When did commentary become criticism? I'm just pointing out that Bob seems to be crossing India off his list on the basis of rather limited exposure.

Criticizing Bob is the national sport. If you can't make fun of him, who else. His ridiculous good humor is an effront to us all (miserable SOB's that we are).

For the record, i wasn't even criticizing Bob...just stating how i had a totally different experience than Bob on my first trip to India...

But i had most of my moments in Varanasi, Karauli, and Mandawa, where they are much more spiritual than Agra, Delhi and Jaipur....

I guess it is up to Bob what he chooses to do on his vacations!!!!!!!!

I don't think there is anything wrong with seeing a country and deciding once is enough, no matter how long or extensive your travels there.

If he had said "India is a rotten place to travel" or "Stay Away from India", you could say he was making judgements based on lack of complete information.

But after two weeks in any country, most travelers can decide whether they want to return, without making any explanations or apologies to anyone.

I've felt that way about several of my travel destinations. There are too many exciting spots in the world to return to one that doesn't "sing" to your soul.

After all, how many people have you heard saying "I'd never go there", without ever having been. India is a rough country in which to travel. Bob seemed to have a good time and I for one am glad he gave us this useful and honest report.

Besides, India is funny...He may decide to put it back on his list after some time has passed! After all, he never got to go dress in an orange dhoti and dip in teh Ganges. I was really looking forward to that picture!

bob:

ditto what lucy just said.

Thank you so much for your detailed report and all your useful info and insight. Yours is one of the opinions we can always trust. It now puts India up another rung on the ladder.

I also travel with my stomach and pocket book so I really love your adventures.

Oh yea....Happy 40th Anniversary!!!

Aloha!

great report bob....

i always enjoy your adventures and learn so much about traveling in asia....

TTT

I appreciate your detailed report.
Though belated, my wife joins me in wishing you our very best on your 40th wedding anniversary!
Merry Christmas!!

thanks for the Detail trip report

in retrospect i am now feeling that i might like to return to india....very selected visits however.....more time in delhi for shopping only....time at nice heritage hotels in the country to relax...maybe goa and kerela....

maybe sri lanka first???

wonderful report Thanks for the bump!

Great report, I've been looking for it for ages having seen references made to it, I'm still looking for some of the others... I have a big birthday coming up in November, and India (almost the same trip as yours) is on my list as is Egypt and Thailand, although we went to Pattaya about 10yrs ago we never stopped in Bankok. We had planned to go to Sydney but DH wants to go there whereas he's not sure about India, but as it's my birthday it's my choice where we go!
Thanks for posting,
Pauline

Bob, you'll be wondering why I brought your trip report back to the top again; the reason is that I have already taken notes regarding your trip about our itinerary but have a question regarding the Spice Route restaurant in the Imperial, you said that the restaurant and the food was both magnificent so based on this I have reserved a table, I have received confirmation for the table but they ask us to dress appropriately, my husband will definitely not be taking a jacket to India (at the moment it's 34° in Delhi) and I will not be taking high heels. What was the dress code when you were there?

If that is a concern, why don't you e-mail them. We were sort of smart casual - no jacket for sure and I was probably wearing sneakers. My experience there was okay - we had better meals elsewhere but India seems to be hit or miss as far as upscale restaurants go...

We ate at the Spice Route and didn't bring fancy wear. Clean casual was OK.

did not read.. Cliffs?

i don't remember exactly, but my guess is i wore a polo shirt or a long sleeved dress shirt and chinos....i only travel in chinos and take casual shirts, polos and short sleeved woven, and maybe one button down dress shirt.

it was not a problem and we ate in very nice places as you can see...

btw, british air has an unbelievable far right now through aug, 2010 for about $550 from boston to delhi....check it out on orbitz.com...

anoop is no longer in india but lives in dubai now but his cousin is taking up where he left off and can be reached at the same e address....lcuy used him and said he was fabulous too...

i just reread this whole report.. i have had some additional time to reflect and i would now return to india in a minute....i need more time in delhi....i would return to jaipur....we need to visit varanasi, kerela would hold my interest....maybe goa, but i am seeing more negetives about it lately....and of course i still have katmandu to visit and maybe other mountainous areas of n. india....

send money and we can go soon!!

Bob,
Kerala is wonderful, and there are so many other beach resorts, e.g. Kovallum, instead of Goa.

thanks fanny