I'm going to India and need your advice

ioscorpio

Tojo Ralph
I did not say that we only took malaria tablets for 2 weeks, I said that we took the course to cover a 2 week holiday. we started taking the tablets on the day of arrival and carried on taking them for several weeks after we got back as is normal. We did not catch malaria and we did not suffer any side effects, unlike a few people who had started taking them a week before leaving the UK.

johnnycab

I was in Mumbai a couple of months ago, and found the city to be quite modern and westernised. If you follow some of the simple rules mentioned by everyone in this thread, you will have no problems.

Here are a few of mine...

1. Always drink bottled water - check the seal, on the bottle to see if it has not been tampered with. Never buy them from street hawkers - get them from shops etc. which should be quite reasonable Rs.13-15 approx./1.5L

2. When getting into cabs, always check the meter to see if it is operating. It should start at Rs.1 (which equates to Rs.13 approx.) If in doubt, ask to see the rate card - which will show you the corresponding value. Also remember there are 2 versions i.e. day & night rates respectively.

3. If you must eat on the street, eat deep fried or well cooked stuff and you will be ok. Never eat stuff that is uncooked and has been already cut/displayed i.e. salads,fruits etc.

4. Get yourself a pre-paid SIM card - if you are carrying a mobile, it will be a lot cheaper than roaming! Also remember to turn on the 'Cell Info' on your mobile - it will display the name of the area you are in, under the network you are logged on to. It is very handy, if you are lost or navigating the city on your own.

5. Do go to some of the co-operative stores located in and around the city - they are quite cheap for shopping, and you might find some useful stuff to hawk on fleabay.

6. Do check out the marketplace in Colaba, and the surrounding area - which has a lot of clothes, jewellery,fake designer, antiques goods etc. It is near the Gateway of India, and behind Hotel Taj Mahal. Also go into the lobby of the aforementioned hotel (if you are not staying there) and feel like a maharaja!

7. Always haggle, and if you like something - never buy from the first stall, you will always find something cheaper further down the line. If not, you can always go back!

8. Check the banknotes very carefully for any sign of wear and tear (especially the larger denominations) if they are torn or have pieces missing - REFUSE to accept them. Always keep some loose change and smaller banknotes in your pocket i.e. paying for a Rs.20 journey with a Rs.500 note will acquaint you with some very fruity language!

9. As an alternative, you can also consider to bring back bed linen, steel pots and pans, spices, shoes, spectacles(take your prescription), medicene, books etc. But, do not get carried away - not everything is cheap!

10. Enjoy. It is a city which is evolving, and has the right infrastructure in place, and just about everyone speaks or understands English.

ethelhead

You might find http://www.indiamike.com worth a visit before you go

meheraltaf

Cab starting from Rs 1.? I am not so sure on that one-you would need to pay at least Rs 20 to start with, the best is to take pre paid taxis. If you find time to travel, there are some fantastic train journeys, I think it is the Konakan trains where you travel through the west coast all through your journey down to the south, on one side is the coast, the other side the green little coastal villages.

Even if it is a little expensive try shopping only from the shopping centres where the price is fixed and no roon for bargain, also even if it is expensive eat only from good restaurants and stay in safer and good hotels, still it would be far cheaper than traveling anywhere in the Europe, you get a good hotel for about £20 per night. Not so MSE advise I know, but I would prioritise safety and care for health as well as enjoy travel as opposed to saving at the point of risking health and peace of mind.

have a safe and enjoyble holiday.

MUHAMID

meheraltaf wrote:

Cab starting from Rs 1.? I am not so sure on that one-you would need to pay at least Rs 20 to start with, the best is to take pre paid taxis. If you find time to travel, there are some fantastic train journeys, I think it is the Konakan trains where you travel through the west coast all through your journey down to the south, on one side is the coast, the other side the green little coastal villages.

Even if it is a little expensive try shopping only from the shopping centres where the price is fixed and no roon for bargain, also even if it is expensive eat only from good restaurants and stay in safer and good hotels, still it would be far cheaper than traveling anywhere in the Europe, you get a good hotel for about £20 per night. Not so MSE advise I know, but I would prioritise safety and care for health as well as enjoy travel as opposed to saving at the point of risking health and peace of mind.

have a safe and enjoyble holiday.

cabs starts from Rs.8.

jelexy

Thank you


I'm now better equipped with vital information

pia

MUHAMID wrote: »

as i'm a student from india in the UK.its interesting for me to tell you about my country.
1.As others said you should go to your GP.you must take vaccination for malaria and typhoid.
2.If you go in 'HOTEL SHAHIL'(3 star)which is in central bombay.and will cost you £20 a day/with food.
3.Its easy for you to exchange money but don't go to any unauthorised person.go to thomas cook or ask to hotel reception.they must have contacts.
but before exchanging money find out the rates from news papers.otherwise there's 100% chance of cheating.
4.Bring 2 cartons of any fags(=400fags@ £6 each carton),mobile momory cards(half price than here),antique items from shops(you can make more then double profit),men's linen tops(£1 each)also all designer items are also very cheap.from india if you need any help just open this site and PM me i'll let you know whatever you want to.
(ya..and dont forget now its not bombay but MUMBAI.as they've changed the name.)

Hiya,

I m planning to take my kids to Mumbai in july for vaccations, but would love to grab a chance on selling the products from there to here, can u pls let me know on what to buy which could be sold in UK and how do you sell it, it would save me few quids,m on a tight budget at the moment.

Thanks in advance,

Pia