Water wheel for irrigation- on the road
between Ranakpur and Udaipur.
Rural life, though scenic for us, must be hard
work for those on the land.
This area has been experiencing a long drought
as well- let us hope the Gods send rain with
the next monsoon season
as of August 2005 I believe there has been rain
through the area- may the Gods be praised!
But Bikaner way as of 2007 was still hoping...
between Ranakpur and Udaipur.
Rural life, though scenic for us, must be hard
work for those on the land.
This area has been experiencing a long drought
as well- let us hope the Gods send rain with
the next monsoon season
as of August 2005 I believe there has been rain
through the area- may the Gods be praised!
But Bikaner way as of 2007 was still hoping...
Monsson Palace is perched on that
distant mountain above Udaipur
distant mountain above Udaipur
A quiet street in Jaipur, up near
City Palace
we were following an elephant but
they can make it through the
traffic quicker than cars....
City Palace
we were following an elephant but
they can make it through the
traffic quicker than cars....
Mathura, birth place
of the Lord Krishna
of the Lord Krishna
The itinerary is the part to dream over, and please do....
don't forget the small print page for terms and conditions
and here is the Notes page
for starting to get a feel of things
[back to the tour page]
India is a vast place with so many layers to it- to add to
your experience do some homework before you come
-keep your eye out for mentions of India on the TV,
-browse the Internet -the newspaper Times of India has an online version
- read a few books- I have found many novels, widely available, written by Indian writers
in English that give a delightful feel for the people and books such as
City of the Djinns-by William Dalrymple
Holy Cow by Sarah Macdonald
India Unbound by Gurcharan Das
India Discovered by John Keay to be good starting points for very readable insights into
different aspects of the place.
This type of research will add to your experience of the whole place [but isn't that what
life is like- it always helps to come prepared!]
Unmissable experiences:
* see the elephants at Amber Fort
*sunset from Tiger Fort
* posting a parcel home from an Indian post office ( allow at least one hour- this will give
you such an insight into the patience that is part of the Indian psyche-or drive you crazy
with frustration so perhaps better to plan to fit things in your bags to get them home)
*Merangharh Fort -Jodhpur,
*Ram Pratap Palace our own personal palace away from home
*Gum trees along the road in Ranakpur [I'm Australian!!}
* a Bollywood romance movie
*stopping in some quiet spot, thinking you have finally found solitude only to look up
and see 3 or 4 little faces looking at the new tourist attraction- you, you just have to
laugh!
*sending out your washing and having it returned, clean, lightly starched and pressed- my
clothes thought they had a new owner! I love India!
Things to consider:
*ONLY bottled water passes your lips
(yes, even teeth cleaning)
roadside juice stalls seem fine -
avoid watermelon and ice.
*daypack that zips up for a handbag
*ATMs are everywhere so for money I just use visa advances or a visa debit card and have
never worried about traveller’s cheques or what ever Check with your bank that this is so
for your card- if in doubt bring traveller's cheques
* Drink 2-3 litres of bottled water a day- India is a dry and dusty place you need the
fluids.
*Also take your creamiest, thickest hair conditioner and moisturiser
*Thongs or flipflops- many bathrooms are marble, which can get very slippery with wet
feet
* A sarong has many uses for a traveller- Robe in your room, bed sheet, shawl, picnic
cloth...
*Mozzie repellent - not often a problem but you do not want to be bitten.
*Clothing- (woman) not revealing, loose is better than tight- the secret seems to be a
scarf draped across the Heart Chakra (breasts)- you then look like a respectable lady
*Bring a cloth carry bag- support India's "SAY NO TO PLASTIC" campaign
*I have travelled alone, wandering wherever interest lead me and in that time I have
generally been treated very kindly and met many wonderful locals.
In retrospect these are some of the things I think contributed to that
~Treating people with polite respect- I have heard some loud, insensitive and rude
foreigners bemoaning the treatment they have received, by their attitude they deserved it-
I found India such a friendly place
~Luck- the Gods smiled upon me
~I was prepared to be delighted and most often patient (India can be hard work,
confusing and down right frustrating some days some days- isn't that life though?)
