susanwr

My husband and I just returned from visiting India for 3 1/2 weeks. We went to Delhi, Agra (day trip on the Shatbadi Express train, which was filthy), Kolkata, and Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Jaipur in Rajasthan. The Rajasthan trip (11 days) was arranged through a very reputable and expensive Indian travel agency. We stayed in a friend's house in Kolkata. MY ADVICE IS: IF YOU MUST GO, SEE THE TAJ MAHAL AND THEN GET OUT OF INDIA. And don't eat or drink anything except bottled water. The pollution and general infrastructure is horrible. Don't even think about driving yourself...it's harrowing enough when you're with a driver - esp in West Bengal. To give you an idea of how bad the roads were, it took 4 hours to drive 100 km to a Krishna temple on National Highway 34. Calling a one lane road with huge pot holes and virtually no sign posts a national highway is a joke. On the way home, I spent an hour in Frankfurt airport getting an IV with fluids, and then another 3 hours in the Emergency Room in Florida getting more fluids pumped in - all due to Delhi Belly - and I was very careful! Sorry to be so negative, but I've travelled extensively around the world, and I will NEVER go back to India. There are too many other beautiful and cleaner and equally interesting places to visit. The palaces and forts we saw were nice, but NOT worth the constant beggars, the hawkers or the harrowing driving experiences or the garbage and filth all over (as in cow, goat, sheep, dog, camel, monkey and even people dung all over the roads!) If you're thinking of going to India, think twice. I should have listened to MY friends who had been and said don't go! My husband who visited India in 1970 was dying to take me back...even he was disappointed. We guess that no one has built or maintained anything in India (except 5 star hotels ...and I could tell you some stories about them too!) for many, many years. So, for those of you who love India, I'm happy for you. For those of you who can relate to my experiences, thanks for your sympathy. If you are going to India...have fun...but don't say you weren't warned! I apologize in advance if I?ve offended anyone?these comments are only my personal opinion.

JimmyJazz

As someone who loves India, I must admit to being slightly saddened by your experiences, but understand that India (and in particular the places you visited) can be extremely intense and demanding. I spent 6 months in India last year (my first bit of real traveling) and had a fantastic time ? so much so that I am returning next February for another 4 months.

At the end of the day, it?s all about personal experiences and what it is that you want from a holiday/vacation. India is certainly not everybody?s cup of chai.

I just hope that those who read this post will not be put off visiting India and view them as an opinion (as I?m sure they were intended). Hope the belly is better susan.

Craig

I see in your post about Udaipur that you did have at least one positive experience. Sorry you got sick, though - I am sure that would ruin any trip. Sounds like you were moving around at a fairly good pace to cover all those places. In a previous post before you went, you said that part of this trip was to Thailand - did you go there too? We are doing 2 weeks in India in February - less out of the way places than you did and certainly not Kolkata which is quite out of the way. Curious what travel agency you used, whether you had a driver and a guide at your disposal and where else you stayed.

Gpanda

Thank you for your frankness. Negative reports bring balance. They remind us that travel experiences are not universally positive. It helps to focus planning. Sorry for your discomfort.

alice13

OP - oh dear - India wasn't home - what did you expect? Did you do any research? Did you not read the std advise before you went? Never drink the water -don't even clean your teeth in it. Never eat fruit that you haven't peeled yourself. Doubtless you will have stayed in 5 star hotels. You need to know that often food served there is less healthy than food eaten from a street side vendor - why - well, former has possibly been kept in a fridge and reheated - latter is freshly cooked.

As for seeing the Taj and leaving - hmm.
About par for the course for an American who has ABSOULUTELY NO IDEA ABOUT THE WORLD OUTSIDE.

I have spend almost a year in India - on 3 separate trips. Never been ill.

Whinger - either stay at home or come to terms with the idea that other countries might be different and you must take them as you find them.

On previewing this - sounds like a diatribe - but geez it all comes down to whether you have an open mind or not.

Craig

Alice - try to leave your political feelings about Americans out of your posts - you will be much more appreciated by all.

druckerm

Susan,
I too am curious what travel agency you used and I'm sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience in India. I was there about 10 years ago and, although it is definitely not the easiest place to travel, I still enjoyed it very much and I am going back in February for about a week.

I hope your next trip is better for you.

hobbes

I am sorry to hear about your experience and hope you are better...for all those reading this thread and getting worried hope u will view this in context...hordes of people visit India and return after having had the experience of a lifetime...wish Susan's had been better too...

rv224

Susan,

I am sorry to hear that you did not like your trip to India. But I have to agree with one of the other posters - did you bother to do any research before you left?

Of course there are beggars in India. This is common knowledge! And being careful of food and bad roads are also something written in many guidebooks.

Perhaps if you bothered to do research before you left, you wouldn't have been so shocked at what you saw.

You have to remember, the majority of the world;s population lives in poverty and you are going to one such country. What were you expecting?!?!

SidB

Craig, I don't think Alice meant her comments to be political, and was simply making an observation. I don't believe that the intention was to upset Americans in particular.

