first timer

magindi · Mar 5th, 2005, 19:38

hi this is my first time on the forum and my first trip to india.we are flying to delhi in five weeks time (very excited) and travelling around india for six weeks i would like any info on the best area to head for and stay in delhi also we are arriving late at night and would it be better for us to stay in the airport until daylight as we have so far no pre-booked accomadation

lostinasia · Mar 5th, 2005, 19:57

Try doing a search around the site... there are lots of postings about hotels and areas in Delhi.

Most people seem to head for Pahar Gaj. I did this and stayed at Star Paradise, which was fine--best shower I had in my month in India, actually--but I didn't like the area that much. Grotty, busy, not too friendly (mind you, almost every big Indian city could be described that way). I left Delhi pretty quickly so I don't know what places might be nicer.

If you're arriving late at night, definitely try to pre-book accommodation and probably get them to pick you up at the airport. It'll save you a lot of hassle and provide peace of mind. Lots of people do this--I certainly see no need to stay in the airport until daylight.

warlock · Mar 5th, 2005, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostinasia

Grotty, busy, not too friendly (mind you, almost every big Indian city could be described that way).

I think that not too friendly part should not be generalised,I accept Delhi is not too friendly but go to other big cities like Calcutta,Mumbai,Chennai and you will see how different the people there are.

lostinasia · Mar 5th, 2005, 21:31

Yeah, you're right--apologies. That was my experience in the northern Indian cities that I saw, but I didn't get to the others you mention. Way too generalized on my part.

magindi · Mar 5th, 2005, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by warlock

I think that not too friendly part should not be generalised,I accept Delhi is not too friendly but go to other big cities like Calcutta,Mumbai,Chennai and you will see how different the people there are.

im not feeling to confident about my first visit to delhi from the feedback i have received [quote=delhi is not too friendly] perhaps i will have to seek out its more positive friendlier aspects and hopefully be able to change this perception.i will give it a go anyway and if not take a sharp exit on the next train to friendlier climes thanks for the warnings though lostinasia and warlock

machadinha · Mar 5th, 2005, 23:30

Maybe the "not so friendly" referred more to these big cities being pretty overwhelming at first, as LostinAsia said this will probably be true of any place you land, it's your subjective new-arrival experience and doesn't necessarily reflect on those cities as such. The subject has indeed been covered many times in the short time I've been here so search through this site a little. Basically just take it easy at first and/or head for your next quieter destination. I'm sure you'll be fine, most of the people here have been there and done it and survived

steven_ber · Mar 6th, 2005, 00:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by magindi

I will give it a go anyway and if not take a sharp exit on the next train to friendlier climes

Train 999 departs New Delhi station nightly and arrives at 'friendlier climes' the next morning.

Try some of the back streets around Pahar Ganj, anywhere away from the main street, I never found the area unfriendly, just too much hassle.

Welcome to Indiamike.com

warlock · Mar 6th, 2005, 01:48

Let me clarify the "not so friendly" part about Delhi. Whether its a cab guy or if you are shopping for something,the moment they see that you are not Indian they start seeing $$$ signs on you.I used to always get a feeling that the guy was always trying to rip me off just because I am not from there. Hey I might be earning $$'s but they don't grow on trees. and I havent seen so much touts as I have seen in Delhi.
A word of advice, buzz them off like flies (apologies if the words sound offensive)

Sadhu · Mar 6th, 2005, 02:05

The intensity of Delhi is part of the initiation into India travel. It's something most of us have gone through. Don't sweat it. I would say start your travelling the first or second day, and save exploring Delhi for when you're more aclimated.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Namaste India Tours, who post to this sight, can arrange to meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Something like that might be a good idea.

Paharganj is intense, but actually pretty fun. By no means is it indicative of anywhere else in India. It is really a 'traveller's ghetto'. I stay at Anoop's when I arrive, as they have a roof top restaurant open 24 hours. I like to have a bite to eat and a cup of tea after the flight, and then hear the city come to life with the mosques' calls to prayer.

I believe I have a picture of a room at Anoop's and a few of Pahargaj in my photo gallery.

Get psyched!!!

