Recent content by LydiaJJ

Looking at places where you can stay at a hill station I came across Mirik, which looks amazing. Then I started noticing it is often touted as a honeymoon destination, or a great destination for couples. Is it likely to be awkward for a single female traveler?

Wouldn't it depend on the country the cruise company is registered in? If there is an organizing body that they are a member of there may be protection that way too. Paying with a credit card would be another way to get some protection. I'm pretty sure that cruise companies don't want to cancel...

I would say that the French and Dutch settlers have influenced Mauritius more than any other European culture. Wasn't it the Dutch who first introduced sugar cane? Some people say they also hunted the dodo into extinction but I really don't know if that is true or not. Sorry, I can't be more help.

Elizabetonth, I feel for you. Thanks for sharing the story, it's a good reminder of why eating local food is a good idea. I wonder what McDonald's sell there, presuming they have made it to India.

I know that it is entirely normal for a country to adopt foreign recipes then adapt them to suit the tastes or dietary restrictions of their own population. That makes sense, even if it can be a little surprising when you first taste authentic food while travelling! This got me thinking about...

Thanks M. Nayak. The HOLI festival sounds like fun, a little like April Fool's Day, perhaps, with the jokes and pranks you can play without penalty.

Deb, can you tell us more about why the service makes the news for the wrong reasons? I am sure some men protest at the idea that they are all labelled as sexual predators. Amelia, I have read about those trains in Japan. Considering the way people are squeezed into trains there the risk of...

It's good to read that the Indian government are adding over 140 buses to the women only fleet. Of course in an deal world there would be no need for gender segregation on public transport, but as there is it's important that decent provision exists. Perhaps in the interest of fairness there...

Fear of crime rather than crime itself is what cripples people's lives in most cases.not just in India of course. As the seeds have already been planted in your head, Megna, you may as well make another plan as it will be hard to feel comfortable on the train now. If you feel you can go ahead...

Thanks for the detailed reply and information M. Nayak, I really appreciate it. Are you from the north of India yourself? Jaisalmer sounds like a great place to visit.

Thanks for the information M.Nayak. The Jaisalmer festival must be happening right now! Is the HOLI festival of colors the event where people throw colored powder (?) at each other?

I have never seen a tuk tuk with seatbelts,so I suppose they are not as safe as some transport options, and of course they are usually smaller and flimsier than solid things like cars and buses, so maybe not the best choice for someone who would think too much about those things! I m sure they...

Thanks for the idea. I heard there is a camel festival in Jaipur, is it something you'd recommend for a tourist? I think camels are the cutest things!

I agree that it is best to negotiate a price, and perhaps to do that with pen and paper as a back up against misunderstandings. Ironically, I tend to tip more when someone hasn't tried to rip me off at all, so honesty pays.

So Americans can get a 10 year visa but still only stay for six months maximum each visit? I'm not sure I understand how that works. Why wouldn't ten years actually mean ten years?