|
Greentality
Observer of Life

Registered: 02/14/14
Posts: 68
Last seen: 5 years, 9 months
|
India -- Suggestions?
#22172033 - 08/31/15 11:39 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Hey guys, Im gunna keep this short!
Im headed off to India in a little under 2 months. I will be spending the first month in Reshikesh, learning how to teach yoga and then I am backpacking around for a couple months. I have never been to India, but I have a number of goals for my journey, the most important being spiritual growth. Aside from a Yoga festival in Goa during the beginning of January, I do not have any concrete plans for travel. I figured I'd throw something on the forum to see if anyone had any suggestions for me while I'm there. I plan on spending alot of my time wild camping, hiking, visiting Ashrams and temples, and developing a new level of my yoga and meditation practice.
Anyways, if anyone has any suggestions... I would love to hear!
Love
-------------------- "Would you like to hear my secret? You see, I dont mind what happens."
|
Jokeshopbeard
Humble Student

Registered: 11/30/11
Posts: 26,088
Loc: Deep in the system
|
|
Hampi. One of the most amazing places I have ever been to. I spent 4 days there but would happily have spent 4 months.
Have fun man!!
-------------------- Let it be seen that you are nothing. And in knowing that you are nothing... there is nothing to lose, there is nothing to gain. What can happen to you? Something can happen to the body, but it will either heal or it won't. What's the big deal? Let life knock you to bits. Let life take you apart. Let life destroy you. It will only destroy what you are not. --Jac O'keeffe
|
DisoRDeR
motional



Registered: 08/29/02
Posts: 1,158
Loc: nonsensistan
|
|
I'll second Hampi, particularly if you have any interest in bouldering. It's a short trip from Goa.
Goa is pretty commercial. The further south you go the more dirtbag it gets, generally. If you want to be near the ocean and Goa rubs you the wrong way, there are other options along the coast all the way down to Kerala.
There is a procession of backpackers coming and going in any of the spots you mentioned. IME the best trips are largely unplanned. Make some connections and see where they take you. Hop on a train.
I got burnt out on Indian cities and disappeared in some tea plantations in Kerala for a while. India can be overwhelming.
As you'll be there in winter, a trip up north is maybe not ideal, but you can always find some warm clothes. Himachal Pradesh has some cool spots if you're into mountains. Shimla, Manali, Dharmsala... The Ladakh and Spiti valleys are amazing but it gets COLD up there and may be inaccessible by road in winter. I fell in love on a bus trip through the himalayas when a landslide closed the pass and we had to camp out for the night, so it's a special place for me.
Most of my time in India was spent in the northeast, on the other side of Bangladesh. Few tourists make it beyond Assam, so if you're looking to get away from the backpacker crowd that's an option, but be aware that accommodations are harder to find. I lived in Manipur state. Lonely planet barely mentions it. It doesn't hold as much in the way of cultural attractions and temples and such -- mainly villages, rice paddies, civil unrest, and survival living.
|
champinhom
Lord Justhappensness