I abhor the type of tourist who spends all of their time in 5 star hotels, eating western food and taking odd day trips to attractions, like the Taj Mahal. In my opinion there is little point in travelling without experiencing the real world.

In the brief time I've been posting on this forum it's become apparent that there are 2 distinct groups. There is the traveller who is seeking experiences, and there is the traveller who wants to boast about how much they can afford to spend on first class travel.

I think that is the point that Alice was trying to make. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong Alice.

Craig

Syd - I think if you look among other posts of Alice's (just click on her name) you will see similar political comments. That is why I posted.

susanwr

Yes, we did go to Bangkok for 6 nights and thoroughly enjoyed it. We find that knowing someone in the country always enhances the trip...in this case, our Thai friend took us all over the city and to a park outside of the city too. We saw Bangkok as a clean, modern city and if I had to find any fault with it, it would be that traffic moved at a snail's pace. We stayed at the Narin hotel which was very inexpensive and clean, and fairly close to where our friend lived. If we had been going "on our own" I think staying on the river would have been better. But the roads were good and driving was not a nightmare, as it was in India. Back to India, we used Cox and Kings in a customized tour for the two of us. We had a driver - who in fact was with us a good part of the Rajasthan part of the trip - who was very nice, and kept us alive! We flew from Delhi to Udaipur, stayed 2 nights, then flew to Jodphur and drove to Jaisalmer (same day) and stayed 2 nights, then drove to Bikaner for one night on the way back to Jaipur where we stayed for 2 nights and then flew back to Delhi and home. We stayed at Udaivilas, Rawalkot, Lalgarh Palace and Rambagh Palace, respectively. The agency was Cox and Kings. Perhaps in a few days when I can eat again and have had some time to reflect, I will remember some of the better parts of my trip. I don't think it will be enough to change my mind about staying OUT of the country, but it wasn't ALL bad. I can say that India was an INTERESTING, if not enjoyable, experience. I've seen enough forts, palaces and Hindu temples to last a long, long time. (Similar to ABC = another bloody cathedral, which some Aussie friends said about their trip to England.)

Craig

One more observation, Syd. I have been posting on this board since my first trip to Asia in 2000. There are definitely those that prefer "5 star" or upscale hotels but I do not believe that those that seek luxury and those that seek experiences are mutually exclusive. That being said, I agree there are two types of posters on this board - those that have the luxury of TIME and those that don't. At my office for example, it is unusual for someone to take 2 weeks IN A ROW. Sounds pitiful, I know but that's just the culture here. I think it is admirable that Susan took 3-1/2 weeks - I am thinking that perhaps she and her husband are retired. I feel lucky that I can "get away" with one two-week trip each year.

jacketwatch

I agree India is not for everyone. I also agree about Alice. She does this for effect. Just ignore. I have visited India 4 times and a 5th trip is upcoming. I know what to expect. It can be rough if you are unprepared no matter what country you hail from. You have to take the good and the bad. I know what the OP means. This time I will be more aware to see the good, however subtle it may be. Namaste.

indie

Susan..sorry to hear about your experience. And I think being ill takes the joy out of any trip. So I hope you will remember some of the positives once you feel better.

I think it is important to read up about India - a lot of my coworkers assume that because of all the outsourcing somehow now everyone's rich and happy and everything is like it is here in America.

The country has been independent for only 50+ years, it has a population 4 times that of the US with very limited resources. 60% of the population lives below the poverty line. It will take time for things to change - it is amazing that with all the chaos, poverty, religious and separatist struggles, it is a functioning democracy. If you look beyond the poverty, the dirt you will see a vibrant, resilient country.

PS : I do not drink tap water when I travel - no matter what the country.

TracyB

It is too bad you didn't enjoy your trip..It is funny,because, we just returned from a 16 day tour, and although yes India is filthy, we had the most wonerful time..Yes, some days were long and tiring and the traffic is horrible and animals are everywhere, but that is what made it so interesting..One day we spent 10 hours driving 280 Km's, but what we saw in that 10 hours was amazing..I read literature and forum's on India for at least a year before we left, so I was menatally prepared for what I was about to see..I was worried about the food, but found it to be great and cheap..I think if one researched a little more before they left that perhaps they would know it was not for them before they left home..There were a few people on our tour whom were just not expecting to see what they did and also had a negative experience..I hated the train, but also we laughed our heads off so at least it was fun!!..All I can say is that it was the greatest, most unusual and fascinating trip of my life and I think everyone should visit India at least once in their life!! But I think I could understand why you did not like it..And by the way, although the Taj Mahal is beautiful, it was not my favorite thing I saw in India..

BillT

Susanwr- I'm with you! India just doesn't make my list for the reasons you have listed.

BillT

A note to others- there is nothing wrong with visiting a country- staying in 5 star hotels - seeing the tourist sights, eating at good restaurants, shopping till ya drop etc. If this floats your boat- who is to say that this is not the way to travel?

kuranosuke

lets not forget that india was the top vote getter in bob's poll.

TracyB

I know kuranosuke, that is what I was thinking!!