Single Mom & 8 year old visiting South India

traveltoindia · Mar 15th, 2006, 01:39

My daughter and I arrive Mumbai on April 13th for vacation. I am hopeful this forum can offer suggestions/itineraries for a kid friendly - not overly stressful -vacation. We are moderate budget travelers, first time to India, and I prefer the off-the-beaten path places to visit. I live in NY and don't really want to spend much time in the major cities.

Thanks.
Anne

Merchant · Mar 15th, 2006, 01:56

Mumbai has a truly exceptional waterpark called Water Kingdom, one of the best in the world. You get there by a ferry from Borivali (it's on an island), so the transport is fun. It's next to Essel World, India's first big amusement park, which is somewhat dated but still popular. You could easily spend a day at one or both parks. There's good food, places to relax, too. You'll be surrounded by Indian families--your daughter will easily find friends.

traveltoindia · Mar 15th, 2006, 02:27

That sounds wonderful. Any suggestions for an itinerary out of Mumbai. I really don't want to spend much time in the city. Game preserves, architecture, beaches..that sort of thing...festivals, etc. Any ideas?

Anne

Merchant · Mar 15th, 2006, 02:35

India is full of all that stuff. How far do you want to travel? Trains? Planes? Give us a better sense of what you would like to do, and what you can endure, and people will chime in.

traveltoindia · Mar 15th, 2006, 02:41

Well, I'm a budget traveler. Although I haven't been to India, I have traveled extensively throughout S. America. Things get a trifle more complex because I am traveling alone with my daughter. I wish to go further south - Kerala perhaps- using trains and plains. I ususlly mix things up, rough guide travel with pit stops in better resorts. It would be great to interact/play with other kids. So, I'm clearly still working on the route. Distances are large and I don't want to bite off more than is manage. I'm the pack mule. So, this time round, we are traveling very light.

BlueRose · Mar 15th, 2006, 02:51

Hi travel! can you give us a bit more info to help us help you? For instance, how far do you want to travel out of Mumbai, are you an experienced and confident traveller that can tackle the comings and goings in India with a child, etc...
Two points I would like to offer: As another single Mom I would say that animals are a big draw for kids so I think finding a park would be great. And,
I have to say that one of the highlights of my trip to India was the Ellora and Ajanta caves. The caves/ruins awoke in me one of the most powerful senses of religious/aesthetic inspiration that must have been present in the original sculptors and builders that I have ever felt.
How much do you know about India now?
The first thing I did before I came to India was go to my local library and check out a couple of big, photographic books to browse in ( in fact I do that whenever I travel) this gives me some sense of what is calling me or not. I was fortunate to see almost the entire country while you may need to narrow your research to Maharashtra.
Hope this helps...

crvlvr · Mar 15th, 2006, 03:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveltoindia

Things get a trifle more complex because I am traveling alone with my daughter

I would strongly recommend that you consider join a larger gourp of travelers or book through a package tour group in India. The logistics and inconvenience of traveling alone in India with a child could become overwhelming.

Mar 15th, 2006, 01:39	#1
traveltoindia Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 4	Single Mom & 8 year old visiting South India My daughter and I arrive Mumbai on April 13th for vacation. I am hopeful this forum can offer suggestions/itineraries for a kid friendly - not overly stressful -vacation. We are moderate budget travelers, first time to India, and I prefer the off-the-beaten path places to visit. I live in NY and don't really want to spend much time in the major cities. Thanks. Anne

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Mar 15th, 2006, 01:56	#2
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,079	Mumbai has a truly exceptional waterpark called Water Kingdom, one of the best in the world. You get there by a ferry from Borivali (it's on an island), so the transport is fun. It's next to Essel World, India's first big amusement park, which is somewhat dated but still popular. You could easily spend a day at one or both parks. There's good food, places to relax, too. You'll be surrounded by Indian families--your daughter will easily find friends.

Mar 15th, 2006, 02:27	#3
traveltoindia Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 4	That sounds wonderful. Any suggestions for an itinerary out of Mumbai. I really don't want to spend much time in the city. Game preserves, architecture, beaches..that sort of thing...festivals, etc. Any ideas? Anne

Mar 15th, 2006, 02:35	#4
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,079	India is full of all that stuff. How far do you want to travel? Trains? Planes? Give us a better sense of what you would like to do, and what you can endure, and people will chime in.

Mar 15th, 2006, 02:41	#5
traveltoindia Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 4	Well, I'm a budget traveler. Although I haven't been to India, I have traveled extensively throughout S. America. Things get a trifle more complex because I am traveling alone with my daughter. I wish to go further south - Kerala perhaps- using trains and plains. I ususlly mix things up, rough guide travel with pit stops in better resorts. It would be great to interact/play with other kids. So, I'm clearly still working on the route. Distances are large and I don't want to bite off more than is manage. I'm the pack mule. So, this time round, we are traveling very light.

Mar 15th, 2006, 02:51	#6
BlueRose Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 80	Hi travel! can you give us a bit more info to help us help you? For instance, how far do you want to travel out of Mumbai, are you an experienced and confident traveller that can tackle the comings and goings in India with a child, etc... Two points I would like to offer: As another single Mom I would say that animals are a big draw for kids so I think finding a park would be great. And, I have to say that one of the highlights of my trip to India was the Ellora and Ajanta caves. The caves/ruins awoke in me one of the most powerful senses of religious/aesthetic inspiration that must have been present in the original sculptors and builders that I have ever felt. How much do you know about India now? The first thing I did before I came to India was go to my local library and check out a couple of big, photographic books to browse in ( in fact I do that whenever I travel) this gives me some sense of what is calling me or not. I was fortunate to see almost the entire country while you may need to narrow your research to Maharashtra. Hope this helps...

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