INDIA

I did reply on another thread, yes we have done India Anne and sadly we decided it wasnt for us, nor was it as all the hype our travel company said it would be. Hope you find it more suitable than we did.We are off to the Maldives for 4 weeks in October staying at Coco Palm in Bodu Hithi. Now this is a dream holiday we enjoyed so much last time we went.

yes sorry granny grace still finding my way round here!!

4 weeks that will be fantastic!!

my little Rosie snoring by my side would not agree!

we going for just 10 days and always wanted to see Taj Mahal did you see that while you were there??
We also hope to do Tiger safari, but that is under question at moment due to Indian govt. we will not know until they have meeting tom.

We stayed at the 5 star Orchid Hotel in Mumbai,but we did a lot of travelling. Yes we did see the Taj Mahal,very beautiful. We were there for 4 weeks, many wonderful sights,but over all not for me. The heat, humidity and the constant fear of the tummy upsets that seem to exist. An experience but wouldn't go again Im afraid. Looking forward to the Maldives as we have been before, a very exclusive resort.

We went for 18 days and loved it all! It doesn't smell which most people seem to think it will. The tigers in the wild were amazing so I hope you get to see them. We didn't go to the one most people go to and were lucky on 4 game drives to see 4 tigers, one really close from the back of an elephant.

Other highlights were the Golden Temple at Amritsar and the evening ceremony at the Pakistan border but take your passport and then you can go in the VIP area.

The Taj Mahal is better than any of the pictures and it is worth having some professional photos while you are there but bargain hard and only say you want a very few. Our took loads and gave them to us very cheaply when we insisted we only wanted the number we had agreed on.

The rickshaw ride (race!) round Old Delhi was really fun too but we needed to hold on tight! Varanasi is well worth a visit too. I could go on for pages about how great it all was and would love to do it all again or have a go at the south as well.

Everyone expects to be tipped all the time but not very much. If you bear in mind that the average annual wage is around £7000 you will see that a small tip goes a long way. You have to get your currency when you arrive so I would suggest going to an ATM at the airport and as soon as you get to your hotel ask the cashier to change some into very small denominations.

Try to get out and eat outside the hotels if you can, our driver was very helpful with this. The food is amazing but rather puts you off eating the Indian food in the UK. I'm craving the black lentil dahl just writing about it!

Have a great time, wish I could come with you!

thanks Movedealot that sound positive!!

lady on phone from Page and MOy said Taj Mahal was livedup to expectations! sure we wil enjoy is different kind of holiday, we like to see different places rather than just flop on beach, tho like to do that too!!

Spent 2 mths in India in 1978 and 1 mth in 1980.Not the tourist trail .but visiting an ashram .Flew to Mumbai (then Bombay) train to Poona.On an ancient bus to Goa and back to Bombay by boat. Each time went in early Feb before the hottest time.
Be sure to pack a pumice stone.and cheap sandals.My feet got very dry-having to take shoes off to enter many places.
grannygrace I went to Maldives in 2000 with DS,DIL and GS (then 18mths) Stayed on Sonava Fushi and another island in huts on stilts.It was idyllic-very relaxing,wonderful snorkelling. DS & DIL went scuba diving whilst I looked after GS -Happy days!

I've been to India a few times and will go again when I can. Loved the place total magic. The crowds can be overwhelming at the Taj Mahal but stay as long as you can and take water with you at all times. Ask your GP for Ciprofloxacin(not sure of the spelling) as a precaution. You can always donate to the Mother Teresa Charity when you leave. Trying to persuade my husband that we NEED to go on a cruise on the Brahmaputra. I'd live there if I could but I don't suppose it would be the same as dreaming about it. The resilience of the people living on the streets and the innate sense of colour and beauty that a housewife decorating her yard has or a child learning to dance possesses. You are so lucky anneandgraham

Thanks Stansgran not long now this time next week we will be in the plane!!

thanks for tips!!

we bought up to date insect repellent and immodium and dioralyte!! OH is pharmacist so that helps!!

thanks for positive comments!

Should add -keep any airline socks given out even if you haven't worn them as they can often be worn in temples where you have to take shoes off. Some floors can be filthy.(and a poly bag to store them in)Bon voyage

I seem to remember we hada bigger weight allowance on the way back than on the way there, 28 kg!

I didn't get bitten which is very unusual but we went in March.

We went to 2 dance shows, both were good but one was excellent.

When you go on trips you will inevitably be taken to see some sort of shop where they will offer you drinks but it is acceptable to just look and not buy, but hard because there are some lovely things.

I do so wish I was coming with you and hope you will tell us all about it when you come back.

Movedealot am sure will bore you all when we return!!

good tip about the socks, still have some somewhere!! STANSGRAN

noticed on last long haul flight and we had paid to upgrade WE GOT NO FREEBIES AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was disappointed in the Maldives because the coral around the island I was on had been bleached by El Nino. I like to be active on holiday and I was quickly bored because there was nowhere to walk. Lying by a pool does not appeal to me at all. I found out later that there was good coral on the islands furthest away from the main island and the airport- I should have done my own research instead of trusting Thomas Cook!

We loved the Maldive Isalnd we went to Island Hideaway, would go back any time.

fortunately our luggage been increased to 23Kg as I keep chucking more stuff in!!

India was amazing if very hectic!! We stayed in 5 different hotels, in 10 days!! Taj Mahal was amazing we did very early visit there, and were lot of early starts.

One of best holidays we had, so much to see, and the people so welcoming. Very very hot and tiring walking round temples but so exciting too.#

sad to see the poverty and the trust we were taken to for homeless children rescued off the streets was a real eye opener.

on fun side the rickshaw rides were amazing!!
really did us good complete break from all our sadness.

Went 10 years ago. What an experience. Loved it. Hope you do too.

We did Petallus was like no other holiday ever been on!!

really did us good.