This is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within India. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2005:701 RealTravel members http://realtravel.com/images/logo-for-feeds.jpg (c) 2006 RealTravel.com 2008-06-19T15:07:41Z 339993http://www.feedburner.comThis is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within India. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-04:6127312 2007-12-04T06:10:46Z 2008-06-19T15:07:41Z Jo Budd http://realtravel.com/member-m5638567-jo_budd.html <p><em>"there was not a sound apart from the occasional camel fart"</em></p> <p>a entry by Jo Budd from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/jaisalmer-india-reviews-hotels-d6333.html">Jaisalmer, India.</a></p> <p>We boarded the overnight train to Jaisalmer early eve, due to arrive in the Thar Desert 20 hours later at 1pm the following day! Delhi railway station was complete chaos – I couldn’t find my name on the sheets of paper pinned to the platform notice board which designated seats. When I finally found Monty, he explained that my seat was probably reserved under a fake name by Intrepid before I had booked my last minute place on the trip. So I had to travel under the alias of Mr Gupta!</p><p>There were large rats on the tracks at Delhi station and at least one had made it onto the train and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/jaisalmer-journals-j6127312.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Q-WOJ9szzicJbZFnAcQBImVDjwQ_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Q-WOJ9szzicJbZFnAcQBImVDjwQ_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Q-WOJ9szzicJbZFnAcQBImVDjwQ_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Q-WOJ9szzicJbZFnAcQBImVDjwQ_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fjaisalmer-journals-j6127312.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/jaisalmer-journals-j6127312.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-29:6091711 2007-11-29T04:56:20Z 2008-06-18T22:45:12Z Jo Budd http://realtravel.com/member-m5638567-jo_budd.html <p><em>"don't worry, chicken curry"</em></p> <p>a entry by Jo Budd from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/delhi_region-india-reviews-hotels-d3333292.html">Delhi Region, India.</a></p> <p>Despite weeks of preparations and research, poring over guidebooks and travel forums and grilling seasoned travellers to the sub-continent, nothing could have truly prepared me for arriving in Delhi! I met David at Heathrow, a guy booked onto the same Intrepid trip as me, also on the same flight. Jet airways fed us delicious curried dips, raita and Indian icecream. The next morning at Delhi airport we found ourselves in the back of a beaten up 'taxi' after following David who was following the 3 guys that were carting our luggage away whilst I tried unsuccessfully to buy a coffee with English ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/delhi_region-journals-j6091711.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_U9yFxWFed3V4FfXF88CTF-aR0KM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/U9yFxWFed3V4FfXF88CTF-aR0KM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_U9yFxWFed3V4FfXF88CTF-aR0KM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=U9yFxWFed3V4FfXF88CTF-aR0KM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fdelhi_region-journals-j6091711.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/delhi_region-journals-j6091711.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-03-26:4084875 2007-03-26T03:12:00Z 2008-06-18T07:27:17Z Aiiiyaah http://realtravel.com/member-m3755276-aiiiyaah.html <p>a review of Hotel Sheetal Residency, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/mathura-uttar_pradesh-reviews-hotels-d2028116.html">Mathura, Uttar Pradesh</a>.</p> <p>I went to Vrindhavan to participate in the Holi festival but the hotels were all sold out. Mathura is close enough (only about 7 kms away) and ended up at the Hotel Sheetal Regency. I found it to be a basic and functional with friendly staff. All rooms have A/C and bathrooms, beds are firm and hard (thin mattress on a plywood board). The toilet was clean...but when I went looking for a towel...none there. Minor problem though...just had to call down for it. While The hotel has a restaurant but I didn't try it. Located about 2km from the Mathura temples and ghats. Overall, a decent hotel ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mathura-reviews-b4084875.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_oBYP6kXb3U6maZLtDvMomY7mu0Y_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/oBYP6kXb3U6maZLtDvMomY7mu0Y_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_oBYP6kXb3U6maZLtDvMomY7mu0Y_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=oBYP6kXb3U6maZLtDvMomY7mu0Y_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmathura-reviews-b4084875.