India...rent the video instead!
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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...

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?!?!

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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. :-)

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.

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..

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

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?

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

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

I agree with Bill T...Who died and made the rock-bottom budget/budget traveler's king of how one should travel? What elitism. Folks should be able to stay in any level of accomodation they so choose and without being downed. I, for one, am flexible in about any level of accomodation and over the last three decades have stayed at ALL levels of accomodations depending on what mood I'm in and where I'm traveling too. And no matter where I stay, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with what kind of travel experience I'm going to have once I've left the hotel. I'm a people person who goes out and meets the folks. When I read many of the comments on loneyplanet.com there is a real hang up with many over there as to constantly downing anyone who doesn't choose so-called rock-bottom to budget accomodations.I thought it was different over here. And there is also this traveler vs. tourist attitude which is totally silly to me. The bottom line is all travelers are "GUESTS" in someone else's country...city...town...period... And as far as I'm concerned...being one who lives in an area visited by 20 million...tourists/travelers/guests or whatever you want to call them....I'd rather deal with the tourist who are on mapped out routes...than many of the so-called "travelers" who love wandering around and walking through our neighborhood...year after year... oohing and awing over how gorgeous it is to see fruit in the dead of the winter and snapping pictures everywhere and pulling the fruit off of our trees and stuffing it into their backbacks! I say put them all on a tour bus! Well, I've got that off my chest...just a topic that sends me into orbit.Now, I'll go meditate...Breathe in...breathe out... Happy Travels!

guenmai;

WOW! you ok? are you sure meditation and deep breathing is enough for you? i got a bottle of premium daiginjo sake i was saving for the holidays, but will be happy to send it to you to mellow out to your usual self. :-)

i also agree with billt, and i think you hit it right on her, er,,, the head. nothing wrong in travelling in style, or on a budget, or a combo of both.

too bad susanwr had a bad experience. i have india on my future travels, and hopefully i can get there before too long.

btw, i lied,:-)) i drank the daiginjo when penn state beat indiana last week, but i still have a good bottle of ginjo i can send to you. ;-)

Readers, I DID research this trip for a full year. I was aware that there was poverty and cleaniness issues. I was warned that the first trip to India was a "culture shock" for visitors. I think it's the SCALE of the problems/issues of India's poor infrastructure that got to me. I clearly underestimated all the warnings. I would also like to say that the doctor who treated me in Frankfurt says he sees 5,000 cases a year of Delhi belly cases just like mine. And I was VERY careful - bottled water only, no raw veggies or fruits, etc. For the record, we are retired, middle class Americans. This was the FIRST trip where we EVER stayed in a couple of five-star hotels. We are well educated and well travelled people who have many friends all over the world, and we do not consider ourselves "out of touch with the rest of the world." Sorry, but India is just not our cup of tea! I'm also never posted in Fodor's forums until before and after this trip. So if it's a "no-no" to post negative impressions or experiences about a country, my apologies. Frankly, I'd rather hear both sides when planning a trip...so why did my comments seem to rub some of you the wrong way? And to those of you who wished me well, I'm feeling MUCH better thank you...and I'm not feeling so cranky! Wonders of sleep, modern science and anti-biotics!

Susanwr- other people have had the same reaction as you when they visited and they thought they were prepared as well.
People react differently- you are not alone. India represents some risks- one has to understand and weigh the risks vs. rewards of travel there and make a decision if it is worth it. We have taken it off our list as the negatives out weigh the rewards. We don't begrudge those that hold a different view.

Actually 5 * hotels are plentiful in India as well as much more affordable so why not? To each their own.

Kuranosuke....Send the sake. I'm still fired up! I just had a flashback of when I was mainly over in the lonelyplanet.com forum.Not only do I need some sake, but some Thanying cuttlefish and red sauce to return me back to my California laidback state of mind! Does Thanying deliver... Fed Exp? Happy Travels!

To Susan....Sorry you had such a bad experience. It happens to us all at one point or another.Stay out in the world long enough and it's bound to eventually happen. And no matter how much research one does...it can't totally prepare one for some things.Reading about a place on paper and actually being there in the middle of the happenings are two totally different things. Better luck on your next trip! Happy Travels!

To Susan...I just read your entire post and post whatever you want about a country....I'm one who doesn't like things sugar coated. Those were your feelings/experiences and I'm glad you posted them. Happy Travels!

susanwm...glad your are feeling better and I 'm glad you posted so that others will not underestimate the issues and problems - there are others like tracy who will see beyond that and still enjoy the experience.

But I guess the title of your post your post bothered me...substitute say the US or Florida in place of India, how would that feel? not very nice right? I can understand you completely disliking the country - but do not demean it.

