Pleasure of Nature

Tour Tips to INDIA

2010-07-29T01:00:00.000+05:30

The Country and Population: India has a total area of 3,287,263 square kilometers. The country is so large that there is a severe variation in the topography and ethnic identity of the people living in different regions of North, South, Central, West and Eastern India . Every visit to the country offers a new experience of the socio-cultural spectrum. The population of the country is approx. 1100 million, second only to China .

Climate: The Indian winter is from mid-November to early March - with temperatures in the Northern plains ranging between 5°C to 22°C and in the South, between 22°C and 30°C. Summers in the North are hot with temperatures in May and June soaring to 45°C. South India is more balmy with temperatures between 28°C to 37°C. The rainy season in the West, Central and North India starts from the last week of June and ends end August. The rains bring down the temperature and end the dry weather.

Religion: India is a positive example of secularism. The major religion is Hinduism, followed by Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism and Zoroastrians (one of the oldest religions on earth). Hindus form approx. 80% of the population, Islam - 12% and the balance 8% amongst the others.

Passport: A valid passport is required for arrival into the India . To avoid any difficulties upon arrival, check your passport before leaving. You need at least one empty page for your passport to be stamped. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months upon arrival. Keep your passport number (and a copy of your passport) in a separate place while traveling.

Visa: A valid visa is required for all the visitors visiting India .

Granting of Visa does not confer the right of entry to India and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Authorities. Visitors to restricted/protected areas need special permits and for this purpose an additional form has to be completed. Please contact the High Commission of India in your country, if you wish to ascertain whether any of the places you intend to visit fall in the category of restricted / protected areas.

General Requirements for Visa

1. Original passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of intended departure from India .
2. Correct visa fee
3. Two passport size photographs

4. Supporting documents, where necessary
5. Duly completed application form

Packing List: Overall, the less luggage you bring the easier it will be to get around, the more you will enjoy your trip. A good goal is to fit everything into a single piece of checked luggage and a carry-on daypack. The large pack must lock, although you will carry your most valuable items in your daypack. It will be your main repository for personal gear while traveling. Also bring an extra (lockable) duffel to carry new purchases home. It is important to lock up items when checked on the plane. Previous trip members have had items stolen from luggage in airports when it was left unlocked. Domestic Indian flights have different weight limit ranging from 15 to 30 kg. of checked-in baggage per person free of cost. Excess baggage can be carried at an extra cost.

Clothes: Besides normal clothing, we also recommend the following for the trip to India -

    * Shorts
    * Short sleeve cotton shirts
    * Pile jacket or sweater (the evenings can be cool)
    * Light hat with wide brim for sun
    * Comfortable shoes
    * Swimsuit
    * Sport sandals
    * Baggage tags, one per bag
    * First aid kit
    * Toiletries
    * Insect repellent
    * Sunglasses
    * Sun-blocking lotion / lip balm
    * Small flashlight
    * Spare eyeglasses / contacts
    * Neck pouch or money belt for passport / cash
    * Cameras and films. Plenty of good quality films are also available at reasonable prices at most of the places in India .

Most travelers in India wear short pants and loose tops during the day. There are no cultural restrictions on clothing, though it is recommended to avoid wearing revealing clothes, while sightseeing, shopping etc.

Personal First Aid Kit:

    * Aspirin / Tylenol
    * Water disinfectant
    * Prescription medicine
    * Pepto Bismol
    * ?Anti - Diarrhea drug
    * Vitamins
    * Ace bandage
    * Band-Aids
    * ?Alka-Seltzer
    * Antiseptic
    * Antibacterial cream
    * Safety pins
    * Anti-fungal & anti-itch agents
    * Scissors

However, most of the above items are easily available at drugstores all over India , and can therefore be bought on arrival.

Accommodation: In the major metro cities of India clean secure accommodation ranging from 2 - 5 star deluxe rating is available. In the smaller towns clean 2-3 star hotels are also available. All hotels with a 4 star and higher rating offer room service, central air-conditioning, coffee shops and restaurants. The smaller hotels normally have a dining room where TDH meals and snacks can be ordered.

