Travel Tips To European Countries page 99
Any tips on TRAVEL INSURANCE for a trip to USA?
I want to travel to India from the midwest USA. Any tips on what to do?
backpacking europe for 23 days in winter.....?
What are some good tips for packing while traveling in Europe?
Traveling to Europe, air booking and baggage check tips?
Long flight, packing and customs tips- give me yours?
My fourth question about travelling to India. OK - I have decided to go to Kochi in April. Got some organised tours arranged so at least I am covered for sight seeing and where to stay. So, this time - what I would like to know is: 1) Is communication going to be an issue? It is often said that English is widely spoken, but in real terms, say, if I just want to go to a local supermarket to get some toothpaste and buy a few bottles of water, would there be a problem? 2) using atms and exchanging travellers cheques. Anything I need to know? (I an assuming that a place like Kochi would have enough facilities - but, how easily accessible are they - both in location and usage - as I only know English?) 3) While I am careful about scams and personal safety, are there any tips I should know that may be specific to travelling in India? I do have a copy of the Lonely planet guide, but I am also trying to find out as much as I can from other sources about travelling to India for the first and on my own. (more questions to come later)
I went to Kochi 2 years ago and there were no problems, English is spoken everywhere and we never had a problem. There are ATMs but not that many but you can find them. We didn't bring travellers cheques, I had about £200 cash in case of emergency but just used the ATMs. Kochi was very safe, as two girls we never had any problems even walking back to our hotel at night. You should take a cooking class when you are there, we went to the cooking class at Leelu's Homestay that was listed in Lonely Planet and it was great but you have to reserve a day in advance, we wanted to go one day but it was already stayed in Fort Cochin and I felt safer there at night than I do in London. And definitely do a backwater tour or rent a houseboat for a day if you arent on a strict budget.
Kochi is a major city of the Kerala state and Kerala is the only state in India which has almost 100% literacy. All the subjects r taught in english. So therz no problem in communicating with the people of Kochi. Although there r many ATMs in Kochi but do carry ur credit cards because as u know the ATMs may get out of cash. Moreover when u'll swipe ur ATM card in the machine, it'll ask u a question(in english) "Plz select ur language" 1) English 2) Hindi (National language) 3) Malyalam (State Language) check out wikitravelguide and select india
| What is the independent travel which I plan and I realise? - Independent travel for me it: independence, a freedom in choosing and decision-making. It is responsibility which lies on me and only on me. Is a way to experience the country, to size up it without relying on luster of tourist magazines, being in private with way of life: people, meal, binge, dances, the nature... |
