South India Suggestions?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: SF, NYC (Upper WS), Europe
Posts: 307
South India Suggestions?
I'll be travelling around South India for 11 days.
I'm working with an Indian travel agent to bookk me up some inetresting locales.
Thus far, many "in the know" have almost uniformly suggested Bangalore, Cochin, Periyar, Kumarakom.
QUESTION:
1.) Which of these other suggestions would you recommend?:
Kovalam, Trivandrum, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Trichy, Madurai?
..........OR, are the any other cities you would recommend more?........
2.) Is Madras/Chennai worth visiting?
3.) Is Calcutta worth visiting?
I'm working with an Indian travel agent to bookk me up some inetresting locales.
Thus far, many "in the know" have almost uniformly suggested Bangalore, Cochin, Periyar, Kumarakom.
QUESTION:
1.) Which of these other suggestions would you recommend?:
Kovalam, Trivandrum, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Trichy, Madurai?
..........OR, are the any other cities you would recommend more?........
2.) Is Madras/Chennai worth visiting?
3.) Is Calcutta worth visiting?
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Wolverine:
Thus far, many "in the know" have almost uniformly suggested Bangalore, Cochin, Periyar, Kumarakom.</font>
Thus far, many "in the know" have almost uniformly suggested Bangalore, Cochin, Periyar, Kumarakom.</font>
To that list, I would also add Madurai (super temples) and Trivandrum. I would give a major thumbs down to Kovalam. The beaches are filthy. If you must do beaches there, Varkala is better.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">2.) Is Madras/Chennai worth visiting?</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">3.) Is Calcutta worth visiting?</font>
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: SF, NYC (Upper WS), Europe
Posts: 307
My wife said the same thing about Calcutta-Mother Theresa connection.
I thought it might be worth going away from the South since Jet Airways has this 21 day ALL INDIA excursion ticket for $810 (including taxes). All my Indian tech friends has advised me against visiting Calcutta b/c it's very dangerous and very poor and depressing compared to other Indian cities.
Thanks for your suggestions btw.
My wife is urging me to choose only "must see" Southern cities b/c she wants to saturate the environment--something she says she can't do by being on the road all the time.
So if you had to choose only a handful of cities by taking this constraint into account, what would you recommend?.........
I thought it might be worth going away from the South since Jet Airways has this 21 day ALL INDIA excursion ticket for $810 (including taxes). All my Indian tech friends has advised me against visiting Calcutta b/c it's very dangerous and very poor and depressing compared to other Indian cities.
Thanks for your suggestions btw.
My wife is urging me to choose only "must see" Southern cities b/c she wants to saturate the environment--something she says she can't do by being on the road all the time.
So if you had to choose only a handful of cities by taking this constraint into account, what would you recommend?.........
#4
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Madurai has great temples.I would love to go there myself. As long as you have he Jet Airways pass, why not try DEL, you can se most of the sites worth seeing a couple of days. If you do go to DEL, you may want to think about Rajasthan too, say Jaipur, Udaipur, Chittor. If you want to stay in the osuth itself, try Ajanta and Ellora caves.
#5
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Wolverine:
I thought it might be worth going away from the South since Jet Airways has this 21 day ALL INDIA excursion ticket for $810 (including taxes).</font>
I thought it might be worth going away from the South since Jet Airways has this 21 day ALL INDIA excursion ticket for $810 (including taxes).</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">All my Indian tech friends has advised me against visiting Calcutta b/c it's very dangerous and very poor and depressing compared to other Indian cities.</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">My wife is urging me to choose only "must see" Southern cities b/c she wants to saturate the environment--something she says she can't do by being on the road all the time.</font>
#6
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Kolkota is a city of contrasts. Chances are that if you enjoyed a visit there, you didn't see the way the "other side" lives. It's highly depressing and for that reason alone I try to stay the heck away from the "real Kolkota". That said, I do enjoy the city immensely when I stick to the right side of the tracks. As travelmad478 says, it has a very distinct personality.
As for Delhi, well the less said the better. Its summer climate is too hot, its winter climate is too foggy and the rest of the year the pollution is so bad you can barely breathe. I detest that city with a passion. It is geographically convenient to the Northern tourist triangle though.
Since everyone here is busy plugging their regional favorites, I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout-out for my homeys in the West. You can easily spend nearly all your 11 days in Maharashtra and Goa alone, not even considering the urban attractions of Mumbai.
