India Favorite Tips by vpas

eating in india

Favorite thing: DONT miss the local food in India ,it is delicious and exotic.only be careful to choose hygenic places(yet dont miss the street food!!!it is safe in some places)
I have had great chaat(north indian snacks,mostly vegetarian)in old delhi and consider it to be the best i have ever had.i had it at a road side joint,where you can see the way it is being prepared.
delhi has a great variety of food options and it being the capital of india,you get food from all parts of india.
at south extention(which is popular for highend shopping)I ate at the Agarwal's which has vegetarian food.It was good.
Try eating Thali meals(plate meals) which have are a complete meals served on a plate with small bowls of side dishes.the variety is great(is complete with starters,main course,sweet etc) and very often the portions are unlimited.In thalis you have options of SOuth indian,north indian,marwadi,gujarathi etc.(gujarathi food is usually sweet)You should try indian cottage cheese dishes(called panner-- most popular are-- palak(spinach)paneer,panner butter masala-- along with indian breads.
if you are not used to spicy food,just mention while you order,that you prefer non-spicy food or mildly spicy.
have a 'funtastic'trip,

Conversion of foreign currency

Favorite thing: I sincerely advise you
*not to trade any currency directly to buy items in india(that is do not give foreign currency directly to buy things)you dont get a good deal that way.
*you should not do double conversion,just take what you have and convert it into rupess when you come here from an authorised dealer.(THAT is dont convert pounds into dollars and then the dollars into rupees;just make it a single conversion which will help you save on the commission and exchange costs)
*if you have an atm,carry only minimum required and the rest you can just get from you atm machine here.

Monsoon 'mazaa'(mazaa in hindi means fun)

Favorite thing: Mumbai is a really wet place during the monsoons.Bring your rain coat for sure.take anti malarial before you come(not that there is an epidemic right now,but the monsoon surely brings a rise in the mosquito population.So better to be careful.Bring a combination of warm and cool clothes.The weather would be ranging from humid stickiness to chillness.Bring clothes that would dry easily(the blended variety)
You get medicines if required,easily in India.Medical doctors are generally good and dependable if you go to a reputed hospital.So dont worry on that account.
Better to avoid eating on the roadside eateries.Stick to mid range or upscale restraurants.Avoid eating uncooked food,like salads.Only sealed mineral water to be had(insist on the seal to be opened in front of you in restraunts)
Dont let my precaution list scare you!Monsoon is a lovely time to be here.The welcoming green freshness around and the smell of the monsoon is not to be missed.Places like kerala,the north east,north west are all very beautiful,especially.
Mumbai is a little tricky to be travelling in during the monsoons,but it is an experience nevertheless.Hope you like it.

precautions and pleasures!

Favorite thing: Hi,
There are a few precautions that one needs to take while travelling in India,more so while travelling with a child.
1.Avoid eating non-cooked food outside(home environments)including salads(because you never know if it has been washed or even if washed,with what water)
2.Never drink water that is not from a sealed mineral water bottle(insist on the seal to be opened in front of you)Kinley,aqualfina are reliable brands,but in some places there are other brands equally trust worthy.
3.In case of emergency or some health problems(God Forbid)dont hesitate to go to a doctor.Most doctors in India are reliable.
4.Idly(which is a dish made from a paste of rice and lentils and is steamed) is a safe dish for everyone.It is non- spicy and is especailly safe for children.It is freely available in chennai and banglore.Dosa is a tastier version of a batter of rice and lentils.It is also fairly safe.Also rice and yoghurt is available in plenty everywhere.
5.Always ask for food that is hot/warm,to ensure that it is safe and is free from bacteria.Cold,foods is best avoided more so if travelling with the child.
6.Better to buy fruit juices without preservatives.The heat in India is quite severe and so it is imperative to keep the child hydrated and so keep giving right kind of fluids.Tropicana and Real fruit juices are found in plenty at all leading stores.
7.While in Bangalore, try the MTR restraurant opposite LALBHAG,It has the most delicious snacks,including idly and dosa.Problem is that it is always crowded,but in case she has the time and the inclination it is worth the wait and they have comfortable waiting rooms!
8.In chennai,check out the Mylapore area, near Kapaleeshwara temple.There are shops on the footpath,selling an amazing variety of glass bangles,besides a variety of other things!
Hope they have great fun in our country,

places I recommend to visit in India

Favorite thing: Hi,
Here are a few places that I could suggest --
*Golden triangle(Delhi,Agra,Jaipur)
*Ajanta and Ellora caves(near Aurangabad)
*Hyderabad
*Goa
*Tamilnadu(kancheepuram,Mahabalipuram,Tanjore,Kanyakumari)
*Mysore and Bangalore
*Kerala(covalam/cochin/allepey)
Google search or find them on lonely planet
The following are the things you could do besides sightseeing!
-Take an ayurvedic massage(especially in Kerala or in a kerala ayurvedic massage centre that you could find in various places all over India)
-get clothes stitched as per your choice!!(tailoring is cheap in India and it is fast)
-Try the exotic cusine
-buy herbal products,cosmetics made without chemicals
Regarding how to reach Kanyakumari,you could take a train from Chennai to Kanyakumari.It is a beautiful place and while there do make a trip to the vivekananda rock.The temple is also worthwhile,the nosering of the goddess shines like a flame and used to act as a warning signal to ships in the ancient times!I have loved going there and also to susheendram which is near kanyakumari(you will find these listed on lonely planet.
please email me for further suggestions.I will do my best.
Regards,
vpas