Since Siddhartha's Journey to The East, seekers of truth have travelled India.
In the 1960's hippies called India home
hanging out in tropical paradise. Today the hippy hangouts have
become fashionable and affordable holiday resorts with services and
amenities to rival any in the English speaking world. For the modern visitor,
India may be a place of learning, or a fantastic and affordable holiday
destination.
India
has a rich history, it has been invaded by
successive armies including the Mongols to Alexander the Great, and India
has survived them all. Kings and Maharaja's have ruled, the
British left their language, beaurocracy and railways yet a unique and
distinctly Indian civilization remains strong today.
The sub continent of India is spread over 3.28 million square
kilometres and the landscape moves from towering Himalayan mountains in
the north, to desert regions of Rajasthan and the tropical beauty of
Kerala in the south.
With a population of around 1.04 billion, you will find the complete
spectrum of humanity from the wealthy aristocracy, rising middle class
and beggars in the streets. But rich or poor, the Indian people have a
ready smile and friendly nature.
India is well connected with
all parts of the world by air and sea and there is no best time to go
although in the northern hemisphere summer, it can be very hot, in the
monsoon season, very wet and humid and a winter in the north may include
snow.
The trekking season in
Himalayas starts around April and ends in November and the ski season run roughly between January and March.
Those willing to embrace local culture can live very inexpensively.
In the 1980's, US$2000.00 would be sufficient for all living and travel
expenses for a year. Converted today US$1000.00 gives R45,309.71 which
is more than a years salary for many Indian workers.
India
is a great place to shop as crafts people produce a wide range of
beautiful works including hand made carpets and jewellery.
Indian cooking is colourful, aromatic
and the third most popular cuisine in the world. Though for those
staying longer what is commonly known as "Delhi Belly" or
diarrhoea is
common. The simplest natural remedy is to only eat a vegetarian diet,
and when affected, drink only boiled water, boiled rice and fresh
yogurt.
As a general rule, never
drink tap water without first treating it, do not eat meat except from select restaurants, never
eat uncooked vegetables, and only eat fruit that you peel yourself.
Carry a good first aide kit and a water
sterilizer.
Other attractions are great
rail journeys, camel riding, mountaineering, visiting Ashrams and Holy
places, Icons like the Taj Mahal, the old city of New Delhi and the
beach resorts of Goa.
Health
With mass poverty, there are many diseases and a majority of travellers
experience 'Delhi Belly' or stomach upset and diarrhea. This is
minimised by eating only a vegetarian diet and never drinking untreated
water.
Allopathic medicine is overtaking the traditional Ayurvedic medicine,
however Avurveda is widely practiced and there are many traditional
nature care centres in India based on the Vedic approach to health.
India
is a great place to shop as crafts people produce a wide range of
beautiful works including hand made carpets and jewellery.
