘white people’ so expect to be looked up and down, expect people to practice their English with you and expect people to ask for your photo. It is okay. They won’t hurt you. We found Indians to be super friendly and helpful when we needed them and even when we didn’t
eating in India takes time. Never be in a rush when you enter a restaurant. Plan for a minimum of 1 hour; to order, preparation time and then to eat. Meals are large though. My sister and I could often share a curry/rice dish together with an entree which was sufficient. Thali is a great mix of curries and bread. Be sure to try the Lassi too. Find Blue Lassi on the backstreets of Varanasi and you will find the best Lassi ever.
starters/entrees come out at the same time as your main meal
it is worthwhile visiting a naturopath before you go. Pack parasite tablets, charcoal band aids, cold and flu tablets, multivitamins, and a probiotic. Take your vitamins daily to increase your chances of keeping well while you are away. If you do unfortunately get sick with Delhi belly, avoid curries and just eat simple foods such as bananas, plain rice, kitchari, and the best for sore throats is lemon, ginger and honey tea
pack some comfort foods from home such as muesli bars
drink bottled water only and use it when you are cleaning your teeth. Try to avoid drinking water in the shower. Avoid ice
plan to eat vegetarian and make sure to not over eat
tiles and marble floors make it cold inside. We travelled in February which is coming to the end of the Indian winter, though days and nights were still fresh and mostly freezing. Hotels are marble floored so are cold. We often had to ask for more blankets, sheets, or a heater. The hot water in the shower needs to be switched on firstly in the bathroom and then you need to allow at least twenty minutes for the water to warm up. Pack a beanie, scarf, warm jacket, even gloves and woollen socks
it’s nice if you have time to base yourself in the one place, get comfortable and take things slow
if taking the public bus be aware they don’t stop. You see people jumping off as it is still in motion
While we were in Varanasi, the Naga Sadhu men were in town. They are the naked men with the dreadlocks and bath in ash. They only come out from the Himalayas every 12 years and stay for Feb/Mar. There were so many. We were quite fortunate to see them at this time.
It does not matter what preconceived ideas you have of India. It will truly surprise you. It is very clean for a developing country and the current Prime Minister has initiated alot of great projects. He is very popular amongst his people. I am sure if I was to visit India in another five or ten year I will experience a totally different India all together.
I always felt safe in Northern India, even when weaving in and out of traffic on a tiny tutuk on the narrow busy roads. You can trust the drivers, the people. They know what they are doing. But listen to your gut feeling. Don’t do something or go somewhere if your intuition is telling you no.
Not only in India, but always travel with commonsense. Do go out by yourself at night but maybe not choose to walk down dark alleyways and avoid drunk tuktuk drivers. Some men like to flirt so don’t sit in the front seat next to the tuktuk driver, always sit in the back.
India really is incredible. It is in my top ten favourite countries around the world. A country I highly recommend you to see. Have you been? What was your experience and impressions of India? Comment below.
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