Incredible India

[Bristolian]

Having travelled to India all too many times in the past , in connection with my work, during the 80s and 90s, and remembering only too well the difficulties that this entailed, I vowed that after being given the chance to drop India from my regular visits in 2000 that I would never go again. I do not handle the poverty of others easily and found India an incredibly difficult place to, personally, come to terms with. I should and must add that in my perspective, the Indian people that I met in my work inside India were some of the most gracious and fantastic people that I have ever had the pleasure of working with and enjoying free time with.

Last week I revisited India for the first time in 12 years and was totally amazed by the transformation. Maybe part of this was actually due to my perspective having also changed in the last 12 years. (As we get older, hopefully, we combine a greater awareness with greater tolerance and understanding) I wish that this was always true in my case but unfortunately….

Of course the poor are still there in huge numbers, but not in the numbers that I remember, waiting outside my hotel begging. The whole atmosphere had changed and there was a much more positive and vibrant feeling and awareness that they are both trying and being successful in gaining a place in the modern world.

One of the hotels that I stayed at, in Chennai, had been finished only a couple of months ago. It would stand up against easily against any of the 5 star hotels in Bkk, with credit. The level of service and friendliness was higher than many of the excellent hotels in the LOS with extremely well trained staff and of an attention to detail that had to be admired.

I have now reviewed and changed my vows, taken some 20+years ago. I now look forward to sampling more of India, albeit from the safety of my above average hotels and good restaurants. The change is dramatic; the only thing that has not changed is the warmth of welcome that you will receive from a generous and lovely people.

Far from my expectations I now look forward to my next visit to a different region of India

[Dannie Boy]

Having travelled to India all too many times in the past , in connection with my work, during the 80s and 90s, and remembering only too well the difficulties that this entailed, I vowed that after being given the chance to drop India from my regular visits in 2000 that I would never go again. I do not handle the poverty of others easily and found India an incredibly difficult place to, personally, come to terms with. I should and must add that in my perspective, the Indian people that I met in my work inside India were some of the most gracious and fantastic people that I have ever had the pleasure of working with and enjoying free time with.

Last week I revisited India for the first time in 12 years and was totally amazed by the transformation. Maybe part of this was actually due to my perspective having also changed in the last 12 years. (As we get older, hopefully, we combine a greater awareness with greater tolerance and understanding) I wish that this was always true in my case but unfortunately….

Of course the poor are still there in huge numbers, but not in the numbers that I remember, waiting outside my hotel begging. The whole atmosphere had changed and there was a much more positive and vibrant feeling and awareness that they are both trying and being successful in gaining a place in the modern world.

One of the hotels that I stayed at, in Chennai, had been finished only a couple of months ago. It would stand up against easily against any of the 5 star hotels in Bkk, with credit. The level of service and friendliness was higher than many of the excellent hotels in the LOS with extremely well trained staff and of an attention to detail that had to be admired.

I have now reviewed and changed my vows, taken some 20+years ago. I now look forward to sampling more of India, albeit from the safety of my above average hotels and good restaurants. The change is dramatic; the only thing that has not changed is the warmth of welcome that you will receive from a generous and lovely people.

Far from my expectations I now look forward to my next visit to a different region of India

I too have travelled to India a number of times, but all of mine was during the mid-late 2000's to places included Mumbai, Chennai and Vadodara. Without doubt, some of the 5* hotels are very good, even the ones that are becoming a little tired, normally make up for it with very good attention to service.

Food can vary, but again, some of it can be excellent and I think it was either in Mumbai or Chennai, I was introduced to Indian wine. Not all of it was good, but one wine under the Sula label was really quite good and worth trying if you go to India.

As Bristolian said, many Indians in their home country are incredibly hospitable and will treat you like royalty. I did of course see some of the darker side of the big cities, it's amazing where in one part of Mumbai you can see splendour and untold wealth and yet turn a corner and you will find the filthiest streets you can imagine with raw sewage running down the street. Add to that some of the most expensive real estate to be found anywhere in the world and you really do have "Incredible India"!!