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| Myself on the right and room-mate on the left |
I went to India at a time in my life when I needed to make big changes. It was a time to reflect and reassess. I booked a three week package tour with Imaginative Traveller which covered the Golden Triangle. An area that includes famous cities such as Delhi, Udaipur, Jaipur, etc . .
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| Indian sweets on sale for Diwali – highly addictive and sublime |
I arrived in India, did the usual immigration routine on disembarking and went to collect my luggage. The conveyor belt went round and people collected their luggage.
One quirk about Indians is they wrap their possessions in a blanket and tie it with rope. Plenty of those went past, but not my luggage. Eventually there was no-one left in the hall but me. The conveyor belt was going round and round with the last few bags, but my bag wasn’t on it.
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| Beautiful old buildings |
When I finally got out the airport, of course, there was no shuttle bus. Fortunately most people in the cities in India speak English. I went back into the airport to the information desk. They arranged with Imaginative Traveller that a taxi would collect me. I missed the welcome and briefing but at least I was with the tour group.
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| The Indians are friendly to fault and will follow you |
One couple in the tour group had real rubbish luck. They were robbed and she broke her foot on a walkabout. Yip, $#!t happens even on holiday. I managed to avoid the dreaded Delhi Belly for all but the last three days of the tour. I got brave and ate away from the recommended places one night. Big mistake. It’s one way to lose weight.
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| Colonial legacy – hunting trophies on the wall. |
I should have taken out my ticket and had a look. My ticket was actually for Air India. Indian Air. Air India. They sound similar but as I was to find out, they are very different. I thought this guy knew what he was doing.
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| Exquisite historic buildings were our accommodation |
After he dropped my room-mate this boy was anxious to get rid of me. He disposed of me at the “airport” and was gone for dust.
I quickly discovered this “airport” was closed. There was no-one there except for a guard. Much later I realised that it must be an air force base. What was this kid thinking dropping me there? I don’t think he thought anything and I doubt he was old enough to drive. Who knows if it was even his vehicle? He saw a gap to make money off me. And the officers at the check points were making money off him.
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| Tourist travel option |
Meanwhile I was alone in the middle of nowhere with a flight to catch. I approached the guard to help me. He saw a lost foreign woman alone and a chance to make money. He would only help me if I paid him. Then I saw a tuk-tuk coming along the road and raced toward it with my bags. I asked the driver to take me to the airport. This guy wanted some outrageous sum of money. I opened my purse and showed him what money I had. All of a sudden that amount was fine.
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| A welcome flower necklace at one of the castles |
While we putted along in this tuk-tuk I was having a major panic. I feared we would be late and I feared this tuk-tuk would never even get there. I had no idea where I was or where I was going.
I got to the airport with the minimum time in hand. At check-in they demanded airport taxes. This had not been mentioned by Imaginative Traveller or the travel agent. Both had given me detailed information about India and the trip. I don’t believe that airport tax was actually due. But these guys were adamant they wanted money and if I wanted to go home I had to pay up. It’s not like I had a lot of time to argue. They knew I had no more money and pointed me to forex to change money so I could pay them off. So much for the country that invented karma?
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| Sacred cows roaming the streets |
India was a special place where I did a lot of thinking and decision making. Many positive changes in my life came from my time there. But my memories are tainted by the last people I had dealings with, who so blatantly ripped me off. Those dashing, chivalrous, Indian heroes that we read about? Some villainous Indians too I’m afraid.
My advice is only travel India with a well known tour operator. I was fine the entire time I was with the group. Its was my trips at the start and finish where I encountered problems.
For more Holiday Horror Stories you can go to – My Holidays and Trips – at the top of this page to read about other places we have visited.
Hey!!!
I read about your tour to India really well written .
Just would like to say that India is a vibrant country you faced some Money Hungry people !!! But there are people who help without expecting any thing . And things go wrong too many times .
And about the Airport collecting Taxes . i would like to know the date you Issued the Ticket and the date you were on board for the return flight just for reference so that I can tell there were you over charged or no.
But really appreciate your writing. And sorry for a Bad Experience in India. We look forward to Welcoming you Once Again.
Hi Nilesh
Thanks for the comment. I was in India in 2006.
I really need to write about the trip in a separate blog post as I have only conveyed the first and last days. The idea was to put out a few blog posts about when holiday plans go wrong.
I had a wonderful time in India and it's on my list for a second trip. This time I am hoping to visit Southern India with my husband.
As a vegetarian for over 30 years I loved that I could open a menu and order from most of it. There would be a small "non-vegetarian" section. Normally it's the other way round for vegetarians.
All the best.
Greenie.
Oh that is great you coming to visit South India. !!!
Me too a Vegetarian and i am sure you are going to Have a great time Eating Vegetarian food there loads of Variety
some of the dishes are (DOSA, UTTAPAM , APPAM , SAMBAR).
Be prepared for some great Dishes coming your way.
Southern Part of India is well Known for its Hospitality too.
Wish you a Happy and Safe journey!!!!
And dont miss on the Snake boat race in Kerela (11th August)
Do let us know when you visiting.Will try to provide as much Help as i Can !!!
Hey there,
I sincerely apologize for the depressing events you had to go through. There were days when India was all about color, tradition & peace – but nowadays, there has been an upsurge in the amount of wayside hooligans & white-collar robbers. Nevertheless, I would like to request you to schedule your next visit to India through a well-experienced travel company.
Regards,
Rohit.
Thanks your kind comments Rohit. I'm quite sure that my experiences are not typical of most people's visit to India. I look forward to seeing the south of India.
All the best.
Greenie.
Well thank you for your reply. If you have any queries and/ore concerns related to your upcoming trip, do drop me an email at rohitmy at gmail dot com. Do plan your next trip in the latter half of the year so that you can experience the various festivals in India – I am sure you will cherish these traditional events. Apart from the conventional traditional & natural bounties, you may also (if you are interested) find some of the best places of paranormal importance. I have a small blog (http://indianhorrortales.blogspot.in) which holds some information about such places.
Bottomline, let me know if I can be of any help with respect to your next trip to India.
Regards & All the very best,
Rohit S.
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