TIPS for first time SINGLE TOURISTs---- Delhi

walrus · Mar 11th, 2005, 13:58

If U R short of time here R SOME tips. Primarily applies to N/DELHI

You can buy these in Delhi...

1. Camera---do not need to lug your expensive & heavy "minolta" etc---India has good sunlight all day and a disposable Kodak camera (u can buy in delhi street for just 225 Ind Rs) is more than enough-unless U r planning special effect night shots.

2. Clothes: Can buy for pennies at Delhi PALIKA BAZAAR (underground)---Even ready made corporate looking suits can be had from starting Ind Rs. 1000/= (Approx US $ 20!).

Delhi air is polluted & occassionaly even dusty. Be ready to face sand dust in Delhi roads since there's significant road diggings are on for DELHI METRO rlwy! But U can buy facial cover tissues from pharmacies....

3. Toileteries-----virtually all brands are available--and Ok prices.

4. Your mobile phone? Yes, if u have int'l roaming. Make sure you check out the compatible network in New Delhi with your own service provider. But mobile coverage is mostly found in urban areas. Forget it if you are headed to villages in general.

5. Extra security measures such as Electric shock gadgets----not needed really. Delhi is generally safe, and i heard a Londoner saying that you are more likely to get mugged in London ---PS: never been there )

6. A basic knowledge of Hindi?---would be fine but not ESSENTIAL----u can use patchy English to communicate. But take care since most people in Delhi "THINK" that they are good at English but mis-intepreting it all the while! (No offence to Delhites!) For instance, try asking for directions ---u'll know what i mean!

7. You will need a ROAD MAP (Delhi)---since Delhi roads are a pain + confusing. But you can get free from Tourism info centres--Eg: Connaught Place

8. Water:: Is a concern-----But bottled mineral water is available from US $ cents .20 (500 ml) everywhere---make sure the seal of the cap is INTACT when u buy. If seal is broken, run.

9. Anti bacterial medicine/delhi food poisoning pills-----can purchase from any street pharmacy but since its no such heavy luggage, u r better off bringing them--REMEMBER TO BRING THE LABELS OF YOUR MEDICINE/PILLS + prescriptions---immigration procedure can get quite nasty if otherwise....

10. You do not need to bring condoms, torches or any fire extinguishers either

11. If you need English books/mags, they are available in N/Delhi--but non-English Euro language books --they are hard to find in Delhi.

12. Even cheap walkmans/personal mp3 players + headphones could be purchased from PALIKA BAZAAR.

13. TV---most hotels have free TVs with at least 100 channels that include BBC, CNN, German DW, French TV ASIE and even Japanese NHK (24 hrs).

14. Laptop: If your main use of it is e-mail / web mail, then not necessary since cyber cafes in bazaar areas give you access (high spped) at US $ cents .40 per hour....(or may b even less..)

15. Printer-----the cyber cafes have them....PAy a few more rupees for your color printouts

16. Camcorder-----you need to bring it. Preferably buy sufficient tapes in your own country.

17. Baby tissues/hygiene tissues----very useful. But available from any street pharmacy for low prices.

18. Want to bring your own car? ----The public bus service provides plenty buses at VERY low cost (10 kms cost you only US $ cents .10!)---but if u want luxury travel, and specific about CLEANLINESS, then please forget them.

shere · Mar 11th, 2005, 15:16

>>4. Your mobile phone? Yes, if u have int'l roaming. Make sure you check out the compatible network in New Delhi with your own service provider. But mobile coverage is mostly found in urban areas. Forget it if you are headed to villages in general.

I have found my phone with a BSNL Cell One sim card works fine in villages. So it all depends on which service provider you use. BSNL has very good service coverage. I have checked across Haryana, Punjab and parts of Himchal and service coverage even in villages (not all of them close to towns/cities) is good.

walrus · Mar 11th, 2005, 15:51

"shere"---THX for your tip!

readmymind · Mar 11th, 2005, 15:54

walrus, i think you have included some nice tips here that would be beneficial to tourists who are NOT single as well

walrus · Mar 11th, 2005, 16:01

readymind------ThX! Sure, please be my guests and do help yourselves BY ALL MEANS

walrus · Mar 11th, 2005, 16:04

Everyone, here's one more tip---may be more important than the rest!

