Gentlemen

l'm taking the Ratwife to India for ten days next month, with most of it being spent in the Bandhavgarh Nature Reserve looking for Strippy Pusscats and anything else that may be interesting (Dohl Dogs, Gaur Nilgai etc).
We'll be arriving in Delhi and spending a day and a half there before transfer to the park.
Has anyone got any recommendations as to street food, markets and customs we may need to be aware of if we go walkabout..... l'd love to go for miles around the back street but she's more reserved and careful.

quote:

Originally posted by Ratwhiskers:
Gentlemen

l'm taking the Ratwife to India for ten days next month, with most of it being spent in the Bandhavgarh Nature Reserve looking for Strippy Pusscats and anything else that may be interesting (Dohl Dogs, Gaur Nilgai etc).
We'll be arriving in Delhi and spending a day and a half there before transfer to the park.
Has anyone got any recommendations as to street food, markets and customs we may need to be aware of if we go walkabout..... l'd love to go for miles around the back street but she's more reserved and careful.

Don’t eat street food in india on a short trip. Drink bottled water or soft drinks.

If you want to eat outside a 5 star hotel I recommend eating tandoori/grilled chicken or meat and skip condiments ect. Just hot meat and nan/bread.

Get a guide and go to old Delhi for markets ect.

Delhi is a cool city. I would not say that in public and i grew up in Bombay and we look down on Delhi.

It is a old city and there is 1000 year history with it.

Delhi is also used to international tourist so there will be tourist traps. If you want to buy gifts shopping ect go to Fab Indian - higher end chain for local products. Worth it.

There is plenty of Moghul and colonial buildings and monuments to see.

I need to go spend a week or two checking it out when friends who grew up in Delhi are in town.

It is relatively safe but I would not carry excessive cash and keep an eye on bags ect.

It is India so everyone will speak English and most signs will be in English. People also tend to be helpful and friendly. Find some local college kids or young professionals and they will be very helpful.

Mike

Thank you very much Mike, you've filled in some very interesting holes in what little l know from other searches.
l was born in South Yorkshire so the tops of my pockets are all but sown shut and l lock doors as soon as l step through them, so security shouldn't be too much trouble. l'm looking forward to a trip through the markets.
l'm not expecting bother when in the country, as we'll be spending most of the day in the park.
Thanks again.

Approach people and ask questions/help/assistance. You will be treated well.

Don’t trust random people offering help or wanting to be your buddy.

Initiate a conversation - everyone speaks English.

Get a local India phone and data plan ar the airport, it is stupid cheap - $10 for 28 days. You will have internet on your smart phone everywhere.

The national parks will be fine - they are massively controlled. Outside parks will be a people jungle. India takes some getting used to people either like it or they don’t. Very few fence sitters in liking or disliking India.

You can probably get as good Indian food in uk - I would just be cautious not to get the Delhi belly.

Make sure you take good optics - bino and cameras. You most likely won’t be allowed out of the Jeep.

Oct will still be hot so stay hydrated. I found offshore fishing gear perfect for baking in the back of a Jeep waiting for a tiger to show up at the water hole.

Old Delhi should be fun. If you are doing serious shopping go to fab India. Otherwise bargain away at the tourist places.

Mike

You mentioned Agra in your title; assume you are visiting the Taj; if so, be sure to visit the Red Fort; I thought that was more impressive than the Taj.

Hello again Mike.

l've always preferred to ask rather than be pestered, l suppose it's the farm boy in me.
l'll be taking my Swaro 10x42's and a good (for me at least) camera with lots of memory cards.
l like the idea of picking up a burner phone, as the one l run on round here can be next to useless most of the time and was thinking of going without for the trip.
l've told the Ratwife there may be a chance to leave the jeep when a Tiger gets close enough...... Well it's cheaper then divorce and l'd be out in less time
Ah, the dreaded Bombay Bum... lt would seem that l can eat stuff that would make a goat puke, but the Ratwife's constitution is far more delicate so street food may be completely out unless l feel like a daring snack.

AZWriter
We're going to visit both, though l must admit to wishing to see the Fort most of all.