South India with small children

dhans · Aug 28th, 2005, 02:51

Hi,

After having travelled all over Asia from Holland from 1984 untill 1999 our
kids were born in 2000 and 2002. This stopped our backpacking, but now the
travelinfection is hitting us hard again. So we plan to be on the road again
and booked flights to Chennai (Madras) in Tamil Nadu India for the december
2005 - januari 2006 period.

That been done, now we will have to make a programm and your help in
preparing it is very much appreciated. We will be backpacking again and
definitely not looking for an all-inclusive beachresort. This doen't mean we
don't want to hit the beach at all, just moderately. We will be away for
four weeks. We realise that we will have to travel less and slower. We are
not on a tight budget, but also not part of the 'palace on wheels'-crowd.

It will be our fifth time in India and our second time in the south, so it's
not a completely strange region to us. We are looking for a good itenerary
in Tamil Nadu, Kerela an Karnatake for us and the kids who will be 5 and 3,5
years old. (btw: yeah we have been warned). We used train and bus before,
where the latter seems less convenient with two kids. We are also looking
for specific tips and adresses for hiring cars. Any ideas for alternative
ways of transport? Tips on cities to visit or avoid with kids? Tips on
childfriendly attractions and tips on childfriendly hotels and hostels and
any other advice on travel with children in India.

For some ideas of how we travelled before the kids came:

http://www.travel-library.com/middle...damen1997.html
http://www.travel-library.com/asia/v...damen1996.html
http://www.indiaworld.co.in/travel/m...s11-india.html

Thanks in advance,

Hans & Mirjam

etin · Aug 28th, 2005, 15:53

Hi Dhans, welcome to IM, Pls. check out these links.....

Ooty or Kodai in July with Kids?
young woman travelling alone with kid
My Weekend Trip to Mysore (From Bangalore)
single parent
Travelling India this summer
Rajastan 3 wks Dec w 5 year old - Itinerary Help
Travelling with children
First timers trip to india with a child.
help--I'm taking the kids this time!
Hi, I'm new
single parent

and for more do a search

dan37_123 · Aug 28th, 2005, 16:07

hi,
This the trip we made this summer with two kids.

It was wonderful. In the attachment you will find our plan details.

Let me know if you need any more info.

thanks
dan

livin-in-india · Aug 28th, 2005, 16:08

11 years ago in Mahabalipuram I met a young hippie couple traveling with young children and they said they were so warmly received by the locals. I saw the kids playing with the fisherman's kids on the beach, and it looked so real. It seems that in many Indian's eyes you will loose your status as walking ATM, and some deeper humanity will come out. Wonderful!

As you know, buses down here can be pretty ratty and jarring at times. Stick to the trains for long journeys. And, although I'd love to say avoid the larger cities, they do offer great opportunities for kids. In Bangalore the kids might enjoy the toy store on airport road, the Krishna temple, and the amusement parks. Here in Mysore, kids love the Sunday night lighting of the Palace, the local waterpark (I think it is called GRS Fantasy Theme Park), minigolf at Planet X, etc. Elephant rides are available at nearby national parks for 10rs per person (10 minutes). Mysore has ponies that pull carts around (called a tonga), making for fun transport in the city. Camels are on the streets here too for the little ones to ride.

Thinking back to Kodaicanal you've got paddle boats, Cochin has boats as public transport, (the backwater trips might be too long for the)...

If you are in Mysore send me a PM and if I'm available I'd be happy to show you the kid friendly sites! In general, your choice to explore the South is intelligent, it is gentler and safer down here.

dhans · Sep 6th, 2005, 01:55

Thanks for the advice. We will enjoy it!

Hans

shanthi · Sep 6th, 2005, 02:07

Good luck, great story and looks like you have a wonderful family! ...

Guess you have a "sun" problem with such fair children? still a good sun cream and hat nearly always does it eh? Have a great trip, you're a very blessed family indeed!

dhans · Sep 6th, 2005, 20:45

Sun Protection Factor 30 (and even then I burn

)

For the kids, yes, lots of suncream.