When I visited last week I stayed at YWCA "Blue Triangle" family hostel -----which is very close by to the N/Delhi YMCA. The "Blue Triangle" is at ASHOKA ROAD near the landmark holy temple BANGLA SAIB GURUDWAR (I had a vindow view of it several floors above and their 24 hr prayer chantings). I was a single male traveller and they accommodated me --- I had a single room (A/C), Hot & Cold water showers, free newspaper delivered to my room at dawn daily, & free breakfast (Bread + toast + Jam + Bananas+omelette+Indian porridge with milk+warm Indian potatoe curry+tea OR coffee) and Cable/Sat TV with 95 channels including MTV, BBC World, CNN, German DW, French "TV Asie", and Japanese language NHK. REMEMBER TO GRAB BREAKFAST BEFORE 10:00 am (starts at 7:30 am).
Per day cost is Ind Rs.950/ ALL INCLUSIVE. They replenish towels and bed sheets daily. Just 10 mins to Connaught Place. In front of it is the bus stop to many spots including Delhi Railway Station. A cyber cafe/communication shop is located at the basement--they even arrange taxi pickups and various tours though you may save money touring on your own. I spent 5 nights there and found it's a safe place---even to leave your valuables in the room (provided you lock the cupboards of course). Most importantly, there are security guards at the gate and NO TOUTS!

YWCA Blue Triangle Family Hostel:
Ashoka Road,
Near Parliament Street.
Tel.: +91-11-3360133, 3361517, 3735138.

traceyam · Mar 12th, 2005, 02:23

How much is an MP3 player?

Frooty · Mar 12th, 2005, 07:36

Super thread walrus... 5 stars!... I'm sure I'll find a lot of the stuff useful in 49 hours time...

walrus · Mar 14th, 2005, 19:42

Frooty---THX!

phobal · Jan 18th, 2006, 06:14

About the food poisoning pills and medication: the best solution to food-illness is a recovery drink that gives you your sodium and potasium. Chemists sell electrolyte powder for super cheap. Cured my hangovers and slight food-poisoning just fine.

TYP0 · Jan 18th, 2006, 12:37

As somebody who used to work for a cell phone company allow me to comment on intl roaming. I used to tell my customers this and my senior mangement:

Don't bother with an international roaming package if you're leaving the States for any country other than Canada or Mexico. Make sure you have a quad ban phone (tri bans in the states are not the same 3 bans as you get overseas and may not work.). Then get a prepaid card in whatever country you're going. Its always cheaper in the long run.

To break it down: Intl roaming will cost a package cost of 3.99/m plus an additional 3.99/m for the intl ld that goes with it. (The lowest combo of this you can get is usually 5.99 if you're lucky and get somebody who knows what they're doing.) Once you get overseas each call is going to cost you any where from .79/min to 3.67/m sometimes more.

The only true benefit is that you get to keep your phone number so that people back home can call you more easily. But if your goal with that cell phone is safety and making local calls in whatever country you're visiting then skip the intl package from your cell phone company and get a prepaid card.

(All prices quoted were in US dollars.)

Chandra · Jan 18th, 2006, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by TYP0

Then get a prepaid card in whatever country you're going. Its always cheaper in the long run.

Not so easy in India, at least not if you're travelling around a bit!

They might have changed the system now, of course. But the last time I was there (->March 05) all the companies had very limiting rules, i.e. you can only recharge in the same state as you've bought your prepaid card and if you don't recharge within a certain amount of time (depending of how much you've recharged for the last time) they'll cancel your number. I got around this by recharging my card for more than Rs. 3500 to make it valid for six months. But there were also limitations as to where I could recieve and make calls. As I bought my prepaid card in Punjab I could only recieve calls in UP, where I stayed the longest.

