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Post by theklia on Jun 2, 2014 13:14:30 GMT 2
As I'll be struggling for the internet over the summer and until October I'm researching as much as I can now before a month there in November/December. I know blackpearl and tinman were on the east coast and Baz also on the west coast, my question is regarding general recommendations or even just thoughts as to where to visit and where to stay, hotels/B&B/hostel, or whatever. Where you enjoyed or didn't enjoy even. I will have a rental car and distances are no object. Annie, you've been also haven't you? So............ |
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Post by Grecian on Jun 2, 2014 20:25:39 GMT 2
A Rental Car in India??
Are you Fucking Mad??
Do you realise how big that Fecking Country is??
Maybe it's typical of a Westener who thinks that all foreign travel revolves around securing a Rental Car and the rest will fit into place.
(Trains, Planes and Automobiles just came into my mind!)
Ok, i'll bite and let you know what I think as long as you tell me where you fly into..what your budget is/Day, is it your first time in India and if you are travelling alone?
I did go West and East Coast, by the way...
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Post by OnlyMark on Jun 2, 2014 21:34:47 GMT 2
Yes, I'm Fucking Mad.
And I've been mad all the other times I've done the same thing there and even maybe madder when I drove Travellers round there in
Trucks between Pakistan and Nepal or vice versa Eleven times, plus eight times just on trips Purely in and around the country without
going anywhere else, for a Month each time.
I just might, might, know the Country reasonably well and know what Size it is.
(I don't think I can get used to this missing a line out each time)
Anyway, budget is unlimited as I Doubt I'd be able to spend all my money in a month there, I'll be flying in to Delhi as I've scored a cheap business class flight to there (but first going around Gujarat before heading South), and I'll be by myself unless you want to ride shotgun.
So..... all I was asking is if There were places you'd enjoyed, wherever they Were in the country, just as an idea of where I might have a run to.
If the question is too difficult I can try and Make it Football orientated and/or in words of one syllable.
West coast then.....?
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Post by OnlyMark on Jun 3, 2014 12:30:01 GMT 2
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Post by Grecian on Jun 3, 2014 20:15:16 GMT 2
Where was that Link I was supposed to Click on? First i've seen of it. (Great stuff, whatever!)
Ooooh! Ark at him! Been there; Done that Attitude - so why are you asking me?
Personally I wouldn't even consider driving in India bit looks like you are so experienced you could give the locals lessons...
I won't bother replying again as you appear to know far more than me but I did enjoy the major cities and Mamallapurium. Pondicherry's shite.
Have a good journey by yourself.....
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Post by Grecian on Jun 3, 2014 20:16:59 GMT 2
I've never travelled Business Class in my entire life and, to be honest Mark, you come across as a bit of a Big Head....
Fair comment?
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Post by OnlyMark on Jun 3, 2014 21:28:41 GMT 2
Certainly. But I do have reason to be.
It's the first time I've paid for business class. The other couple of times a company has paid, it's not something I normally do.
Anyway, your opinion of where/what you enjoyed is still valid whether I've been there or not. Apart from beer and football I think we'd both enjoy the same things.
Fairy Snuff!
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Post by Grecian on Jun 4, 2014 0:00:19 GMT 2
Snickity Snuff....
Nope, you are a Big Head, regardless...
You have all you need from me...
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Post by savoury on Jan 7, 2015 1:51:28 GMT 2
I will watch this thread as I might be there for three wks - April/May.
Still sorting out dates/routes as I am meeting a friend and trying to co-ordinate.
Will be going separate ways at times, then meeting up again.
Delhi airport is where we are supposed to meet up first. Plan was get a car Nagpur-Tadoba, Tadoba-Satpura, Thattekad-Kochi.
Bus/train and flying is also on the agenda. I'm worried stiff about driving in India!
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Post by OnlyMark on Jan 7, 2015 11:24:24 GMT 2
Tadoba to Satpura is a bit far to go in one day if you were thinking about the driving yourself, and the route is back via Nagpur. Or by 'driving' do you mean with driver? If so, they'd do it in the day.
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Post by Grecian on Jan 7, 2015 21:08:02 GMT 2
I wouldn't bother watching this Thread, savoury, as I have said all I can above.
I will say that if you have just 3 weeks in India then don't even think about hiring a bloody car!
Let the Taxis, Trains or internal flights get you from A to B with little hassle.
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Post by savoury on Jan 20, 2015 11:00:42 GMT 2
Well, I've got my tickets! I will spend my last day in India in Delhi and friend has suggested I get a tuk-tuk to take me around Delhi. Any suggestions? Love incense, sights, exotic knick-knacks/ornaments, scarves (not saris) Is India a place to bargain for things?
