how independent a traveller can you be in India? (Help with Itinerary )
Jan 21st, 2006, 09:04 AM
#21
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On the matter of "touting for business" I have to disagree with Lyndie. I think it is completely acceptable for agents or others in the travel industry to share their experience and expertise without directly suggesting or stating "call me". There are lots of people, particularly on the Africa board, on who do the same thing.
Jan 21st, 2006, 02:17 PM
#22
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Hi wtb,
Mr Singh was supplying incorrect information here, by suggesting the OP needed an agent to buy their train tickets, which is rubbish. Why else would he suggest this if he wasn't looking for business?
It's incorrect to advise people they need an agent to do any kind of travel booking in India.
Some agents add "value" to this board and some don't. He doesn't, in my opinion. Read some of his previous posts.
I'll agree to disagree with you. Have fun!
Mr Singh was supplying incorrect information here, by suggesting the OP needed an agent to buy their train tickets, which is rubbish. Why else would he suggest this if he wasn't looking for business?
It's incorrect to advise people they need an agent to do any kind of travel booking in India.
Some agents add "value" to this board and some don't. He doesn't, in my opinion. Read some of his previous posts.
I'll agree to disagree with you. Have fun!
Jan 21st, 2006, 04:13 PM
#23
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Lyndie, I must disagree with you strongly concerning Mr. Singh. In connection with our upcoming trip to India I have contacted a number of agents in India, including Mr. Singh and the much-praised Compass Tours. I found the itinerary proposed by Mr. Singh to be far superior to the cookie-cutter itineraries proposed by the other agents. He is very responsive, proactive with suggestions and competitive price-wise. His choice of hotels and activities is excellent and tailored to his client; he offers excellent advice not found in the guide-books or, for that matter, on this forum. In my opinion, he is an excellent agent.
Jan 21st, 2006, 05:58 PM
#24
Well he did give bad advice, so its proper for him to be corrected.
A lot of us here do not like Mr Singhs style- advertising his business under the guise of helpful hints- so he should certainly be held to a higher standard.
Most of the other agents recommended here are by people who've completed their trips, and I don't think any of us would categorize them as cookie cutter trips. I know my first one started with cookie cutter price sheets, but by the time we were done, it was 90% my choices and 10% their ideas.
I'll be interested in hearing how your trip turns out. If it is as good as I hope it is, we'll all be happy to listen when YOU tell us.
A lot of us here do not like Mr Singhs style- advertising his business under the guise of helpful hints- so he should certainly be held to a higher standard.
Most of the other agents recommended here are by people who've completed their trips, and I don't think any of us would categorize them as cookie cutter trips. I know my first one started with cookie cutter price sheets, but by the time we were done, it was 90% my choices and 10% their ideas.
I'll be interested in hearing how your trip turns out. If it is as good as I hope it is, we'll all be happy to listen when YOU tell us.
Jan 22nd, 2006, 09:28 PM
#26
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I stand by what I have already said. The systemic efficiency of the west can not be compared with the conditions prevailing in India. The systems in India are under a lot of strain simply on account of the sheer weight of numbers.
a. The original poster has already remarked about the difficulty in booking tickets on the internet: I quote, “i seem to have trouble booking internal trains and planes from the internet.” Now, where have I gone wrong in suggesting an option?
b. One of our very regular & valued customers, Mrs. K & Mr. M (Germans), booked train tickets on the internet, to travel from Kota to a destination in South India. They found on arrival in Kota that they could not board the train. They had to be brought back to Jaipur & flown from Jaipur to Mumbai.
c. As recently as last December, two train I - tickets were booked from my office for another two German ladies, who were traveling through us in South India. They were supposed to travel from Trivandrum to Mumbai by rail. The tickets duly arrived but on checking the account it was found that only one of them were charged for on the credit card. Now, just imagine a situation where a TT walks into the railway bogey, asks one of the ladies to either get down or cough up the balance amount, already paid to us!! Mercifully, for us, these young ladies decided to take the Kingfisher flight from Cochin to Mumbai!
d. I prefer to travel with our English speaking valued customers…I have the guts to be first in the firing line, if something goes amiss.
In our over exuberance we tend to dismiss the tried & tested methods…’touting for business’ is being too insensitive.
