Travel Agent Runaway Bay

What a diverse country and one that is best explored either longer term or over several visits to different regions. I have spent around five months travelling north to south, east to west, so have a good idea of what it has to offer.

It has something for all tastes from the hippy shores of Goa, to the spiritual ghats of Varanasi on the holy Ganges River; from the poverty sprawl of Albanian born Mother Theresa’s hometown of Calcutta to the majestic architecture of the Taj Mahal in Agra; from the camel treks in the expansive deserts of Rajasthan to the old colonial style luxury houseboats in Srinagar, Kashmir; from the protected sacred cows freely wandering the streets to the tigers, Indian elephants and plenty more wildlife in virtually unknown National Parks; from the street barbers and dentists to the crowded public trains, there is such a range of sensations that I have described India as my number one favourite country as a whole.

This will be just the first of several journals I will do on India – this one a general overview. Some localised adventures will follow.

Some people don’t travel to India as they see and read stories about the poverty; city blocks full of families living in boxes on the street and beggars everywhere. You do see this in places and the street children are particularly heart wrenching. You also see fantastic wealth including remnants of colonial days but if you treat all with respect, as the essence that makes up India, then it becomes part of the cultural experience, not a nightmare never to be repeated. You have to be able to laugh with the Indians and as I did on many occasions, do things to let them laugh at you.

Whatever your interests, India will have something for you.

You can’t beat Goa for beaches that stretch further than the eye can see.

If it’s the desert sands that capture your heart then a camel trek in Rajasthan is fun - even the simple dahl and “dung” damper dinners are very tasty.

Perhaps other natural areas like the backwaters of Kerala in the south or the mountains in the north have more appeal.

Man made architecturally amazing buildings are everywhere from the famous Taj Mahal in Agra or the palatial Wind Palace in Jaipur to the lesser known [although World Heritage listed] monuments at Ellora caves east of Bombay representing rock cut architecture.

Spirituality can be found in many places including Varanasi on the banks of the powerful Ganges which is the ultimate pilgrimage city for Hindus. Also the Dali Lama, the most influential spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism lives in exile in Dharamsala. I was fortunate to have the Dalai Lama walk within a metre of me and the aura surrounding him was such that you could almost see it.

How about the trains that have almost as many people hanging off the sides or riding on the top than squeezed inside! Every station noisy from the chai sellers.

I hold a fascination [slightly morbid at times] at all things that are different. India doesn’t disappoint with its normal street businesses and activities providing constant appeal. You can enjoy the same sights whether you are on an overland tour, travelling independently or on a 5 star holiday. The type of accommodation and transport you prefer will be the main deciding factor for choosing one style over another.

Check out my photos of some of the many street activities you will encounter on a trip to India.

Some of the names of the cities have been changed in recent times but life remains the same.

Incredible India. Love it.