(I know Reliance was an exception, but then I would have to buy a phone as well.)

I hope they've changed the system now!

C

Mar 11th, 2005, 13:58	#1
walrus Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: sa Posts: 26	TIPS for first time SINGLE TOURISTs-- If U R short of time here R SOME tips. Primarily applies to N/DELHI You can buy these in Delhi... 1. Camera---do not need to lug your expensive & heavy "minolta" etc---India has good sunlight all day and a disposable Kodak camera (u can buy in delhi street for just 225 Ind Rs) is more than enough-unless U r planning special effect night shots. 2. Clothes: Can buy for pennies at Delhi PALIKA BAZAAR (underground)---Even ready made corporate looking suits can be had from starting Ind Rs. 1000/= (Approx US $ 20!). Delhi air is polluted & occassionaly even dusty. Be ready to face sand dust in Delhi roads since there's significant road diggings are on for DELHI METRO rlwy! But U can buy facial cover tissues from pharmacies.... 3. Toileteries-----virtually all brands are available--and Ok prices. 4. Your mobile phone? Yes, if u have int'l roaming. Make sure you check out the compatible network in New Delhi with your own service provider. But mobile coverage is mostly found in urban areas. Forget it if you are headed to villages in general. 5. Extra security measures such as Electric shock gadgets----not needed really. Delhi is generally safe, and i heard a Londoner saying that you are more likely to get mugged in London ---PS: never been there ) 6. A basic knowledge of Hindi?---would be fine but not ESSENTIAL----u can use patchy English to communicate. But take care since most people in Delhi "THINK" that they are good at English but mis-intepreting it all the while! (No offence to Delhites!) For instance, try asking for directions ---u'll know what i mean! 7. You will need a ROAD MAP (Delhi)---since Delhi roads are a pain + confusing. But you can get free from Tourism info centres--Eg: Connaught Place 8. Water:: Is a concern-----But bottled mineral water is available from US $ cents .20 (500 ml) everywhere---make sure the seal of the cap is INTACT when u buy. If seal is broken, run. 9. Anti bacterial medicine/delhi food poisoning pills-----can purchase from any street pharmacy but since its no such heavy luggage, u r better off bringing them--REMEMBER TO BRING THE LABELS OF YOUR MEDICINE/PILLS + prescriptions---immigration procedure can get quite nasty if otherwise.... 10. You do not need to bring condoms, torches or any fire extinguishers either 11. If you need English books/mags, they are available in N/Delhi--but non-English Euro language books --they are hard to find in Delhi. 12. Even cheap walkmans/personal mp3 players + headphones could be purchased from PALIKA BAZAAR. 13. TV---most hotels have free TVs with at least 100 channels that include BBC, CNN, German DW, French TV ASIE and even Japanese NHK (24 hrs). 14. Laptop: If your main use of it is e-mail / web mail, then not necessary since cyber cafes in bazaar areas give you access (high spped) at US $ cents .40 per hour....(or may b even less..) 15. Printer-----the cyber cafes have them....PAy a few more rupees for your color printouts 16. Camcorder-----you need to bring it. Preferably buy sufficient tapes in your own country. 17. Baby tissues/hygiene tissues----very useful. But available from any street pharmacy for low prices. 18. Want to bring your own car? ----The public bus service provides plenty buses at VERY low cost (10 kms cost you only US $ cents .10!)---but if u want luxury travel, and specific about CLEANLINESS, then please forget them.

Mar 11th, 2005, 15:54	#4
readmymind curious soul Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: california Posts: 137	TIPS for first time SINGLE TOURISTs-- walrus, i think you have included some nice tips here that would be beneficial to tourists who are NOT single as well __________________ *~ everything is right for it's place and time ~*

Mar 12th, 2005, 02:23	#7
traceyam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 426	How much is an MP3 player? __________________ "Don't you sometimes wish the arctic was strawberry flavoured?" -- Thermoman

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Mar 11th, 2005, 15:16	#2
shere Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: England Posts: 1,124	>>4. Your mobile phone? Yes, if u have int'l roaming. Make sure you check out the compatible network in New Delhi with your own service provider. But mobile coverage is mostly found in urban areas. Forget it if you are headed to villages in general. I have found my phone with a BSNL Cell One sim card works fine in villages. So it all depends on which service provider you use. BSNL has very good service coverage. I have checked across Haryana, Punjab and parts of Himchal and service coverage even in villages (not all of them close to towns/cities) is good.