Friend departs at 5.10am and me at 9.50pm on the same/final day in India..flying different directions. Meeting at Delhi airport when I arrv then train to Jaipur, then Argra to see the Taj Mahal, Varanasi then Nagpur-Tadoba with driver. Tadoba-Satpura with driver, ditto Satpura-Nagpur.
Not sure how we are getting from Nagpur-Bengalaru. Bengalaru - Kochi. Kochi-Kerala Waterways. Kochi-Thattekad with driver. I will then spend 2 nights on my own in/around Mysore as I am interested in ancient history and temples. Friend will be working in another area that doesn't interest me. Any suggestions on guesthouses/b&b/decent and clean hostels?
Meeting up again in Thattedad-Kochi with driver, flying Kochi-Delhi (final leg) My first trip to India but not for my friend who will be working partly (mainly in the North) and some of the others that I mentioned, hence the driver but not working in Jaipur and Taj Mahal.
Am reading LP book on India from the library but any other info would be much appreciated.
Enroute to India, I will spend 2 nights on my own (one & half days) in Dubai. The souks in Dubai are great for incense - friend has got me some and a claypot to burn incense in.
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Post by Grecian on Jan 20, 2015 20:42:26 GMT 2
Defo get a Tuk Tuk from place to place in Delhi or any other built up area. Taxis for longer distances.
I've never been to Delhi. Your route there sounds fine. Train and Taxi for those trips.
You will have to Fly down to Bangaluru as you only have 3 weeks. Spicejet and GoAir should sort you out for under £100.
Rough Guide is better than LP!
You can buy incense about 100 yards from my house and every corner shop in the World so please don't go because of that! Have the Street Food instead.
Enjoy your safe Trip and i'll wait to see OnlyMark giving you some far better advice on here when his Spys above point out your Post - assuming you haven't C&P'd it down here..
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Post by OnlyMark on Jan 21, 2015 12:19:48 GMT 2
Can't add anything to Grecian's advice, it is good.
I wonder thought about going east to Varanasi. It'd be ok if you were flying around the country but with all the other places I think it might be a bit too much going by train. It seems you'd spend a disproportionate amount of time either travelling, preparing to travel or getting over travelling. It can take a longer time than you'd think to get from one place to another in India and it can be more stressful than travelling in many other countries. I'm not saying it can't be done, everything you want to do, but be prepared for it all to feel a bit hectic.
Grecian, when I log on I go to the 'Recent Posts' page, Flushed comes up on the list so I can see what is posted down here anyway.
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Post by Grecian on Jan 21, 2015 21:10:00 GMT 2
Furry Muff, Mark...I know that Flushed has the most 'Traffic' on the meeting Pot and can't blame you for dipping into this Wonderful World down here..
'Hectic' is an understatement as you know...It's like the Zombies in World War Z with Brad Pitt when you get of any Tuk Tuk/Train/Taxi/Aircraft in any place in India that I have seen.
I can't blame them as they all want the Western Doller and little money to us means so much more to them...
You have to go to Varanasi, savoury, to see the Funeral Pyres and smell the stench. Incredible.
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Post by ID123 on Apr 16, 2015 22:17:21 GMT 2
Funeral pyres never smell !
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Post by Grecian on Apr 17, 2015 20:14:49 GMT 2
So a burning body and all the related 'stuff' never smells?
Please Educate me as i have yet to go to Varanasi.
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Post by Netsuke on Apr 20, 2015 4:12:30 GMT 2
Funeral pyres never smell ! Only if you have a blocked nose. A body burns on a funeral pyre while an attendant prods the logs with a pole to keep it alight. The smoke is thick around the public funeral ground. Eyes are stinging, and the air is heavy with the smells of burning wood, incense, and – somewhat disturbingly – an aroma described as being like barbecuing meat. Source: The Macabre Tradition of Burning Human Bodies on the Banks of the Ganges (Photo included.) I was handed a small flare. I walked round the pyre with it five times, said goodbye to my father and then touched it to the kindling..............., and I still remember the overwhelming smell of burning flesh on that dry, hot afternoon. Source: I lit my father's funeral pyre |
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Post by Grecian on Apr 20, 2015 20:30:17 GMT 2
Thanks for that - as I assumed...
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Post by Grecian on May 8, 2015 22:47:01 GMT 2
"There is no need to have an organised thing though, if anyone wants to stay any other time that's no problem either."
Exeter to Malaga is less than a Ton return!
I assume you would pick me up from Malaga airport, OnlyMark ?....
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Post by OnlyMark on May 8, 2015 22:58:55 GMT 2
You know what they say about assuming anything.....
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Post by Grecian on May 8, 2015 23:09:33 GMT 2
You really are One, aren't you, Mark!