Hans

vandy · Sep 7th, 2005, 19:37

hi there,hope you and the kids have a wonderful time,don't forget the insect
repellant,houseboat cruise in kerala with the kids should be a an exciting
experience for all of you,if you can afford it,try and stay a night or two at
the taj garden retreat in kumarakom (kerala) can reach there by motor boat
from allepey,approx 1-2 hour journey,allepey prince hotel is also nice,kids will
love the swimming pool there,also food is very good there,
good luck and happy travelling,drop me a line if any more info required.

rgds,paul vandy

lallii · Sep 18th, 2006, 19:01

we are planning to visit kovalam i dec- jan also with a kid ( 2 years) any place you can frecomend???

After having travelled all over Asia from Holland from 1984 untill 1999 our
kids were born in 2000 and 2002. This stopped our backpacking, but now the
travelinfection is hitting us hard again. So we plan to be on the road again
and booked flights to Chennai (Madras) in Tamil Nadu India for the december
2005 - januari 2006 period.

That been done, now we will have to make a programm and your help in
preparing it is very much appreciated. We will be backpacking again and
definitely not looking for an all-inclusive beachresort. This doen't mean we
don't want to hit the beach at all, just moderately. We will be away for
four weeks. We realise that we will have to travel less and slower. We are
not on a tight budget, but also not part of the 'palace on wheels'-crowd.

It will be our fifth time in India and our second time in the south, so it's
not a completely strange region to us. We are looking for a good itenerary
in Tamil Nadu, Kerela an Karnatake for us and the kids who will be 5 and 3,5
years old. (btw: yeah we have been warned). We used train and bus before,
where the latter seems less convenient with two kids. We are also looking
for specific tips and adresses for hiring cars. Any ideas for alternative
ways of transport? Tips on cities to visit or avoid with kids? Tips on
childfriendly attractions and tips on childfriendly hotels and hostels and
any other advice on travel with children in India.

For some ideas of how we travelled before the kids came:

http://www.travel-library.com/middle...damen1997.html
http://www.travel-library.com/asia/v...damen1996.html
http://www.indiaworld.co.in/travel/m...s11-india.html

Thanks in advance,

Hans & Mirjam[/quote]

dhans · Sep 18th, 2006, 20:59

Hi Lallii,

read the full report at:

http://www.indiamike.com/india/journ...urnal&j=9 402

Happy travels,

Hans

Aug 28th, 2005, 02:51	#1
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,563	South India with small children Hi, After having travelled all over Asia from Holland from 1984 untill 1999 our kids were born in 2000 and 2002. This stopped our backpacking, but now the travelinfection is hitting us hard again. So we plan to be on the road again and booked flights to Chennai (Madras) in Tamil Nadu India for the december 2005 - januari 2006 period. That been done, now we will have to make a programm and your help in preparing it is very much appreciated. We will be backpacking again and definitely not looking for an all-inclusive beachresort. This doen't mean we don't want to hit the beach at all, just moderately. We will be away for four weeks. We realise that we will have to travel less and slower. We are not on a tight budget, but also not part of the 'palace on wheels'-crowd. It will be our fifth time in India and our second time in the south, so it's not a completely strange region to us. We are looking for a good itenerary in Tamil Nadu, Kerela an Karnatake for us and the kids who will be 5 and 3,5 years old. (btw: yeah we have been warned). We used train and bus before, where the latter seems less convenient with two kids. We are also looking for specific tips and adresses for hiring cars. Any ideas for alternative ways of transport? Tips on cities to visit or avoid with kids? Tips on childfriendly attractions and tips on childfriendly hotels and hostels and any other advice on travel with children in India. For some ideas of how we travelled before the kids came: http://www.travel-library.com/middle...damen1997.html http://www.travel-library.com/asia/v...damen1996.html http://www.indiaworld.co.in/travel/m...s11-india.html Thanks in advance, Hans & Mirjam