~“No hurries,No worries,Eat chicken curries” an Indian friend’s attitude to coping on the
roads (Indian’s have many little sayings with a nonsense, rhyming line thrown in)
~Indian people are quite conservative- treat the gentlemen with a little formal reserve
(polite school ma’am springs to mind) and smile at the ladies, many are quite shy. Given
an opportunity to see you are not some rude foreigner they will really warm to you
~Many of the Forts and Palaces are full of tourists and they are mostly proud, happy
Indians- an opportunity for many delightful little chats- you will often be of as much
interest to them as the monument.
~Indians frown on beggars but will give a few rupees to a very old gentleman or lady
(there is no pension) A firm no is necessary. Children are often just trying it on or work
for a Fagan like character- give them something to eat (have a few little chocolates in
your bag or go to a nearby fruit stall)- this will go into their tummy and can be an
opportunity for some wonderful non-verbal conversations
~Have your most comfortable walking shoes- there is so much to see, you will be
surprised at the distance you cover- did I mention comfortable, worn-in walking shoes?
~Clothing- (woman) not revealing, loose is better than tight- the secret seems to be a
scarf draped across the Heart Chakra (breasts)- you then look like a respectable lady
Etiquette:
In India money is handled in a different way
Prices are indicative only and you are expected to
barter (politeness and a bit of humour go a long way)
You need to BARTER- as all prices are given
expecting you will- it is hard if that is not your
cultural background so start practicing with your family and friends.
When given a price, don’t look too interested and
ask, “Is this your best price?” and make a counter offer
of half the price…it goes on from there. If you have a
friend with you who is prepared to try to drag you off - this will apparently give you a
bargaining advantage as you might leave.
In tourist areas expect to make an offer of at most half of what is suggested and then
start.....
Try to barter on basically all prices and expect to get something off.
Bakesh or tipping is also an integral part of Indian culture (tipping rather than the word
‘thank you’ is the way you say thankyou in India)
~Have a pocket of 10 or 20 Rp notes folded individually to give the boy who brings a cup
of tea or bottle of water to your room, drops off your washing…
A little more for the poor fellow who struggles with your bag up to your room, the
waiter…
~Your guide/driver is given a tip from some of the establishments he takes you to (this
happens whether you or he chooses the establishment). A good driver will take you to a
good quality establishment and see you are looked after, if asked he will say it is “his duty,
madam to look after you” He knows the happier you are, the happier he will be when you
say ‘thank you’ at the end of your trip.
And for when you need to head back to the main part of the site click home
don't forget the small print page for terms and conditions
and here is the Notes page
for starting to get a feel of things
[back to the tour page]
India is a vast place with so many layers to it- to add to
your experience do some homework before you come
-keep your eye out for mentions of India on the TV,
-browse the Internet -the newspaper Times of India has an online version
- read a few books- I have found many novels, widely available, written by Indian writers
in English that give a delightful feel for the people and books such as
City of the Djinns-by William Dalrymple
Holy Cow by Sarah Macdonald
India Unbound by Gurcharan Das
India Discovered by John Keay to be good starting points for very readable insights into
different aspects of the place.
This type of research will add to your experience of the whole place [but isn't that what
life is like- it always helps to come prepared!]
Unmissable experiences:
* see the elephants at Amber Fort
*sunset from Tiger Fort
* posting a parcel home from an Indian post office ( allow at least one hour- this will give
you such an insight into the patience that is part of the Indian psyche-or drive you crazy
with frustration so perhaps better to plan to fit things in your bags to get them home)
*Merangharh Fort -Jodhpur,
*Ram Pratap Palace our own personal palace away from home
*Gum trees along the road in Ranakpur [I'm Australian!!}
* a Bollywood romance movie
*stopping in some quiet spot, thinking you have finally found solitude only to look up
and see 3 or 4 little faces looking at the new tourist attraction- you, you just have to
laugh!
*sending out your washing and having it returned, clean, lightly starched and pressed- my
clothes thought they had a new owner! I love India!
