Trip to India

**seikopath** · 18th July 2014, 20:47

Originally Posted by higham5

Dont trust water
Shower mouth closed
Go vegi
Use gel b4 any meal
Dont buy from the roadside
Dont touch , hold bannisters unless you need to
Dont rub your eyes, wipe your mouth with your hand outside

Even with all of this you will still get the shits....

Lastly as i was tought by a pro who traded in India, take a shot of whisky before every meal, it corterizes the bacteria and boy does it make you feel good , if you have 6 meals a day.

Good advice, except street food can be really safe, arguably safer than anywhere with a closed kitchen

**drmarkf** · 18th July 2014, 21:04

There's no evidence sticking to vege food gives you a lower risk of the squits. What do you suppose they fertilise the veges with? The raw materials of both are hooching with bugs in that sort of environment, so it's what people do with it that's crucial.

Street food cooked in front of you, fried, or cooked on a brazier, is very safe across the world as long as they don't contaminate it after cooking.

In contrast I'd be wary of eating anything from a large buffet in India, although you'd be reasonably safe with one at top international 5* hotels where they take obsessional care and train their staff extremely well (e.g. Mandarin, Four Seasons sort of standard). Unfortunately most of the salad will taste of chlorine.

**seikopath** · 18th July 2014, 21:12

Originally Posted by drmarkf

There's no evidence sticking to vege food gives you a lower risk of the squits. What do you suppose they fertilise the veges with? The raw materials of both are hooching with bugs in that sort of environment, so it's what people do with it that's crucial.

The only evidence I'm using is my experience. I would also challenge anyone who has seen a typical Indian meat shop 'in the flesh' so to speak to think that not sticking to a purely veg diet would not be any safer. I have visited a lot , and the only times I have ever been really sick there were on two occasions - once when I was over confidant as a result of never having been ill on my previous visits, and I broke all my rules - and once when I was 'unlucky'.

**TikTokTrev** · 18th July 2014, 21:12

To add to the above regarding food.My trip was for 10 days.....I gained half a stone. I was livid!
The food was fantastic, and to be honest I really wasn't that cautious.

**seikopath** · 18th July 2014, 21:15

Originally Posted by TikTokTrev

To add to the above regarding food.My trip was for 10 days.....I gained half a stone. I was livid!
The food was fantastic, and to be honest I really wasn't that cautious.

I also quite often put weight on when in India ! Love the food ....

**Mr.D** · 18th July 2014, 22:54

I agree with the shot of whisky advice too. I usually pickup a couple of bottles of Lagavullin or Laphroaig at the airport. In mumbia you're looking at over £100 a bottle.

**padale** · 18th July 2014, 23:06

I've travelled to India few times on business. I've stayed in 5* in Mumbai and a lot lower further out in Nasik and Vadodara. I've eaten fabulously in restaurants, buffets, bbqs and the street and I haven't been really ill, a bit loose perhaps but I did get into a chilli eating contest with the locals! I'm not that cautious but I do follow the shower, bottled water, no ice, no dairy, no salad (suits me fine!) rules but happily eat meat, fish and shellfish.

A friend of mine warned me before I went for the first time "if its monsoon season don't eat the fish, if its not monsoon season don't eat the fish!" My first meal when I arrived was the most fantastic king prawn kebab!

A bit of common sense, follow your nose and it's amazing. The people, food, sights, sounds and smells are incredible. Another world.

Take Diacare and Imodium just in case!

Paul.

**Mr.D** · 18th July 2014, 23:24

I'm convinced in india and other places ( out on the field with very little hygene facilities) you cannot avoid but ingest bad bacteria.

The trick is to eat small amounts of food. Your system can deal with pretty much anything as long as you don't swamp it , small and often is better than gorging.

**Skyman** · 31st December 2014, 15:20

Well, the day has come. We fly out of HT5 this evening for a month long trip involving Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, then south to Cochin, Munnar, a houseboat from Kurarakom, Marari Beach and back via Mumbai.
Many thanks for all the good advice above. We shall try to take as much of it as possible.
A newly acquired PRS40 fulfils designated timepiece duties.
PS the whisky recommendation deserves a special mention.