But I do hope you also came back with an understanding of some of the problems and issues faced by 3rd world countries.

Happy travels and I am sorry if I seem overly defensive :)

Gee, I literally just booked my trip to India about 10 minutes ago. However, I'm also a firm believer that people should travel with an open mind and make their own opinions. Yes, I've heard from several people I talked to that went and hated it. Yet, I still booked it anyway. Because I have heard from an equal amount of people that loved it. I'll go and decide for my own.

Susan,

Like all the others, I agree that you need to keep an open mind while travelling...and espeically when you are going to a country like India. You went to Rajasthan, one of the most historic places in India, with forts and palaces and ethnic beauty and all you saw or noted was the filth??? Did you see the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata? Were your friends Indians? Hope they did not know the way you were feeling. Of course, being sick can definitely spoil one's vacation (I know, I was touring India when I had hives all over my back and temperature) but I still recall that country being one of the most fascinating places of all...

D.

susanwr
I too am sorry you had a pretty awful time in India. My partner and I are going mid Dec and do not really know what to expect, however I thought your post was a good one and I'm glad you said what you did! This is a open forum and your opinions and observances are valid ones. Hope you get better real quick!

Just a reminder that if you travel to a 3rd world country, bring anitbiotics. Cirpofloxacin 250 mg twice a day is used to treat travellers diarrhoea (E coli). At the first sign of the runs, I would not hesitate to start on antibiotics. Also bring rehydration salts, anti diarrhoeals and medications for vomiting.
Pre-trip vaccines include Typhoid, hepatitis A/B , and Flu vaccines. Tetanus shots if not previously taken.

A warning on the antibiotics - they soemtimes <i>cause</i> the runs in some people I am one of those unfortunates :(
so be sure the prescribed antibiotic agrees with you or else sheer misery and I found out the hard way.

i can't wait to travel to india!!!

i enjoy reading both sides...one reason we stay in 4 and 5 star places is to create an oasis while travelling in 3rd world countries...during the day we are out and about in the bowls of the city and at nite we want comfort....

people on this forum have laughed at me when i describe wearing socks with sandles and how i limit my eating and especially drinking in asia, but this is the type of thing that can happen----no ice....no water poured in glasses--only bottled (can be drunk out of a glas of course, even in 5 star hotels, etc. etc....otherwise...IV and the toilet....its hard to do...

Just another word or 2 on this topic..We took every precaution imaginable in India..We only drank bottled water, no raw veggies..etc, etc..WE took immodium and Cirpofloxacin with us, but never had to use them..We stayed in 2 - 3* hotels..We ate some wonderful Indian Food..Some at nicer restaurants, and some very cheap restaurants..We did not get sick, except for the odd headache and a few very mild boughts of diariah..
Then we went to Hong Kong and ate at all good upper scale restaurants..We both got so sick in Hong Kong that we almost died..
Usually I would agree with Bob about wondering around all day and experiencing the country and then going back to a 4 or 5* hotel..But I am glad that we stayed in tourist class hotels in India because we really got a good taste..Trust me..Some of the hotels were very nice (Maharaja Palaces), but some were a little iffy..Rock hard beds and not very nice bathrooms (all were completely clean, however). Overnight trains.(yuk) I think it toughened me up a little that perhaps i could do it again..I feel like I really did an Adventure Trip and experienced India.

ooohhh - what a long string. To Jacketwatch - I do not post for &quot;effect&quot;. I post on this branch because I have spent a long time travelling in India. I guess I shd apologise for the political aspect but it's difficult when you've just read an account on what going on in Iraq. Such a disaster and yet the great American public have voted him in again.

So I see the OP's post, and I go ballistic.

I agree with TracyB.

And to all of you Americans - please, please, please (please, please .....), I know it is not you - it is your govt.
But you have re-elected the idiot - so where does that leave us?

Whingeing posts like that of the OP just reinforce the perception that many of us in the outside world hold, that you cannot be trusted. Not only not trusted but positively dangerous.

Any neocons out there will shoot me down. But all I'm trying to do is to ask you to think about it.

Alice- please take your politcal rantings to another forum where that is appropriate.
3rd world countries have risks associated with them- some people go and get sick, some people go and don't get sick- sometimes its a dice roll.
If you would rather not run these risks- and for us we won't do India for that reason-there are safe countries where you won't have problems- like Austria and Switzerland.

I love India. I've been there 3 times on extended trips to different regions. I think India is one of the most unique and endlessly fascinating places on earth. For me, it is a very special place.

Alice, you are not going to change the world or the US election results for that matter, by posting your inane rants and raves on this forum - so CHILL already!