Aug 28th, 2005, 16:08	#4
livin-in-india V-VIP Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: nomadic Posts: 180	11 years ago in Mahabalipuram I met a young hippie couple traveling with young children and they said they were so warmly received by the locals. I saw the kids playing with the fisherman's kids on the beach, and it looked so real. It seems that in many Indian's eyes you will loose your status as walking ATM, and some deeper humanity will come out. Wonderful! As you know, buses down here can be pretty ratty and jarring at times. Stick to the trains for long journeys. And, although I'd love to say avoid the larger cities, they do offer great opportunities for kids. In Bangalore the kids might enjoy the toy store on airport road, the Krishna temple, and the amusement parks. Here in Mysore, kids love the Sunday night lighting of the Palace, the local waterpark (I think it is called GRS Fantasy Theme Park), minigolf at Planet X, etc. Elephant rides are available at nearby national parks for 10rs per person (10 minutes). Mysore has ponies that pull carts around (called a tonga), making for fun transport in the city. Camels are on the streets here too for the little ones to ride. Thinking back to Kodaicanal you've got paddle boats, Cochin has boats as public transport, (the backwater trips might be too long for the)... If you are in Mysore send me a PM and if I'm available I'd be happy to show you the kid friendly sites! In general, your choice to explore the South is intelligent, it is gentler and safer down here. __________________ India is the great Yin-Yang. Amazing lightness, equally amazing darkness. Wrapped up to make one complete whole.

Sep 6th, 2005, 01:55	#5
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,563	Thanks Thanks for the advice. We will enjoy it! Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Sep 7th, 2005, 19:37	#8
vandy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 715	trip to sth india with kids hi there,hope you and the kids have a wonderful time,don't forget the insect repellant,houseboat cruise in kerala with the kids should be a an exciting experience for all of you,if you can afford it,try and stay a night or two at the taj garden retreat in kumarakom (kerala) can reach there by motor boat from allepey,approx 1-2 hour journey,allepey prince hotel is also nice,kids will love the swimming pool there,also food is very good there, good luck and happy travelling,drop me a line if any more info required. rgds,paul vandy

Sep 18th, 2006, 19:01	#9
lallii Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New delhi India Posts: 26	hi we are planning to visit kovalam i dec- jan also with a kid ( 2 years) any place you can frecomend??? After having travelled all over Asia from Holland from 1984 untill 1999 our kids were born in 2000 and 2002. This stopped our backpacking, but now the travelinfection is hitting us hard again. So we plan to be on the road again and booked flights to Chennai (Madras) in Tamil Nadu India for the december 2005 - januari 2006 period. That been done, now we will have to make a programm and your help in preparing it is very much appreciated. We will be backpacking again and definitely not looking for an all-inclusive beachresort. This doen't mean we don't want to hit the beach at all, just moderately. We will be away for four weeks. We realise that we will have to travel less and slower. We are not on a tight budget, but also not part of the 'palace on wheels'-crowd. It will be our fifth time in India and our second time in the south, so it's not a completely strange region to us. We are looking for a good itenerary in Tamil Nadu, Kerela an Karnatake for us and the kids who will be 5 and 3,5 years old. (btw: yeah we have been warned). We used train and bus before, where the latter seems less convenient with two kids. We are also looking for specific tips and adresses for hiring cars. Any ideas for alternative ways of transport? Tips on cities to visit or avoid with kids? Tips on childfriendly attractions and tips on childfriendly hotels and hostels and any other advice on travel with children in India. For some ideas of how we travelled before the kids came: http://www.travel-library.com/middle...damen1997.html http://www.travel-library.com/asia/v...damen1996.html http://www.indiaworld.co.in/travel/m...s11-india.html Thanks in advance, Hans & Mirjam[/quote]

Aug 28th, 2005, 15:53	#2
etin ° Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Confoederatio Helvetica Posts: 253	Hi Dhans, welcome to IM, Pls. check out these links..... Ooty or Kodai in July with Kids? young woman travelling alone with kid My Weekend Trip to Mysore (From Bangalore) single parent Travelling India this summer Rajastan 3 wks Dec w 5 year old - Itinerary Help Travelling with children First timers trip to india with a child. help--I'm taking the kids this time! Hi, I'm new single parent and for more do a search

Sep 6th, 2005, 02:07	#6
shanthi Account closed on user's request Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South India Posts: 785	Good luck, great story and looks like you have a wonderful family! ... Guess you have a "sun" problem with such fair children? still a good sun cream and hat nearly always does it eh? Have a great trip, you're a very blessed family indeed!

Sep 6th, 2005, 20:45	#7
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,563	Sun Protection Factor 30 (and even then I burn ) For the kids, yes, lots of suncream. Hans

Sep 18th, 2006, 20:59	#10
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,563	Hi Lallii, read the full report at: http://www.indiamike.com/india/journ...urnal&j=9 402 Happy travels, Hans Last edited by dhans : Sep 18th, 2006 at 21:02. Reason: spelling

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