Category: Travel India

My personal tips on how to travel/ live in India. Read these articles and find out what awaits you in this 1.2 Billion people country.

Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai

Global Pagoda is listed in Lonely Planet as number one attraction in Mumbai. Indeed, it’s a fabulous building for it’s unique architecture- It is the words biggest hall made entirely by locked bricks technique- There are no walls or pillars inside the Pagoda, just massive open space that can easily fit 8 000 people inside. Global … Continue reading Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai

Buying Medicine in India – Indian Pharmacy

There in no shortage of pharmacies in India. Be aware that many are Ayurvedic pharmacies and don’t sell real medicine. Pharmacy can be a closed space with white walls and neon banner advertising some cosmetic product but more often it will look like this- unattractive open space with a sign:   The pharmacist might not … Continue reading Buying Medicine in India – Indian Pharmacy

What kind of bathroom to expect in India?

You’ll encounter two types of toilets in India- locals call them Indian toilet – you don’t sit on it, instead you squat English toilet – you sit on it, europe-like toilet Most hotels and guesthouses will have English toilet. Most of low cost accommodation will not provide toilet paper with it. Find out more about … Continue reading What kind of bathroom to expect in India?

Hygiene shocks to expect in India

Here are some unexpected hygiene issues I encountered in India: Dirty beddings – Low and middle budget hotels will not change sheets for new guests, they change sheets once a month or so. If you prefer not to sleep in same sheets as a previous few guest ask hosts to put clean sheets Even clean sheets are not … Continue reading Hygiene shocks to expect in India

How to get free from people constantly offering something on the street

It is indescribable how tired one can get from constant nagging. Unfortunately, tourist places in India (Rishikesh, Varanasi, Agra…) are a non-stop sources of that. If you’re a tourist, especially white-skinned one, you will be offered rickshaw, Taxi, Shopping, Food, MoneyChange, Hashish, Guide and many other things. You will be asked for a few rupee … Continue reading How to get free from people constantly offering something on the street

Arriving to Delhi, India safe – Warnings for first time visitors

This is my experience so please use it as a warning. I came to Delhi in the middle of the night by plane. I had a hotel pre booked so I felt safe. You have 2 options, to use regular taxi or a pre-paid taxi service. I was advised to use the prepaid taxi and … Continue reading Arriving to Delhi, India safe – Warnings for first time visitors

All you need to know about Bodhgaya, India

Bodhgaya is for buddhists what Mecca is for muslims. It is the place Gotama Buddha chose for his biggest life project – self awakening. He set under the Bodhi Tree for 40 days. That exact spot is clearly marked by the tree and the stupa (the tree is a close relative from the original Bodhi tree). Arriving to … Continue reading All you need to know about Bodhgaya, India

How to prevent and cure Diarrhea in India

Some statistics say that 80% of tourists get some kind of stomach issues in India. I don’t know if it’s true but I’m the one of those “lucky ones” who got a worse case of Diarrhoea in India. Diarrhoea prevention tips Never drink unfiltered water. Use only bottled water and make sure it was properly closed … Continue reading How to prevent and cure Diarrhea in India

Is Indian Food spicy?

Yes and no- indian food can be spicy but they use green chilli, not the red one. Green chilli is spicy but, unlike red chilli, it is good for the stomach. You won’t get diarrhea from green chilli. Which doesn’t mean you’ll avoid diarrhea in India. Almost 80% of travelers do experience problems but mostly … Continue reading Is Indian Food spicy?

What to do in Rishikesh?

There are 3 things people come to Rishikesh for- Hiking/ Trekking Yoga Hindu Spirituality If you like trekking you’ll love rishikesh. It is situated just on the gateway to Himalaya. 5 000 meter Tops are nearby. Also, Rishikesh is world yoga center with more than 100 Yoga places and ashrams. Almost everyone does yoga in … Continue reading What to do in Rishikesh?

How much and how to tip in India?

Taxi/ Rickshaw If you arrange the price in advance than you’re not expected to tip. If your taxi is going by the meter it is customary to tip around 5% of the amount. In Mumbai, one driver, after taking me to destination, showed me the note saying that service charge is 5%. Sometimes, taxi driver … Continue reading How much and how to tip in India?

Where to exchange money when traveling India?

Airports offer the worst exchange rate so if you arrive by plane and need some Indian Rupees for taxi you should exchange small amount of money (50 EUR or USD is minimum), and later exchange the rest. Most of the hotels will provide reasonable exchange rates for buying Indian Rupees. If you really want to get … Continue reading Where to exchange money when traveling India?