Our Indian trip 2019

[cliffanger]

Oh and by the way - brilliant photos - you’ve obviously had lessons from Libs.

 

[cliffanger]

All the people we’ve met have been really friendly and laid back. Be interesting to see if that changes as we travel north.

We found them very friendly in the north - especially the photographer at the Taj Mahal .....

 

[Mikey RV]

On my list to do travel in India. Thanks for posting your travel storeys and photos.

 

[Sabino]

Mousy
Sorry, I wasn't trying to be negative. I stupidly thought you were motorhoming. People take them far more dangerous places!
I just use the Ignore Thread to keep the non motorhome stuff out.
You're not alone, a lot of people are just lazy and automatically stick things on here. It defeats Jim's excellent filter system.
Anyway, carry on having a great holiday.

 

[mojo]

Anywhere in particular you’d recommend for Goa? we will be there in a week or so.

We use Benaulim ,South Goa.More laid back than north.Train to Margoa from south easy enough then a short bus ride or cheap still by tuk.Still many Catholic here and churches.Lots of cheap beach shacks to lounge your day away before evening restaurant in town.

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[Mousy]

We use Benaulim ,South Goa.More laid back than north.Train to Margoa from south easy enough then a short bus ride or cheap still by tuk.Still many Catholic here and churches.Lots of cheap beach shacks to lounge your day away before evening restaurant in town.

That’s where we are headed, another funster kindly suggested Benaulim. As our train arrives in the afternoon we will find accommodation when we get there, (unless you can recommend somewhere?). We will have 7 nights to chill on the beach, Harry is going off on his own.

 

[mojo]

We have booked

That’s where we are headed, another funster kindly suggested Benaulim. As our train arrives in the afternoon we will find accommodation when we get there, (unless you can recommend somewhere?). We will have 7 nights to chill on the beach, Harry is going off on his own.

We have booked this winter with a local agent called Jonathan at INNGOA HOLIDAYS.COM
He has apartments in the Lotus Hermitage complex right by the beach.Basic but fair prices about £18.00 night for 1 bed.Mention Gary Jenkins as a intro.

 

[Rudski01]

Agonda in South Goa is superb, we’ve been just after new year when a bit quieter, v chilled and lots of great beachside restaurants, I miss my winter hols in India

 

[Zoppydog]

Anywhere in particular you’d recommend for Goa? we will be there in a week or so.

Cavelossim would be a good base to stay. Lots to see in the surrounding areas. Local bus runs through the village regularly. Lots of good restaurants too, we have been several times

 

[bellabee]

Agonda in South Goa is superb, we’ve been just after new year when a bit quieter, v chilled and lots of great beachside restaurants, I miss my winter hols in India ☹

Agonda is lovely. Just turn up and have a look at the beach shacks, find one you like and then, as with everything in India, barter.
We've been to India four times - twice to Goa, once to Kerela, and the other time to the Golden Triangle. We found the Golden Triangle different from the south in that Europeans are regarded as more of a novelty there. Although there are plenty of tourists around, they are nowhere near as numerous as in the south. In the north, children tend to stare at you and wave. At India Gate, in Delhi, I became aware of a group of Indian tourists trying to stand as close to me as possible, in order to get me in their photographs .
On another occasion, we went to a wild life park and I decided to sit down on the grass under a tree, while Graham went off to look at some birds. When I sat down, I was the only person around, but very quickly a number of Indian families had gathered around me, under the same tree. Unlike in England, where people would have spread themselves around under other trees, they wanted to talk to me, and they offered me some of their food.
We'd love to go back to India and do something like you are doing, but our dog is very old now, and we can't leave him behind.
Enjoy your trip. I'm very envious!

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[Mousy]

Now in Mysore, famous for its Palace, market, sandalwood oil and yoga.

The market is amazing...our favourite yet. Divided into sections of flowers, fruit and veggies. All beautifully arranged, even in a shower it was heaving with people.

Everyone is very friendly and happy for you to take photos, there is the usual banter and laugh to be had with the incense and fragranced oil sellers.

I’m sure I was overcharged for some bananas, which were tiny but delicious. There are local prices and foreigners prices but that’s just India and really not worth bothering about. Particularly when you currency convert and realise it’s 12p a kilo..

The smell of jasmine, spices and produce was really wonderful.

 

[Mousy]

More of the market as we’ve visited twice at different times.

Yams, tapioca and squash.

These are like a sour gooseberry used in pickles.

Different types of bananas, we had the orange ones which were very sweet.

These banana leafs are used instead of plates.

These are powered dyes used in clothing, body or beauty.

Local vegetables.

 

[Just smiffy]

The aromatherapy must be wonderful at the markets....?

