| P Mahon |
16 December 2003 |
Stayed at Amar, Hotel - Agra, India.
|
Agra is not a place for beginners. The whole town seems to be out to get the tourists and if it weren't for the Taj Mahal I would recommend avoiding it. Our first experience was walking to a restaurant at 10:30pm and being followed constantly by rickshaw drivers who wouldn't accept that we preferred to walk. When we found the restaurant closed we gave in and took a rickshaw downtown. He refused to stop at a Pizza place we saw saying it was closed when obviously it wasn't and took us to a restaurant of his choice.
The prices were so inflated (especially considering that it was a grimy, empty place) that it was ridiculous. We stood up to leave and the owner said "ok we'll give you a 30% discount". We said forget it and he said how about 50%, but we decided to leave and finally forced the driver to take us back to the pizza place we originally saw which was open. Getting from A to B was always a struggle with drivers who were always ducking into carpet or handicraft places so that we could "just look not buy". The hard sell was so overwhelming and omnipresent that the effect was a desire to buy nothing and to just get the hell out of there.
The Taj Mahal however is superb, the most beautiful building I have ever seen and probably worth the aggravation of the town.
|
| J Perez ramirez |
18 November 2003 |
Stayed at Bajaj Indian Home Stay - New Delhi, India.
|
We were lucky enough to run into quite a few excellent people and hotels along the way: Dev Raj Ajmer--tour guide, driver. He took us all over Rajestan to places we didn't even know to go. His # is: 9829281366 or email him @ devrajajemera2001@yahoo.com and tell him Ellen and Alberto told you about him.
In Jaipur we stayed in the Umaid Bahwan. Also excellent place. Very clean, accomdating staff, beautifully painted rooms. The restaurant was not so great, but the hotel itself was fabulous and inexpensive! They have a website--just look it up.
In Bikaner we stayed at the Baharan Guest House. This place is WONDERFUL as well. Clean, big rooms, some with TV. The food is to die for! The family that runs the place is just terrific and sooo nice! Email me for the number--I don't have it handy right now.
|
| N Leering / agnes de ree |
18 July 2003 |
Stayed at Bajaj Indian Home Stay - New Delhi, India.
|
We took rickshaws all the time. Most people know the area, so it is cheaper and faster to take the rickshaw.
|
| P Emberley |
20 May 2003 |
Stayed at Oberoi Maidens, The - New Delhi, India.
|
Travel exclusively with car and driver.
|
| H Tueselmann |
08 April 2003 |
Stayed at Oberoi Maidens, The - New Delhi, India.
|
the hotel is not really central located and you always have to haggle with the riksha-drivers or taxi drivers. Inform yourself in the hotel about the "normal" rates for the wished drive and do not pay more - rather less! Transport itself is even in the night no problem.
|
| S Barry |
06 April 2003 |
Stayed at Taj Mahal Palace and Tower - Mumbai (Bombay), India.
|
Although not noted as a tourist destination a 2-3 day stay in Mumbai is an interesting experience. This hotel is well placed for a walk to local shops and museums, or there are plenty of cheap taxis outside that will take you on a tour. They are cheaper than the hotel tours and they cover some more interesting areas.
|
| K Williamson |
25 February 2003 |
Stayed at Sea Princess, Hotel - Mumbai (Bombay), India.
|
Juhu is quite a way out of Mumbai so this is not a suitable base if you want to spend time living in the heart of the city. It is however an easy (and interesting!) half hour train ride from Santa Cruz in to town. Taxis are reluctant to drive out here "on the meter" so negotiate hard!
|
| L Weeden |
23 February 2003 |
Stayed at Suba Palace, Hotel - Mumbai (Bombay), India.
|
Mumbai (Bombay) is a very interesting place with lots to see and do. The hotel is right by the Gateway of India where lots of tours can be taken from. I visited Elephanta caves which is 1 hour away by ferry and really enjoyed but prepare to do some walking up very steep steps and down slopes, oh and watch out for the monkeys who have very canny tactics on how to ambush you for food.
A very busy city full of hustle and lots of noise (especially car horns). A good place to eat which is not far from the hotel is a place called Leopolds, great food and very clean and always busy no matter what time of the day you go. We travelled by taxi which was a good way to get around and not expensive but always ask how much before your journey begins because they don't always use the meter.
|
| P Winter |
23 February 2003 |
Stayed at Midland, Hotel - Mumbai (Bombay), India.
|
Get out of Mumbai as quickly as possible! It's very polluted and expensive by Indian standards. Flew over to Bhavnagar in Gujarat and back to Mumbai from Diu using Indian Airlines and Jet Airlines. Both seemed efficient and friendly. Don't forget to reconfirm even international flights as over-booking is common. Be prepared for long waits at airports due to vigorous security checks. Allow minimum 2 - 2.5 hours when leaving Mumbai.
Local transport in Gujarat very crowded even by Indian standards, poor roads in many places and private buses only to major destinations - all timetables in Gujarati script. Taxis can be hired for long distance trips - just ask around bus station or taxi stands - haggle for a discount. Palitana Jain temples, Sasan Gir Lion Reserve and former Portugese enclave of Diu worth a visit.
|
| J Kalia |
20 February 2003 |
Stayed at Park New Delhi, The - New Delhi, India.
|
Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Chennai, Northern India by car - recommend jeep type.
Jet Airways Delhi to Chennai good service and new aircraft.
|
Traveller's Tales: Getting around in India
