Back from India

Juliana · Sep 25th, 2004, 00:48

Hi everyone
Just got back from my trip to India. Want to say it was amazing, lake steping back in time. Loved the people, loved the food and loved the trains!!
My itinerary was:

Kolkata (just landing there)

Varanasi

Rishikesh

Pushkar

Jaisalmer

Jodhpur

Goa

My general impressions are:
- Goa is not india, it's like landing in a different country.
- Rishikesh isn't worth travelling to there, too many wannabies, little things to see or do.
- Jodhpur is beautiful.
- Varanasi is the best.
- Jaisalmer is totally different, the weather, the coulours, i loved it.
- Pushkar is a bit crowded with touts but it's great.
- Travel by train never by bus!

This is a self portrait of me not difficult to guess where it was taken.
Thank you again for the wonderful tips, they were really useful!

EDIT NOTE Photo re-sized.

lobo · Sep 25th, 2004, 01:29

sounds like you had a great time, i was considering varanasi in my trip glad to see you reccomend it.

Juliana · Sep 25th, 2004, 01:43

yes! don't miss Varanasi, for me it was the best, it's India, real india.if you need any tips, you can PM me

Shamim · Sep 25th, 2004, 02:00

glad to know u enjoyed your trip. i am planning to be in JAiselmer in Jan 2005. Any tips on good hotels to stay at would be appreciated.

skell · Sep 25th, 2004, 03:02

tips on Jodhpur hotel also appreciated.

Juliana · Sep 25th, 2004, 06:43

About Jodhpur, I stayed at Cozy Guest House, which is pretty basic but very friendly, familiar style, very clean and has an amazing cook. Ask him to make you the KASHMIRI DISH. It's great!

ravenraye · Sep 25th, 2004, 07:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juliana

About Jodhpur, I stayed at Cozy Guest House, which is pretty basic but very friendly, familiar style, very clean and has an amazing cook. Ask him to make you the KASHMIRI DISH. It's great!

Great to hear about Varanasi and the rest of your trip; my 4th trip is coming up end November and was determined to do Varanasi - Where did you stay ?

Juliana · Sep 25th, 2004, 07:16

I wish I could return in November...

In Varanasi I stayed at Shiva Ganges View (*), which is a quiet Guest House, in a quiet ghat which is what you want in Varanasi, because there are some ghats that can be really crowded and noisy. It's a charming place, the room had a varanda to the Ganga river, very clean and spacious (it was the 3 of us) and the owner makes great vegetarian thalis (I hated vegetarian until I arrived in india, then i started to love it).

Varanasi, as far as i'm concerned is a place to walk and see mostly. You don't have anything special to do like some other places, and yet, there are always things happening. Walk in the old city, sit down in one ghat, and most of all try to make a boat trip. we made one, just the 3 of us and two boatmen, for 3 hours and I used 5 films!! In early morning (5 o'clock) you can see people bathing and praying. It's absolutely amazing.

I didn't find any dangers or annoyances in the city. On the contrary, everyone was very friendly and truly helpful.
Good luck and have fun!

(*) Check this guest house in Hotel Listings here in IM.

butterball · Sep 25th, 2004, 13:39

I see Jodhpur is still looking as serene as ever..

I would add to the comments - for all the hectic nature of Varanasi, it IS a must. Ironically, I ended up spending a night there in a Christian couple's house after I'd met them on the platform waiting for the train back to Delhi. The train was 9 hours late and as it pulled in , I realised my ticket was for the following day ! By this time I was SO exhasted ( final leg of my whole trip ) the couple saw the look of despair on my face and very kindly offered me their appartment for the night... The next day I got a guided tour through the eyes of their 'missionary' friends

..

Missed Jaisalmer.... shame..

Goa is like another country which is refreshing. I'd recommend going further South beyond to Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu.. Very Indian. Very Southern..

Great you had a wonderful time - I'm sure you're planning a return visit !

Sep 25th, 2004, 00:48	#1
Juliana Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 22	Back from India Hi everyone Just got back from my trip to India. Want to say it was amazing, lake steping back in time. Loved the people, loved the food and loved the trains!! My itinerary was: Kolkata (just landing there) Varanasi Rishikesh Pushkar Jaisalmer Jodhpur Goa My general impressions are: - Goa is not india, it's like landing in a different country. - Rishikesh isn't worth travelling to there, too many wannabies, little things to see or do. - Jodhpur is beautiful. - Varanasi is the best. - Jaisalmer is totally different, the weather, the coulours, i loved it. - Pushkar is a bit crowded with touts but it's great. - Travel by train never by bus! This is a self portrait of me not difficult to guess where it was taken. Thank you again for the wonderful tips, they were really useful! EDIT NOTE Photo re-sized. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by steven_ber : Sep 25th, 2004 at 18:47.

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Sep 25th, 2004, 01:29	#2
lobo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: london Posts: 431	sounds like you had a great time, i was considering varanasi in my trip glad to see you reccomend it.

Sep 25th, 2004, 01:43	#3
Juliana Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 22	yes! don't miss Varanasi, for me it was the best, it's India, real india.if you need any tips, you can PM me

Sep 25th, 2004, 02:00	#4
Shamim Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: london Posts: 7	glad to know u enjoyed your trip. i am planning to be in JAiselmer in Jan 2005. Any tips on good hotels to stay at would be appreciated.

Sep 25th, 2004, 03:02	#5
skell Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The OC Posts: 993	tips on Jodhpur hotel also appreciated.

Sep 25th, 2004, 06:43	#6
Juliana Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 22	About Jodhpur, I stayed at Cozy Guest House, which is pretty basic but very friendly, familiar style, very clean and has an amazing cook. Ask him to make you the KASHMIRI DISH. It's great!

Sep 25th, 2004, 07:16	#8
Juliana Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 22	I wish I could return in November... In Varanasi I stayed at Shiva Ganges View (), which is a quiet Guest House, in a quiet ghat which is what you want in Varanasi, because there are some ghats that can be really crowded and noisy. It's a charming place, the room had a varanda to the Ganga river, very clean and spacious (it was the 3 of us) and the owner makes great vegetarian thalis (I hated vegetarian until I arrived in india, then i started to love it). Varanasi, as far as i'm concerned is a place to walk and see mostly. You don't have anything special to do like some other places, and yet, there are always things happening. Walk in the old city, sit down in one ghat, and most of all try to make a boat trip. we made one, just the 3 of us and two boatmen, for 3 hours and I used 5 films!! In early morning (5 o'clock) you can see people bathing and praying. It's absolutely amazing. I didn't find any dangers or annoyances in the city. On the contrary, everyone was very friendly and truly helpful. Good luck and have fun! () Check this guest house in Hotel Listings here in IM.

Sep 25th, 2004, 13:39	#9
butterball Mine's a Haywoods... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: London.. sometimes.. Posts: 689	I see Jodhpur is still looking as serene as ever.. I would add to the comments - for all the hectic nature of Varanasi, it IS a must. Ironically, I ended up spending a night there in a Christian couple's house after I'd met them on the platform waiting for the train back to Delhi. The train was 9 hours late and as it pulled in , I realised my ticket was for the following day ! By this time I was SO exhasted ( final leg of my whole trip ) the couple saw the look of despair on my face and very kindly offered me their appartment for the night... The next day I got a guided tour through the eyes of their 'missionary' friends .. Missed Jaisalmer.... shame.. Goa is like another country which is refreshing. I'd recommend going further South beyond to Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu.. Very Indian. Very Southern.. Great you had a wonderful time - I'm sure you're planning a return visit !