 

[Mousy]

The aromatherapy must be wonderful at the markets....?

It all smells amazing, I’ve lost my sense of smell due to the MS (which in the loos here has been a blessing!) but even I could smell the jasmine and spices in the market so it must be really strong.

 

[Mousy]

Mysore Palace was worth the 600 dib dobs (£7) entry fee.

Beautiful interiors with Royal Doulton ? Tiles.

And paintings on the walls showing how things used to be...

This was one of a pair.

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[Southdowners]

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing your travels

 

[rb62]

Some if not all of the tiles in the Mysore palace were supplied by Maw & Co. in Jackfield (now part of Telford) and are still going The Jackfield tile museum nearby is part of the Ironbridge gorge musem.We must go back as it has just had a refit

Maw & Co - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Mousy]

Thanks that’s really interesting. we thought they looked English but couldn’t find any information boards about them. There were rooms and rooms of tiles. Absolutely brilliant.

 

[bellabee]

rb62 Thanks for that. We've been sitting here on a sunny Sunday morning, trying to think of somewhere to go this afternoon. Jackfield it is

 

[Drum Major]

Just caught up with this post thank you for putting some beautiful photos on here have really enjoyed looking at them and all about your trip ?

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[Mousy]

Our tuk tuk driver took us off into the badlands and a grotty industrial estate. I was slightly concerned we might be sold but thankfully he’d decided to show us some local craftsman well off the tourist trail.

From this little workshop, a family run business exports all over the world and to very wealthy Indians. Beautiful inland furniture and art. No dyed wood, all cut by hand with superb craftsmanship.

Some pieces have to wait for the right coloured wood to be sourced.

This is a commission for the Middle East. It takes about a month to make from a photograph.

There was no shop much to Martins relief, however, when I started searching in my phone for a picture of Millie our dog he organised a swift exit!

Very interesting experience though.

 

[Mousy]

Our homestay host owns this 1960 Ambassador car, he kindly took us for a spin in it..

He paid £500 for it a few years ago. In really good condition and I felt very regal in the back...I even practiced my wave..

Despite Martins best efforts I’ve managed to do some shopping, 2 lovely traditional Indian games for the Moho..

But I was outvoted on this beautiful silk painting..

 

[Mousy]

From Mysore to Hampi via train and tuk tuk. We’d chosen to stay in Hampi itself, famous for its huge boulders, river and numerous temples.

Unfortunately our accommodation was The worse we’d experienced, absolutely filthy, sink hanging off the wall, ripped sheets etc... it was truly grim ...we survived the 2 nights there and left still married but Funsters it was close

We had a tuk tour of the area, temples and sites too numerous to name..it was hot, dusty and dirty and quite busy with other tourists in the village but not so much at the sites.

Hampi was also smelly as the cows came home at night and slept in the lane outside our guest house. We also had to be vigilant for the prolific monkey population who loved raiding the room..although ours was so minging even they stayed away!

 

[Mousy]

More of Hampi..., I’d definitely recommend going there but stay in the bigger hotels about 45 minutes out by tuk tuk. Seeing the sunrise and sunset over Hampi although beautiful wasn’t worth the sub standard accommodation to be in Hampi itself.

You’d have to be really fit to walk everywhere from the village so you may as well tuk in each day.

These are the Palace elephant stables.

View from the roof top cafe over Hampi village.

Rice being dried by the road.

Stunning view of surrounding area.

Step well for the palace or temple.

I took one look inside this squatty potty and decided to hold on!

Sod’s law we forgot our wellies..plenty of cow mess in there too.

This was a offering tree at a open temple. We arrived at lunchtime, whilst locals were feeding the poor. A well organised operation to feed hundreds of people, quickly and efficiently. Rice, dahl, veg curry and bread all served on metal plates, eaten with fingers on the floor.

 

[Just smiffy]

An experience to be endured, but one thats good to see.... I could not give you a like for the accommodation photos but the sights are great...??

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[dabhand]

So glad your having a good time it looks fantastic, well maybe not the minging monkey averse room in Hampi, although your comments gave me a laugh, stay safe and enjoy the rest of your trip

 

[Lenny HB]

Unfortunately our accommodation was The worse we’d experienced, absolutely filthy, sink hanging off the wall, ripped sheets etc... it was truly grim ...we survived the 2 nights there and left still married but Funsters it was close

Our most expensive accomadation in India was a DeLux Tent at the Camel Fair.

If you were quick you could run around the back to view.

 

[Anthea M]

Thanks for sharing an amazing place!

 

[Mousy]

7 nights at Benilim Goa in a lovely hotel, restored some martial harmony.

I can recommend The Taj Bloody Mary as bloody lovely!

 

[100brian]

what was the name of the hotel in Goa please.

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