I'm not going there again,,,,,,,,

machadinha · Oct 2nd, 2006, 06:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigersmom

smaller towns we are visiting are 3 nights in Kovalum beach, houseboat for a night.Was going to visit Madurai...still deciding.
Is this enough?

tigersmom

Madurai isn't exactly small... it's nice though (Why? Just nice. Must have been my mood!)

Kovalam and houseboats can't comment -- probably touristy but enjoyable at the same time. I liked (rather loved) the backwater trip but I was also lucky enough to find myself on an almost empty boat, and this was pre-houseboat days, or not that I knew of any. It's nice and quiet out there, or so it was back then. (Mind you the boat I was unlucky enough to have "missed" was packed to the brim with several villages + tourists packing the kitchen sink and all. These are ferries (rather water taxis) though, not houseboats.)

I found Cochin enjoyable and "smallish" but that was some time ago. Chennai is just another metropole but it's pretty laidback in its own kind of way, certainly compared to Delhi or Mumbai and the likes (a lot smaller too).

I wouldn't worry too much about it -- in any case, a "small" town in India would pass as a major provincial capital where I live! There are villages of course

Maybe if you're settled somewhere for more than a day or so, hire a bicycle for the day and do some countryside touring (horn OK please!) Or take a bus to that village you heard of, or that unvisited temple someone told you about, or...

Have fun!

(*Kind of breaking the mood of the thread here -- hey maybe that village will be horrible, but at least you'll have a story to tell!)

PortieOwner · Oct 14th, 2006, 21:19

Let me say a word of defense of Agra. We saw the Taj and I'd like to see it again a few times. But after the Taj we ditched our tour group and caught a taxi to the suburban outskirts of town which are actually quite nice. A buddy from grad school's in-laws were retired and lived there so we went to their house for a huge Indian lunch. On of the best meals I have ever had, it was great. Then they drove us back to the Red Fort on their scooters (that was a scary ride). There were a million touts on the streets near the Taj but after we had travelled a few blocks from it, no more touts. They also left us alone when we were being driven on the scooters.

Also, touts don't bother me that much, I can block them out pretty easily. Beggars, crooks, and scammers bother me a lot.

Portie

Eve68 · Oct 14th, 2006, 22:11

[quote=bijapuri]Thanx but no thanx:
Puri
Udaipur
Khajuraho
Jaipur
Pondicherry
Why am I afraid I'm describing my next trip???

Curious to know about Khajuraho; is it the crowds? That's one of the places I'm going to.

not normal · Jan 20th, 2007, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjoi

*sigh*
Just read all that.
Most of the places I wanted to go seems to be listed here.
It seems the India is a Love or Hate relationship, depending on how well you can filter out the negative bits and enjoy the positives.

With my trip in the near future, I am fearful of which side of the fence I will fall.

Me too!!

Eve68 · Jan 20th, 2007, 13:54

I have mixed feelings about Delhi but would definetely go there again. Agra sucked except for the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal. The Red Fort is overshadowed by the Taj but it is definetely worth going through w/ a guide. I really liked a town named Chanderi known for its saris. There's a big project to preserve much of their Islamic architecture. No beggars there and very friendly people. Orchha I also enjoyed, and Khajuraho I thought was overrated. Merchants there can be quite pushy like following you around for blocks and blocks. One city I really liked was Allahabad, especially Nehru's House. I also got to take the holy dip during the half Mela at the year's first full moon at the beginning of January. Wish I had been there for more days. Chitrakoot I didn't like that much, but the biggest disappointment was Varanasi. It wasn't the dirt as others have mentioned. I guess I expected a more spiritual place but everywhere I looked I just saw everything commercialized. That's not India's fault though.. We go there with our own expectations and sometimes they're fulfilled, but the reality can be jarring. I guess for me I expected more spirituality in Varanasi than in other places. Overall, a fantastic trip! My next trip though will probably be South India or Himalayas region.

wp7713 · Jan 20th, 2007, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eve68

One city I really liked was Allahabad, especially Nehru's House. the biggest disappointment was Varanasi. .

Yes, I really liked my visits to Allahabad. I think the Nehru House is a really splendid Museum ( for those who don't know, bay windows are fixed so that you can really see the interiors. For example, you can read the titles of the books on the shelves).

I agree about Varanasi. My three visits saw great disappointments/ traumas.

ajane · Feb 5th, 2007, 11:50

I wish I had time to read all this thread. Just to add my bit: we just spent three ugly days in Calicut. Not only were we not at all welcome - three hotels gave us an out right "no way", the fourth said yes but we said no to their dodgy ways - people gave us wrong information, openly lie, stare with hate and spit on your shoes (if there were stones around they would probably throw them). We felt more welcome with the dullard, kompund inhabitants of Jakarta.
Anyway, we are now in Goa and unimpressed but it's chilled out and I haven't seen anyone using the street for a toilet - yet. We are heading north and looking forward to the mountains and the cities. I never have like small towns. Next stop Mumbai. Do they shit on the street there?

aj

anjunaangel · Feb 5th, 2007, 20:07

obviously your first visit to india ajane you have to go with the flow after all it is a 3rd world country,if you are unimpressed with goa then i think you wont like the rest of india and if you dont like cities too as you have been to small places and cities already-i disagree about jakarta too give me india anytime enjoy the rest of your holiday i cant wait to get there on friday

Nick-H · Feb 5th, 2007, 21:49

They shit on the street everywhere. Or on the railway track, of course.

capt_mahajan · Feb 5th, 2007, 22:09

sometimes it seems that people in India are waiting for IM'ers to pass so they can shit on the street.

sirensongs · Feb 5th, 2007, 22:27

Quote:

ugly days in Calicut. Not only were we not at all welcome - three hotels gave us an out right "no way",

I have yet to hear even one good thing about Calicut/Kozhikode. (in four years' time and one year of that was in Kerala)

Did you know that only certain hotels are licensed "to entertain foreigners"? I nearly slept in a restaurant my first night in Patna - there were no rooms under $40 a night in places where foreigners or people who look foreign are allowed. (Finally the Windsor found a room but I had to leave by 8am). The Embassy next door had vacancies but doesn't allow foreigners.

