Help - India in three weeks

[Teaslegirl]

I have unexpectedly been offered a trip to India, it is 37 degrees out there at the moment and the humidity is high but I feel it's too good to miss :o
All advice needed, but a couple of questions to get you going- clothes do I need to be covered or is it ok to go in shorts and t- shirt, will i need a mossie net in the hotel? I am going to the south east coast.

It depends where you are going, the big city's would be used to tourists wearing T- shirts and shorts but I wouldn't wear anything above the top of the knee. I took a pashmena everywhere with me incase I needed extra cover, and I remember some religious places having additional sac dress type things if they were strict.

It really is the most incredible place you will ever go to!

It's maybe 14 years since I was there. I loved it. We were roughing it a little bit, and I think you would not regret bringing wet wipes for (ahem) toiletting and handwashing purposes.

I would very much go for modest dress, to be honest the hot sun on legs and arms will be more uncomfortable than being covered by something airy and light, and in my experience shorts and Tshirt would attract the wrong type of attention.

Malaria tablets? Jabs?

I went to Kerela last November and wore shorts and t shirts (but we where cycling) - but not strapy tops proper t shirts and very long baggy lose shirts from h&m which are now 2-4-1. Wore linen trousers in the evenings

I had injections though only top ups from previous jabs that I hadn't had.

I took plenty of hand gel to clean hands as was advised to and this helped avoid dickie tummy - just had a couple of afternoons of dickie tummy as did most in the group and that was that. Took immodium which sorted it out.

Some in the group had antibiotics which could be useful

get some deethere - the strongest you can find and use it often in the evenings. I got sweat band type things to pour the deet onto and then wear on wrists and ankles - it worked well at night and I really didn't get bitten very much 6 bite probably in total over 17 days

I always wore a light material trousers/l/s shirts/ long skirts when out and about in the towns and cities, but on the beaches, the usual beach stuff.

I would throw on a cover up to go from beach to cafe/bar.

I went 7 years ago with another girl- we were 27- and we got a fair amount of male attention anyway. I also wore a hat/headscarf, tucked my long hair up.

I think if you wear shorts/vest etc in non beachy areas you will stick out like a real sore thumb and a total tourist, and IMO I think it shows a lack of respect.

I went to Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, Kerela.

It is STUNNING and if you are open to it, can fill you with total joy. India, really changed my perspective on life, and I LOVED it. Was there for 3m.

Eat what other people are eating, eat hot fresh food, stay away from salad! Street stalls where you can see what is going on is not only safe, but delicious and cheap.

Change money at the airport, do not accept any ones help in finding you a place to change money. Give sweets, food, milk, cans of drink to beggar children- not money, they don't get to keep it.

Agree prices with cabbies BEFORE you get in the cab.

take citronella candles with you, take spray too.

If you're on a beach in a touristy area (e.g Goa or similar) shorts and T shirt is fine. If you're in rural or urban areas, you need more coverage or you are going to get a lot of hassle, and many people will find it offensive.
Cropped trousers / three quarter length trousers are fine, or knee length skirt (as long as it's with a top with good coverage). The best clothes to cope with the heat and humidity though are thin lightweight airy cottons, not clingy clothes, such as lightweight cargo trousers or linen trousers, loose cotton shirt or blouse etc. You need to think comfort plus practicality plus a degree of modesty.
A hat is a must to protect from the sun.

Also check out the Indiamike website - it is a mine of information relating to travelling in India.

Am up to date with all jabs needed , will keep shorts for the beach, brought deet yesterday , was taking pencils and notepads for children,am there for two weeks and I am vey excited as have always wanted to go, thanks for the advice - keep it coming :)

The pavements and roads are not good, think pot holes and badly cracked pavements so walking in flip flops or similar can be a problem - so trainers or similar are ideal for walking around

Toiletries are not cheap over there and I left all mine behind for the room maids, it lightened my luggage and its cheap back here to replace - whereas for them its a lovely luxury.

I was advised to tell my bank I was going to India so my debt card would work, the girl at customer service told me there would be any hole in the walls in Indai - there are and they are in English

Trip Advisor have forums for the different parts of India, so have a look at the one that applies to you.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g293860-i511-India.html

Make sure you apply for a visa before you go. We had a friend who booked and paid for a flight to see some cricket. He arrived and was sent back on the next flight. He mistakenly thought it was visa on arrival.
Ours took two days, but that was me actually visiting the embassy and going back the next day to collect our passports.
Fabulous country and wonderful people. Enjoy.

Whereabouts are you going? It is a BIG country! We went to Kerala last year with DC, and DH and I have travelled in Northern India. Any help?

I took one of those T-shirt style maxidresses to wear in Mumbai, it was cool but still coverd my shoulders. TBH an Indian colleague of mine told me not to stress too much over clothing etc as "you will get stared at anyway!". She was right too, staring seems to be acceptable over there, even woman and children will stare at you! In Goa, I felt comfy in my bikini. As someone said upthread, the sun is blazing (it's summer there now) so keep your shoulders covered as much as you can. Floaty is definitely the way to go! It is amazing though, I came back a month ago and wish I was still there, it is absolutely fascinating.

I second the reminder about the Visa- I went to Birmingham to get mine in person, it took all day, the office was pandemonium (a bit of preparation for India really) and, at the end of the day, some people still hadn't got their Visas and had to stay over.
Don't take many clothes, buy them or have them made over there. I wore salwar kamiz - the baggy top/trouser combo which was perfect for the climate. It is a 'lower class' form of clothing in Indian eyes though so I got a few funny looks. Having them made is v. cheap and quick.
India is wonderful - if you can go to Hampi,which is amazing

Another thing I'd say, forget the pens and pencils. When me and DH went, we dutifully took the stationary. The children were more interested in sweets and money.

Thank you all so much - I'm off to get my visa tomorrow, have got mossie sprays but like the idea of the sweat band things, I'm a shorts and strappy tops or sundresses sort of dresser so am off to look for something that covers a little more of me tomorrow! I am so excited, I've had a lousy year and this has come out of the blue- grinning from ear to ear :D

Agree with all comments on clothing. It will be hot in the south - have soent lots of time in India and we have found a water spray useful for a quick cooldown!
Wet wipes and handgel v important - can avoid a lot of probs when after washing hands involves touching none too savoury door handles etc!
Camera and UV filter if possible
SCan all important docs - passport, insurance etc and email to self so they are always available
Take more than one kind of credit card if poss
Better than doling out gifts - try to visit a project - orphanage, school or similar with your gifts They'll be appreciated and well used
Alarm clock - early starts during hot weather are common!
Agree about eating from street stalls - very fresh, fast turnover delicious and contrary to popular belief low risk kind of food
Keep socks in bag for temple visits - those marble floors can e scortching hot at this time of year
Where in South East - I'm assuming Chennai and south of there Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry?