To God’s own country

After a couple of months living the chaotic life of Delhi and saving our work leaves, we finally got a chance to get away from the noise, crowd and cold of the capital of India and headed south to God’s own country!.. We got our backpacks, changed the office clothes for sweatpants and started our ‘New Year’s Adventure’ at the railway station of New Delhi. All set for the 48 hours ride to Kottyam. On Sleeper Class!

It may sound extreme and even risky for a lot of people, but I have to say it was one of the best trips we’ve had in India; for a young couple who can’t stand away from the road for a long time, budget is a pretty important reason, plus we like to get involved with people, experience the local customs as much as possible and appreciate the landscape. We shared our coach with a really nice South Indian family –small kids included- and had time to relax, read, play cards and enjoy the IMPRESSIVE change of scenery from North to South in 800 Rupees each. Pretty cool! Huh? Add the train meals ranging from 40 to 60 Rs, the occasional chai or coffee in 10 Rs, water bottles –pani- in 15 Rs, and you got yourself a great deal!

The Train

The food was cold, but good –I gotta say my stomach is stronger that the average expat stomach so I didn’t have any problem-, and if you don’t mind the train getting crowded sometimes and the not-clean-at-all bathrooms, you’ll be fine!… Just carry a sleeping bag or warm blanket on winter (nights are very cold and the windows not always seal properly) and enjoy the ride. At the end of the trip you’ll have a lot of beautiful pictures and videos, a lot of stories to tell back home (trust me in this one; something remarkably funny will happen on that train) and priceless memories to treasure forever.

First stop: Thekkady!

After 48 hours, we finally arrived to Kottyam… But that wasn’t the end of our ride; we were still 4 hours away from our first destination, Thekkady, home of the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It was a bumpy but pleasant bus ride through the hills; the clear sky, tea plantations and eventual sight of an elephant increased our excitement! I was actually feeling like home; the mountains, plantain trees and Christian churches reminded me of my coffee lands in Colombia… Although the signboards and dressing style of the people kept the feeling of being in India. It was an amazing feeling!

Thekkady is a hill station with plenty to offer; from the Ayurvedic massages to trekking, camping in the reserve, boat cruises on the beautiful Periyar lake and –our favorite- Elephant ride. The prices rise on the high season but still we feel we got a good deal; in 1500 Rs each, we booked an Elephant adventure that included pick-up and drop off to the hotel, a 30 minutes Elephant ride, a small show and a bath; yes! We got to feed them, shower them… and get showered too! We also made sure to choose a good place where the animals are respected and well treated, and that was The Elephant Junction.

Riding elephants in india

The Backwaters of Allepey

With so little time to spend, it was a tough task to choose where to go and what to skip in Kerala, and at the end we had to sacrifice the Tea Plantations in Munar and the chilled Varkala Beach (ouch!) to fully enjoy our time in Thekkady and Allepey, also known as ‘the Venice of East’. The Kerala backwaters are a bunch of lakes and lagoons parallel to the Arabian Sea and connected through natural and manmade canals forming 900 Km. of waterways through towns, cities and islands. It sounds great, and looks even better in pictures, bust this is something you HAVE to see!

Kerala boathouse for honeymoon

You can experience the backwaters in a lot of different ways that will cost you from 200 Rs to 12000 Rs depending on the time, season and vessel; taking a ferry with other locals to go from A to B is the cheapest way and renting a fancy kettuvallam (houseboat) for the night with cook and driver on board would be the most expensive, although still worth it- option. We decided to stick to our budget and rent a comfortable canoe for 6 hours in 2000 Rs, plus the 500 we spent in lunch, coconut water, chai, snacks and tip to our guide, Captain Vijay; a sweet and funny old guy who has been working on the backwaters for decades and makes his best to explain the scenery, local life and even make some jokes in English.

The Captain took us to different islands where we could see tea plantations, temples and had a delicious lunch served on a banana leaf. He even took us to meet his family and play with his grandchildren! It was a magic and lovely journey, and at the end of it, he gave us a pen and a big notebook full of letters in different languages, drawings and pictures from all is costumers over the years. What a perfect day!..

