Over Sixty in age and traveling to India

Drews60

Nice post Snowcrab..thanks. I really look forward to my first visit this February.

unclelach

Almost five years ago I reached my 60th when in Chennai. For years I'd told my friends I'd be "taking the waters" in Varanasi on that day but went south instead.

I did visit Varanasi again last year but resisted the temptation to drink from the Ganga.

Recommend that old folks should not ride about on Royal Enfield Bullets unless their biking skills are current. This advice is not from personal experience as I've had trouble staying on a camel at the trot. Must say I've envied the young on their Bullets when all I can boast to my grandkids is riding a Vespa way back.

Aishah

I'm still hopping up on the back of a motorbike from time to time! But I never learned to drive one in my life - I have a little car and this is great. The camel for a short ride is o.k. - even my friend with the knee job did this for about an hour and a half!
snowcrab - enjoyed your post. The hardest time I've had lately was in May, when I arrived at Sydney Railway station and had to lug my 2 bags plus a shoulder bag from one platform up and down via the lifts to another platform to catch the train to Blue Mountains. That was really tough. Aided by the wheels - but pulling 2 bags along is tricky.

Nice post, Brishti!

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camelgirl

Nice of you to say that! It's exactly what I thought when I was a younger traveler & saw people in their 60s & older doing India on their own. They inspired me to know that I wouldn't have to give up India travel as I aged.

Good point Snowcrab about all the "help" available. I must confess that in my final backpacker trips when in my 50s I just handed it over to porters whenever possible It was hard to admit that I should use a wheelie bag and admit I really hated my backpack because I thought I was letting down "the team" (real adventure traveler) until I really didn't care & I just wanted to be more comfortable!

Of course, I still turn over my bag to a porter when faced with huge stair cases that take you over train platforms! They plop those bags right on their heads & take off with me barely able to keep up!

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Haylo

Oh, that's fantastic! Is it anywhere near the time we're both arriving in Delhi?

willj

Hi.
Been an avid reader for about six years or so but never posted before.
First trip to India was with son in 2003 (when I had just retired from a desk job at 65), for three months, he was on a year jolly. Since then another three trips and starting to talk, with son, about the next visit over Easter 2009. I'll be 72 then.
So with a bit of luck will be still able.
The worst things, thin matresses, shortage of lifts and the steps from Simla bus stand to the top, Grand Parade, lugging bags.
I must admit that on the last trip, March 2008, I ditched the rucksack for solid case with wheels! Always travel 1AC ( lucky to be able to afford it) and just enough clothes. If I get short buy something. Clothing very inexspensive.
So much easier with case and less hassle from porters and a seat when required.
Touch wood I have had no problems at all. Hope that carries on.
Advise anyone who is reasonably (what measure I don't know) fit to go for it. My son and friends will tell you that they don't tend to ask me about my hols as I can't shut up!
Tend to read this forum probably 5 times a week, sometimes twice a day, shows how much I miss the Old Lady.
Good health to all.
Bill

Haylo

Hi Bill, great to hear from you after all these years of reading the site, welcome to the madhouse!
Oh, believe me, that has nothing to do with age! I confess, I once backpacked into Europe camping with an inflatable airbed and pump - it weighed a TON but my friends soon stopped laughing when I was the only one getting any sleep.

That has nothing to do with age either! Fortunately we are here...

Drews60

72 and going on what, your 4th trip. I can't do everything the first go around. I better get off my butt and start planning my 2nd trip.

Lou Wilson

I first visited India overland from England in 1970. Spent 4 months in north northwest parts down to Manali to Goa. Back overland got married had 2 kids. In 1999 took a trip to Sri Lanka with my adult son. ( my wife likes modern toilets) That put the India bug back. I returned to India in 2004, 2006 and early this year and am returning on October 26 flying into Mumbai then to the Northeast on to Sri Lanka. India is a big place been ther many times but I feel like I have not seen only a tiny bit and understood less. When someone says they just went to India or just did India. "Oh where did you go?" the response "Delhi Taj Mahal and Jaipur" I chuckle silently

Darryl

...I'm close to the big 6&0 and have been to India only once before 10 years back. I think health is the key - if you're fortunate enough to have it and wise enough to know how to help maintain it, you can still do these things - actually older folks can still do remarkable things..

Darryl

willj

Hi Drew,
Yes this will, if all goes well, fifth trip.
I will admit here, because I know he will read it, that I am very lucky that son, ChrisJ, has been to India probably more than 14/15 times since he left school, usually 6 months at a time, and altho' not necessarily a physical help, there's not much he hasn't experienced and is my guide and mentor. Altho' we are thinking of going to UP next time which I think will be a first for him as well.
Unforgettable - Xmas 2007 and New Year in Darjeeling. Loved the Xmas carols by the school children, knew the music not the words. Good photo of typical Father Xmas having his afternoon nap whilst the nativity play was going on.
Last Easter daughter and her partner decided to join us, got delhi-belly rather bad second night at Jakuso Hotel and refused to return there prior to leaving. Told her she could find alternative in Delhi - she did - Le Meridian. £200 a night (still that did include complementary breakfast). Shot my budget to hell! Mind you I could live like that.
Just Chris and me next time so shall get back to normal digs.
I only wish that I had jouned Chris a lot earlier in life, but then I was still married. Some things do get better.
Bill

willj

Told you, won't shut up now.

Haylo

I disagree, in many cases the mind is the key.

Five years ago my parents had the opportunity to visit family members who had emigrated to Australia. At that time, in their mid sixties, they figured they were too old to start travelling. Now their health is too poor to travel long distances, they both realise that they could have done it and deeply regret not taking the opportunity.

Admittedly, health can be a restraint, but please don't make the mistakes my parents did. If you are healthy now, go for it. To be brutal, it will not get easier and you will not get any younger.

camelgirl

That's for sure! Even if you've been through a health crisis and don't think you'll ever be able to travel again, if you come out on the other side of the problem, even if you no longer have 100% good health, don't let it be an excuse to stop doing what you enjoy.

I've watched my sister in-law win a really serious cancer struggle 15 years ago who then just shut down & become almost agoraphobic--she who had traveled the world won't even get on a plane to visit us.

Another cousin of mine who was widowed 20 years ago at 48 y.o., then survived breast cancer, headed off on a China tour as soon as treatment was over. In fact, she was scheduled to go to India in December on a tour but had to cancel due to another bad cancer surgery & chemo--but has booked a European cruise for when her treatment is over. She will try to NOT stop traveling and she's my inspiration!!!

It may sound brutal but Haylo is right--it doesn't get easier & you don't get younger

Sama

and there are those of us who don't even BEGIN to travel the world until we are over 50.

I have more than a few friends who did the India trip back in the day with all the other hippies, in the late '60s/early '70s -- I could not. now they are saddled with their kids' college tuition or whatever else and they are envious of me, doing now what they did 30+ years ago.

now I'm planning my 4th and 5th trips to India.

I'm blessed!

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MY INDIA, 2005-2008
"Once you have felt the Indian dust, you will never be free of it." (Rumer Godden, 1975)