Hi dogster - haven't seen you here lately - are you still chilling out in the hills?

Hope you're checking in, because I have a question about booking Indian hotels. Back in 2001 I hardly booked anything ahead, but there was very little tourism that year. Since I'll be traveling in December this year, I'm thinking I should book ahead for most places. Is that right? But I also remember you telling Kathie she was trying to book too early for Kolkata - what's a good lead time?

I'm trying to book for Lucknow for the end of November, and I'm finding places claiming to be full. I thought it might just be their booking engines, but emailing is having the same result. Any advice? And any booking outfits - like agoda - you use for India?

I've literally just made it to BKK from my mountain idyll, thursday. Give me a few hours and I'll answer you properly.

BTW, I <i>really</i> think you should consider Phulbari. Kathmandu has now reached a critical mass of awfulness.

dogster - thanks and welcome back. Enjoy the food. I have a reservation at Courtyard, but no doubt I could change it... I thought Kathmandu was already hectic and overcrowded, no?

Brad is still in BKK, dogster. He's coming home Monday. You really should get together. He says Maeng just cooked him the most fantastic fabulous duck dish... you two should have dinner at the PL!

Kathmandu.... awfulness?? But but but.... you said you would 'lead us in a tour'... NOW where do we go?

Carol, perhaps Brad should investigate what's unplugged our mighty dogster. Did he return so quickly to Bangkok to seek further alignment from Mr.Foot?

Indeed, Mr. Foot was first on my list today Marija. Once again he worked miracles. I suggested marriage but he refused. He's only three feet tall. Dog and Mr Foot were photographed together today. Dog just looks like an enormous, ugly, fat falang in comparison to Mr. Foot Fairy.

In due time Mr. F.F. will appear in the hallowed pages of the Dogologues.

As for THursday's initial question - frankly, I haven't the faintest idea. There are forces in Indian tourism that simply defy logic. The best thing I can suggest is a phone call. Something tells me you're looking in the wrong places.

BTW, thursday - don't forget the LEMON TREE Hotels and Mahindra Homestays.
www.lemontreehotels.com/
www.mahindrahomestays.com/Pages/home.aspx

Yep dogster, they're both on my list to check, along with Ginger, Sawday and a couple of other chains recommended here. None are of any use for Lucknow, unfortunately, which is where I'm having trouble right now.