Transportation: Public urban transportation is almost non-existing in India . In the larger metros metered taxis and scooter rickshaws are easily available. In the smaller towns non-metered taxis scooter rickshaws and bicycle rickshaws are the common mode of transportation.

Foreign Currency : Any tourist can bring into India from a place outside India foreign currency without any limit. However, declaration of foreign exchange / currency is required to be made in the prescribed Currency Declaration Form in the following cases:-

(a) Where the value of foreign currency notes exceeds US$ 5000/- or equivalent

(b) Where the aggregate value of foreign exchange (in the form of currency notes, bank notes, traveler cheques etc.) exceeds US$ 10,000/- or its equivalent

Indian Currency : Bringing Indian currency by any foreign national is prohibited. Only Indians who travel overseas frequently can bring small amount of INR. Hence please bring your country currency and get it exchanged into Rupees here.

The Indian currency is called the Rupee, which is divided into 100 Paise. Bank Notes are available for 10, 20, 50, 100 & 500 rupees. It is recommended to carry rupees for shopping, eating out etc., as most establishments do not accept foreign currency. The best rate for your money is available at the banks of the larger cities. However, please keep the receipt given to you by bank so that you can reconvert Indian Rupees into your currency, at your departure in the International Airport . Currently the exchange rate is approximately Rs. 39 to US $ 1.

Credit Cards: Major credit cards (like Visa, Mastercard and American Express) are accepted at all major hotels, restaurants and large shops. However, the smaller shops still prefer cash and it is advisable to always carry some currency notes and coins.

Photography: We suggest that you bring your own camera for the trip. If you are using an automatic camera, please bring a matching pair of batteries, in case current ones run out. 35 mm film from ASA 100 - ASA 400 is easily available at reasonable prices. In the larger cities specialized film and batteries are also available. While photography is permitted at most of monuments (except at some specific religious centers) a small camera fee is levied everywhere. The fee is normally around Rs. 25 (US $ 0.50). For video cameras a fee of Rs. 100 (US $ 2.50) is levied.

Photo Sensitivity: As India is the land of magnificent sunshine, for people arriving from temperate regions, sun-block or sunscreen is recommended.

Electricity: Electric current is 220 - 240 V AC, 50 cycles. The electric socket used is 2 or 3 round pin type.

Bargaining: All major shops, airlines and hotels have fixed prices. Smaller establishments are subject to negotiations. At the market a question of `how much?' is the beginning of a conversation. Carrying a small pad of paper and a pen to write down offers with is a good idea. Here are some general rules to the game :-

    * Never lose your temper or sense of humor. A smile is very useful.
    * Pretend indifference to an object if you really want a good price.
    * Do not be shy about denigrating an item you want to buy: `Is this a scratch?', `But look, the color is fading.'
    * It is not worth bad feelings just to knock a few cents or dollars off. You have spent a lot of money to get here, why spoil it by over bargaining. While situations vary, it is reasonable to end up at 70% of the asking price.

Tips: Tipping in India is the norm. It is approx. 10% of the food bill at a restaurant and Rs. 20 to 30 for room service or portage per bag (at a hotel). It is not normal to tip a metered taxi or motor scooters. However, if you have a chauffeur driven car, it is customary to tip the driver, if he has done a good job. The normal tip for a car is Rs. 200 per tour day and slightly higher for the larger vehicles. Normal tip for tour guide ranges from Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 per day.

Health: Qualified doctors and medical supplies are available at all towns; advanced hospitals with latest medical facilities are available at the larger cities. It is advisable to have ONLY BOTTLED MINERAL WATER during your tour and abstain or avoid eating pre-cut raw fruits and vegetables from smaller restaurants and outlets. Safe bottled cold drinks like Coke, Pepsi etc., are available all over the country.

Security: India is a safe destination. Armed assault and robbery is very rare. However, it is advisable to never leave your bags unattended and to keep valuables, money, passports etc., in the hotel safe deposit boxes. During traveling it is recommended to carry these items in a waist pouch.

Indian Customs: Bringing in large quantities of gold, currency, electronic items, animal products and drugs are banned by Indian customs. Before you enter India , you will be given an Immigration Form to fill in details on dutiable items being carried by you.