Nick-H · Feb 5th, 2007, 22:32

reworking an oldie...

How dare you crap on the street in front of my wife?

I'm very sorry: I didn't realise it was her turn first.

PeakXV · Feb 5th, 2007, 22:40

All this crappy talk gives a whole new meaning to this thread :
I'm not - going there - again ....

ajane · Feb 6th, 2007, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by anjunaangel

obviously your first visit to india ajane you have to go with the flow after all it is a 3rd world country,

Yes, it's my first visit to India. But not to a third world country. I've also seen some tips in my home country, England. Third worldness and poverty are not excuses for living in dirt.

Travelling is about the shit places. This thread is great because it reminded me that the best places stay as memories longer and are so plentiful a blog site couldn't possible hold them all.

capt_mahajan · Feb 6th, 2007, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajane

Third worldness and poverty are not excuses for living in dirt.

True. But it could be a reason.

What would I (or you) do if we had to support a family on say 50 rupees a day in an Indian city?

Feb 5th, 2007, 21:49	#249
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,790	They shit on the street everywhere. Or on the railway track, of course. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Feb 5th, 2007, 22:40	#253
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,401	All this crappy talk gives a whole new meaning to this thread : I'm not - *going there* - again .... __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

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Oct 14th, 2006, 21:19	#242
PortieOwner Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 351	Let me say a word of defense of Agra. We saw the Taj and I'd like to see it again a few times. But after the Taj we ditched our tour group and caught a taxi to the suburban outskirts of town which are actually quite nice. A buddy from grad school's in-laws were retired and lived there so we went to their house for a huge Indian lunch. On of the best meals I have ever had, it was great. Then they drove us back to the Red Fort on their scooters (that was a scary ride). There were a million touts on the streets near the Taj but after we had travelled a few blocks from it, no more touts. They also left us alone when we were being driven on the scooters. Also, touts don't bother me that much, I can block them out pretty easily. Beggars, crooks, and scammers bother me a lot. Portie

Oct 14th, 2006, 22:11	#243
Eve68 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: USA Posts: 105	[quote=bijapuri]Thanx but no thanx: Puri Udaipur Khajuraho Jaipur Pondicherry Why am I afraid I'm describing my next trip??? Curious to know about Khajuraho; is it the crowds? That's one of the places I'm going to.

Jan 20th, 2007, 13:54	#245
Eve68 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: USA Posts: 105	I have mixed feelings about Delhi but would definetely go there again. Agra sucked except for the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal. The Red Fort is overshadowed by the Taj but it is definetely worth going through w/ a guide. I really liked a town named Chanderi known for its saris. There's a big project to preserve much of their Islamic architecture. No beggars there and very friendly people. Orchha I also enjoyed, and Khajuraho I thought was overrated. Merchants there can be quite pushy like following you around for blocks and blocks. One city I really liked was Allahabad, especially Nehru's House. I also got to take the holy dip during the half Mela at the year's first full moon at the beginning of January. Wish I had been there for more days. Chitrakoot I didn't like that much, but the biggest disappointment was Varanasi. It wasn't the dirt as others have mentioned. I guess I expected a more spiritual place but everywhere I looked I just saw everything commercialized. That's not India's fault though.. We go there with our own expectations and sometimes they're fulfilled, but the reality can be jarring. I guess for me I expected more spirituality in Varanasi than in other places. Overall, a fantastic trip! My next trip though will probably be South India or Himalayas region.

Feb 5th, 2007, 11:50	#247
ajane Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: India Posts: 10	I wish I had time to read all this thread. Just to add my bit: we just spent three ugly days in Calicut. Not only were we not at all welcome - three hotels gave us an out right "no way", the fourth said yes but we said no to their dodgy ways - people gave us wrong information, openly lie, stare with hate and spit on your shoes (if there were stones around they would probably throw them). We felt more welcome with the dullard, kompund inhabitants of Jakarta. Anyway, we are now in Goa and unimpressed but it's chilled out and I haven't seen anyone using the street for a toilet - yet. We are heading north and looking forward to the mountains and the cities. I never have like small towns. Next stop Mumbai. Do they shit on the street there? aj

Feb 5th, 2007, 20:07	#248
anjunaangel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: uk Posts: 192	obviously your first visit to india ajane you have to go with the flow after all it is a 3rd world country,if you are unimpressed with goa then i think you wont like the rest of india and if you dont like cities too as you have been to small places and cities already-i disagree about jakarta too give me india anytime enjoy the rest of your holiday i cant wait to get there on friday

Feb 5th, 2007, 22:09	#250
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,596	sometimes it seems that people in India are waiting for IM'ers to pass so they can shit on the street.

Feb 5th, 2007, 22:32	#252
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,790	reworking an oldie... How dare you crap on the street in front of my wife? I'm very sorry: I didn't realise it was her turn first.

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