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mathura-reviews-b4084875.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-03-29:4117922 2007-03-29T11:13:15Z 2008-06-17T01:58:34Z stuartsfraser http://realtravel.com/member-m1402365-stuartsfraser.html <p>a entry by stuartsfraser from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/aurangabad-india-reviews-hotels-d57408.html">Aurangabad, India.</a></p> <p>We took a local bus to Ajanta. we thought we would have to put our bags on the roof but no one asked us to. Instead we squeezed our way to the back of the bus where we occupied 11 seats. as the journey progressed, and more people got on, we had to squeeze into a smaller and smaller area. buses seem to drive a lot faster than taxis. I think that it's because the drivers don't have to pay for the fuel. The ride was surprisingly comfortable. The bus was moving fast so there was lots of air to keep us cool. Unfortunately it was also incredibly bumpy. Maharashtra is apparently notorious for its ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/aurangabad-journals-j4117922.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_lycFYOmhQcv0XX.TEJSNYC5wYPw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/lycFYOmhQcv0XX.TEJSNYC5wYPw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_lycFYOmhQcv0XX.TEJSNYC5wYPw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=lycFYOmhQcv0XX.TEJSNYC5wYPw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Faurangabad-journals-j4117922.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/aurangabad-journals-j4117922.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-03-29:4117617 2007-03-29T10:35:24Z 2008-06-17T01:55:06Z stuartsfraser http://realtravel.com/member-m1402365-stuartsfraser.html <p>a entry by stuartsfraser from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/aurangabad-india-reviews-hotels-d57408.html">Aurangabad, India.</a></p> <p>We were swamped by touts as soon as we arrived at Aurangabad even though it was only 6:40 am. We checked into the Tourist Home Hotel. We got a 4 bed room with attached bathroom for only R300. It was supposed to be R400 but the guy knocked the price down because we were standing outside discussing what to do. I can't haggle but I'm learning some tricks. Foreigners get overcharged for everything. Even if you want something, pretend indifference, walk away and the price will drop.</p><p>We hadn't planned to go to Ellora until the following day but the guy who ran the tour company from the hotel ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/aurangabad-journals-j4117617.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_nsheN.QyIECdQiudc5fS6e35p2w_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/nsheN.QyIECdQiudc5fS6e35p2w_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_nsheN.QyIECdQiudc5fS6e35p2w_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=nsheN.QyIECdQiudc5fS6e35p2w_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Faurangabad-journals-j4117617.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/aurangabad-journals-j4117617.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-17:6559444 2008-02-17T10:59:12Z 2008-06-15T20:07:09Z Traveling Nomad http://realtravel.com/member-m5631087-traveling_nomad.html <p>a entry by Traveling Nomad from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/mumbai_bombay-india-reviews-hotels-d6373.html">Mumbai (Bombay), India.</a></p> <p>India is so diverse that each area needs to be covered separately to do them justice. There was so much to process here and we kept up such a full itinerary that I did not have enough time to journal, write emails or keep up with my blog very well. As a result, I lost much of the subtle detail in the overwhelming sensory overload that is India and I lost track of the specific days that we were in various places so please excuse any misrepresentations or gross errors!</p><p>I traveled with an amazing group of spiritual, open and fun people. I think that there were 26 of us in total with two ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mumbai_bombay-journals-j6559444.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_fJ-UvtW52GixkLpKHxVzoijKC54_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/fJ-UvtW52GixkLpKHxVzoijKC54_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_fJ-UvtW52GixkLpKHxVzoijKC54_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=fJ-UvtW52GixkLpKHxVzoijKC54_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmumbai_bombay-journals-j6559444.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mumbai_bombay-journals-j6559444.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-19:5341885 2007-08-19T10:44:11Z 2008-06-02T18:27:40Z Ricicle http://realtravel.com/member-m1987823-ricicle.html <p>a entry by Ricicle from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/varanasi-india-reviews-hotels-d6398.html">Varanasi, India.