Language: The official language is Hindi but English is widely spoken across India . Besides English and Hindi , India has another 17 main regional languages.

Business Hours : Most Indian shops are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Normal banking hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., except on Saturdays when they open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - with Sundays as the weekly holiday.

Time: India is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT and 10 hours 30 minutes ahead of Eastern Standard time of the USA .

Phones: All over the country (including the smaller towns) phone booths are available. All these booths carry a signboard with ISD / STD / PCO written on them. Here you may make metered calls to any part of the world. However, these calls are to be paid for in cash (no credit cards). Card telephones, available in most European and North American countries, are not available in India . All hotels have direct international dial facilities, which cost about double the price of a normal metered call.

Reporting time for Domestic and International flights: For domestic flights, reporting time is 1 hour before departure. For all international flights reporting time is 3 hours before departure. Many International Airlines require a reconfirmation of the flight 72 hours before departure. No reconfirmation is required for domestic flights.

Emergency Phone Numbers:

Police                                       :           100

Fire                                           :           101

Ambulance                                :           102

Accident & Trauma Service         :           1099

Food: India offers a range of delectable cuisine. Traditional Indian food is normally too spicy for the western palate. However, many restaurants and hotels all over the country provide buffet meals, which are a combination of Indian and Continental, food. At a la Carte restaurants, you may also ask for a less spicy platter to suit your taste.

Shopping: India is known all over the world for its arts, handicrafts, cotton & silk fabrics, carpets, ethnic jewelry, Objet D'art etc. Also, a wide variety of international branded products are available in selected showrooms, priced at approximately 30 to 40% less than the European market.

Departure Tax: The international departure tax payable at the airport is Rupees Seven Hundred. However, most international tickets issued nowadays have this tax included in the price. So, please check your ticket.

Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G, 6" Display, White, 3G Works Globally - Latest Generation

The Park on Vembanad Lake

2010-06-26T15:00:00.000+05:30

An enchanting picnic spot not too far away from Trivandrum, Kumarakom is a backwater tourism destination, where one can boat, fish and just watch the Kerala countryside. Kumarakom on the Vembanad Lake is fascinating. Interspersed with lush green mangrove forests, paddy fields that stretch out far into the horizon and rows and rows of coconut palms that criss-cross the backwater canals, the little village of Kumarakom is in reality a group of small islands.

Vembanad Lake Tour

Kumarakom is part of Kerala's rice bowl, the Kuttanad region and is ideal for backwater cruises. A beautiful backwater spot within hailing distance of Kumarakom is the 14-acre bird sanctuary on the eastern banks of the Vembanad Lake. The sanctuary named after the village is a favorite haunt of migratory birds. There are egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoos, wild ducks and Siberian storks. The best way to watch the birds in the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.

A boat ride into the countryside can offer a close look at the life in the villages. There are fishermen in their small boats looking for fish while the women, neck-deep in water, search for the shy but tasty Karimeen fish with their feet. Or you could stay awake at night when fishermen glide over the dark waters with a flaming torch in their left hand and a net in their right. The fish, attracted by the light, are scooped up in the net.

One can cruise down the Kumarakom backwaters in houseboats, which have a living room, a bedroom, a bath and a private sit-out for passengers. A number of these houseboats are joined together to become boat trains to facilitate larger groups of visitors.
Vembanad Lake

One of Asia's largest freshwater lakes, the Vembanad Kayal, as it is locally known, is a giant reservoir and a major ecological resource. The dense vegetation on its banks is a wonderful sight. The boats that ply on the lake vary from the large cargo carriers with mat-roofs to the houseboats.

Reaching Kumarakom:

The best way to reach Kumarakom is by boat. Reach Quilon or Kollam, just an hour away from Trivandrum and then take the regular ferry service through the backwaters to Alleppey from where Kumarakom is just a short distance away.

The way to Kumarakom is through the Muhamma Boat Jetty, which is around 170 km from the Trivandrum International Airport. By railways, take a train to Kottayam, which is only 16 km by road. The other way is through Cochin, from where one must take a south-bound train to Chertala on the route to Alleppey. Chertala is 14 km away from Kumarakom.