**Tony** · 31st December 2014, 16:12

Originally Posted by Skyman

Well, the day has come. We fly out of HT5 this evening for a month long trip involving Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, then south to Cochin, Munnar, a houseboat from Kurarakom, Marari Beach and back via Mumbai.
Many thanks for all the good advice above. We shall try to take as much of it as possible.
A newly acquired PRS40 fulfils designated timepiece duties.
PS the whisky recommendation deserves a special mention.

Take a deep breath and jump in feet first. If you do you'll love it.

Good luck and enjoy.

**the big fella** · 31st December 2014, 16:25

Originally Posted by prexelor

The last time I went to India (approx 4 years ago), organising a tourist visa was a right pain. I think they have risen in price to £100 and the process involves completing part of your application online, with the remainder in person or via post.

You may already be aware of the above but as nothing was mentioned, I thought I would just say anyway!

Have a great time and happy birthday x 2!

Very good advice and give yourself plenty of time to get it sorted .

**Skyman** · 31st December 2014, 19:20

Originally Posted by Skyman

Well, the day has come. We fly out of HT5 this evening for a month long trip involving Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, then south to Cochin, Munnar, a houseboat from Kurarakom, Marari Beach and back via Mumbai.
Many thanks for all the good advice above. We shall try to take as much of it as possible.
A newly acquired PRS40 fulfils designated timepiece duties.
PS the whisky recommendation deserves a special mention.

And that's the whisky now sorted.......15 year old Dalmore.

**samswatch** · 31st December 2014, 21:01

have a great trip

**Mr.D** · 31st December 2014, 21:16

Originally Posted by Skyman

Well, the day has come. We fly out of HT5 this evening for a month long trip involving Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, then south to Cochin, Munnar, a houseboat from Kurarakom, Marari Beach and back via Mumbai.
Many thanks for all the good advice above. We shall try to take as much of it as possible.
A newly acquired PRS40 fulfils designated timepiece duties.
PS the whisky recommendation deserves a special mention.

good luck enjoy

**Tony** · 17th February 2015, 11:53

Any update Skyman? Are you still recovering?

**Andyg** · 17th February 2015, 17:37

I have been to India on business about 28 times in the past 8 years and only suffered once from the trots.

My advice for what its worth.

Stay in nice hotels - especially those used by westerners and eat there. The best restaurants are found in the best hotels, where I have enjoyed some fantastic meals - but its not cheap.
Only drink bottled fluids - India does have some interesting wines and beers for sale.
Avoid Tuk-Tuks - they are dangerous, dirty and lack air-conditioning. Never drive yourself and always sit in the back. In case of accident - STAY in the car unless its on fire!!
The only thing worth buying is Jewelry.

If you enjoy spending hours in traffic jams and being surrounded by 1/6th of the earths population, then India is a great destination.

**Skyman** · 17th February 2015, 18:44

A few quick sample pics. What a truly awesome place. Super friendly people. Excellent and inexpensive food (no stomach issues). A place which is best for a holiday as opposed to work I would imagine. We are back to Kerala next February!
Agra

Udaipur

Jaipur

Jodhpur

**Tony** · 17th February 2015, 18:54

Superb. Delighted you enjoyed yourselves.

**Andyg** · 17th February 2015, 20:10

Great pictures.

what did you think of the traffic

**Skyman** · 17th February 2015, 20:22

Originally Posted by Andyg

Great pictures.

what did you think of the traffic

Ah, that is indeed quite interesting. Heading down the dual carriageway at 60mph with a mule, elephant, and this heading towards you! Very Mad Max.

**Andyg** · 17th February 2015, 23:39

Originally Posted by Skyman

Ah, that is indeed quite interesting. Heading down the dual carriageway at 60mph with a mule, elephant, and this heading towards you! Very Mad Max.

Lol - when I was in Bangalore I once saw a moped with dad holding a child on the handle bars, mum on the back holding a baby all topped off with a goat slung over the rear fender - the goat was alive and starring me. The thing that really get me are the cows in the middle of 4 lane highways - might explain the 250,000 peopled killed every year.

Pleased that you enjoyed it - traffic aside the people really are very friendly.