davey · Mar 6th, 2005, 02:58

just got back last night our first trip and we loved delhi, my fist tip is stay somewhere where its not full on to start with, we stayed at the Mster Paying Guest House, cost 40 to 50 IR to got to Connaught palce, its quite if there is such a word for delhi and you are surrounded by prefessional businesses not shops with touts, when you step outside on you first day it helps, other gustes are all travellers who get together and have breakfast and pass on usefull advise. the owners ( now friends) Ushi and Avnish Puri are great and help like you would not believe truly professional and genuine about helping travelers, I actually tryped a long reply to this but ion my daze I lost it so I'm atarting again it 5am here in OZ so we are still a bit stunned after travelling home it took 35 hours (thats another story) after a trip to India I wished I was a writer to pass on the feeling and sights that you will experience, Delhi great place you will experience averthing there see everything and thing Shit then out of the blue you will witness acts that will knock you over youll see acts that will sicken you then see an act that will warm your heart up and make you feel better and thats in the first few minutes, Another tip this forum is great as are others (indiamike is best) read everthing and stoe it in the memory banks but dont remember all of the negatives, the touts and scams ets it will happen but its usuall only a few pennies and cents we are talking about, Ill add some to the forum as I wake up. Another tip is latch on the another seasoned traveller and listen to them, how they deal with THINGS how they organise a rickshaw how they speak to Indians, you develop an attitude which will show Indians ( I'm talking about taxis drives shop dealars etc) how you manage things and they will deal with you appropiatley, plainly speaking really if you are too nice you will be shat on from a great hight and quickly, deal fairly and business like you are in charge and yoiu may only get caught a little but it diplays authority and control, more on this later when my brain kicks in. Love Delhi we are already planning our return before we lose our head nodding(side to side) it helps belive it or not, I was doing it after two days. if you want more on the gust hous contact me, YOU WILL LOVE INDIA IT'S ....................cant find a word to expalin it great is good but not good enough. THANKS TO INDIA MIKE MEMBERS YOUR HELP MADE A TRIP EASIER AND ENJOYABLE

seventies'hippy · Mar 6th, 2005, 14:00

Any city anywhere in the world can be unfriendly & overwhelming.

Even more so when you've read up on it & decided that it probably will be before you even get there.

Perhaps the secret is not to try & see/do all of it in a couple of days, but just concentrate on a small area & must see sites.

Then hit that train outta there,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

magindi · Mar 8th, 2005, 07:31

thanks everyone one for some great advice think we are probably going to dive straight in to initiation time in paharganj and take it slowly from there and definately pre-book some accomadation and collection from airport

Dino · Mar 8th, 2005, 16:47

Hi magindi.Delhi is one of the great cities of the world and every hour you spend there will fill you with the resonance of India's past.

My advice as a first-timer is pre-book your hotel and get the hotel to pick you up at the airport.Make sure the room has a few mod cons (hot shower,AC,cable etc) so you've got a bit of a refuge if your first 'hit' of India is a bit overwhelming and you need some time out.Expect to pay a bit more until you get use to negotiating.It's no big deal and part of your Indian experience that you'll laugh about later.I'm talking a few dollars here and there,not your house or anything.

Above all,don't think everyone sees you as $$$.Most people in India (including Delhi) will genuinely try and help you out if they can.You will quickly learn to recognise touts and how to deal with them.Just remember that they are just trying to eke out a living and a firm 'no' needn't be offensive.Have a great trip and I'm as jealous as anything.I'll just say if Delhi does get you down too much go and have a splurge at Gaylord's at Connaught Place.Yum.

magindi · Mar 8th, 2005, 17:31

thanks Dino for some really positive and inspiring advice im back on my excited optimistic track again now and am looking to book somewhere as we speak

seventies'hippy · Mar 8th, 2005, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dino

go and have a splurge at Gaylord's at Connaught Place.Yum.

Maybe it's finished now but Gaylords has been closed for a while for a re-fit.
though there is another good restaurant just the other side of the cinema above a coffee shop, names gone

Mar 5th, 2005, 19:38	#1
magindi Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: west wales Posts: 20	first timer hi this is my first time on the forum and my first trip to india.we are flying to delhi in five weeks time (very excited) and travelling around india for six weeks i would like any info on the best area to head for and stay in delhi also we are arriving late at night and would it be better for us to stay in the airport until daylight as we have so far no pre-booked accomadation

Mar 5th, 2005, 23:30	#6
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,243	Maybe the "not so friendly" referred more to these big cities being pretty overwhelming at first, as LostinAsia said this will probably be true of any place you land, it's your subjective new-arrival experience and doesn't necessarily reflect on those cities as such. The subject has indeed been covered many times in the short time I've been here so search through this site a little. Basically just take it easy at first and/or head for your next quieter destination. I'm sure you'll be fine, most of the people here have been there and done it and survived __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Mar 6th, 2005, 02:05	#9
Sadhu The Baron Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: ABQ, NM Posts: 218	The intensity of Delhi is part of the initiation into India travel. It's something most of us have gone through. Don't sweat it. I would say start your travelling the first or second day, and save exploring Delhi for when you're more aclimated. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Namaste India Tours, who post to this sight, can arrange to meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Something like that might be a good idea. Paharganj is intense, but actually pretty fun. By no means is it indicative of anywhere else in India. It is really a 'traveller's ghetto'. I stay at Anoop's when I arrive, as they have a roof top restaurant open 24 hours. I like to have a bite to eat and a cup of tea after the flight, and then hear the city come to life with the mosques' calls to prayer. I believe I have a picture of a room at Anoop's and a few of Pahargaj in my photo gallery. Get psyched!!! __________________ 'Walk the Earth, Have Adventures'

Mar 6th, 2005, 14:00	#11
seventies'hippy Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,132	Any city anywhere in the world can be unfriendly & overwhelming. Even more so when you've read up on it & decided that it probably will be before you even get there. Perhaps the secret is not to try & see/do all of it in a couple of days, but just concentrate on a small area & must see sites. Then hit that train outta there,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, __________________ . . . My Photo Gallery

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Mar 5th, 2005, 19:57	#2
lostinasia Lost In Asia Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Taiwan Posts: 46	Try doing a search around the site... there are lots of postings about hotels and areas in Delhi. Most people seem to head for Pahar Gaj. I did this and stayed at Star Paradise, which was fine--best shower I had in my month in India, actually--but I didn't like the area that much. Grotty, busy, not too friendly (mind you, almost every big Indian city could be described that way). I left Delhi pretty quickly so I don't know what places might be nicer. If you're arriving late at night, definitely try to pre-book accommodation and probably get them to pick you up at the airport. It'll save you a lot of hassle and provide peace of mind. Lots of people do this--I certainly see no need to stay in the airport until daylight.

