Anyone going to Mussoorie/Landour?

Aishah

Glad to hear there's internet not far away - I have decided not to cart my laptop around with me - having big difficulty getting GPRS so if I have to walk to a computer shop might as well leave it at home! It can be my daily exercise! In the meantime I am just taking my phone and see if I can get GPRS working there and can check email that way - BSNL for Jaisalmer is proving hopeless. So maybe Airtel will be a better option. It is working in Mcleod Ganj - maybe in Mussoorie?? Anybody know??
Last year I stayed in Camel's Back Road and only knew of Internet places in The Mall. So good to get your news decamped, thank you.

belle

Hey guys,
I will be leaving for Mussoorie in about two weeks. I was just thinking about what to pack. Anybody have any advice as to what kind of shoes are best? I am definitely bringing a pair of sandals but in terms of walking shoes- sneakers? waterproof? Will there already be lots of rain by the first week of June? Thanks!!

dilbharatmain

Pack your bible.... hordes of very serious yankee christian types in Chardukan/Landour area - a bit up tight if you want to do a bit of partying with your language studies - observations from a few months there 3 years ago - the demographic profile may have changed.

ploink

Haha, should I pack my grandma's bible - it's big, black, and heavy.

I'm considering a pair of good walking/hiking sandals, and a pair of good walking/hiking shoes. A pair of lighter, nicer shoes too... I think. I'll be in Landour later, though, September -->.

__________________
But rather, ten times rather, die in the surf, heralding the way to that new world, than stand idly on the shore! -Florence Nightingale

Aishah

Belle - definitely some shoes suitable for wet conditions - there will be rain, but more like showers lasting only a couple of hours. They can be downpouring, but you can wait them out. The ground underneath can get a bit damp and muddy in parts. I am in Kathmandu at the moment but will be in Mussoorie in a few days - advice I am giving is from what I remember last year. Here, the weather is similar, rain now and then. I'm wearing trekking sandals most of the time.

belle

Thanks Aishah. One last question about packing/weather in Mussoorie. Is it cold there at night now?

Aishah

I'm leaving for Delhi tomorrow but last year I had a couple of blankets on the bed at night, so yes, is cold but not 'freezing' so your head doesn't get cold! I think the lowest it got to was around 12'c - it isn't supercold. Maybe someone who is actually there can let you know now, otherwise I will keep an eye on this post and let u know when I have arrived.

Ariel

Man, what would I do without this website??

I have a couple silly questions for veteran Landour students (or anyone who's spent time in the area) relating to the availability of certain items. I know there's a bazaar, but I'm not sure what they sell there.

Anyway, my concerns are:

1. Contact lense solution. Can I get it, or do I need to stock up?

2. Double A batteries. My camera gobbles them up, so this is a concern.

3. Cheap, decent clothes. I'm a horrible packer, and will probably need to compensate. Plus I'm traveling very, very light.

I would also love to hear any suggestions from people who got to Landour and then immediately thought "argh, why didn't I bring ______ or _______?"

Thanks in advance... did I mention I love India Mike?

OcoeeG

Ariel,
I really cannot comment on the availability of any of these things in Landour, cause I have not been there yet. But if your camera gobbles up AA batteries you should get a set of rechargeable batteries. The initial cost is higher but you end up saving in the long run and all you need is a outlet. Get 2 sets and always have one charged up. Hope that helps.
Chris

Ariel

Hey Chris,

Thanks for replying! I actually do have a battery charger, which I always use, and bring when I'm traveling in Europe-- but it's very heavy, and I don't want to have to muck around with adapters and whatnot, so I was planning on leaving it at home.

Thanks anyway, though!

Dilliwala

The monsoon will be early this year. The Met office says one week, but it cud be earlier. Already North India has had an unseasonal May, rain every few days (thankfully for those of us in Delhi, it's not unbearable this year). When there's no rain, Mussoorie will be around 26-28 C max, 12-14 C min. When it's raining - well, 2 weeks ago it was 14 C at lunch-time! Generally the Mussoorie monsoon starts mid-June, be mentally prepared for it to start earlier.

Dilliwala

1. If no one has it, James & Co at Picture Palace are sure to have it. If not, ask them to order it for u, they are usually very good that way.

2. No problem. Don't go for the cheap ones.

3. No problem. Kulri/Mall Road is your best bet, but u might also find something in Landour Bazar that u like.

Ariel

Thank you, Dilliwala!

That helped a ton.

Ah-- one thing I forgot to ask. Are there any English book stores in the area? I like to travel with a stack of Agatha Christie novels (the literary equivalent of comfort food) and I'm worried I might run out. I could always reread them, but it's not as fun once you know who the killer is!

Thanks again for your help.

Aishah

There are bookstores in Mussoorie- only a couple though. may have your Agatha Christies, otherwise stock up in Delhi on your way through. The rest of your questions, as Dilliwalla said - all available easily there. My camera wouldnt take the rechargeable batteries for some reason - only the other sort you buy.

Dilliwala

1. Cambridge Book Depot on Mall Road/Kulri, next to the PO.
2. Another one right next door, who's name I forget.
3. If you stay in Landour Cantt - Prakash Handicrafts at Sisters Bazar stocks a few exotic/eclectic/Himalaya type books.

The better bookshops are in Dehradun. If u are there for a few hours in transit, or make a day-trip from Muss, check out Natraj Publishers and English Book Depot on Rajpur Road, they are about the best in DD, and close to each other. Mr. Arora, the owner of Natraj, is a great guy and very helpful if u don't know exactly what you're looking for. He's old-school, as in - he actually shuts the shop and goes home for lunch between 1.30 and 3 pm!
Landmarks: Near Astley Hall, opposite the Park