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

shashank.aggarwal · Jun 2nd, 2008, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Given a choice, and as a tourist, I can't think of any big city I would really want to revisit.

got your point here..and I whole heartedly second that !!

capt_mahajan · Jun 2nd, 2008, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelenR

In Rio, you cannot sunbathe without being pestered by people selling everything. If your eyes are closed, they will at least try to get you to open them. It became a joke at some point, we weren't bothered by them anymore

The most annoying thing was, they whistle sooooo much to each other (and possibly to you) to signal something and/or get attention!

Copacabana is hot. And I mean the temperature.

Bit like Pondicherry. As soon as its sundown everybody is on the Promenade. No beach in Pondicherry, though.

HelenR · Jun 2nd, 2008, 15:56

And unlike Pondicherry, nobody is on the promenade/sidewalk after dark.

We saw a guy get robbed at knifepoint (knife on his throat) by 4 20yr olds in front of a burger joint (Bob's) at 7:30, right on Av. Atlantica!

Saw another tourist couple get robbed on the promenade.

All these people yelled "help" but nobody did, including the police!

Never walked outside after semi-dusk again...

capt_mahajan · Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:01

Yep, though the police spend a lot of energy keeping that touristed part of Rio insulated from the daily drug war and misery of the hill shantytowns not so far away.

20 year olds? You can get murderers for hire cheaply who are just into their teens. And children are the biggest victims in Rio, too.

Better get back to indian cities, unless we want to add Rio to the list

puchoo · Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:08

Well , cant really contest with that...i would prob not take one myself!

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

for everything else except a drink, yes.
a drink, like murder, is personal

shashank.aggarwal · Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:10

City of Gods, eh !!

Aloo · Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:11

Bangalore and Mumbai. Every big city I "hated" when I was first there, but got used to them, eventually. But Mumbai was my first "hit" coming out of rural Rajasthan, so the first day there I was skipping down the sidewalk to Baristas to get iced lattes..as in my previous months I'd have to hike down the road, past the garbage lot and cows, past the goatherding tribal community, up another road, wait for the public rickshaw, cram my big western butt inside a 6 seater already holding 8-10, smile politely and use my rudimentary hindi as much as possible ( made for funny conversations when it was primarily used to tell off/order kids around.." Saitanni NAHI! Chup rahow!) eventually get to Udaipur and go to Cafe Coffe Day.

But after the caffiene jitters wore away, Mumbai reminded quite abit of my old NYC ethnic neighborhood..and at that point, I wasn't ready for it.

Bangalore was similar, but this time I went chain rstaraunt crazy and when that wore off, was not amused at shopping in malls..but the first three were fun. I rode the escalators a lot.

capt_mahajan · Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:14

Actually and seriously, Delhi is worthwhile for any tourist to spend a few days in, at least once. Lots of history.

Unfortunately and aside, my last few trips there have been in family emergencies. Hopefully a meetup (and drink) next time...

zoltan · Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:14

Hi Helen,

For the list you've provided, there are many places worth visiting. Some less than others. The suggested number of days (my opinion only) are listed for you:

Mumbai - worth a few days, but the hotels are expen$ive.

Ahmadabad - 1 day, just to say you've been there *very* heavy air pollution

Udaipur - well worth stopping for a few days.

Jodhpur - 2-3 days are good here.

Jaisalmer - my 2nd home. Lots of touts but a lovely atmosphere.

Jaipur - 1-2 days. Way too many touts around the city and too busy.

Agra - 1.5 days for the Taj & Fatephur Sikri. Touts as thick as flies. Hate it with a passion.

Khajuraho - 1-2 days. Not a lot to see other than the temples (the waterfall only operates during the monsoon).

Varanasi - a week to really appreciate this location. Sure the Ganges is polluted but the city has a certain magic to it.

Amritsar - 2 days (mostly at the Golden Temple). Not a lot on offer, except perhaps the border opening /closing.

Delhi - up to 1 week. An interesting city and lots to see and do here, esp. for a first-timer.

Cheers
Zoltan

shashank.aggarwal · Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoltan

Delhi - up to 1 week. An interesting city and lots to see and do here, esp. for a first-timer.

