Kathie

Mme Perdu has reiterated the suggestions we gave you earlier. Bhutan would also be ideal at this time of the year.

MmePerdu

Regarding your daughter, I'd be frightened to take a child with food allergies as serious as you seem to indicate anywhere in that part of the world. Depending on what else besides peanuts, maybe Japan. Healthy people, like me for instance, are apt to get sick.

I don't think Asia in general has much awareness where this sort of thing is concerned. Commercial kitchens are routinely willing to take chances where the health of their customers is concerned and why, especially India but not confined to India, people regularly get sick, because of general obliviousness, including poor hygiene, keeping food such as dairy too long and god knows what else. I wouldn't count on the food handlers to keep my child safe. If they even understand the issue, they may not know or care enough to give you straight answers.

thursdaysd

And eating in expensive places is no guarantee of food safety in India.

MmePerdu

Indeed.

juliajane

I took her to India for 2 weeks and she was fine. The chefs spoke with us before every meal. She also ate simple, western food. We did eat most meals in oberoi so I attributed our health and her safety to that. Maybe we were just lucky. There were 5 of us for over 2 weeks and we all stayed well. My daughter did not get adventurous at all with food.
We will be going so it's a matter of where. I was worried about buffets that kept being mentioned in Bhutan also the tourist fee is steep.

MmePerdu

You should be able to string some Oberois together, then, and make a great trip. It should be easy enough to do and a clear way of narrowing down the possibilities.

Kathie

Certainly you could go the Oberoi route again, just staying in different places. But if you have an interest in Bhutan, you can opt for the Amans or the Uma hotels. You don't pay the tourist fee on top of the Aman or Uma fee, it gets bundled together. The tourist fee in Bhutan includes your guide and driver, your accommodations at tourist hotels and your meals.

While peanuts are used a lot in Thai cuisine, it is certainly possible to stay at places that will accommodate your daughter's allergies just as the Oberoi did in India.

juliajane

Thanks kathie. I agree with you on the peanuts and accommodations. I did not know that about Bhutan in re: to fees. I will explore Bhutan more. We have 3 weeks total so i would like to see more of India also. I think we have exhausted many/most of the oberois already. 10 nights feels long to me...is that your recommendation? You and everyone have been very helpful!!

Kathie

Take a look at the websites of some of the (local) Bhutan agents. Most of the itineraries are at least 10 days, often 2 weeks. The trip I looked at years ago was a full three weeks.

Here is the official website: www.tourism.gov.bt

Lolazahra

Hi there.

I'm only going to comment on the food allergy part as a mom who travels heavily throughout Africa, Asia and Europe with her kids, one with a severe allergy to peanuts and tree nuts.

Since we are on the Asia forum, I will only tell you that she's been to Japan, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Indonesia. Nuts are pervasive and we are extremely vigilant.

Seven things we always do wherever we travel, even in the U.S., include:

1) Order allergy translation cards from Select Wisely. There is one for every allergy and medical condition in every language. You can find them at https://www.selectwisely.com. We show them to all waiters and chefs at every restaurant. When in doubt, I take a meal out of my bag.

2) Tell the airline in advance that my daughter has allergies and bring our own meals. They are always helpful to heat them up for us if necessary.

3) At breakfast at our hotel, we ask the chef to make a lunch to go. Whenever, we can my daughter will eat off the menu at our chosen lunch restaurant. But if she can't, I pull out the meal.

4) Alert the hotel management of her allergy in advance. Most hotels anywhere in the world will now adjust the mini bar and put a note in room service too. When you order, they often tell you before I have to do so that my daughter has an allergy.

In fact, in Saigon, Hanoi and Hoi An, each morning the chef personally took my daughter around the buffet to show her what she could eat. In Indonesia, the chef greeted my daughter each morning and said " you know I'm personally making your pancakes right?" Being aware of allergies on planes and hotels is now a part of giving good service in the tourist industry. And you cannot beat Asia for service!

5) With this said, I always bring food from home too. Bertolli makes these decent pastas that just need a microwave and can be a filling meal in a pinch.

6) Bring Epi-pens in our carryon and in our bags for every outing.

7) Know the name and number of the doctor on call and closest hospital/clinic in every city, town or village we visit.

By the way, my daughters two severe anaphylactic episodes were in the U.S. from cross catamination and from someone who did not fully disclose all the ingredients. In the U.S., I carry a card in English that describes how severe my daughters allergies are even though there is not a language barrier. She has never had an episode traveling anywhere else in the world. However, I do know that my vigilance and precautions allow her to travel with a family who adores to do so, while also keeping her safe.

Good luck with your choices. I vote for Bhutan! Read Craig's report!

juliajane

Thank you so much for your post..very helpful. Right now I am leaning toward Bhutan.