India

[Skull]

You're not selling it to me.

Like I said, its all a bit too rapey.

 

[SteveOBHave]

Yep - thought it was awesome - you totally have to switch off your comfort zones though - it's a pretty confronting place.

The Taj is epic - easily the most beautiful building that I've ever seen. It's utterly worth the trip.


Taj Mahal by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

It has it's own beauty

Cloudy Elephant Sanctuary by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

...and it's own character

Pigeons and Pepsi by Steve ten Have, on Flickr


Delhi Back Streets 2 by Steve ten Have, on Flickr


Delhi back streets by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

 

[Kishywish]

Been there 3 times, and have no immediate desire to set forth in that country ever again.

Ridiculous overcrowding is an understatement.

 

[agnes]

I have been once, loved every second of it.

 

[Cleisthenes]

I went 4 years ago with my school when I was 16. Great experience, especially the last hotel which we stayed at which used to be where an Indian Prince lived! Taj Mahal was mesmerising, but trying to look after the blonde girls on my trip was not so fun! Lots of harassment regarding being sold things, some of which were nice but the majority of which was rubbish (including a small chess set which I bought ).

Overall a fantastic experience, and I would recommend to it anyone if not to just provide a huge cultural change which may make you appreciate what you have that little bit more!!

 

[Cleisthenes]

Been there 3 times, and have no immediate desire to set forth in that country ever again.

Ridiculous overcrowding is an understatement.

+1 I hear that! At times in New Delhi it was thoroughly unenjoyable! Were you there fr business or pleasure?

 

[robgmun]

Delhi Back Streets 2 by Steve ten Have, on Flickr


Delhi back streets by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

Dhaka was basically like this the whole time for me, horrible place and no matter where you went, it's smelt like a toilet

 

[McGray]

Ahh the cesspit of the planet.

Avoid.

 

[Ryan-3]

I've been to an Indian

They've got some tasty stuff too.

a lot of their country seems rather dirty, especially the cities. I would avoid personally.

 

[android guy]

Ahh the cesspit of the planet.

Avoid.

I'm sure it is.

Why on earth anyone would want to go is beyond me.

 

[SteveOBHave]

I'm sure it is.

Why on earth anyone would want to go is beyond me.

It's called life experience and seeing that the world is a really interesting, diverse and at times heart breaking place. It's also seeing that even in the most relatively depressing and 'cesspit' places people can make a life and be happy.

You could say the same for many places in the world, and writing them off as 'cesspits' and not worth visiting may well be depriving yourself of a valuable eye opening.

To quote Henry Rollins:

“I beg young people to travel. If you don’t have a passport, get one. Take a summer, get a backpack and go to Delhi, go to Saigon, go to Bangkok, go to Kenya. Have your mind blown. Eat interesting food. Dig some interesting people. Have an adventure. Be careful. Come back and you’re going to see your country differently, you’re going to see your president differently, no matter who it is. Music, culture, food, water. Your showers will become shorter. You’re going to get a sense of what globalization looks like. It’s not what Tom Friedman writes about; I’m sorry. You’re going to see that global climate change is very real. And that for some people, their day consists of walking 12 miles for four buckets of water. And so there are lessons that you can’t get out of a book that are waiting for you at the other end of that flight. A lot of people—Americans and Europeans—come back and go, ohhhhh. And the light bulb goes on.”

 

[Robertnpmk]

YES!

: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sacredcrayon/sets/72157624797151424/

 

[agnes]

It's called life experience and seeing that the world is a really interesting, diverse and at times heart breaking place. It's also seeing that even in the most relatively depressing and 'cesspit' places people can make a life and be happy.

You could say the same for many places in the world, and writing them off as 'cesspits' and not worth visiting may well be depriving yourself of a valuable eye opening.

To quote Henry Rollins:

Perfect quote. And I fully agree.

India is a wonderful place. I miss it and it's people dearly.

 

[SteveOBHave]

Nice set of photos there mate - looks like we followed a similar route.

 

[shadow_boxer]

Yes. Great place but as others have said you need to man up and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Not for the faint hearted but so much to explore and see.

 

[-Ad-]

Dhaka was basically like this the whole time for me, horrible place and no matter where you went, it's smelt like a toilet

Pretty much this, unless you get into a pretty hotel compound or enjoy the nicer tourist areas. My trip:

Mumbai Hotel

Office at 0630 picking up equipment.

6hr drive to site, OMFG we're going to die.

Mooooo

Working/Sunbathing area.

Chillaxing after getting back onshore.

That's it really

 

[SteveOBHave]

Huh - we stayed in a mixture of hotels and B&Bs plus a houseboat in Kerala - always clean, no toilet smells and awesome friendly people. I think you just weren't able to get into the right mindset - if you're fixated on having a bad time then that's what you'll have.


Kerela House Boat by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

 

[-Ad-]

Great pictures in the thread Steve, the trip does look excellent!

Might have to pop back to India and see it properly, but I've got too much of SE Asia to see at the moment

 

[Kishywish]

+1 I hear that! At times in New Delhi it was thoroughly unenjoyable! Were you there fr business or pleasure?

Bit of both. At various times, i've been there for a stag do, a family wedding and sightseeing of the tourist traps and the Himalayas.

 

[agnes]

Me and a royal enfield bullet I spent a few days on going round Goa to all the different beaches and fishing ports.

Sunset on Palolem beach