Gods own country state in India

Once the ride was over, we took an auto back to our hotel Vrindanavam Heritage –that by the way is highly recommended!!!- and head to the beach to see the sunset between a cheering and friendly crowd that was there for a local festival. It was a great evening full of spicy snacks –mostly non-veg- carnival rides and local music, the perfect ending for the Kerala track of our south Indian adventure. The next day we woke up happy and ready to leave for Kochin –just 2 hours and 50 Rs. Away- where a longest ride was awaiting: 17 hours to our New Year’s eve destination: GOA!

But that’s another great story for later 😉

Article by my friend Manuela of Colombia. Some of her other articles include the Golden Temple, Chandigarh and Jallianwala Bagh.

A guide to must see places in Bangalore

Have you been to the iconic Garden City yet? If not, pack your bags for this amazing place and set foot in one of the most welcoming cities in the country. There are literally countless things to do and places to see in Bangalore, this is the city that never disappoints. Whether you seek peace and calm on your next trip or want to indulge yourself in happening parties, Bangalore is the place to be. A quiet retreat from the scorching summers and the harsh winters, the weather here is just perfect for you, so perfect that you might as well want to move here! Here is a list of must visit places in Bangalore:

1. Bangalore Palace-

If you want to go do some sight-seeing and dig deep into the history of the former rulers, Bangalore Palace is a must visit. The Wadiyar family history can now be experienced using audio tours which come in a host of languages. Walk through the long halls be mesmerized as you look at the stunning artwork on the sumptuous walls of this palace.

2. National Gallery of Modern Art-

If you are feeling artistic, NGMA is the place to be. Set in an old bungalow, this gallery caters to artists and art lovers alike. Come here to experience art at its best in Bangalore.

3. Commercial Street-

If street shopping is your thing, you can’t afford to miss Commercial Street. From jewellery to clothes, this street is famous for its styles and affordability. Shop here and get the best of the trends without burning a hole in your pocket.

If on this Bangalore adventure you find yourself too tied up to do the chores you can always go digital. Check out this great app for laundry services in Koramangala so you never really have to worry about your clothes as you go on your expedition!

Travel Tips Roundup: Best Travel Tips for India

I would like to wish everyone a happy new year. Hope the New Year will bring prosperity and happiness in your lives.

If you are considering travelling to India then you might wish to save this page. You will find the best travel tips for India here. Just go through each one of these tips one by one. If you have questions then feel free to ask.

A travel scam of that might get rip you off a lot of money. You can read about it here.

Beware of a new scam by auto rickshaw drivers in cities around India.

If you going to Indian and want to find out what Indians wear then you might wish to take a look at this. Furthermore here’s what to wear in India. Here’s how to wear the saree if you are interested.

Here’s a list of the top 10 things to do in India. If you want to make the most of India then take a look at some of the best places to visit in India for historical purposes. Here are the some of the best places to visit in Kerala.

If you are up to it the challenge then you might try chewing Gutka and smoking the beedi but be warned it’s not good for your health.

You might wish to polish up on your Hindi numbers. Here’s Hindi numbers 1 to 100 with audio.

Learn some more greeting Hindi words, phrases and sentences for your travels to India.

India has fewer beggars that ever before. But what would you do if did see one. Here’s how to deal with beggars in India.

Are you one of these people who believe in ghosts? Then India has great places if you want to visit haunted places. Here’s a list of the most haunted places in India and the most haunted places in the world. Bhangarh Fort is one scary place, read about it see if you visit this place. 

Fancy trying something different in India? Why not try drinking sugarcane juice? You might like it and its dirt cheap. Try the famous jalabi sweets. 

Did you know that public displace of affection is not allowed in some parts of India. You might wish to read this before you give your partner a kiss on the lips in India in public.

If you are travelling to India from the UK then you might wish shop around for cheap air tickets to India. Here’s a list of ways you get cheap tickets to India.

Are you one of those who get constipated then you might wish to read up on how to reduce and even avoid your travel constipation?

If you do wish to travel to India during the monsoons then you might wish to read up on the Indian monsoons. Here’s a list of things you should bring if visit India at time of the monsoons. 

India Travel Health Guide: Health Advice and Tips for Travelers to India

Have you got a travel blog? Do you want to start a travel blog? Here’s how to start your very own travel blog. If you want to make money from your travel blog then feel free to read this post. You will find plenty of tips on how to monetise your travel blog.

Darjeeling is one best place you can visit in India. There are plenty of things to do for everyone. Here’s your Darjeeling travel guide.