</a></p> <p>I woke up, a little disorientated, and my watch said it was 8. I remembered we were on a train, so when I realised we weren't moving, and that I couldn't hear or see anyone in our carriage, I began to wonder what was going on. But before I had woken up enough to figure out what to do about it, we were moving again. I sat up for a bit, which is about all you can do on the sleeper trains, but staring out the window for an hour made me a bit sleepy, so I lay down again. I was woken up by Mike at around 10.30, as we pulled into Varanasi Junction.</p><p>Going against everything we had planned ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/varanasi-journals-j5341885.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_up5NrhXkpKGQ9RF0NgsPQ-IhPwI_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/up5NrhXkpKGQ9RF0NgsPQ-IhPwI_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_up5NrhXkpKGQ9RF0NgsPQ-IhPwI_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=up5NrhXkpKGQ9RF0NgsPQ-IhPwI_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvaranasi-journals-j5341885.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/varanasi-journals-j5341885.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-14:6850526 2008-04-14T12:51:01Z 2008-05-28T01:22:02Z The Ryans http://realtravel.com/member-m2657925-the_ryans.html <p><em>"The craggy mountain peaks, the beautifully-manicured tea estates and the crisp mountain air made for a very relaxing retreat."</em></p> <p>a entry by The Ryans from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/munnar-kerala-reviews-hotels-d2358097.html">Munnar, Kerala.</a></p> <p>After our four rain-soaked days in Kochi, Jenny arranged for one of her drivers to take us up to Munnar, our next stop. Avani was sad to leave the triplets but went with the flow as usual. Our driver Sulfi was great. He had a little baby of his own and was very sweet with Avani. She grew attached to him too and would always wave and smile when she saw him, yelling, "Hi, Soofi!". We soon learned that he was a great go-to guy and we could always count on him to go searching for wild elephants or figure out the best way to post a package for us. We had a great car too with lots of room for our ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/munnar-journals-j6850526.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_jl3dmJ3tXlxXdGq.YqxsiYkUAqg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/jl3dmJ3tXlxXdGq.YqxsiYkUAqg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_jl3dmJ3tXlxXdGq.YqxsiYkUAqg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=jl3dmJ3tXlxXdGq.YqxsiYkUAqg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmunnar-journals-j6850526.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/munnar-journals-j6850526.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-10:6834788 2008-04-10T14:30:44Z 2008-05-17T13:58:31Z Jo Budd http://realtravel.com/member-m5638567-jo_budd.html <p><em>"I sang him my version of the Gaitrey mantra. He said ‘bless you my child’ and returned to his bunk to meditate."</em></p> <p>a entry by Jo Budd from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/rishikesh-uttaranchal-reviews-hotels-d1024505.html">Rishikesh, Uttaranchal.</a></p> <p>My train journey to Rishikesh got off to a bad start when the rude, fat man sitting by the carriage entrance (the only place with space to put my rucksack), objected to my bag and spent the first 4 hours of the journey scowling at me. I explained patiently that there was nowhere else to put it (the luggage racks do not have the necessary depth and it wasn’t a sleeper so no upper berths). Then, eventually he sent his equally rude 7 year old pigtailed daughter to stomp over and say (in perfect English) ‘excuse me maam, you can now remove your bag and keep it with you!’ They had been waiting for ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rishikesh-journals-j6834788.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_D1.TPByAogeBKLdemP2VZyR-5vs_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/D1.TPByAogeBKLdemP2VZyR-5vs_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_D1.TPByAogeBKLdemP2VZyR-5vs_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=D1.TPByAogeBKLdemP2VZyR-5vs_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frishikesh-journals-j6834788.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rishikesh-journals-j6834788.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-05-10:4492574 2007-05-10T09:57:24Z 2008-05-09T08:26:03Z Tony G http://realtravel.com/member-m2480513-tony_g.html <p><em>"a mouldy-fleshed human head floated by, bobbing up and down in the murky water"</em></p> <p>a entry by Tony G from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/varanasi-india-reviews-hotels-d6398.html">Varanasi, India.