Jaya

I have done both Spirit of India and Kerala, two holidays with a totally different feel, one showing the busy, hectic side of Indian life with all the noise and pollution that goes with it, the other showing a more relaxed and slow pace way of life. 

There's nothing I didn't like about India, from the Taj Mahal and everything in between, to the fishermen hauling in their nets on the beach in Kovalam and the brave one's who swam out in rough seas to make sure the nets came in without problems, with very little to show for their efforts.  But for me the highlight has to be the Diwali celebrations which fell when we were in Varanasi, what better place to be, the whole atmosphere was electrifying, I had no idea when I booked the holiday that it would be Diwali so it came as a big surprise.

I would like to see more holidays to India Julia, but not over ground that is already covered.  Somewhere including one of the Indian Hill Railways would be good, but then I would have to take my 6 year old grandson who has been watching the DVD over and over since he was 3, he's train crazy.

Avocet

I have done both the Spirit of India (my favourite, along with Burma, Number One JY tour) and Kerala. For me I loved the tigers in Ranthambhore (was very lucky to see them on all 3 game drives), the Taj Mahal (the most beautiful building in the world, especially at sunrise), but for me the dawn boat trip on the Ganges in Varanasi was the outstanding highlight. Varanasi (Banaras) is the most holiest of all places in India and to quote Christopher Roche "Banaras is a photographer's dream, with the great human drama and life and death played out daily along the ghats". As a keen photographer, I took approximately 500 photographs that morning alone! Varanasi was all I hoped India would be.

Cheers,

Hils

However whilst my father had little to say about his time there my mother was vociferous on the subject but was extremely negative and all you heard about the country were the poverty, smells and dirt!

On becoming an orphan, and with a little legacy to spend, it seemed appropriate to go there myself and form my own opinions. I love the country.

My first trip was with TS to India & Nepal taking in the Pushkar camel fair.

India is an assault on the senses with the colours, noise, smells etc and whilst on the one hand it seems to be total chaos then, on the other hand, everything, somehow, seems to work!

I have since been back, most recently to Kerala, where there is a totally different pace of life.

I am more of a people person & enjoy interaction with the locals but enduring memories include, what could be thought of as clichés, but which need to be experienced dusk at Pushkar, dawn at the Taj etc.

But for people interaction, and Indian humour, the following always comes to mind. With TS, then on checking into our hotel in Jaipur, we learned that there was an international cricket (the national obsession) match taking place in the city next day and both teams were staying at our hotel. I had checked into my room when the room boy turned up and the following exchange took place.

Me: You must be very excited with the cricket teams staying here.

Him: Oh yes sir it is very exciting but the hotel has a big problem!

Me: (Innocently) Why?

Him: The Indian team are all checked in sir but we cannot check in the Pakistan team yet as the builders have not turned up to build the partition!

I am sure someone put him up to it but it earned him a good tip!

I am thoroughly enjoying the Joanna Lumley series and was particularly taken by the Ellora Caves that she visited this week. Shimla is still on the to go to list as well as Amritsar but trips here usually include the golden triangle and as magnificent as the Taj is I’m not sure I want to visit it every trip! Perhaps an off the beaten track tour for those who have been before but want to see something new!

Ian

I have done both Spirit of India and Kerala tours. Loved seeing the Taj Mahal, tigers in Rathambore, sailing on the Ganges and seeing the temples at Khajuraho on the first trip. Trip on the houseboat was the highlight of the Kerala trip. Was disappointed not to see the Gateway to India and the Taj Hotel in Mumbai due to traffic jams and poor weather and would like to return to the city. I too would like to visit Shilma and the Golden Temple at Amritsar.

Lesley

Jan