When you do visit India then you realise that Indian men do not hesitate to scratch their testicles in public. Here’s a list of my reasons why Indian men scratch their testicles.

Agra is more than just visiting the Taj Mahal. If you do go to Agra then a visit would be incomplete without visiting the Agra Fort. Read more about it here.

If you are travelling to Mumbai then you must read this post. You might wish to get this book on the best places to visit in Mumbai.

India is about trying different foods. Here’s the gol gappa,  jalebi, lassi, masala dosa, chicken dishes. Whatever you do, do not eat beef in India.

Have you ever wondered on how much you should tip those helping you then you might wish to take a look at tipping in India post.

Are you going to Bangalore, then read up on some of the best places to visit?

Have you ever wondered why Indian women are so shy and why some are so beautiful?  If yes then you might wish to read up on why Indian women are beautiful.

Indian can a very dirty place and women will find it extremely difficult to urinate in some of the public toilets. There ways round it, please take a look at this post on how to use female urination devices.

Did you know that marijuana is legal in some places in India? In fact, it’s ingrained in the Hindu culture. A popular form of marijuana is bhang which is drank during the festival of Holi.  But be warned, I would personally stay away from these things.

Did you know that men holding hands in India does not mean they are gay, it’s just happens to be they are friends.

Lots of tourists to India travel to Varanasi one the holiest places for the Hindus. If you do want to visit Varanasi from Delhi then here’s how you can do it. Don’t forget to take a dip in the holy Ganges.

Some street stalls are dirty and its best avoided. Here’s how to figure out if you want to try Indian street food for not.

Whatever you do in India, make sure you drink bottled water. Here’s a guide on how to choose bottled water when you are in India.

Indian toilets are different. So if aren’t sure on how to use them read about it here.

You are bound to do shopping in India and bargaining is a major part of your experience. Here’s how to bargain in India.

If you want to buy souvenirs for your friends and family from India then here’s what you can buy in India. If you are coming to India to visit your friend then here’s what you can buy for them. 

India can be rough at times so don’t forget to read about travel safety.

By the way, here’s a post on some of the things you will hate about India.

Finally don’t forget to buy travel adopter for India. You will need something like this.

For more travel tips carry on reading here. Please feel to subscribe for travel tips for India here.

Worried about #NoteBan? Travel Cashless with these Easy Tips

The “demonetization” step by the Indian government to fight black money looks promising, however, it has negatively affected several industries. Travel is one such industry that has witnessed a slump in the number of travel bookings. The currency crunch has forced many to abandon their travel plans. Those in the travel business are fighting hard to lure travelers. We, however, look at this situation from a different angle. According to us, the significant plunge in the prices of holiday, hotel, and airline packages is an opportunity for you to travel. The ‘right time’ for a vacation. All you need to know is how to travel cashless. Here are a few tips.

International Travelers

Whether you’re planning to travel to USA, Singapore, or any other country, book your tickets online, instead of booking through local agents who mostly deal in cash. This would mean less hassle for you as you don’t have to stand in the long ATM queues to withdraw cash. Booking online also gives you the freedom to choose from several national and international packages available at discounted prices, and the best part is that you can book a ticket from the comfort of your home.

Apply online for Visa

We understand that many people, who are short on time and find applying for Visa a little complicated, prefer hiring an agent. Agents, however, may not have the facility to pay online and may require you to pay for the booking fee in cash. As arranging cash may be an issue at this time, you can choose to book your Visa through an online travel portal. Most companies offering holiday travel packages also offer visa services. You would get all the necessary information on their website, for example – information on how to apply for a Visa, the required documents, and the time it will take to for your Visa to be processed.

Buying Foreign Currency Online

Buying foreign currency through a local Forex dealer in exchange of local currency in cash is almost next to impossible during these days as cash is rarely available. An alternate way to get foreign currency is to get the exchange done online. There are a number of benefits of exchanging foreign currency online. First, you can lock the rate of a particular currency to ensure you’re not at loss even if its value increases. Second, booking the currency online also means you can get it delivered at your doorstep. You can even buy a Forex card online if you want to avoid carrying cash.

Domestic Travelers

Even when you’re traveling within India, make all your bookings online. There are various websites offering single, family, and group tour packages such as FlamingoTravels.co.in. You can get at reasonable rates. Here are a few tips to go cashless when traveling.