</a></p> <p>The conductor rudely awoke me at 5.00am. I think I was blocking the aisle. He also woke up Janette to make room for an unhappy-looking, fat Australian girl to sit in my seat. I stayed where I was until we reached Allahabad and then appeared from my heap to breakfast on chai and toast delivered to the train. How civilised! The Australian girl left the train, struggling with a three-storey backpack, and I reclaimed my seat as we chug-chugged our way through the countryside on a warm, sunny morning, the breeze (along with granules of coke from the steam engine) blowing into our faces ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/varanasi-journals-j4492574.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_UXXymw7uPNo.jwMHM3Z1ey6rKX8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/UXXymw7uPNo.jwMHM3Z1ey6rKX8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_UXXymw7uPNo.jwMHM3Z1ey6rKX8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=UXXymw7uPNo.jwMHM3Z1ey6rKX8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvaranasi-journals-j4492574.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/varanasi-journals-j4492574.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-14:6850514 2008-04-14T12:48:28Z 2008-05-04T08:09:41Z The Ryans http://realtravel.com/member-m2657925-the_ryans.html <p><em>"all of the dramatic facial expressions and the occasional scream"</em></p> <p>a entry by The Ryans from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/fort_kochi-india-reviews-hotels-d709693.html">Fort Kochi, India.</a></p> <p>We left the deserts of Rajasthan and flew to south India, a very different place. While landing we were struck by the large number of palm trees. It was noticeably more humid and even rained a little our first day there.</p><p>The biggest and most noticeable difference was the ubiquitousness of Jesus Christ. Kochi had been colonized by the Portuguese in the 1500's as a means of securing their place in the spice trade, and with them they brought their Christianity, which has become the main religion practised in Kerala second only to Hinduism. We arrived a day before the Good Friday/Easter ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/fort_kochi-journals-j6850514.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_jVr70DQc2l0t8mPmStWR0DcXjoo_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/jVr70DQc2l0t8mPmStWR0DcXjoo_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_jVr70DQc2l0t8mPmStWR0DcXjoo_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=jVr70DQc2l0t8mPmStWR0DcXjoo_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Ffort_kochi-journals-j6850514.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/fort_kochi-journals-j6850514.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-19:6869453 2008-04-19T13:07:06Z 2008-04-25T14:03:21Z Matt and Amber http://realtravel.com/member-m5265986-matt_and_amber.html <p>a entry by Matt and Amber from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/mumbai_bombay-india-reviews-hotels-d6373.html">Mumbai (Bombay), India.</a></p> <p>April 13-18, 2008 Mumbai, India</p><p>(Matt)</p><p>India is fantastic, and it can be completely infuriating at the same time. The people can be very warm and welcoming and can be extremely rude and make you want to rip your hair out. Things can go smoothly sometimes, but can just as easily go as badly as you can imagine it being able to go. India is certainly not for everyone....if you have problems with road rage in the U.S.A., you probably do not want to come here. But I think it is easily one of the best places that I have ever traveled.</p><p>First, the food is unreal. I think Indian food ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mumbai_bombay-journals-j6869453.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_AtmWn4JvI3KkQ3rVlOHVW8pnooI_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/AtmWn4JvI3KkQ3rVlOHVW8pnooI_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_AtmWn4JvI3KkQ3rVlOHVW8pnooI_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=AtmWn4JvI3KkQ3rVlOHVW8pnooI_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmumbai_bombay-journals-j6869453.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mumbai_bombay-journals-j6869453.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-19:6724917 2008-03-19T12:20:21Z 2008-04-14T12:39:28Z The Ryans http://realtravel.com/member-m2657925-the_ryans.html <p><em>"we could imagine the Rajput warriors with their colorful turbans and large moustaches riding atop their elephants"</em></p> <p>a entry by The Ryans from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bundi-rajasthan-reviews-hotels-d5144445.html">Bundi, Rajasthan.