Travelling alone...

Layla

I am planning to travel to South of India in August. This would be my itinerary: Chennai, Covelong, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Madurai, Thekkaday, Kumarakom, Allepey, Cochin (14 days).

1. How safe is South of India for women travelling alone?
2. What important precations should I take (I know already about inocculation, vacination, dress sense)?
3. anyone wants to meet and go from London to Chennai mid August?
4. Have I left some important places to see/visit out from my itinerary? Any suggestions on places to see?

Layla

Nick-H

Covelong --- I think that's what TN's Kovalam used to be called. Unless you're going to stay at the fancy Fisherman's Cove Hotel there, for a nice dose of luxury, there is not much else to go there for. Mamallapuram, a little further down the road, has much more.

Safety? I think this is covered so many times, in so many threads, that you can find the information easily here.

Precautions... for this particular bit of coast (Chennai/Pondy), hmmm... don't wander in the woods by the sea; don't wander about the fishing huts in the night time...

__________________
.


Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Layla

Hi Nick

yes.. I was going to stay at the Fisherman's cove and planned excursion to Mahabalipuram's rock-cut temples. I'll take your idea of Mamallapuram on board too. Thank you!!!

Layla

Haylo

C'mon Nick, you can't say that, and not explain why! I now have visions of two foot wide spiders, or "Little Shop of Horrors" type foliage lying in wait for unwary tourists.

(bet the reason is two legged animals, not man eating plants, how very disapponting)

Layla

Why do they all want to sell me a punjabi dress? I always wear conservative clothes when I travel in India i.e. trousers and long sleeved Kurtas. Why do I have to produce an imaginary husband to the taxi driver even if I am not married?


Layla

singsub

south india is safer than most parts of north india, esp the hindi belt and delhi.

precautions...face mask??

cant help you with #3

firstly where is covelong?? did you mean covalam?? throw in mahabalipuram and chidambaram if you can. or munnar.

machadinha

That's 9 destinations in 14 days. Could work out a little cramped.

Are you familiar with India? Just asking as it will help you to have some idea of logistical hassle and so on. As a very simple guideline on how to draw up an itinerary, try also http://www.seat61.com/spreadsheet.htm

nb In case this wasn't clear to you, Mamallapuram and Mahabalipuram are two names for the same place.

__________________
Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Valini

Hey Mach,

I've just looked up the spreadsheet link you posted, looks good! it's sure that it helps to plan it all out like that to get a better picture of where you're going and how long it'll take plus the cost.
I'm kind of old school though, I have a free standing white board which I used to use for teaching up in the living room and write it all out. I like crossing things off when it's done or confirmed and re arranging it. I find it's also proctical to see it as I'm moving around the house, if I think of something, up it goes and it's ther in my face!

Sorry OP, a little off topic!

Munivar

I am flying to Chennai from London next week.

I may be doing that again possibly in the end of August 3rd week.

__________________
Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kaelir !!!

machadinha

Yes, sounds excellent as well. Plus, the sheer joy of planning & re-planning, and the anticipation of it all!

Bottom line: It's amazing how easy it is to sit down and work out a plan to see how far it will get you, and how easily this seems to be forgotten. Just include estimated travel times, actual time spent anywhere, a breather now and then depending on your stamina, costs where applicable or a concern indeed, always allowing for the unforeseen and the unexpected (certainly in India), and so on (simply and suddenly finding yourself in a place where you don't want to move away from at all, etc.) Then be prepared to still cut it into thirds or throw it all around on the ground (Note: I realize we don't all have the luxury of such flexibility, though.)

Layla

HI, I know it sounds cramped, but I think I might make some adjustments when in South India. I was fishing for comments from someone who has already been on that route and could make further suggestions on what could be dropped or added to the original plan which, btw, may change.

The spreadsheet sounds like a great idea; I've opened it and I am certainly going to use its template for my costs and expenses calculations. Thank you!

Layla

Layla

Wow! You are flying to Chennai next week! Lucky you..

If you go in August or you already know the territory very well,then get in touch because I wouldn't mind to know a bit more about the places I am planning to visit.


Layla

Munivar

^ I was born and brought up in Tamil Nadu. I have been to/ lived in almost all the places you are planning to visit.

Unfortunately, I can only spend a week there in both my trips. I will also be working from home (it's near Erode, interior TN). So I can't be physically show you around. But if you wanna know something specific, or go over some specific places to visit etc, let me know.

Yes. Lucky me. I get free tickets to go to my home in India every two months, in the guise of "working from home". I got broadband setup in my village farm house and a vonage US phone number setup from where I can make and get US calls at local rates.

I am supposed to work from the US...but nobody's even gonna know I am emailing sitting under a coconut tree in India....lol....

chAos

Yeah, really. Nice set-up you've got.

Layla

HI Munivar, I needed to know things like how far Shri Ramanashram in Tiruvannamalai is? At which point of my hols should I make a detour to Tiruvannamalai? I do not necessarily have to go to the beach.


Layla