Use your e-wallet

Use e-wallets such as, paytm, mobikwik, PayU money, freecharge, Airtel Money, Vodafone’s mPesa, and Citrus Wallet for food, recharging your mobile phones, and other daily necessities. You can use such apps to book bus, hotel, and flight tickets, and grab good discounts on these bookings.

App-based Cabs

When you’re traveling within a city, use apps such as Ola, Meru, and Uber to save cash. They may cost you a little more than what you have to pay when hiring an auto, but are a safer and more comfortable alternative. Most importantly, you can pay online and don’t need cash to make the payments.

Some More Tips

• Book a complete travel package online that includes hotel, air tickets, breakfast, and dinner.
• Purchase ready to eat foods such as cheese spread, noodles, bread, protein bars, biscuits, and medicines using plastic money and pack them in your backpack.
• It can be challenging to find ATMs in off-beat destinations such as Kasol. Therefore, use your debit/credit cards for all the purchases here. Carry cash in lower denominations.
• Use the Walnut app to find an ATM near you.
• Always use plastic money in fast food places such as Pizza Hut, McDonalds, and KFC.
• If by chance you’re in Mumbai, and plan to travel in a local train, use Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) app. This app lets you transfer money from your e-wallet and book online tickets.

Conclusion

Although demonetization has affected various industries, including the travel industry, it has many advantages for people who want to travel.  Airline carriers, hotels, restaurants, and other travel related businesses have significantly cut down on the prices of their services to attract travelers. Use the tips mentioned in this post and take the benefit of the current cash crunch situation.

Happy Traveling!

Beware of this travel scam in India

India can be a dangerous place if you aren’t careful. You think of a travel scam and India has it all. Don’t get us wrong, I am not trying to scare you; most Indian people don’t go around scamming tourists. But there are people who thrive on scamming and robbing unsuspecting tourists. Here’s a story I would like to share with travellers to India. It was sent to me by a fellow tourist to India and it is my duty to advise people to be careful.

Hi Shalu

I have just been reading your travel advice for India and it has been really helpful. I just wanted to a share an experience my husband and I had at Delhi train station on 16th Nov. We had booked the 6.45 am train to Dehradun and had arrived at the station found the departure board and couldn’t see our train. Our Airbnb host has told us the train usually goes from platform 1. A well dressed English speaking man approached us and explained that the board was not working and guided us to a more official looking English speaking man who asked us where we were going and told us that our train had been cancelled. He told us that a pre paid taxi had been arranged and when I asked to see his ID. He just spoke louder with more authority and wrote an address down saying that all would be sorted at the Tourist Office DTDC at the Baba Kharak Singh Marg.

They then ushered us into a taxi before we really had time to collect our thoughts together. We were taken to a travel agent who proceeded to tell us we would have to pay 21,000 rupees to fly to Dehradun he also phoned the coach station and handed us the phone to speak to a man in English who told us there were no coaches for the next 4 days. We realised we had been scammed and demanded that the taxi that had brought us to the travel agent took us back to the station.

I had been trying to phone our Airbnb host in Delhi but we had no signal in the travel agent and conveniently no Wi-Fi. There were 2 men in the taxi one who spoke very good English and tried to make out that he didn’t know the man at the station who had put us into his taxi, he said the man at the station had said that we had asked to go to the travel agent. So he took us to another travel agent and he said he could arrange something for £200. Luckily at this point I finally managed to speak to our host who told us to come back to her and we would sort something out. She was so shocked and told us the trains never get cancelled. We were put into a taxi and the driver offered to drive us to Dehradun for 6,000 rupees.

We went back to our lovely friend in Delhi who helped us organise an air conditioned Volvo bus at 12.30 that day for 700 rupees each! We felt so stupid for having been taken in. I think we fell for all their reasoning about the currency shortages and the fact we couldn’t see our train on the board, the fact that they spoke very good English and were very convincing and it was only our second day in Delhi and we were overwhelmed by the train station. What we should have done in hindsight is taken a porter, as we now know having travelled a few times by train. They know exactly what train goes where. So my advice to anyone travelling by train is to get one of the official porters wearing the red scarves and they have metal arm band stating they are official to help them if they are in any doubt! I hope this helps some of your readers and that sharing our experience prevents others from falling for the same scam.

It all worked out in the end and we really enjoyed our coach ride which we would not have experienced if we had not been scammed! Apart from this experience we have had a truly incredible time in India!!!!

Kind regards Julia