</a></p> <p>After three days in Bassi, we had a long bumpy drive to Bundi. They were fixing the highway and we saw women in beautiful, sometimes sequined, sarees, breaking rocks for the road with pickaxes and carrying huge loads of rocks on their heads. It was such a contrary image to us, like wearing an ballgown to the office, but just one of the regular scenes in Rajasthan. To break up the drive, we stopped by an ancient Hindu temple in Menal along the way, and checked out the 12th century carvings of Shiva and Parvati, as well as some interesting Kama Sutra-esque reliefs along the rim of the temple. ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bundi-journals-j6724917.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_pwPm9c3hIXTM6f4SEZjm3OsIk1E_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/pwPm9c3hIXTM6f4SEZjm3OsIk1E_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_pwPm9c3hIXTM6f4SEZjm3OsIk1E_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=pwPm9c3hIXTM6f4SEZjm3OsIk1E_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbundi-journals-j6724917.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bundi-journals-j6724917.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-19:6724885 2008-03-19T12:17:07Z 2008-04-14T12:32:51Z The Ryans http://realtravel.com/member-m2657925-the_ryans.html <p>a entry by The Ryans from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/udaipur-rajasthan-reviews-hotels-d991156.html">Udaipur, Rajasthan.</a></p> <p>We left Delhi earlier than expected, saying farewell to Maya, Jesus &amp; Vijay after nearly a month together. Aloke and Mithu saw us off to the airport as well. We decided to fly to Udaipur rather than take the overnight train just to make it easier.</p><p>Udaipur is often called the most romantic city in the state of Rajasthan. The city itself is not even 450 years old, established when Maharaja Singh II fled his fort in Chittorgarh after being attacked by the Mughals. It is quite young by India standards. It's a renaissance town, full of artisans, performers, and beautiful architecture. The ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/udaipur-journals-j6724885.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ZPZl2biGBndtlwO6QsLbXWKBnRc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ZPZl2biGBndtlwO6QsLbXWKBnRc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ZPZl2biGBndtlwO6QsLbXWKBnRc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ZPZl2biGBndtlwO6QsLbXWKBnRc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fudaipur-journals-j6724885.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/udaipur-journals-j6724885.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-17:6717428 2008-03-17T13:49:09Z 2008-04-10T14:27:55Z Jo Budd http://realtravel.com/member-m5638567-jo_budd.html <p><em>"Ladies in billowing saris are soaring high, clinging to each other and laughing gleefully as I point my camera at them."</em></p> <p>a entry by Jo Budd from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/chandigarh-chandigarh-reviews-hotels-d1098142.html">Chandigarh, Chandigarh.</a></p> <p>I made my way to Chandigarh on a bus playing bollywood movies at full volume – my first bollywood bus! This is how I had imagined all Indian bus journies to be! The conductor prowled up and down the aisle, constantly checking his hair in the mirror then looking at me and smirking. I had to put up with this for 6 hours! The capital of both Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh is like no other Indian city. It was purpose built to be the new capital following partition when refugees flooded into Punjab from Pakistan. The architect, Le Corbusier, envisaged a radically modern utopia where ‘arithmetic, ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/chandigarh-journals-j6717428.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_cppqmyTisxXH-ya8rO5ZAsy0tyc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/cppqmyTisxXH-ya8rO5ZAsy0tyc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_cppqmyTisxXH-ya8rO5ZAsy0tyc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=cppqmyTisxXH-ya8rO5ZAsy0tyc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fchandigarh-journals-j6717428.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/chandigarh-journals-j6717428.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-09:6829591 2008-04-09T12:34:06Z 2008-04-09T12:34:06Z KristiAndSishir http://realtravel.com/member-m6778928-kristiandsishir.html <p>a entry by KristiAndSishir from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/chennai-india-reviews-hotels-d24788.html">Chennai, India.