Registered: 03/06/09
Posts: 987
|
|
Quote:
Greentality said:
Anyways, if anyone has any suggestions... I would love to hear!
Love
I have ten of them for you:
The List 10. Wash your hands regularly. I always carry a small package of wet naps for daily use. Wash basins are not always available and/or they may not provide soap. Hand sanitizers are OK in a pinch, however the alcohol causes drying in the hands.
9. Bum wipes and TP. The availability of TP in the majority of hotels below 3 stars is sketchy. Most road side stops are still without this Western practice. Choose to get familiar with the Indian way of cleaning up (spigot and hand) or travel with TP. For hygienic matters, moist bum wipes are a terrific item to neutralize bacteria. Follow up with a thorough hand washing.
8. Bring Pepto-Bismol or another bismuth subsalicylate for use either as a daily precautionary tool or after you suspect you may be at risk. My previous travel partner swore by Pepto. She chewed two tablets before each meal, every day claiming that kept her troubles away.
7. Expose your stomach to some friendly bacteria. The easiest, and tastiest, way is adding fresh curd to your meals. Curd is simply the Indian version of plain yogurt. It can be ordered and ingested by itself, or found in raita (sauce) and lassi (beverage). I typically start each day with a sweet lassi, and enjoy curd on the spiciest of foods.
6. Oily and spicy foods can play tricks with some travelers. If you’re not used to this type of food at home, trying these dishes while in India is not a suggested time to expand your palette. Go easy on the spices by making a simple request while ordering. Inquire with your server about which items are made with ghee or overly oily bases.
5. Stay hydrated. India’s climate and terrain varies widely and if you’re on the move frequently, your body needs constant replenishing. Skip the sugary energy drinks and carbonated soda (although safe to drink). Limit your alcohol intake. Just like at home, alcohol dehydrates the body.
4. Unpasteurized dairy products can be at increased risk for TD (traveler's diarrhea). Street vendors are notorious for unhygienic conditions so it’s best to steer clear. Exception: Chai tea with boiled milk has never given me problems, even from some of the dirtiest stalls.
3. Raw fruits and veggies are a no no unless you personally peel them. Exception: 5 star hotels cater to a business clientele, and as such you’ll find peeled fruits which are perfectly safe to eat. If shopping in the market, purchase fruits that can be peeled either by hand (oranges, bananas) or the skin can be removed with a clean knife (mangoes, apples). Vegetables should be thoroughly cooked.
2. Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry or seafood. After my first two trips, and two causes of severe sickness, I ditched the meat altogether. A strict vegetarian diet while in India works best for me. Pick your restaurants wisely for meat. Look for high volume spots where the food is most likely fresh and inventory is turned in short order.
1. Water: Always drink bottled water (mineral or drinking water). Ensure caps are still sealed before purchasing bottled water in the market. Do not allow the servers to open and pour your water at restaurants. Many 5 star hotels will alert you to their filtration systems if they deem them safe enough for digestion. As a general rule of thumb, avoid tap water, well water, streams & rivers and lake water. Keep your mouth closed during showers. Brush teeth only using bottled water. Avoid touching your mouth or tongue with wet hands. And remember, ice cubes are your enemy.
-------------------- My father used to say: I don't care what else you do in life, just don't be an asshole. People, forgive me when I forget what my daddy said. Cut back the proliferating list of people whose opinions can hurt you. Unless they have done or want to do you some good, their views are just not worth tracking. Saul Bellow “People are just cannibals unless they leave each other alone.” Doris Lessing Those whom the gods would save, they dower with compassion. Mr. P. Silocybin
Edited by champinhom (09/02/15 12:34 PM)
|
MarkostheGnostic
Elder



Registered: 12/09/99
Posts: 14,279
Loc: South Florida
Last seen: 3 years, 2 days
|
|
Immodium®. Take lots of Immodium® with you. Svaha!
-------------------- γνῶθι σαὐτόν - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself
|
Jokeshopbeard
Humble Student

Registered: 11/30/11
Posts: 26,088
Loc: Deep in the system
|
Re: India -- Suggestions? [Re: champinhom]
#22177841 - 09/02/15 11:39 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
champinhom said: 1. Water: Always drink bottled water (mineral or drinking water). Ensure caps are still sealed before purchasing bottled water in the market.
Try and make sure to buy it from a reputable source too - I saw lots of people on the street 'sealing' bottles which likely contained contaminated water.
And like Markos says, Immodium. If you don't get sick when you're there it'd be nigh on a miracle.
-------------------- Let it be seen that you are nothing. And in knowing that you are nothing... there is nothing to lose, there is nothing to gain. What can happen to you? Something can happen to the body, but it will either heal or it won't. What's the big deal? Let life knock you to bits. Let life take you apart. Let life destroy you. It will only destroy what you are not. --Jac O'keeffe
|
Greentality
Observer of Life

Registered: 02/14/14
Posts: 68
Last seen: 5 years, 9 months
|
|
Thanks guys!
Hampi is definitely on my to-go list! The climbing looks brilliant.
As for H2o safety... I'm bringing a UV water purifier (Steripen)
Thanks for the pepto/immodium tip! Should definitely come in handy!
-------------------- "Would you like to hear my secret? You see, I dont mind what happens."
|
razorman
Stranger
Registered: 01/11/13
Posts: 66
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
|
|
Give these guys a visit:
Adhyatma Vigyan Satsang Kendra Near Leriya Resort, Choupasani, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) India-342003
Adhyatma Vigyan Satsang Kendra 12/2, Mukta Prasad Colony, Pugal Road, Bikaner (Rajasthan) India.
|
cbub
it


Registered: 10/17/10
Posts: 1,412
Last seen: 5 years, 11 months
|
|
might want to visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girnar I was there and t was a nice experience
-------------------- It's fine.
|
|