Price of Water

2010-06-22T16:25:00.000+05:30

On the face of it, it should be simple. The price of water should include the capital cost, the operations and management cost and a sinking fund to replace the infrastructure once its life is over. Then you could consider wastewater and say the price of wastewater a consumer should pay includes its collection, conveyance to the treatment plant and its treatment cost. This would include the same three components — capital cost, operations and maintenance cost, and a sinking fund.

How many cities and towns in India follow this principle of recovering the full supply cost of water? The answer is ‘none.'

While this is the responsibility of the government and institutions running the water supply and sewerage systems, the results of such poor cost recovery are for everyone to see. No city in India can supply all its citizens with the requisite quantity and quality of water. No city collects all the sewage generated and treats it for release into the environment. No city has the resources to raise finance on its own to invest in the capital necessary for newer water sources or to extend services to the outskirts of cities. Capturing the true ecological cost of water is far away when even the supply cost is not recovered. In India, water is under ecological stress too. Catchments need protection, rivers have to be protected for them to flow perennially and the quality of water in lakes and reservoirs needs protection from pollution. The true ecological cost of water would be when the full supply cost and all the externalities are captured. Unless we move to a regime of capturing ecological costs, our water and sanitation systems will be under stress and many people will not have access to water and the numbers will increase. If a layout or an apartment has its own water resource, it too should move to recover full ecological costs from the consumers.

Meter your borewell for both water and energy. Capture the production cost of water and factor in a sinking fund to drill or deepen your borewell or simply to invest to recharge the borewells.

Pleasure of Waves-Andamans

2010-06-22T16:20:00.000+05:30

The sun hinted at signs of retreating. Its golden rays gleamed across the water. The clock struck five and within minutes the splendour of the surroundings was concealed in a veil of darkness. A pathway hewn between a cluster of trees led us to a resort about which we had heard rave reviews. Beyond the lanky trees is a beautiful beach we were told. Our cottage was just a few meters away from the crescent shaped Radhanagar Beach, one of the most famed beaches of Asia. We were in Havelock, a highly popular island with tourists in the Andamans.

Barefoot is a resort by the sea. Cobbled pathways lead to cottages that have donned the colours of the earth. There are 10 fan-cooled Nicobari cottages, eight air-conditioned Andaman villas and an exclusive Nicobari suite. Locally available natural material like cane, bamboo and dried leaves have been extensively used in the construction. Cradled by a canopy of trees, these cottages, with warm lighting, thatched roofs, wooden floors and sunlit bathrooms, strike a chord with nature. There is a conscious effort to optimise the use of natural resources and integrate with the environment in a symbiotic manner. Walking into nature's arms was a pleasure and an experience to treasure.

Cosmopolitan spread

Recipes from around the world amidst aromas that are truly Indian have made their way into the kitchen at Barefoot. We treated ourselves to a platter of mouth-watering delicacies. The dishes ranged from chocolate pancakes and idlisfor breakfast to pasta and parathasfor lunch followed by gulab jamunsand chocolate truffle for dessert. Visitors can hang up their feet at the lounge bar and enjoy a drink too.

While we were at the restaurant one afternoon, the clonk of a bell cracked the silence. The tingle heralded the arrival of Rajan and all eyes turned in his direction. Rajan, a 60-year-old elephant, has made Havelock his home. Adopted by Barefoot, Rajan has become an icon of the resort. He has a long-standing relationship with his mahout with whom he shares an intimate bond. Rajan is taken into the forest during the day and spends the night at the resort. Among other things that make this gentle giant special is his ability to swim. He loves to wade into the water and paddle in the sea. Visitors can dive and snorkel with Rajan and have their photograph clicked underwater.

Lured by the exciting outdoors offered by Barefoot Adventures, we chalked out a plan for our stay at Havelock. Snorkelling, scuba diving, joy fishing, island camping, finding Rajan in the forest, diving with Rajan, kayaking and hiking in the nearby hills were some of the activities on offer. There are many good spots for snorkelling and scuba diving around Havelock. While scuba diving is for experts, snorkelling is for novices. With no prior experience, scuba diving would have been a tough proposition so we chose to explore the waters of the Andaman Sea with our snorkels.