Finally, my view on Chennai is that it is far too bland a city to be worth too long a visit.
I'm sure you appreciate the irony that a post requesting advice how to narrow down your choices has actually thrown up MORE suggestions than you started with! Just goes to show how much India has to offer.
As for Delhi, well the less said the better. Its summer climate is too hot, its winter climate is too foggy and the rest of the year the pollution is so bad you can barely breathe. I detest that city with a passion. It is geographically convenient to the Northern tourist triangle though.
Since everyone here is busy plugging their regional favorites, I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout-out for my homeys in the West. You can easily spend nearly all your 11 days in Maharashtra and Goa alone, not even considering the urban attractions of Mumbai.
Finally, my view on Chennai is that it is far too bland a city to be worth too long a visit.
I'm sure you appreciate the irony that a post requesting advice how to narrow down your choices has actually thrown up MORE suggestions than you started with! Just goes to show how much India has to offer.
#7
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by B747-437B:Kolkota is a city of contrasts. Chances are that if you enjoyed a visit there, you didn't see the way the "other side" lives.</font>
Or to be more clear: I see the other side, living their daily lives on the under-construction lanes of the Mumbai flyovers as I drive past in my car. I see the other side sleeping on the train platforms at 5 AM as I board the Shatabdi Express. And so on. I do see it, and it is depressing, but it's just what you accept when you visit India. There is just such huge social stratification that you're surrounded by this sort of poverty all the time, and yet (for the higher classes), you're not actually caught in it.
#8
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by travelmad478:
Well, that is undoubtedly true. Whenever I visit anyplace in India, I don't see much of how the "other side" lives--if you're a business traveler or a tourist, you just don't. Actually, if you're a middle-to-upper-class Indian, you don't see it either.
Or to be more clear: I see the other side, living their daily lives on the under-construction lanes of the Mumbai flyovers as I drive past in my car. I see the other side sleeping on the train platforms at 5 AM as I board the Shatabdi Express. And so on. I do see it, and it is depressing, but it's just what you accept when you visit India. There is just such huge social stratification that you're surrounded by this sort of poverty all the time, and yet (for the higher classes), you're not actually caught in it.</font>
Well, that is undoubtedly true. Whenever I visit anyplace in India, I don't see much of how the "other side" lives--if you're a business traveler or a tourist, you just don't. Actually, if you're a middle-to-upper-class Indian, you don't see it either.
Or to be more clear: I see the other side, living their daily lives on the under-construction lanes of the Mumbai flyovers as I drive past in my car. I see the other side sleeping on the train platforms at 5 AM as I board the Shatabdi Express. And so on. I do see it, and it is depressing, but it's just what you accept when you visit India. There is just such huge social stratification that you're surrounded by this sort of poverty all the time, and yet (for the higher classes), you're not actually caught in it.</font>
One advice. You should take advice from those who grew up in India with a grain of salt.
Travelmad is on the mark when he said "Many Indians I've met have very strong (usually negative) opinions about any place they didn't grow up in." But the it applies to almost people of any nationality.
I, grew up in Delhi and B747-437B in Bombay ;we are sworn enemies. I am well aware how passionaately he "loathes" Delhi. . I have fond memories of Delhi, but then that was the Delhi of 30-45 years ago. I alos have fond memories of Bombay from pictures and movies of the 50's when Bombay, oops, Mumbai appeared roamntically beautiful to me. Now Delhi is crowded, foggy and the air is polluted. I noticed the gradual decline int he quality of air in delhi begining in the Early 70's. There has been a marginal imporvement during the last 18 months or so. DEL airport beiing fooged in in winter is still a major concern. If you can look past the congestion and the dirt, DEL CAL and Bombay have distinct charcters. I was in MAdras, Chennai a long time, but didn't get a chance to see much.
Travelmad is also right about the fatigue of road travel and the avergae speed not being more than 25km an hour except on some tracts.
Sorry for ranting on. B747-437B got me started. LOL. If you hav a good time, you will probably go back to India again. If you don't have a good time, you obviously won't. Three weeks isn't enough to cover all the sites that have been mentioned here so far.
Not to confuse you more, besides Madurai, Cochin, Ajanta, Ellora, and he rest of the cties/places mentioned, there is Kahjuraho, Konark, and the obvious Tajmahal. Now people will ask you upon your return, "Did you see the Tajmahal?" Even if you skik Delhi, you can visit Udaipur and Jaipur from Agra too.