**prexelor** · 18th February 2015, 09:52

I went to India in December and despite having been to India many times, each visit is always full of shock and disbelief. Health and safety does not exist at all. People drive without seat belts, don't switch on their lights (or the opposite and use full beam the whole time), push bike riders without lights, no helmets and fluorescent clothing but instead all choose religious artefacts and the power of prayer to reach their destination 'safely'.

As mentioned earlier, when at a scene of an accident, always stay in the car.

Pictures look great OP.

**Mr.D** · 18th February 2015, 10:24

I'm in Mumbai at the moment. ( have been for a while)

Yesterday whilst driving back from the office I spotted a guy laying by the side of the road.

He had decent shoes on , reasonably dressed and what looked like a courier bag slung over him.

He was splayed out and covered in road dust . I looked closely and could see he was breathing.

I've been in India for a while and was weighing up the consequences of investigating him myself or informing a police man down the road.

This would seem like an easy decision to make however ...the road was incredibly busy with people and families on foot walking past this guy as well as slow moving traffic.

The prospect of dealing with Indian police ( unhelpful and disinterested in my experience) and/or trying to sort this guy out on my own was something I'm still not quite reconciled with. I drove past in the end. Today he's not there so I'm hoping he was just inebriated or a junkie from the nearby slum.

Ordinarily I'm the first to check on someone who seems to be in trouble , I'm saddened that India has wrought this change in me. I really think this will be my last year here. I'm really fed up dealing with such unhelpful self serving people both at work and in my daily life ( 8 years on and off involved with India). I don't want to end up the same way.

**Ventura** · 18th February 2015, 11:13

Mr. D are you Indian by the way?

I am and am also of the same mind. I hate going to India but am forced to sometimes as my wife's family is there. The place is nice and most folk are nice, but the middle classes and rich tend to look after themselves and are quite selfish and money driven. There is a distinct lack of compassion nowadays a bit like the Public school and Oxbridge types I have come across many times here. Not all like anywhere else, but a fair few to make it noticeable. I think with the rapid development of India and China, both societies have become less compassionate and caring.

I sound like a Miss. World contestant :)

**Tony** · 18th February 2015, 11:58

Mixed feelings about India are nothing new. In fact I think that if you can't see the massive negatives then you haven't really been looking very hard.

VS Naipaul's 'An Area of Darkness' is a classic study on the subject. It was written in the sixties but many of the problems are as true to today as they ever were.

**guinea** · 18th February 2015, 12:09

I've visited India a number of times with work and friends.

It makes me angry.

**Mr.D** · 18th February 2015, 13:10

Originally Posted by Ventura

Mr. D are you Indian by the way?

I am and am also of the same mind. I hate going to India but am forced to sometimes as my wife's family is there. The place is nice and most folk are nice, but the middle classes and rich tend to look after themselves and are quite selfish and money driven. There is a distinct lack of compassion nowadays a bit like the Public school and Oxbridge types I have come across many times here. Not all like anywhere else, but a fair few to make it noticeable. I think with the rapid development of India and China, both societies have become less compassionate and caring.

I sound like a Miss. World contestant :)

No I'm British , Scottish descent.

I find its very much a dog eat dog society ; anyone percieved as beneath you is supposed to be bullied , anyone above you is supposed to have their ass kissed. I work in the film industry so regularly come across some pathetic horrors of supposed human beings. Ironically as I am very much at odds with this behaviour I've actually proven much more successful and sustainable that my predecessors out here.

I find it very at odds with the 60s depiction of India as a spiritually enlightened place. I've never seen this myself.
Its also the most money obsessed place I've ever visited.

I don't want to sound too negative there are many things I enjoy out here but the mindset of the people is not one of them. For all its democratic pretensions in practice its quite an oppressed place. Mumbai I find friendlier than anywhere else in India and think if it were not for the warmth and happiness of its individual inhabitants I would likely have thrown in the towel by now.

**Ventura** · 18th February 2015, 13:24

What made you angry guinea?

Mr. D you are right. It is very money obsessed there and people like showing off and one upping everyone. It's a real pity. Which actors have been the worst you have come across?

I think this summs up the worse aspects of it, sorry dailyfail, but elsewhere if you search:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...hit-guard.html

**guinea** · 18th February 2015, 14:34

Originally Posted by Ventura

What made you angry guinea?