Everything you want

Crystal clear waters, sun soaked beaches and strips of silvery sand draw beach buffs to Havelock. Spectacular coral reefs and colourful fish that dart underwater make this a great spot for snorkelling and scuba diving. Hills overlooking the sea and mangroves bordering rivulets add variety to the landscape. Be it walking along the beach, diving into the sea or just devouring delicious food, Havelock presents a slice of adventure, tossed in bright sunshine and garnished with a cool blue of the ocean.

Silent Valley

2010-06-22T16:09:00.001+05:30

Green, verdant and teeming with life, the Silent Valley is a treasure trove of flora and fauna. You will not hear the song of the cicadas in this valley — all around is quiet. It is home to the largest population of lion-tailed macaque, an endangered species of primate. It is one of the last undisturbed tracts of the south Western Ghats montane rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forests in India.Steeped in legend and history, the valley is home to many — from the Nilgiri Tahr and the lion-tailed macaque to the Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-bellied Treepie

Tucked away on the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, some 50 kilometres from Coimbatore, in Tamil Nadu, lies Palakkad. It is known as ‘the gateway to Kerala' because it opens Kerala to the rest of the country through a 25 mile wide gap in the Western Ghats known as the Palakkad Gap. Incidentally, the latter happens to be the largest mountain pass in the world.

In the north-eastern corner of Palakkad lies the famed Silent Valley. The Silent Valley is spread over 237 square kilometres and happens to be among the oldest stretches of rainforests in the world. It is possibly the only region in the country with a relatively undisturbed evolutionary history of at least 50 million years.

The Mahabharata tells the story of the Pandavas losing a game of dice, and being sent into exile for 13 years. Legend has it that the Pandavas had spent the better part of these years in the Silent Valley.

No song for the cicada

The clamour of the cicadas is conspicuously absent here. It is this silence that made the British name ‘Silent Valley' in 1847.

A power project that was coming up on the Kuntipuzha River in the 1970's had triggered off one of the fiercest environmental campaigns the country has ever known. The then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi stepped in and stopped the project from coming up.

In 1984, the Silent Valley was declared a national park.

Mannarkkad is the nearest town from the Silent Valley. About 22 kilometres from Mannarkkad is Mukkali — the starting point for a trip to the Silent Valley. Buses ply every hour between Mannarkkad and Mukkali. The Silent Valley is divided into four parts of which only Sairandhri is open to visitors. From Mukkali, you need to hire a jeep to get to Sairandhri. The breathtaking journey from Mukkali to Sairandhri takes about an hour. Entry to the Silent Valley National Park is permitted from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm only. Visitors need to leave by 5.00 pm.

The denizens of the Silent Valley National Park include the lion-tailed macaque (one of the most endangered primates of the country), the Nilgiri Tahr, barking deer, elephant, tiger and over a 100 species of birds.

The 100 feet watch tower at Sairandhri gives the visitor a bird's eye view of the Silent Valley.

Setting foot in the Silent Valley can be a stepping stone to a higher plane of understanding. The forest department of Kerala regularly conducts nature camps inside the Silent Valley National Park for school children.

What's in a name?

In 1847, Robert Wright made the first investigations in the Silent Valley area. There are many legends as to how the valley got its name. One theory is that the British named it so, because of the absence of the Cicadas. Another theory says it is the Anglicisation of Siarandhri. Locally the area is known as Sairandhrivanam – which when translated means Sairandhri's Forest. Sairandhri is the name of Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. Yet another story claims it is so named because of the many lion-tailed macaques ( Macaca silenus).

And the river flows

The Kuntipuzha flows through the entire 15 km length of the park from north to south, finally meeting the Bharathapuzha. The Kuntipuzha divides the park into a narrow eastern sector and a wide western sector. This is a perennial river and the waters run crystal clear.The main tributaries of the river are kunthancholapuzha, Karingathodu, Madrimaranthodu, Valiaparathodu and Kummaathanthodu and they originate on the upper slopes of the eastern side of the valley. The river is uniformly shallow, with no flood plains or meanders.