#9
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Yaatri:
One advice. You should take advice from those who grew up in India with a grain of salt.</font>
One advice. You should take advice from those who grew up in India with a grain of salt.</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Now Delhi is crowded, foggy and the air is polluted...There has been a marginal imporvement during the last 18 months or so.</font>
Now Delhi is crowded, foggy and the air is polluted...There has been a marginal imporvement during the last 18 months or so.</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Now people will ask you upon your return, "Did you see the Tajmahal?"</font>
Now people will ask you upon your return, "Did you see the Tajmahal?"</font>
I guess the key thing to know about India, if it's your first visit, is that you need a LOT of patience. You won't be able to see all you want to see, every process will go about one-fourth the speed that you think it should, and things get done very differently than they do in most other countries. BUT it is an amazing experience--cultures throughout India are so interesting, so distinct from one another around the country, and so different from Western experience. I will never get tired of traveling to India. I feel very lucky to have it as part of my job.
P.S. travelmad478 is not a "he." Just to clarify!
#10
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by travelmad478:
Actually, if you're a middle-to-upper-class Indian, you don't see it either.</font>
Actually, if you're a middle-to-upper-class Indian, you don't see it either.</font>
It's the small stuff like traveling in a local train during rush hour, eating unhygeinic food from a roadside vendor with flies buzzing around, crowding up against a paanwallah's shop to catch the latest cricket score, arguing with an autorickshaw driver who wants to overcharge your fare, etc... that defines the essence of India for me.
What I truly love about what Mumbai has become today is that it has been able to use the best of technology to improve the quality of life without losing sight of the tradition that every Mumbaikar loves. If rural India can pull the same thing off, its tourism potential will grow exponentially.
#11
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by travelmad478:
P.S. travelmad478 is not a "he." Just to clarify! </font>
P.S. travelmad478 is not a "he." Just to clarify! </font>
Where in DE are you? I went to graduate school at U of DE, bought my frist house in Newark, DE.
You have made very good points about travelling in India. It can be very frustrating. Travelling in India is not for the weak hearted. You have to have passion, patience and perseverance.
[This message has been edited by Yaatri (edited Dec 18, 2003).]
#13
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Yaatri:
How was I to know? You never asked for show and tell. </font>
How was I to know? You never asked for show and tell. </font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Where in DE are you? I went to graduate school at U of DE, bought my frist house in Newark, DE.</font>
Where in DE are you? I went to graduate school at U of DE, bought my frist house in Newark, DE.</font>
Sorry to get off topic, Wolverine. If you need any other information about India, please ask!
#14
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by travelmad478:
No problem. Just remember in the future, it's always safest to stay away from personal pronouns!
Wilmington. Been here about 5.5 years now. It's the whitest of white-bread places, but as long as I get to keep traveling, I don't mind. And thank God, there is an Indian grocery store here.
</font>
No problem. Just remember in the future, it's always safest to stay away from personal pronouns!
Wilmington. Been here about 5.5 years now. It's the whitest of white-bread places, but as long as I get to keep traveling, I don't mind. And thank God, there is an Indian grocery store here.
</font>
My sincere apologies for using the wrong pronoun.
As for Indian grocery stores, there were a couple when I was in Newark, and thought thre would be more by now. I heard there was also an Indian resturant in Newark on Elkton Road early 90's
#15
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Santa Barbara 1K UA
Posts: 24
I recently came back from South India and have been to India several times for travel
Avoid the north. JAIPUR is the only facinating city and stay at Rambag Palace if you go.
I love Kerala and this is the best of India. Cochin is the best city and hotel Malabar is nice. Periyar wildlife sanctuary is a once in a lifetime exeprience.
the city Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu is a place to use as the southern base for exploring. Stay at The Residency as it is as good as 5 star. Best shopping in Coimbatore and interesting temples.
Ooty and mysore are interesting too. Avoid big cities like Chennai, Bangalore etc etc
Avoid the north. JAIPUR is the only facinating city and stay at Rambag Palace if you go.
I love Kerala and this is the best of India. Cochin is the best city and hotel Malabar is nice. Periyar wildlife sanctuary is a once in a lifetime exeprience.
the city Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu is a place to use as the southern base for exploring. Stay at The Residency as it is as good as 5 star. Best shopping in Coimbatore and interesting temples.
Ooty and mysore are interesting too. Avoid big cities like Chennai, Bangalore etc etc