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India @ a glance ... |
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Information Zone -
Travel |
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Int'l Air Travel
:
Just about all major international airlines fly into India. Major
international airports include Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata
(Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), (Trivandrum) Tiruvananthapuram ,
Bangalore and Cochin ...
Domestic Air Travel :
This is also well organised. Apart from the govt. owned Airlines
many private airlines and low cost carriers operate to various
destinations all over the country. All state capitals and major
towns are connected by air.
Train Travel : The
Indian Railways have the fourth largest rail network in the world.
Just about every Indian city, town and village is connected by
train and it is one of the best ways to get into the interiors of
the country.
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AYURVEDA :
Harmony of body, mind
and soul. Ayurveda
evolved around 600 BC
in India. Today, it's
a
unique, indispensable
branch of medicine. [more] |
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KATHAKALI :
The classical
dance-drama of Kerala, which dates from the 17th century and is
rooted in Hindu mythology. Kathakali has a unique combination of
literature, music, painting, acting and dance.
[more]
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TRAVEL GUIDE |
blog.dreams2choose.com |
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Clothing |
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Travel as light as possible. Clothing and laundry are both quite
inexpensive. Women should dress conservatively. Avoid tank tops or short
skirts / shorts. The best outfit, especially during the hot summers, is a
T-shirt worn with loose cotton trousers. These are comfortable, cool and
easily washable. You can purchase them anywhere in India, at very reasonable
rates, at any of the street shops. If you are adventurous, wear the Indian 'salwar-kameez'.
It is comfortable and free sized, and you will be amazed at the change of
attitude among the shopkeepers, pedestrians and taxicab drivers!
Do not forget to remove your footwear when visiting a place of worship or
mausoleum.
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Food And Drink |
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Drink only bottled water
Buy it only from respectable or known outlets In restaurants insist that
they bring a sealed bottle to your table, Try Indian Beer - it is quite
drinkable.
Beef is not served in India. Pork is also not easily available
Eat non-vegetarian food only in good restaurants The meat in cheaper and
smaller places is generally of dubious quality. Vegetarian food is easily
available, cheap, and of excellent quality
Curd or yoghurt is served with most meals It is a natural aid to digestion
and helps temper the spicy food
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Health Precaution |
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Always drink bottled water.
For the first few days it might be advisable to clean your teeth in bottled
water. Eat fruit you can peel. Always wash fruit well before eating it. Wash
your hands before and after eating. Always keep a tube of mosquito repellent
with you. Always carry a kit of the basic emergency medicines you might need
for diarrhoea, fever, etc. Also, band aids and an antiseptic ointment.
If you do catch a bug, do not panic. It will go away in a few days -but try
the following tips to keep it down:
• Drink lassi - a yoghurt drink. It will help tone down the bacteria.
• Eat plain rice, or try a simple khichdi - an easily digestible mixture of
rice and lentils.
• Drink plenty of coconut water. It's cooling, and naturally sterilized!
• Drink plenty of fluids and take some electrolyte salts if the bug
persists.
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Social Interaction |
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If you are fair-complexioned, blonde or red-haired - and especially if you
are female - chances are that you will be stared at continuously, specially
in the smaller towns. Don't be offended - they mean no harm, it is just
curiosity.
Try to avoid shaking hands. Greet people with a 'namaste' (hands pressed
together at chest level as if in prayer). You will be appreciated for using
the Indian style of greeting.
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Shopping |
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Try to shop only in government handicraft shops. There the prices are fixed
and the quality is certified. If that is not an option, check the prices at
a few shops before making a choice. Bargaining is standard and is enjoyed by
all.
Get used to the fact that you will probably be charged more than the locals.
If possible, take a local along when you go shopping.
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Tipping |
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In hotels and restaurants, tips are not normally included in the bill. Some
hotels include service charges on their bills. In such cases tipping is not
necessary. The standard tip is 10%.
In hotels, porters and room service attendants are normally tipped at the
end of the stay, though an early tip is likely to get you better service.
Tipping of taxi drivers is not customary.
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Sightseeing |
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Dress codes for religious places can include covering your head, being
barefoot etc. Ask, so that you don't unwillingly give offence.
Some temples do not permit any leather articles at all on their premises.
Certain areas of temples are not open to Non-Hindus.
Most museums in India are closed on Mondays and Site Museums, those
near archaeological monuments, on Fridays.
The dry summer heat can drain you completely. Drink lots of water and
fluids.
The sun is strong. Remember to use sunscreen on exposed parts of the body.
Wear sunglasses to screen out harmful rays.
Photography is not always permissible, and at many places it is permitted
only at a fee. There is usually a higher fee for using a video camera.
Smoking is not allowed at all public places.
English is spoken at almost all tourist centers, but you can also request
Government-trained and approved guides who also speak German, French,
Spanish, Japanese, Italian or Russian. |
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