</a></p> <p>Tuesday was a pretty laid back day. Sishir and I took an auto rickshaw to his favorite bookstore - Higginbotham's - where we killed an hour or two browsing the shelves. I found not one but two previously unread Anne of Green Gables volumes. Imagine my joy! Sishir got some exciting Indian business magazines - the better to stay on top of happenings in the homeland. We then headed down the street (on foot) to do some window shopping in the arts and crafts world. Nothing was purchased, but we got some good ideas.</p><p>After an afternoon nap (of course) we headed to Marina Beach. This is ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/chennai-journals-j6829591.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_qgXphrdoPKiVrBLsn1XTri-jhO4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/qgXphrdoPKiVrBLsn1XTri-jhO4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_qgXphrdoPKiVrBLsn1XTri-jhO4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=qgXphrdoPKiVrBLsn1XTri-jhO4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fchennai-journals-j6829591.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/chennai-journals-j6829591.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-08:6823848 2008-04-08T05:13:21Z 2008-04-08T05:13:21Z KristiAndSishir http://realtravel.com/member-m6778928-kristiandsishir.html <p>a entry by KristiAndSishir from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/chennai-india-reviews-hotels-d24788.html">Chennai, India.</a></p> <p>So on Monday, we went window shopping around Chennai's shopping district. First up, we visited Nalli - a very famous Sari shop. This place was packed to the gills with people purchasing cloth and saris. There were four floors, the fourth reserved for brides and containing the most elaborate saris, some of which cost up to 40,000 Rs (a lot of money, even in dollars!)</p><p>A little more about saris... A typical one is between 7 and 9 yards long and about 1.5 yards wide. That's a lot of fabric to wrap around a little Indian bride. They range from a solid color with a simple border, to ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/chennai-journals-j6823848.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Vj2KzD5HIe5-dxzDbiy89Xy9.PU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Vj2KzD5HIe5-dxzDbiy89Xy9.PU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Vj2KzD5HIe5-dxzDbiy89Xy9.PU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Vj2KzD5HIe5-dxzDbiy89Xy9.PU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fchennai-journals-j6823848.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/chennai-journals-j6823848.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-06:6814004 2008-04-06T10:12:08Z 2008-04-06T10:21:07Z Sam and Steph http://realtravel.com/member-m4806664-sam_and_steph.html <p>a entry by Sam and Steph from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/rishikesh-uttaranchal-reviews-hotels-d1024505.html">Rishikesh, Uttaranchal.</a></p> <p>On our second attempt to book a train to Rishikesh, we decided to take the 25 hour train ride from Varanasi. It was a very long journey, but actually ended up being quite comfortable. We met a handful of local college students either heading home or back to school, who were very eager to practice English and learn intimate details of an American couple - till midnight. We had open-air windows to (try) and keep us cool, and we slept in bunkbeds amongst the locals. This time we had top bunks, just watch your head on the fans! Quite an experience! We scouted out nice and peaceful ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rishikesh-journals-j6814004.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_q21mn8Fr9Q0VwCjVUDb9I-R-qDU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/q21mn8Fr9Q0VwCjVUDb9I-R-qDU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_q21mn8Fr9Q0VwCjVUDb9I-R-qDU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=q21mn8Fr9Q0VwCjVUDb9I-R-qDU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frishikesh-journals-j6814004.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rishikesh-journals-j6814004.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-04:6806237 2008-04-04T20:35:33Z 2008-04-04T20:35:33Z cessna152 http://realtravel.com/member-m1425779-cessna152.html <p>a entry by cessna152 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/new_delhi-india-reviews-hotels-d6313.html">New Delhi, India.</a></p> <p>In the Times of India, I spotted a disturbing article. It was about a gang of kidney harvesters who’d been arrested. And they hadn’t been collecting ingredients for chili-con-carne either. Another article was about a man convicted of murder on the hearsay of a dog! The poor bugger had spent four years in jail until a judge had finally overturned the madness. But perhaps the most shocking section of all was the photo of a dead woman. She had been found somewhere in Delhi and the authorities were appealing for identification. The accompanying photo was gruesome. It showed a young woman who ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/new_delhi-journals-j6806237.