Thanks Gentlemen!
a. The original poster has already remarked about the difficulty in booking tickets on the internet: I quote, “i seem to have trouble booking internal trains and planes from the internet.” Now, where have I gone wrong in suggesting an option?
b. One of our very regular & valued customers, Mrs. K & Mr. M (Germans), booked train tickets on the internet, to travel from Kota to a destination in South India. They found on arrival in Kota that they could not board the train. They had to be brought back to Jaipur & flown from Jaipur to Mumbai.
c. As recently as last December, two train I - tickets were booked from my office for another two German ladies, who were traveling through us in South India. They were supposed to travel from Trivandrum to Mumbai by rail. The tickets duly arrived but on checking the account it was found that only one of them were charged for on the credit card. Now, just imagine a situation where a TT walks into the railway bogey, asks one of the ladies to either get down or cough up the balance amount, already paid to us!! Mercifully, for us, these young ladies decided to take the Kingfisher flight from Cochin to Mumbai!
d. I prefer to travel with our English speaking valued customers…I have the guts to be first in the firing line, if something goes amiss.
In our over exuberance we tend to dismiss the tried & tested methods…’touting for business’ is being too insensitive.
Thanks Gentlemen!
Jan 22nd, 2006, 11:56 PM
#28
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VP_Singh
I've arranged complete Itineraries for about 200 people over the last 3 years, (all free, I'm not a travel agent), I have also travelled extensively in India by train.
Probably more than 1500 trains have been booked by myself or the people who's Itinerary I’ve arranged, the tickets have always been where they should be, always for the correct train and the correct class and for the correct date.
I've bought tickets over the Internet to go from tiny unknown stations to other little known stations and never had a problem.
Indian Railways has probably the most complex rail network in all the world, they run over 12000 trains a day that connect a staggering number of towns, villages and cities.
Any journey a tourist is likely to make can be booked over the Internet, the ticket will then be sent to their chosen hotel, a large number of important trains can now be booked over the internet with the ticket being printed on your own home printer,
The systemic efficiency of Indian Railways is to be admired by the 'west'.
I've arranged complete Itineraries for about 200 people over the last 3 years, (all free, I'm not a travel agent), I have also travelled extensively in India by train.
Probably more than 1500 trains have been booked by myself or the people who's Itinerary I’ve arranged, the tickets have always been where they should be, always for the correct train and the correct class and for the correct date.
I've bought tickets over the Internet to go from tiny unknown stations to other little known stations and never had a problem.
Indian Railways has probably the most complex rail network in all the world, they run over 12000 trains a day that connect a staggering number of towns, villages and cities.
Any journey a tourist is likely to make can be booked over the Internet, the ticket will then be sent to their chosen hotel, a large number of important trains can now be booked over the internet with the ticket being printed on your own home printer,
The systemic efficiency of Indian Railways is to be admired by the 'west'.
Jan 23rd, 2006, 12:35 AM
#29
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G'day, Steven.
Mr VP's been bouncing around here (as you'd be aware) for sometime, posting mostly negative responses to travellers who obviously want to travel independently.
I've learnt so much about travelling independently in India, from you, during the past 18 months. Unbiased, honest info. Thanks!
Mr VP's been bouncing around here (as you'd be aware) for sometime, posting mostly negative responses to travellers who obviously want to travel independently.
I've learnt so much about travelling independently in India, from you, during the past 18 months. Unbiased, honest info. Thanks!
Jan 24th, 2006, 10:19 PM
#31
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Steven Ber is a moderator & a fabulous source of India related travel knowledge on www.indiamike.com. He is a Legend! (Not just my opinion, either!)
And our Mr Singh is not answering Steven's questions! I wonder why?
And our Mr Singh is not answering Steven's questions! I wonder why?
Jan 25th, 2006, 07:28 AM
#33
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I just want to second the recommendation for AryaNiwas in Jaipur. I loved this place!The little cafeteria was great and it had a nice low-key resort feeling,which was welcome as Jaipur is crazy!
I also stayed at Hotel Sheela in Agra,but we had hot water,western toilet,etc.It was fine.The location can't be beaten and they have a lovely garden for relaxing and enjoying your post-Taj glow!(with a banana lassi.)
I also stayed at Hotel Sheela in Agra,but we had hot water,western toilet,etc.It was fine.The location can't be beaten and they have a lovely garden for relaxing and enjoying your post-Taj glow!(with a banana lassi.)
Jan 25th, 2006, 07:03 PM
#34
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Hi massage-glad the Sheela was OK for you. We think it's one of the hotel bargains of India, together with Hotel Lawrence in Mumbai. I'm looking forward to Arya Niwas in mid March.
Our favourite Jaipur hotel, JasVilas, is a little over our trip budget this time. 6 months in India means we're lowering our standards and the Hotel Sheela is just perfect if all you want is a good bed & a shower, great food & what about the dog, Tiger? A real sweetie! And you're correct, the location is unbeatable. A bit too "cheap" for some here, though! Have fun diva!
Our favourite Jaipur hotel, JasVilas, is a little over our trip budget this time. 6 months in India means we're lowering our standards and the Hotel Sheela is just perfect if all you want is a good bed & a shower, great food & what about the dog, Tiger? A real sweetie! And you're correct, the location is unbeatable. A bit too "cheap" for some here, though! Have fun diva!