Really appreciate this advise. As a Delhiite, and an IMer, we often discuss in the meetups, that a large number of tourists use Delhi as a 'Base Camp' for golden Triangle, Rajasthan or Himalayas. In the process missing out on what Delhi has to offer.

Whoever has spent some time in Delhi, gradually taking it in, has always thanked us for the advise..

PS : yes the Drawbacks are in Plenty, but most of them are part and parcel of the general life in all Indian cities, and there might be some which as a local I am so much used to that they do not look like negatives anymore.

puchoo · Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:27

Feel very similar to what you do Shanks...on missing out what Delhi has to offer as well the numbness which one has now to certain daily problems which for a tourist will stand out prominently as something which needs to be handled day in and day out..

I also find it strange to run into people once in a while, foreigners, who other than office + nighlife has not seen anything else of Delhi..and are content with restricting themselves to that...whether it be a dislike for the city, or a general dis-interest i would still find it hard to not 'explore'...

HelenR · Jun 4th, 2008, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoltan

Hi Helen,

For the list you've provided, there are many places worth visiting. Some less than others. The suggested number of days (my opinion only) are listed for you:

Mumbai - worth a few days, but the hotels are expen$ive.

Ahmadabad - 1 day, just to say you've been there *very* heavy air pollution

Udaipur - well worth stopping for a few days.

Jodhpur - 2-3 days are good here.

Jaisalmer - my 2nd home. Lots of touts but a lovely atmosphere.

Jaipur - 1-2 days. Way too many touts around the city and too busy.

Agra - 1.5 days for the Taj & Fatephur Sikri. Touts as thick as flies. Hate it with a passion.

Khajuraho - 1-2 days. Not a lot to see other than the temples (the waterfall only operates during the monsoon).

Varanasi - a week to really appreciate this location. Sure the Ganges is polluted but the city has a certain magic to it.

Amritsar - 2 days (mostly at the Golden Temple). Not a lot on offer, except perhaps the border opening /closing.

Delhi - up to 1 week. An interesting city and lots to see and do here, esp. for a first-timer.

Cheers
Zoltan

Thanks Zoltan! I wish we had time to spend more time in these cities but here's our plan:

Mumbai - 5 days (Day 1 - arriving at 4:15 am, day 5 leaving with night train)

Ahmadabad - 1 day

Udaipur - 2 days (same structure with Mumbai in terms of travel days)

Jodhpur - 2 days

Jaisalmer - 3 days

Jaipur - 2 days

Agra - 2 days

Khajuraho - 2 days

Varanasi - 3 days

Amritsar - 1 day? (not sure right now)

Delhi - 3.5 days

-----------------------

On a separate note, someone's comment about foreigners reminded me about my prissy friends, who complained about the cows. I cannot wait to see cows all around me. I love cows, I grew up with cows, I have cowies instead of teddy bears, I think they're just magnificent animals. I never understood why they went to India... They are one of *those* people as well.

HelenR · Jun 4th, 2008, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Better get back to indian cities, unless we want to add Rio to the list

Sorry for digressing...

zoltan · Jun 4th, 2008, 17:20

> Amritsar - 1 day? (not sure right now)

Given the distance you'd have to travel just for the one night, it's hardly worth it.

While the Golden Temple is quite awesome, and I believe the Wargah border opening/closing is great, it's just too far and you'd be feeling wrung out with the amount of travel that you are planning on doing.

Hope this helps to make your decision.

Cheers
Zoltan

kullu gang · Jun 4th, 2008, 19:38

Goa because its now just like the Spainish coast and Agra for the sheer hassle no one is safe there the only amusing part was watching indian tourist lose there temper while queing up for the Taj which in turn is so miss managed.

Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:14	#324
zoltan Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 850	Hi Helen, For the list you've provided, there are many places worth visiting. Some less than others. The suggested number of days (my opinion only) are listed for you: Mumbai - worth a few days, but the hotels are expen$ive. Ahmadabad - 1 day, just to say you've been there very heavy air pollution Udaipur - well worth stopping for a few days. Jodhpur - 2-3 days are good here. Jaisalmer - my 2nd home. Lots of touts but a lovely atmosphere. Jaipur - 1-2 days. Way too many touts around the city and too busy. Agra - 1.5 days for the Taj & Fatephur Sikri. Touts as thick as flies. Hate it with a passion. Khajuraho - 1-2 days. Not a lot to see other than the temples (the waterfall only operates during the monsoon). Varanasi - a week to really appreciate this location. Sure the Ganges is polluted but the city has a certain magic to it. Amritsar - 2 days (mostly at the Golden Temple). Not a lot on offer, except perhaps the border opening /closing. Delhi - up to 1 week. An interesting city and lots to see and do here, esp. for a first-timer. Cheers Zoltan __________________ India (and other) photos click here

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Jun 2nd, 2008, 15:56	#318
HelenR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: USA Posts: 108	And unlike Pondicherry, nobody is on the promenade/sidewalk after dark. We saw a guy get robbed at knifepoint (knife on his throat) by 4 20yr olds in front of a burger joint (Bob's) at 7:30, right on Av. Atlantica! Saw another tourist couple get robbed on the promenade. All these people yelled "help" but nobody did, including the police! Never walked outside after semi-dusk again...

Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:01	#319
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,597	Yep, though the police spend a lot of energy keeping that touristed part of Rio insulated from the daily drug war and misery of the hill shantytowns not so far away. 20 year olds? You can get murderers for hire cheaply who are just into their teens. And children are the biggest victims in Rio, too. Better get back to indian cities, unless we want to add Rio to the list

Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:10	#321
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,787	City of Gods, eh !!

Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:11	#322
Aloo cheese naan-ophile Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: My Suitcase Posts: 42	Bangalore and Mumbai. Every big city I "hated" when I was first there, but got used to them, eventually. But Mumbai was my first "hit" coming out of rural Rajasthan, so the first day there I was skipping down the sidewalk to Baristas to get iced lattes..as in my previous months I'd have to hike down the road, past the garbage lot and cows, past the goatherding tribal community, up another road, wait for the public rickshaw, cram my big western butt inside a 6 seater already holding 8-10, smile politely and use my rudimentary hindi as much as possible ( made for funny conversations when it was primarily used to tell off/order kids around.." Saitanni NAHI! Chup rahow!) eventually get to Udaipur and go to Cafe Coffe Day. But after the caffiene jitters wore away, Mumbai reminded quite abit of my old NYC ethnic neighborhood..and at that point, I wasn't ready for it. Bangalore was similar, but this time I went chain rstaraunt crazy and when that wore off, was not amused at shopping in malls..but the first three were fun. I rode the escalators a lot.

Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:14	#323
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,597	Actually and seriously, Delhi is worthwhile for any tourist to spend a few days in, at least once. Lots of history. Unfortunately and aside, my last few trips there have been in family emergencies. Hopefully a meetup (and drink) next time...

Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:27	#326
puchoo Forum Leader Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi & Himachal Pradesh (Shimla) Posts: 4,145	Feel very similar to what you do Shanks...on missing out what Delhi has to offer as well the numbness which one has now to certain daily problems which for a tourist will stand out prominently as something which needs to be handled day in and day out.. I also find it strange to run into people once in a while, foreigners, who other than office + nighlife has not seen anything else of Delhi..and are content with restricting themselves to that...whether it be a dislike for the city, or a general dis-interest i would still find it hard to not 'explore'...

Jun 4th, 2008, 17:20	#329
zoltan Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 850	> Amritsar - 1 day? (not sure right now) Given the distance you'd have to travel just for the one night, it's hardly worth it. While the Golden Temple is quite awesome, and I believe the Wargah border opening/closing is great, it's just too far and you'd be feeling wrung out with the amount of travel that you are planning on doing. Hope this helps to make your decision. Cheers Zoltan

Jun 4th, 2008, 19:38	#330
kullu gang Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: kullu himachal pradesh Posts: 53	Goa because its now just like the Spainish coast and Agra for the sheer hassle no one is safe there the only amusing part was watching indian tourist lose there temper while queing up for the Taj which in turn is so miss managed.

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