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_db74ttW9MPvdJgYl8qjwdu5t-WY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/db74ttW9MPvdJgYl8qjwdu5t-WY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_db74ttW9MPvdJgYl8qjwdu5t-WY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=db74ttW9MPvdJgYl8qjwdu5t-WY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnew_delhi-journals-j6806237.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/new_delhi-journals-j6806237.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-28:6773880 2008-03-28T14:44:08Z 2008-03-29T10:32:57Z Sam and Steph http://realtravel.com/member-m4806664-sam_and_steph.html <p>a entry by Sam and Steph from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/varanasi-india-reviews-hotels-d6398.html">Varanasi, India.</a></p> <p>One of the best things about India is the killer food; curries, rotis, parantha's, naan, dosa's, thali's, lassi's - it's all delicious, and we are finding we are always excited about searching out and waiting for our next meal. We have been pretty careful about what and where we eat, especially after seeing firsthand the cleanliness and condition of most Indian facilities. Having explained that, after 6 days in India it was inevitable that the infamous "Delhi Belly" would take its toll on the tummies - yuck! Varanasi is probably about as dirty of a city as you could imagine, so it was not a ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/varanasi-journals-j6773880.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_1l82s0JVh4SdjMWqyuUtmfPRvII_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/1l82s0JVh4SdjMWqyuUtmfPRvII_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_1l82s0JVh4SdjMWqyuUtmfPRvII_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=1l82s0JVh4SdjMWqyuUtmfPRvII_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvaranasi-journals-j6773880.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/varanasi-journals-j6773880.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-01-09:6334663 2008-01-09T15:16:04Z 2008-03-26T13:15:01Z Ian and Magda http://realtravel.com/member-m3221581-ian_and_magda.html <p><em>"The Con Was On"</em></p> <p>a entry by Ian and Magda from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/pushkar-india-reviews-hotels-d713868.html">Pushkar, India.</a></p> <p>Pushkar is a small town of about 10,000 people that swells to twenty times that size once a year. During its annual camel fair camel traders, nomads, gypsies, tourists, and other Indians of all sorts descend on the town for the festivities. Pushkar also happens to be one of the most holy places in Hindudom, the site of the only Brahma temple in India. Just after the fair is a religious celebration that brings even more people, making it almost impossible to move on the streets, much less get a room to stay in. We'd planned to meet Shai, and several other couchsurfers for a meet up in Pushkar, ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/pushkar-journals-j6334663.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_JWB-c.EqztNLe92f1gxiF.-AFqM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/JWB-c.EqztNLe92f1gxiF.-AFqM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_JWB-c.EqztNLe92f1gxiF.-AFqM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=JWB-c.EqztNLe92f1gxiF.-AFqM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpushkar-journals-j6334663.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/pushkar-journals-j6334663.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-26:6759636 2008-03-26T00:52:16Z 2008-03-26T00:52:16Z Trace & Simon http://realtravel.com/member-m5407794-trace__simon.html <p>a entry by Trace &amp; Simon from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/varanasi-india-reviews-hotels-d6398.html">Varanasi, India.</a></p> <p>Varanasi is a firm favourite on the tourist circuit and deservedly so. It is concentrated India, in all of its colour and chaos. Even in our weary ‘we’ve been in India for too long now’ state, Varanasi was unforgettable.</p><p>We had to keep trying to keep the mindset of fresh tourists still looking at India with wonder, because Varanasi really is a very very special place and we desperately didn’t want to miss out on the magic of it. In reality, with us being more than a little tired of the filth, beggars, touts and general madness of India, Varanasi was just one step too far and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/varanasi-journals-j6759636.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_J02-ams-kwjuWUg4IhlSVOq1.qk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/J02-ams-kwjuWUg4IhlSVOq1.qk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_J02-ams-kwjuWUg4IhlSVOq1.qk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=J02-ams-kwjuWUg4IhlSVOq1.qk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvaranasi-journals-j6759636.