Travelling in India from Goa
Jan 14th 2011, 2:33 pm
#31
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 123
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
Can recommend http://www.hotelcauseway.com if you are staying in Bombay, stayed here a few times, it is opposite the police station in Colaba and about 200 yards from Leopolds ( tandoori chicken mmmm) plenty of Western style bars to get stared at in but good fun all the same. Gateway is about 10 minutes or less walk away and there are plent of shops for the ladies oh I nearly forgot, McDonalds too 
Oct 18th 2011, 8:41 am
#32
Joined: May 2007
Location: Noni the Indian Goan Beach Mulberry
Posts: 8,227
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
This year going to Udapiur, Jodpur, and Delhi. Udapiur to Delhi, OMG on the train - posh lst Class A-C. Stories please of train travel!!! 
What is the sleeping accommodation like 
What is the sleeping accommodation like
Oct 18th 2011, 9:13 am
#33
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,199
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
I've not experienced the train but I have been to Udapiur. Stayed in a small hotel close to the lake and as we were on the third floor our balcony overlooked the lake. Try the cable car ride to the temple on the hill and take the boat ride to the temple in the lake. a bit commercialised but well worth doing. And if you have a lake view get up and watch the sun rise, the light creeping over the lake was beautiful and one morning there was a hot air balloon floating across. Magical.
Oct 18th 2011, 10:12 am
#34
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,941
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
AndyD 8-)#
Oct 18th 2011, 12:04 pm
#35
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20,712
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
2 tier A-C is comfortable but 4 to a cabin and 2 on other of side of aisle. Bedding: pillow, sheets and blanket are provided always clean in our experience. They tend to slide about during the night as bunks shiny.
Food is very variable according to which train you are taking. If flasks of tea/coffee come with the food or cups from the vendor it is always weak. Take a small jar of nescafe/tea bags and spoon to add strength. Can sometimes buy fruit etc at stations as vendors come to windows.
Important tip, do not wander about on train when stopped at a station, thieves leap on grab what they can, including jewellery, and they escape in seconds.
Toilets !!!!! I can't remember the 1st class, may be others will advise. In other classes again variable according to who has used it, squat style are usually cleaner, but can be a balance problem when train is swaying, so plan suitable clothing. Trousers roll them right up or they will drag on the floor.
3- tier, avoid if possible. When travelling as a family always me on the top bunk!! children below and it is awful, sways more and you can feel quite sick.
Chair car is comfortable much like UK trains and same lack of space for suitcases.
Stations-- At smaller stations get ready beforehand to get out and expect to push as sometimes only 2 minute stop and people rush to get on as well.
Porters are reliable---but walk very fast.
I love travelling by train
Oct 18th 2011, 1:12 pm
#36
Joined: May 2007
Location: Noni the Indian Goan Beach Mulberry
Posts: 8,227
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
Have travelled by train very frequently but only once by 1 A-C, it is quite expensive and didn't seem worth it.
2 tier A-C is comfortable but 4 to a cabin and 2 on other of side of aisle. Bedding: pillow, sheets and blanket are provided always clean in our experience. They tend to slide about during the night as bunks shiny.
Food is very variable according to which train you are taking. If flasks of tea/coffee come with the food or cups from the vendor it is always weak. Take a small jar of nescafe/tea bags and spoon to add strength. Can sometimes buy fruit etc at stations as vendors come to windows.
Important tip, do not wander about on train when stopped at a station, thieves leap on grab what they can, including jewellery, and they escape in seconds.
Toilets !!!!! I can't remember the 1st class, may be others will advise. In other classes again variable according to who has used it, squat style are usually cleaner, but can be a balance problem when train is swaying, so plan suitable clothing. Trousers roll them right up or they will drag on the floor.
3- tier, avoid if possible. When travelling as a family always me on the top bunk!! children below and it is awful, sways more and you can feel quite sick.
Chair car is comfortable much like UK trains and same lack of space for suitcases.
Stations-- At smaller stations get ready beforehand to get out and expect to push as sometimes only 2 minute stop and people rush to get on as well.
Porters are reliable---but walk very fast.
