What's the best way to get around Northern India? (page 3 of 3)

LOL, I knew I’d ruffle a few feathers, Bruno 😄.

I’m definitely talking about appearances, and there’s no contest—I’d always rather be married to a good Landais guy than an Omani one 😜.

But while there *is* a very strict form of Islam, especially around Sour, I’ve also seen their tolerance in some hotels where Western women in bikinis were near very conservative families without any issues. It’s like so often—nothing’s all black or all white. There are tons of nuances in the people you meet.

Anyway, we’ve strayed *way* off topic—I hope the person who started this post won’t hold it against us 😅.

PS to the gang of 4: Oman deserves a trip all on its own. But also a budget...

More or less, we spent around 8,000 € for 4 people in Rajasthan and Southern India, and 10,000 € in Laos/Thailand. 3 and a half weeks, flights included. Should we plan for a bigger budget in the Sultanate of Oman?

LOL I knew I’d ruffle a few feathers, Bruno 😄.

You’re looking, you found me ;)

I’m actually talking about appearances, and there’s no contest—I’d always rather be married to a good guy from the Landes than to an Omani 😜.

You should try a tall guy from the Landes

But while there’s a very strict form of Islam, especially around Sour, I’ve also seen their tolerance in some hotels where Western women in bikinis were next to very conservative families without any issues.

In Omani hotels, anything goes—I’ve seen alcohol flowing freely there… Outside, it’s a whole different story.

Okay, we’ve really gone off-topic—I hope the person who started this post won’t hold it against us 😅.

True, sorry Robert for the digression

I agree with you and Atilla that India isn’t exactly Instagram-friendly for the newer generations, and they’re a bit more sheltered, which isn’t really the ideal mindset for this country.

But it’s true—I don’t know any other place where staying in a *Thousand and One Nights* palace costs the same as a Formule 1 hotel. Though, you’ve got to earn it a little.

And I’m not sure what you mean by the "revolution in tourist mentalities," but personally, I don’t think travelers are lagging behind at all. I can chat with hotel owners directly on WhatsApp from my couch

True, I do that now too, but that’s not what I meant. In a lot of tourist-heavy countries where life isn’t easy for locals, the tourism infrastructure is developed enough that the two worlds don’t really mix. In India, even on a super touristy trip, you still have to deal with some noise, smells, poverty, open sewers and dumps, and traveler’s diarrhea. That’s what tourists rant about online—"Never India again, next time we’re going back to Phuket and Pattaya!" And like you said, it’s more of a traveler’s destination than a tourist’s.

I’m off to message Bagheera Bagh Jawai right now to see if they have availability (the owner seems so nice—you’ve convinced me, Pagal 😄)

Great call! Say hi to Sukhdeo for me! Actually, on my way to Barmer in April for a wedding, I’m planning to stop in Udaipur to visit his sister—she brought us food in the hospital—and bring them some gifts from France. They really deserve it after everything they did for us. I don’t know if you’ll see more leopards than we did (the season will be better, for crocodiles too), but Jawai Bandh is a stunning and peaceful place either way. And with a host like Sukhdeo on top of that…

Alright, I’ll stop my giant digression on this thread!

Seriously, who cares about leopards?

In Ranthambore, we didn’t see anything in the "safari" sense of the word, but I really loved the scenery and the atmosphere.

A great immersion in nature surrounded by nice people is enough for our happiness! 😊

Then you'll be in for a treat.