Most of it is covered in the thread already.

It's a corrupt country with a despicable compliant culture that shows a blind eye to the insane levels of inequality.

I've spent considerable time in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta. Sure there are some nice things to see, but in the cities it's mainly poverty porn. Endless numbers of ill, malnourished folks living at the side of the road completely ignored by the passing billionaires.

I have a friend who lives on Peddar Road, literally under the shadow of Antilia, which was the most expensive private home on the planet. This juxtaposition of Asia's worst slums and the world's most expensive house within yards of each other in a nation that has almost half of the worlds underweight children upsets me.

**Mr.D** · 18th February 2015, 15:37

[QUOTE=Ventura;3425810 It's a real pity. Which actors have been the worst you have come across?

[/QUOTE]

To be honest I know most of the main ones out here . Actors come into the category of people involved in a film who "get their hands dirty".

Most of them are perfectly normal people like anyone else and the fame side of their lives isn't something that really impacts into the actual film making process; its really just marketing for the audience. Like anyone else some are really nice , some are pretty boring ( even shy) and some are choots. Its not usually in order of how successful they are either. the best ones recognise that they have to be "people persons" to get on with all the people required to make them successful especially during something as stressful as a film shoot.

**Andyg** · 18th February 2015, 15:54

Originally Posted by guinea

Most of it is covered in the thread already.

It's a corrupt country with a despicable compliant culture that shows a blind eye to the insane levels of inequality.

I've spent considerable time in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta. Sure there are some nice things to see, but in the cities it's mainly poverty porn. Endless numbers of ill, malnourished folks living at the side of the road completely ignored by the passing billionaires.

I have a friend who lives on Peddar Road, literally under the shadow of Antilia, which was the most expensive private home on the planet. This juxtaposition of Asia's worst slums and the world's most expensive house within yards of each other in a nation that has almost half of the worlds underweight children upsets me.

Behind the scenes there is some goodness. I personally sponsor a orphanage for mentally handicapped girls in Bangalore in conjunction with my customer and my Team. I was very surprised at the generosity of many companies located in Bangalore (Siemens, Bosch, etc). However, and this is the rub, the bulk of the Sponsors are Western organizations and that the Sisters receive petty much zero support from the local people even though the majority of the girls are Hindu . According to the nuns, because the home is Christian run, the locals assume that the West will pay!!

http://www.swanthanacare.org/about-us/

**GIB984** · 18th February 2015, 23:31

Each to their own I guess guys but it's good to know your own limits - as beautiful and different as it may be, I reckon I'll be giving it a miss.

**mtagrant** · 18th February 2015, 23:57

Was in Bangalore a few weeks ago, and all 6 of us were seriously ill once we got home. A couple had blood tests and found campylobacter.

We were in a client office and believe it was the meal they provided for lunch as this was the last meal we all ate together.

**digger** · 19th February 2015, 00:15

Fantastic trip! I just returned from travelling around the country for 6 months, mind bending place in every way! I loved every minute. As a Brit with Indian blood was important for me to understand where my bloodline comes from, eye opening trip for me - I realize now that's why I'm batsh*t mental :)
Fantastic place a real eye opener in every way. Well done OP

**Ventura** · 19th February 2015, 12:31

I went around India with my parents and grandparents when I was young. I am originally from Kerala. We were dragged around the temples of various states, and though myself and my brother liked the temples, I personally didn't enjoy the experience as we were doing it to an itinary that my father decided. Also when we go back to India and spend time with relatives, everything is about money and arguments are about it, especially on my father's side as they are not well off. It put me off from when I was young onwards. I really don't like going there.

**Andyg** · 19th February 2015, 12:44

Originally Posted by digger

batsh*t mental :)

Sums up the driving perfectly.

**guinea** · 19th February 2015, 12:55

A friend told me before my first day that every day I'd see something that would make me think WTF.

He wasn't wrong.

**Tony** · 19th February 2015, 20:02

Originally Posted by mtagrant

A couple had blood tests and found campylobacter.

I got a bout of that on my first visit to India in 1993.

Nasty and debilitating. It was a couple of years until I fancied a curry again.

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