Get it INDIA

[Jacques Vert]

St Paul's Cathedral:







Street food:















If this is how most of them wash their dishes, it's no wonder some poeple get ill:

 

[Jacques Vert]

 

[Jacques Vert]

Kolkata also has an interesting, if somewhat run-down museum:

 

[Jacques Vert]

 

[Jacques Vert]

Breakfast at the J W Marriott...





The J W is a very nice hotel. By no means in the centre of town but Uber is cheap in Kolkata; it's about a 20 minute, $3 ride to the Victoria Monument, Cathedral, etc.

The staff were very friendly and eager to please. You get the feeling that they don't get too many leisure travelers staying for 5 nights (or maybe they didn't have enough work to do), because it got to the stage where we were feeling overwhelmed by all the attention we were getting.

Even so, we did appreciate their kindness, especially when they extended our lounge access on the last evening we were there, despite us having checked out early that morning.

Even the head chef made a special effort; both at breakfast...




and in the lounge later that evening:

 

[Jacques Vert]

So after a month in India, we flew to MNL via HKG with Cathay Dragon, and then home with QF.

We had a great time; and we trust that you have found this TR interesting and helpful if India is on your bucket list.

Incredible India; Get it India!.

 

[Major]

A great TR, many thanks.
One of the best Indian restaurants I used to frequent was at Woolgoolga. It had a couple of elephants out front

 

[craven morehead]

Fantastic TR @Jacques Vert many thanks for the effort it was very enjoyable and interesting to follow your journey.

 

[RooFlyer]

Totally agree! Don't forget the south!

 

[VPS]

Great TR as usual JV - many thanks - some fascinating photos and history

 

[OZDUCK]

Excellent TR. Thanks very much for an illuminating read.

 

[drron]

Great TR.I really enjoyed it as I am very unlikely to enjoy it personally.Unfortunately it has confirmed mrsdrron's desire to never visit India.

 

[RooFlyer]

Great TR.I really enjoyed it as I am very unlikely to enjoy it personally.Unfortunately it has confirmed mrsdrron's desire to never visit India.

Not even to take @mrs.dr.ron to Agra to show her 'something I am thinking along the same lines ' ?

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Not even to take @mrs.dr.ron to Agra to show her 'something I am thinking along the same lines ' ?

Not a chance @RooFlyer !!! Yes, I would like to see the Taj - but I cant eat indian food - Full Stop !!

 

[RooFlyer]

Not a chance @RooFlyer !!! Yes, I would like to see the Taj - but I cant eat indian food - Full Stop !!

I'm sure the Oberoi will make you a cheese sandwich 5 Star Luxury Hotels in New Delhi | The Oberoi New Delhi

 

[JohnM]

Varanasi continued...

A hotel along the riverfront:

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A school...

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Funeral fires underway (out of respect for the families, we decided not to take any close-ups)...

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Wood ready for the cremations

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Varanasi is certainly very interesting - and presents a photographic dilemma.

A LOT of timber gets turned into CO2. But don't tell the Greens - they may egg them...

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I'm sure the Oberoi will make you a cheese sandwich 5 Star Luxury Hotels in New Delhi | The Oberoi New Delhi

I could be like that stupid cricket player and take a carton of baked beans ....

 

[blacksultan]

Not a chance @RooFlyer !!! Yes, I would like to see the Taj - but I cant eat indian food - Full Stop !!

you will be surprised to know that Delhi will offer international cuisine.

 

[Melburnian1]

This TR had outstanding photos. Just great. A few more photos of the rooms would have added to it but one can't have everything.

A friend who spent a few days there said to me 'don't bother going.' Like mrs.drron, he was unimpressed to say the least. I'll be ignoring his advice, though it looks way more chaotic than anywhere in southeast or north Asia.

Are vegetables in the huge white sacks that you saw being transported?

Dangerous to assume, but since you omitted any mention, did you not get sick at all? Did you totally avoid street food and even non-canned drinks?

At any stage did you feel unsafe?

Did you feel the need to carry your cash in a moneybelt? Where did you find the best rates (in which kind of establishments?)

While I can't believe that anyone would go to India without travelling by mainline train, I know a couple who like you did just that. There's even now an airport metro line in Delhi. (Makes Melbourne envious).

I couldn't find one of the hotels at which you stayed but of those I located a tariff for, the Marriott in Kolkata was about double the cost of others, and yet it didn't look the most impressive. Big city prices.

 

[JohnM]

If I may chime in.

India is, prior to going, probably a confronting idea.

But but the reality is quite different. While the roads could be considered pretty dangerous by Australian standards, IME there is no reason to feel unsafe just wandering around. Quite benign, albeit it chaotic (in a cheerful way), really.

It really is a place you need to visit to experience for yourself. It cannot be described.

Remember, the deep British influence means English is widely spoken and used, so that also helps.

It really is the most extraordinary place.

I like remote areas and getting away from it all, but India is actually quite seductive in the opposite way.

Just do it, is my advice. You are not likely to be disappointed if you approach it with an open mind.

There are a million and one organised tours to help you do it easily.