Mar 5th, 2005, 21:31	#4
lostinasia Lost In Asia Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Taiwan Posts: 46	Yeah, you're right--apologies. That was my experience in the northern Indian cities that I saw, but I didn't get to the others you mention. Way too generalized on my part.

Mar 6th, 2005, 01:48	#8
warlock Indophile Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 14	Let me clarify the "not so friendly" part about Delhi. Whether its a cab guy or if you are shopping for something,the moment they see that you are not Indian they start seeing $$$ signs on you.I used to always get a feeling that the guy was always trying to rip me off just because I am not from there. Hey I might be earning $$'s but they don't grow on trees. and I havent seen so much touts as I have seen in Delhi. A word of advice, buzz them off like flies (apologies if the words sound offensive)

Mar 6th, 2005, 02:58	#10
davey Grumpy Old fart Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Australia (Buderim) Posts: 536	just got back last night our first trip and we loved delhi, my fist tip is stay somewhere where its not full on to start with, we stayed at the Mster Paying Guest House, cost 40 to 50 IR to got to Connaught palce, its quite if there is such a word for delhi and you are surrounded by prefessional businesses not shops with touts, when you step outside on you first day it helps, other gustes are all travellers who get together and have breakfast and pass on usefull advise. the owners ( now friends) Ushi and Avnish Puri are great and help like you would not believe truly professional and genuine about helping travelers, I actually tryped a long reply to this but ion my daze I lost it so I'm atarting again it 5am here in OZ so we are still a bit stunned after travelling home it took 35 hours (thats another story) after a trip to India I wished I was a writer to pass on the feeling and sights that you will experience, Delhi great place you will experience averthing there see everything and thing Shit then out of the blue you will witness acts that will knock you over youll see acts that will sicken you then see an act that will warm your heart up and make you feel better and thats in the first few minutes, Another tip this forum is great as are others (indiamike is best) read everthing and stoe it in the memory banks but dont remember all of the negatives, the touts and scams ets it will happen but its usuall only a few pennies and cents we are talking about, Ill add some to the forum as I wake up. Another tip is latch on the another seasoned traveller and listen to them, how they deal with THINGS how they organise a rickshaw how they speak to Indians, you develop an attitude which will show Indians ( I'm talking about taxis drives shop dealars etc) how you manage things and they will deal with you appropiatley, plainly speaking really if you are too nice you will be shat on from a great hight and quickly, deal fairly and business like you are in charge and yoiu may only get caught a little but it diplays authority and control, more on this later when my brain kicks in. Love Delhi we are already planning our return before we lose our head nodding(side to side) it helps belive it or not, I was doing it after two days. if you want more on the gust hous contact me, YOU WILL LOVE INDIA IT'S ....................cant find a word to expalin it great is good but not good enough. THANKS TO INDIA MIKE MEMBERS YOUR HELP MADE A TRIP EASIER AND ENJOYABLE

Mar 8th, 2005, 07:31	#12
magindi Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: west wales Posts: 20	thanks everyone one for some great advice think we are probably going to dive straight in to initiation time in paharganj and take it slowly from there and definately pre-book some accomadation and collection from airport

Mar 8th, 2005, 16:47	#13
Dino Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Murphy's Creek (Oz) Posts: 246	Hi magindi.Delhi is one of the great cities of the world and every hour you spend there will fill you with the resonance of India's past. My advice as a first-timer is pre-book your hotel and get the hotel to pick you up at the airport.Make sure the room has a few mod cons (hot shower,AC,cable etc) so you've got a bit of a refuge if your first 'hit' of India is a bit overwhelming and you need some time out.Expect to pay a bit more until you get use to negotiating.It's no big deal and part of your Indian experience that you'll laugh about later.I'm talking a few dollars here and there,not your house or anything. Above all,don't think everyone sees you as $$$.Most people in India (including Delhi) will genuinely try and help you out if they can.You will quickly learn to recognise touts and how to deal with them.Just remember that they are just trying to eke out a living and a firm 'no' needn't be offensive.Have a great trip and I'm as jealous as anything.I'll just say if Delhi does get you down too much go and have a splurge at Gaylord's at Connaught Place.Yum.

Mar 8th, 2005, 17:31	#14
magindi Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: west wales Posts: 20	thanks Dino for some really positive and inspiring advice im back on my excited optimistic track again now and am looking to book somewhere as we speak

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