I love travelling by train
2 tier A-C is comfortable but 4 to a cabin and 2 on other of side of aisle. Bedding: pillow, sheets and blanket are provided always clean in our experience. They tend to slide about during the night as bunks shiny.
Food is very variable according to which train you are taking. If flasks of tea/coffee come with the food or cups from the vendor it is always weak. Take a small jar of nescafe/tea bags and spoon to add strength. Can sometimes buy fruit etc at stations as vendors come to windows.
Important tip, do not wander about on train when stopped at a station, thieves leap on grab what they can, including jewellery, and they escape in seconds.
Toilets !!!!! I can't remember the 1st class, may be others will advise. In other classes again variable according to who has used it, squat style are usually cleaner, but can be a balance problem when train is swaying, so plan suitable clothing. Trousers roll them right up or they will drag on the floor.
3- tier, avoid if possible. When travelling as a family always me on the top bunk!! children below and it is awful, sways more and you can feel quite sick.
Chair car is comfortable much like UK trains and same lack of space for suitcases.
Stations-- At smaller stations get ready beforehand to get out and expect to push as sometimes only 2 minute stop and people rush to get on as well.
Porters are reliable---but walk very fast.
I love travelling by train
Oct 18th 2011, 3:57 pm
#37
Joined: May 2007
Location: Noni the Indian Goan Beach Mulberry
Posts: 8,227
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
I've not experienced the train but I have been to Udapiur. Stayed in a small hotel close to the lake and as we were on the third floor our balcony overlooked the lake. Try the cable car ride to the temple on the hill and take the boat ride to the temple in the lake. a bit commercialised but well worth doing. And if you have a lake view get up and watch the sun rise, the light creeping over the lake was beautiful and one morning there was a hot air balloon floating across. Magical.
Nov 7th 2011, 12:47 pm
#38
Joined: May 2007
Location: Noni the Indian Goan Beach Mulberry
Posts: 8,227
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
As promised I give below the details of the company we used for our trip to the Taj, We are using the same company for our trip to Jodhpur. The company we use is:-
Capital City Travels & Tours
phone 91-11-29562097
Mobile 98185444466
email [email protected] [email protected]
web-site www.tourism-india.com
We booked and paid from UK.
Capital City Travels & Tours
phone 91-11-29562097
Mobile 98185444466
email [email protected] [email protected]
web-site www.tourism-india.com
We booked and paid from UK.
Nov 8th 2011, 5:17 am
#39
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,941
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
A nice website - but no prices!
Afraid I would never deal with a company that wants your email address before you can even see their prices - I get enough spam already.
AndyD 8-)#
Afraid I would never deal with a company that wants your email address before you can even see their prices - I get enough spam already.
AndyD 8-)#
Nov 8th 2011, 8:17 am
#40
Joined: May 2007
Location: Noni the Indian Goan Beach Mulberry
Posts: 8,227
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
Dec 11th 2011, 3:30 pm
#41
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20,712
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
Having a short holiday at Kovalam, light-house beach, before family events. Hotel booked through Thomas Cook, not good (will put name on India section after we have left!!!), but making the best of it.
Beach this Sunday afternoon crowded, about 90% Indian people mostly families.
Very little litter just a few plastic bottles and few paper cups. No beer bottles (but very few alcohol places, as high Muslim population).
Not a single stray dog! Several nice dogs with collars, one bizarre creature that looked like the spec-savers advert; owner had clipped it with scissors.
At 6.0pm man with whistle and red flag ordered everyone out of the sea, and they obeyed.
31deg earlier but now raining ++.
And didn't see any brown underpants, most men in lungis or trousers.
(What influence this forum has!!! that I now scrutinise men's underwear)
Beach this Sunday afternoon crowded, about 90% Indian people mostly families.
Very little litter just a few plastic bottles and few paper cups. No beer bottles (but very few alcohol places, as high Muslim population).
Not a single stray dog! Several nice dogs with collars, one bizarre creature that looked like the spec-savers advert; owner had clipped it with scissors.
At 6.0pm man with whistle and red flag ordered everyone out of the sea, and they obeyed.
31deg earlier but now raining ++.
And didn't see any brown underpants, most men in lungis or trousers.
(What influence this forum has!!! that I now scrutinise men's underwear)
Last edited by Bipat; Dec 11th 2011 at 3:33 pm.