Jan 25th, 2006, 07:17 PM
#35
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I'm glad you mentioned the lovely German Shepherd.I was there for Diwali,and I couldn't sleep as firecrackers were going off all night and the sounds of revelry were just too much for a light sleeper like me.So I got up and sat in the garden with Tiger at my feet and we both enjoyed the stars together-sigh.
Jan 25th, 2006, 07:35 PM
#36
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We're thinking (and arguing) about re-visiting Agra, purely for a Taj fix, in March, 2006. That building is soooo addictive! I'll give Tiger a pat for you, if we get back there! I'm winning the discussion, so far! Have fun! Where are you off to next?
Jan 25th, 2006, 11:49 PM
#37
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A legend?
This gives me a good laugh.
I'm just someone with too much time on my hands and not enough money to travel as often as I'd like.
Try to budget for a couple of days in a 'Jasvilas' type hotel every month, as you've sampled this type of hotel you'll miss it and 6 months is a long time in budget places.
vp_singh, I'm not too interested in the details, I just have no respect for travel agents who lie to get business, especially when their chosen example is actually a booking mistake made by themselves.
I recently came across a travel agent on another website who told women not to travel on trains as they take the risk of being raped.
This is rubbish, there has been one rape on a train in the last year (that I can remember), this was an Indian woman in an unreserved carriage on a section little used by tourists.
The Irony is that the travel agent was based in Delhi, the rape capital of India, where police are getting extremely concerned about the growing levels of rape.
This gives me a good laugh.
I'm just someone with too much time on my hands and not enough money to travel as often as I'd like.
Try to budget for a couple of days in a 'Jasvilas' type hotel every month, as you've sampled this type of hotel you'll miss it and 6 months is a long time in budget places.
vp_singh, I'm not too interested in the details, I just have no respect for travel agents who lie to get business, especially when their chosen example is actually a booking mistake made by themselves.
I recently came across a travel agent on another website who told women not to travel on trains as they take the risk of being raped.
This is rubbish, there has been one rape on a train in the last year (that I can remember), this was an Indian woman in an unreserved carriage on a section little used by tourists.
The Irony is that the travel agent was based in Delhi, the rape capital of India, where police are getting extremely concerned about the growing levels of rape.
Jan 26th, 2006, 04:26 AM
#38
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Lyndie-
Oh,the list is long and growing! I live in the U.S. and am going to Venice for a week in March.At the end of the year,I am going to go to Australia(and Fiji if I can afford it) to visit some people I met in India.In the meantime,I hope to learn to SCUBA dive! I'd love to get back to see a bit of South India in a year or two...and on and on and on!Happy travels!
Oh,the list is long and growing! I live in the U.S. and am going to Venice for a week in March.At the end of the year,I am going to go to Australia(and Fiji if I can afford it) to visit some people I met in India.In the meantime,I hope to learn to SCUBA dive! I'd love to get back to see a bit of South India in a year or two...and on and on and on!Happy travels!
Jan 26th, 2006, 06:08 PM
#39
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Steven-you ARE a legend! and you can laugh all you like! Lots of us who use IM know how useful your input is, so go ahead & break yourself up! Buy some lottery tickets.
Bad to hear about Delhi! One more reason not to go there unless it's necessary.
You're correct about JasVilas. Once you've stayed there other places don't seem to measure up, but we need to economise, at least for a couple of months, so will check out some other options. All the best, Steven.
massagediva-wise to see Venice before it's underwater! And if you need any Fiji tips, let me know. We've been regulars there for 5 years now & love the Yasawas, the most. Best beaches & diving. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Our favourite bookings agent is www.fijiislandstravel.com. Margaret & Tom run the place & they are Fiji specialists, on the ground, in Nadi. They get great rates for us. Fiji can be done very well & inexpensively if you know where to look. They'll give you great advice. Islands like Waya & Nacula are paradise. Have a great time in Italy!
There are some good people on the Oz board too! Have fun!
Bad to hear about Delhi! One more reason not to go there unless it's necessary.
You're correct about JasVilas. Once you've stayed there other places don't seem to measure up, but we need to economise, at least for a couple of months, so will check out some other options. All the best, Steven.
massagediva-wise to see Venice before it's underwater! And if you need any Fiji tips, let me know. We've been regulars there for 5 years now & love the Yasawas, the most. Best beaches & diving. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Our favourite bookings agent is www.fijiislandstravel.com. Margaret & Tom run the place & they are Fiji specialists, on the ground, in Nadi. They get great rates for us. Fiji can be done very well & inexpensively if you know where to look. They'll give you great advice. Islands like Waya & Nacula are paradise. Have a great time in Italy!
There are some good people on the Oz board too! Have fun!