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/varanasi-journals-j6759636.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-26:6759506 2008-03-26T00:45:21Z 2008-03-26T00:45:53Z Trace & Simon http://realtravel.com/member-m5407794-trace__simon.html <p>a entry by Trace &amp; Simon from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/delhi_paharganj-new_delhi-reviews-hotels-d895123.html">Delhi Paharganj, New Delhi.</a></p> <p>Thanks to the airline timetable, the journey from Jaisalmer to Delhi, which is actually two hours flight time, ended up taking pretty much a full day. We had to go via Jodphur and whilst the flight from Jaisalmer to Jodphur only took an hour we then had a six hour wait at Jodphur airport for our connecting flight on to Delhi. Actually it ended up being a seven hours wait as the flight was delayed. Jodphur airport is about the size of a medium sized garden shed so to say we were happy when we finally left is an understatement.</p><p>As Delhi is the capital we were expecting hassle so we ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/delhi_paharganj-journals-j6759506.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ydZKSlTmFRcnCEcT2OaGVmZ1cH4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ydZKSlTmFRcnCEcT2OaGVmZ1cH4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ydZKSlTmFRcnCEcT2OaGVmZ1cH4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ydZKSlTmFRcnCEcT2OaGVmZ1cH4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fdelhi_paharganj-journals-j6759506.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/delhi_paharganj-journals-j6759506.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-24:6750668 2008-03-24T22:20:00Z 2008-03-26T00:33:30Z Trace & Simon http://realtravel.com/member-m5407794-trace__simon.html <p>a entry by Trace &amp; Simon from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/jaisalmer-india-reviews-hotels-d6333.html">Jaisalmer, India.</a></p> <p>We reached the desert city of Jaisalmer after a 6 hour train trip through the desert. One of our more unusual train trips - we shared a compartment with 2 Chinese girls, 1 Austrian psychologist and 2 Sikhs from Amritsar. At least it helped to pass the time. The train trip seemed incredibly beautiful and romantic on paper, but after the 1st hour of desert, while beautiful it got a little repetitive with the only excitement being the odd camel or goat standing beside the train tracks.</p><p>Jaisalmer turned out to be worth every hour in that train compartment.</p><p>Just 100km across the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/jaisalmer-journals-j6750668.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_K-zecAYgeahO9irXuxKWvBD.nlw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/K-zecAYgeahO9irXuxKWvBD.nlw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_K-zecAYgeahO9irXuxKWvBD.nlw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=K-zecAYgeahO9irXuxKWvBD.nlw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fjaisalmer-journals-j6750668.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/jaisalmer-journals-j6750668.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-18:6720559 2008-03-18T12:17:46Z 2008-03-25T11:04:57Z RollingStone http://realtravel.com/member-m6042580-rollingstone.html <p>a entry by RollingStone from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/mcleod_ganj_upper_dharamsala-india-reviews-hotels-d718965.html">McLeod Ganj (Upper Dharamsala), India.</a></p> <p>My bus trip to McLeod Ganj in Northern India was bloody harrowing. I have been on some hairy trips but it was by far the worst. The bus driver (a graduate from the Evil Kineval school of driving), spent most of the trip swerving around mountainous, hairpin turns without braking. I gulped so much air, out of sheer fright that I needed to be burped when I got to McLeod Ganj.</p><p>McLeod Ganj (McLo for short) is the Dalai Lama's home in exile.The town is full of Tibetan refugees, that have escaped the oppressive Chinese regime that now exists in their homeland. It's an interesting time to be ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mcleod_ganj_upper_dharamsala-journals-j6720559.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_EMcN9Cv0kX6AFDXa9RAsO6.EShw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/EMcN9Cv0kX6AFDXa9RAsO6.EShw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_EMcN9Cv0kX6AFDXa9RAsO6.EShw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=EMcN9Cv0kX6AFDXa9RAsO6.EShw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmcleod_ganj_upper_dharamsala-journals-j6720559.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mcleod_ganj_upper_dharamsala-journals-j6720559.html