Rich biodiversity

Above 1,500 m, the evergreen forests begin to give way to stunted forests, called sholas, interspersed with open grassland. Both are very important to naturalists, biologists and other researchers because the rich biodiversity here has never been disturbed by human settlements. Several threatened species are endemic here. New plant and animal species are often discovered here.

Brass Tacks

The Silent Valley is located about 75 kilometres from Palakkad.

The best time to visit the Silent Valley is from October to March.

For more details on the Silent Valley, check out the Silent Valley National Park's website

Add zing to your holiday

2010-06-13T17:26:00.000+05:30

ONCE upon a time we went on holiday to meet new people but now we do our best to avoid them. A break from real life was all about fantasy, cocktails in garish colours, long evenings of debauchery — and, most of all, making new friends in new places. How times have changed. Today, "I want to be alone" is the mantra of all those seeking the perfect rejuvenating holiday. Holiday brochures promise exotic isolation: villas hidden from sight, deserted beaches, and intimate massages for two on lonely sandbars.

More and more of us are in search of wellness and serenity. To cater to this burgeoning market of stressed-out urbanites, a host of wellness destinations now offer the Robinson Crusoe experience — with frills. Their mission statement is to provide the ultimate in the 21st Century — R&R (rest and relaxation). The more secluded and barefoot the experience, the more expensive it will be.

In case passports and visa procedures put you off, there is Goa, whose golden sands had their moment of glory during the hippy invasion. Goa, a stop on the hippie trail in the 1960s, then a winter destination for discount charter jets filled with Europeans, still attracts about 10 per cent of the 2.5 million people who visit our country annually. But now, in a new twist for a land long associated with sin and sand, this coconut tree dotted state on India's southwest coast is becoming a well-behaved family destination, attracting India's expanding middle class, now increasingly talking about spa experiences.

Swaying palms and uninterrupted tracts of sun-kissed beaches are the images that come to mind when one thinks of Arossim Beach, South Goa, where Park Hyatt has just opened an oceanfront resort and spa, sitting on 45 acres along the coast and with a breathtaking nearness to the Arabian Sea. Located 15 kilometres south of Dabolim airport, the resort looks like an Indo-Portuguese-Spanish village, complete with gardens that keep its restaurants stocked with organic produce. It even sports a chapel, library, cinema, food plaza, wine bar and India's largest lagoon style swimming pool leading to the Sereno Spa, the resort's pampering outlet. A considerable number of Goan artifacts decorate the nooks and corners. "Miranda", the main bar is named after Goa's well-known artist, Mario Miranda.

Getting down to spa basics, you'll feel like you're in somewhere far more exotic than Goa as you're massaged in an intimate all glass cabana just a few feet away from the waves. The clientele: Bollywood types who love the spacious buffet spread and wine lounge, and parents who are wowed by Hyatt's kids' club, with its endless array of activities — even separate screens for children's movies, away from the parents! Oh, my. For spa freaks, the signature therapy is (not surprisingly) the 90-minute Yoga Massage. It's also worth checking out the relaxing and detoxifying 45-minute Marine-Mud wrap, the lymphatic drainage — great to get right upon arrival, because it helps reduce urban stress — and the 60-minute Marma facial, during which vital energy points of the body and face are stimulated, affecting the mind and soul to bring about inner transformation, going way beyond a conventional facial. Later you can head up to the sun deck in your robe for a spa brunch and an ocean view.

People on a wellness binge have serious health goals, but the cuisine at Park Hyatt Goa is not exactly spartan — check out the Rava Fried Kingfish and the Bebinca, traditionally layered Goan dessert made with coconut milk and served with vanilla ice cream. While gorging on seafood and Goan delicacies, remember to acknowledge that it's ridiculous to think one can "get healthy" on a spa getaway ... we all know that good health results from a well-balanced diet, regular exercise and a big dose of luck, not from the things you do (or don't) for one week or weekend a year.

Which is not to say there are no good reasons to visit a spa. At its best, a spa getaway can remind you about the part of your body located below your collarbone. It can open your pores and release sweat and toxins. You can eat food you don't have to lie about. If you work at it, you can make any excess disappear completely ... .