You kindof Claim you never see what's posted down here and yet within 10 minutes you reply!
Ok!
Assuming that your offer above is still valid, I'll be over in the next 2 months to stay with you, ok?
No worries about being picked up from the airport as I know my way and will pay the Coach and Taxis..
Clean sheets would be nice...
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Post by OnlyMark on May 9, 2015 7:36:25 GMT 2
I have never 'kindof Claim' that I don't see what is posted down here. I have explained before, to you, that when I come to the website the page opens on the Recently Posted list. So I see the posts on every branch no matter if they are in Flushed or elsewhere.
In the world above I mentioned that Aug - Aug would be ideal as things should be finished then. But if you want to come in the next 2 months then you'd be welcome (calling your bluff). As for clean sheets, you're making an assumption again, one that you'd actually have a bed. I do have a couple of pallets from tile deliveries I could let you have and use in the outhouse. Bring your own splinter remover though.
Malaga has some of the cheapest car hire I've ever seen so there'd be no need for a bus/taxi for anyone but a town called Jaen is the nearest one with a big enough train station.
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Post by Grecian on May 9, 2015 20:49:44 GMT 2
Nice one!
Before I read your reply I did look at June and for a week covering a weekend it was £180 return.
Now you say August - August I propose to pop over when it starts getting cold here so November do you?
Car Hire abroad for Brits has become very difficult recently - like you need a Password from DVLA but that's only valid for 3 days..
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Post by OnlyMark on May 9, 2015 21:47:30 GMT 2
I've read about that DVLA thing. What I don't understand is other countries, like Germany, also have the photo licence and also it doesn't show any convictions on it. Yet all car hire firms will accept it. So why can't they accept a UK one as the same?
The answer probably is that they all will anyway. I've been hiring cars for donkey's years and never have they asked for the paper counterpart. It's another DVLA scam like selling your details to clampers.
November is fine, just it is getting a bit colder and never sure if it will be fine or not. As with anyone else you need to be aware the house is not within walking distance of anything other than a small village a couple of km away uphill. The bus service is twice a day to the major town for onward travel if necessary. Without own transport nobody is as flexible as they might want to be. I have no problem though with anyone relaxing at the house. No problem at all.
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Post by Grecian on May 10, 2015 22:02:10 GMT 2
I think that Angela Merkel has more sway than the whole of England at the moment!
I doubt that the majority of Firms abroad know anything about it as they are just after your Euro so just flash your Licence and Passport and you're away...
It sounds a tad 'remote' shall I say, Mark? What are your reasons to buy it?
I like remoteness by the way...probably not as much as spending a week with you there on my own!
You know what I mean...
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Post by OnlyMark on May 11, 2015 7:59:44 GMT 2
Mrs M wanted a place in a city. I wanted a place where there was nobody for miles and miles. We compromised but more towards what I wanted than hers - mainly because the land it has was attractive and the location is within striking distance of Malaga, Granada and Cordoba. Ten minutes gets me to a town, half an hour and I'm in a city, Jaen. So it is remote but not so much with a car. Rural public transport in Andalucia isn't well known for being comprehensive.
If you're handy with a set of tools then I have plenty for you to do.
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Post by Grecian on May 11, 2015 20:37:04 GMT 2
I've never heard of Jaen but it looks like a beautiful place! The Cathedral almost as impressive as Exeter Cathedral.
It looks like you go via Anteguera and Granada to Jaen? 2 hours drive?
I have a hammer drill, a Jigsaw, a paint stripper (Probably not what you need) loads of allen keys from IKEA and loads of odd screws and nails. Take your pick.
August sounds favourite to me.
(The only thing I know about Andulacia is that the Clash mentioned the place in their Anti Spanish Civil War ditty entitled 'Spanish Bombs'..)
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Post by OnlyMark on May 11, 2015 22:08:44 GMT 2
Andalucia is famous (if you know about it) for many things. Not least being the 'best' olive oil location in the world and that south of Granada was the last enclave of the Moors as they were swept out of Spain by the Christians.
I can supply the tools, you'd just need to bring your brawn rather than brains.
Malaga to here goes past Antequera but not Granada. You'd keep going north to Lucena and then north east. I'm about halfway between Lucena and Jaen.
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Post by Grecian on May 12, 2015 19:48:45 GMT 2
Olive Oil is Olive Oil as far as I am concerned.
I'm not pretentious enough, or care enough, to know the difference between Extra Virgin and 3rd pressed, to be honest. I only ever use it to make a vinaigrette dressing for a salad. It's feck all use for coating a Rump Steak before your sear it.
I think that my Brawn and Brains are finally catching up with each other at my age! (What with muscle wastage and Dementia!)
You Still a 2 hour drive on a free road from Malaga?
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