Things to consider:
*ONLY bottled water passes your lips
(yes, even teeth cleaning)
roadside juice stalls seem fine -
avoid watermelon and ice.
*daypack that zips up for a handbag
*ATMs are everywhere so for money I just use visa advances or a visa debit card and have
never worried about traveller’s cheques or what ever Check with your bank that this is so
for your card- if in doubt bring traveller's cheques
* Drink 2-3 litres of bottled water a day- India is a dry and dusty place you need the
fluids.
*Also take your creamiest, thickest hair conditioner and moisturiser
*Thongs or flipflops- many bathrooms are marble, which can get very slippery with wet
feet
* A sarong has many uses for a traveller- Robe in your room, bed sheet, shawl, picnic
cloth...
*Mozzie repellent - not often a problem but you do not want to be bitten.
*Clothing- (woman) not revealing, loose is better than tight- the secret seems to be a
scarf draped across the Heart Chakra (breasts)- you then look like a respectable lady
*Bring a cloth carry bag- support India's "SAY NO TO PLASTIC" campaign
*I have travelled alone, wandering wherever interest lead me and in that time I have
generally been treated very kindly and met many wonderful locals.
In retrospect these are some of the things I think contributed to that
~Treating people with polite respect- I have heard some loud, insensitive and rude
foreigners bemoaning the treatment they have received, by their attitude they deserved it-
I found India such a friendly place
~Luck- the Gods smiled upon me
~I was prepared to be delighted and most often patient (India can be hard work,
confusing and down right frustrating some days some days- isn't that life though?)
~“No hurries,No worries,Eat chicken curries” an Indian friend’s attitude to coping on the
roads (Indian’s have many little sayings with a nonsense, rhyming line thrown in)
~Indian people are quite conservative- treat the gentlemen with a little formal reserve
(polite school ma’am springs to mind) and smile at the ladies, many are quite shy. Given
an opportunity to see you are not some rude foreigner they will really warm to you
~Many of the Forts and Palaces are full of tourists and they are mostly proud, happy
Indians- an opportunity for many delightful little chats- you will often be of as much
interest to them as the monument.
~Indians frown on beggars but will give a few rupees to a very old gentleman or lady
(there is no pension) A firm no is necessary. Children are often just trying it on or work
for a Fagan like character- give them something to eat (have a few little chocolates in
your bag or go to a nearby fruit stall)- this will go into their tummy and can be an
opportunity for some wonderful non-verbal conversations
~Have your most comfortable walking shoes- there is so much to see, you will be
surprised at the distance you cover- did I mention comfortable, worn-in walking shoes?
~Clothing- (woman) not revealing, loose is better than tight- the secret seems to be a
scarf draped across the Heart Chakra (breasts)- you then look like a respectable lady
Etiquette:
In India money is handled in a different way
Prices are indicative only and you are expected to
barter (politeness and a bit of humour go a long way)
You need to BARTER- as all prices are given
expecting you will- it is hard if that is not your
cultural background so start practicing with your family and friends.
When given a price, don’t look too interested and
ask, “Is this your best price?” and make a counter offer
of half the price…it goes on from there. If you have a
friend with you who is prepared to try to drag you off - this will apparently give you a
bargaining advantage as you might leave.
In tourist areas expect to make an offer of at most half of what is suggested and then
start.....
Try to barter on basically all prices and expect to get something off.
Bakesh or tipping is also an integral part of Indian culture (tipping rather than the word
‘thank you’ is the way you say thankyou in India)
~Have a pocket of 10 or 20 Rp notes folded individually to give the boy who brings a cup
of tea or bottle of water to your room, drops off your washing…
A little more for the poor fellow who struggles with your bag up to your room, the
waiter…
~Your guide/driver is given a tip from some of the establishments he takes you to (this
happens whether you or he chooses the establishment). A good driver will take you to a
good quality establishment and see you are looked after, if asked he will say it is “his duty,
madam to look after you” He knows the happier you are, the happier he will be when you
say ‘thank you’ at the end of your trip.
And for when you need to head back to the main part of the site click home