tripplanner001

June, happy to hear that you're already thinking about your next trip. Japan would be an awesome choice and very different than what you've seen on this trip. IMO, Japan feels very different from every other country in Asia. Indonesia and Sri Lanka are among my favorites, although SL may feel a bit more similar to what you've just experienced. If you're looking for suggestions, I would put in Brazil, Peru, Turkey, Australia, and New Zealand.

dgunbug

Tripplanner - we've already done a 3 1/2 week trip to Turkey which was awesome. Amazing ruins there and one of the most beautiful coastal drives. Very interesting trip. Japan will likely be our next Asian destination, although we may want to explore other areas of the world first. Thanks for your suggestions.

crosscheck

Welcome home, djun and thanks for the live report. For those who love adventure, I highly recommend a safari. We adored East Africa and can't wait to return. Southern Africa is probably preferable for access to great medical care. Or think about the Galapagos -- an easy, close, no brainer journey, but with a life-changing vibe.

AskOksena

Warm Saturday greetings june, from the lovely Incheon, S. Korea airport -- and many thanks for your wondrous trip report. A delight to read these past few working days and evenings in Seoul. (And will add the Four Seasons, Seoul remains a most efficient and enjoyable business travel property.)

Looking forward to your next adventure. Japan is great fun. Most of my visits consist of Tokyo hotels, office buildings and airports; you'll receive great advice from others.

As always, any questions regarding our fine home of Singapore, honoured to assist; will be flying back to SIN rather shortly via good old Singapore Airlines.

Thanks again june; great writing. Warm Saturday wishes to you and all from the SIA SilverKris Lounge at Incheon,

robert


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

dgunbug

Robert - thank you for your kind words. Singapore is definitely in my to do list one day.

Rje - I just reviewed the last part of my report and realized I forgot to mention that we viewed the salt pans between Madurai and chennai airport. As it turns out, we were able to see them from the road and we stopped to take pictures. Don't fret though...they were not as colorful and picturesque as you had imagined. It's hot hard work and the workers weren't in beautifully colored saris.

shelleyk

June-I think Japan would be a great trip, and very different from what you experienced in India. We are going back to Japan for a second visit in Nov. Our first trip was 3.5 weeks and was amazing.Also, Moscow and St. Petersburg are very interesting.

dgunbug

Thanks Shelley. I'll have to start reading up on Japan. Won't be an inexpensive trip, but at least the yen has come down somewhat.

mdsarwar

Ya, This is so nice Trip, Enjoy your time in India and safe travels.

dgunbug

Calinurse - in going through our pictures, we looked up the the name of the town outside of Madurai that I had previously mentioned. The correct name of the town is Tirupparankunram and it is known for the magnificent Murugan temple. This town which is virtually a suburb of Madurai is well worth the visit.

CaliNurse

Dgunbug, that is so thoughtful of you to come back to the forum and let me know the town's name. Thank you very much !! Enjoy the memories elicited by your photos. I can hardly wait to get back to India...but got sidetracked by planning/dreaming of first trip to Cambodia/Thailand. Decisions, decisions

dgunbug

Calinurse - that will be a fabulous trip. A visit to Thailand and Cambodia was our first trip to Asia and inspired us to explore it further.

jmgorga

Dgunbug, I have enjoyed your trip report and found it useful as we prepare for our 4 weeks in India in October (first trip). You seem to have traveled around Mumbai without a designated car and driver, taking taxis as necessary between stopping points. How did this work out and where does one stop a taxi in Mumbai? Are there taxi ranks or do you flag them on the street? Any special signals that you need one? Were the tours of the laundry signposted and do you remember what time they started? We will have a car and driver for Rajasthan but will be arranging taxis and drivers for day and half-day tours as we go for the remainder. We like to explore on our own but thought this would not be possible and that we would always need a driver. Your report has given us the idea that independent exploration is possible. Thanks in advance.

dgunbug

Jmgorga - taxis are easy to hail down. Also, your hotel can get you a taxi. As for the laundry ghat, have taxi drive you to the bridge overlooking laundry. Most people do not bother to go down into the ghat area. There are stairs by the bridge. Simply walk down and you will find people to collect your money and take you on a tour of the area. There is no set time. We found it very worthwhile. Enjoy your trip!

natandmiriam

I've just finished reading (and loving) this TR preparatory to a trip to South India late this year.
I was interested in the last part of this report with people making comments and suggestions for possible future trips.What about Australia? We have spent about 18 months of the past 2 years travelling in Australia. There are many stunning spots.

annhig

dgunbug - I just came across your TR and reread it as India is still calling me and I am still undecided about how to approach it. I got to within a hair's breadth of booking a group tour this January but something held me back, mainly the speed at which tours tend to go. So I am still in a quandary. My ideal would be to find a sympathetic travelling companion not just to share the cost but also for the company; 2-3 weeks alone with a driver could be fraught with difficulties I think, though if one didn't get on with one's companion that might be just as bad. Perhaps, as for Mr Micawber, something will turn up.


BTW, I spotted something you mentioned early on in your TR which I'd missed before, and suddenly knew what it was - it's called jaggery. Do you remember the sugar cane confection that you spoke about?

<<Forgot to mention that yesterday our driver stopped at a sugar cane production plant to show us how their sugary product is made. This is not sugar as we know it and I'm afraid I cannot recall the name he gave it. Nor was this a factory as one would imagine. There were five workers and their young children who ran around in very unsanitary conditions. The sugary product was made under a hut out in the open. We learned that the sugar cane is first stripped and then put into an enormous vat of water where it is boiled for three hrs. During that time, one person stands above it and continuously strains the solution to remove dirt and particles. Once the solution thickens, it is poured into an adjacent vat where it cools off and hardens. A second worker is responsible for removing the sugary substance which then goes to several women who kneed it and mold it into small cubes which are sold and used as sugar.>>

Funny to think about it suddenly like that.