Dec 11th 2011, 8:18 pm
#42
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,680
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
Having a short holiday at Kovalam, light-house beach, before family events. Hotel booked through Thomas Cook, not good (will put name on India section after we have left!!!), but making the best of it.
Beach this Sunday afternoon crowded, about 90% Indian people mostly families.
Very little litter just a few plastic bottles and few paper cups. No beer bottles (but very few alcohol places, as high Muslim population).
Not a single stray dog! Several nice dogs with collars, one bizarre creature that looked like the spec-savers advert; owner had clipped it with scissors.
At 6.0pm man with whistle and red flag ordered everyone out of the sea, and they obeyed.
31deg earlier but now raining ++.
And didn't see any brown underpants, most men in lungis or trousers.
(What influence this forum has!!! that I now scrutinise men's underwear)
Beach this Sunday afternoon crowded, about 90% Indian people mostly families.
Very little litter just a few plastic bottles and few paper cups. No beer bottles (but very few alcohol places, as high Muslim population).
Not a single stray dog! Several nice dogs with collars, one bizarre creature that looked like the spec-savers advert; owner had clipped it with scissors.
At 6.0pm man with whistle and red flag ordered everyone out of the sea, and they obeyed.
31deg earlier but now raining ++.
And didn't see any brown underpants, most men in lungis or trousers.
(What influence this forum has!!! that I now scrutinise men's underwear)
Dread - x
Dec 11th 2011, 10:01 pm
#43
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,199
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
Having a short holiday at Kovalam, light-house beach, before family events. Hotel booked through Thomas Cook, not good (will put name on India section after we have left!!!), but making the best of it.
Beach this Sunday afternoon crowded, about 90% Indian people mostly families.
Very little litter just a few plastic bottles and few paper cups. No beer bottles (but very few alcohol places, as high Muslim population).
Not a single stray dog! Several nice dogs with collars, one bizarre creature that looked like the spec-savers advert; owner had clipped it with scissors.
At 6.0pm man with whistle and red flag ordered everyone out of the sea, and they obeyed.
31deg earlier but now raining ++.
And didn't see any brown underpants, most men in lungis or trousers.
(What influence this forum has!!! that I now scrutinise men's underwear)
Beach this Sunday afternoon crowded, about 90% Indian people mostly families.
Very little litter just a few plastic bottles and few paper cups. No beer bottles (but very few alcohol places, as high Muslim population).
Not a single stray dog! Several nice dogs with collars, one bizarre creature that looked like the spec-savers advert; owner had clipped it with scissors.
At 6.0pm man with whistle and red flag ordered everyone out of the sea, and they obeyed.
31deg earlier but now raining ++.
And didn't see any brown underpants, most men in lungis or trousers.
(What influence this forum has!!! that I now scrutinise men's underwear)
Dec 12th 2011, 12:19 am
#44
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 843
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
Noni, our driver (and car), hired for 10 days at 2500 rupees a day, not cheap I know, looked after us, saw to it that we were not ripped off, even bought beer for us as the price to him was a lot less than the price to us. I know travel by train is an adventure but I like my comfort now and the idea of spending many hours on a train then having to find an hotel with my luggage is not my cup of tea. A few years ago my OH went by train from Goa to visit a friend in Trivandrum, Kerela because it was cheap (he loves saving money!) but it took him 18 hours, he had to sleep on a hard board and although food was provided it was the same food at each meal.
Dec 12th 2011, 1:22 am
#45
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,199
Re: Travelling in India from Goa
I do not think it was excessive, for that we got a driver/guide, a comfortable air conditioned car and we travelled a minimum of 1500km over a period of 10 days from Ahmedabad to Udaipur then to Jaipur and on to Fatehpur Sikri and a Nature reserve and a fortified Palace now an hotel then on to Agra then on to Dehli. While we were in Jaipur we went to the Amber palace we also visited lots of beautiful temples, some Mausoleums and many other places of interest. When we went to buy beer the price was 150 rupees or more a bottle, when our driver went it was 50 rupees. In Goa where there are plenty of places to buy beer it is easy to buy cheaply but not so easy where we travelled.