From: dang@njmsa.umdnj.edu (Anju Dang)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: India/Nepal/Kashmir - info needed
Date: 6 Sep 92 19:13:27 GMT

sgccncr@citec.oz.au (Nick Russell) writes:


>I'm going travelling in India and Nepal in about ten days, taking roughly 
>the following route: 

>	Calcutta - Darjeeling - Kathmandu - Pokhara - Varanasai - Agra - 
>	Delhi - Srinigar - Leh - Delhi - Jaipur - Jodhpur - Udiapur - Delhi.


>I'm after any general advise anybody has about the trip, in particular places
>that I *must* see. I've also got a couple of questions:

>1.	Is it possible to go overland from Darjeeling to Kathmandu (ie. has 
>	the border been reopened) ?

>2.	What is the current situation in Kashmir ?  Is it a sensible idea to 
>	go there ?


>Any replies gratefully received.

>Nick Russell


Hi !

You intend to cover a lot of ground and it is going to be
hectic.  I can give some information about a few of the above places.
I will try to point out stuff that might not be there in the brochures.

Calcutta
--------
Crowded city but fun.  Visit the Victoria Memorial if you are interested
in historic places. the Calcutta Zoo is the largest in animal population
but too crowded for comfort.  Try the hand pulled rickshaws for a novelty.
Busy shopping centers in the cwrungee area.  Lots of theatres and artsy
places.  Good seafood.  WATCH YOUR POCKETS.  Crazy soccer fans in the
city so if you like the game try to see a match.  Try a magic show
by SIRCAR [if he is still performing].  This might be the FESTIVAL SEASON
so the city will be at its best.  They might have all night festivities
dancing etc around this time, Visit the goddess KALI temple.


Agra
----
Home of the TAJ MAHAL ofcourse.  Some other forts also but I think that's
all.  Try the full moon boat ride on yamuna if you can.  Good place
to get marble taj mahal miniatures for home.


Srinagar
--------
I am not too comfortable with the idea of going to srinagar.  It is a 
beautiful place but there has been a lot unrest.  There are other 
good hill stations like - musoree, nainitaal etc.  My favorite - OOTY in
the southern part of the country.  


Delhi
-----
Capital of India.  Some historic sites to see like the Qutub Minar, 
Red Fort etc.  Cosmopolitan City, Good shopping in Connaught Place
and Connaught Circle from the street vendors.  BARGAIN.  Go to the
jantar mantar [maze] .  Modern amenities, good restaraunts.  Eat in
the street side DHABA [butter Chicken] and mango yogurt [NGO LASSI].



Jaipur and Udaypur
------------------
Lots of interesting forts and monuments and lakes to see.  Big Bird sanctuary.  Eat 
the milk cake.  Get elephant and camel rides.  


GENERAL
-------
Take some insect repellents and ointments.  Drink bottled water (appx 50cents
a bottle), try local sodas like THUMS UP, LIMCA, GOLD SPOT.  Beer is stronger
like German.  Try to catch the ethnic sites which could be more fun then 
regular tourist spots.  Each city like everywhere else in the world has the
safe spots and some unsafe spots.  Nothing to worry about but keep your eyes
open and ENJOY !!  In my opinion it is either love or hate type of a place. 



Mukesh Dang

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