Mar 11th, 2005, 15:51	#3
walrus Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: sa Posts: 26	"shere"---THX for your tip!

Mar 11th, 2005, 16:01	#5
walrus Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: sa Posts: 26	readymind------ThX! Sure, please be my guests and do help yourselves BY ALL MEANS

Mar 11th, 2005, 16:04	#6
walrus Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: sa Posts: 26	Everyone, here's one more tip---may be more important than the rest! When I visited last week I stayed at YWCA "Blue Triangle" family hostel -----which is very close by to the N/Delhi YMCA. The "Blue Triangle" is at ASHOKA ROAD near the landmark holy temple BANGLA SAIB GURUDWAR (I had a vindow view of it several floors above and their 24 hr prayer chantings). I was a single male traveller and they accommodated me --- I had a single room (A/C), Hot & Cold water showers, free newspaper delivered to my room at dawn daily, & free breakfast (Bread + toast + Jam + Bananas+omelette+Indian porridge with milk+warm Indian potatoe curry+tea OR coffee) and Cable/Sat TV with 95 channels including MTV, BBC World, CNN, German DW, French "TV Asie", and Japanese language NHK. REMEMBER TO GRAB BREAKFAST BEFORE 10:00 am (starts at 7:30 am). Per day cost is Ind Rs.950/ ALL INCLUSIVE. They replenish towels and bed sheets daily. Just 10 mins to Connaught Place. In front of it is the bus stop to many spots including Delhi Railway Station. A cyber cafe/communication shop is located at the basement--they even arrange taxi pickups and various tours though you may save money touring on your own. I spent 5 nights there and found it's a safe place---even to leave your valuables in the room (provided you lock the cupboards of course). Most importantly, there are security guards at the gate and NO TOUTS! YWCA Blue Triangle Family Hostel: Ashoka Road, Near Parliament Street. Tel.: +91-11-3360133, 3361517, 3735138.

Mar 12th, 2005, 07:36	#8
Frooty Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: UK Posts: 43	Super thread walrus... 5 stars!... I'm sure I'll find a lot of the stuff useful in 49 hours time...

Mar 14th, 2005, 19:42	#9
walrus Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: sa Posts: 26	Frooty---THX!

Jan 18th, 2006, 06:14	#10
phobal IM hoser Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: canaduh Posts: 519	About the food poisoning pills and medication: the best solution to food-illness is a recovery drink that gives you your sodium and potasium. Chemists sell electrolyte powder for super cheap. Cured my hangovers and slight food-poisoning just fine.

Jan 18th, 2006, 12:37	#11
TYP0 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 62	As somebody who used to work for a cell phone company allow me to comment on intl roaming. I used to tell my customers this and my senior mangement: Don't bother with an international roaming package if you're leaving the States for any country other than Canada or Mexico. Make sure you have a quad ban phone (tri bans in the states are not the same 3 bans as you get overseas and may not work.). Then get a prepaid card in whatever country you're going. Its always cheaper in the long run. To break it down: Intl roaming will cost a package cost of 3.99/m plus an additional 3.99/m for the intl ld that goes with it. (The lowest combo of this you can get is usually 5.99 if you're lucky and get somebody who knows what they're doing.) Once you get overseas each call is going to cost you any where from .79/min to 3.67/m sometimes more. The only true benefit is that you get to keep your phone number so that people back home can call you more easily. But if your goal with that cell phone is safety and making local calls in whatever country you're visiting then skip the intl package from your cell phone company and get a prepaid card. (All prices quoted were in US dollars.)

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