Page 16 - Asian Paradises 2019-20

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In the northwest of the country is Rajasthan, with its capital national or state government tourism corporations. The city
at Jaipur (the Pink City) founded in 1728 by the warrior- tours are good value. The rail system is a great way to see the
astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh. country, and is fairly easy to navigate. Mumbai has the best
suburban rail system in India, and Kolkata has a surprisingly
Amritsar is the centre of the Sikh religion and is northwest of
New Delhi near the Pakistan border. Chandigarh is a new town efficient, clean underground rail line. Taxis are easy to come
designed by the famous French architect Le Corbusier and is by in the main cities, as are buses, which operate on many
the capital of Punjab. North from here is the hill station of suburban routes and are very crowded. Scooter taxis or three-
Shimla where the former British Government of India migrated wheelers are convenient, fast and cheap for getting round the
every summer. From here it’s a short trip to the twin valleys cities. They have meters and the drivers speak some English.
of Kulu and Kangra, which rival the Valley of Kashmir in Chauffeur driven cars carry up to four passengers and their rates
beauty. Green with orchards and dotted with ancient Rajput depend on petrol prices. There are also rickshaws, particularly
forts on the summit of immense crags, these valleys are truly in Kolkata and Tongas and Victoria carriages (horse-drawn
spectacular. In the southwest is the state of Karnataka, blessed vehicles) in several cities. Pedal trishaws still operate, mostly in
with many natural features including majestic evergreen forests, the smaller towns.
rivers, caves, and a 320-kilometre coastline dotted with unspoilt Food and entertainment
beaches. Indians are masters at spicing foods and the technique is found
in the preparation (grinding and rolling) of the ingredients.
Where to stay
India offers accommodation in a variety of categories, including Not every dish is a curry, a good deal of food, particularly in
the north, is not hot, just richly garnished to provide exciting
deluxe western-style hotels, heritage and palace hotels, travellers’ flavours. Mumbai is famous for its seafood, while Goa has
lodges, tourist bungalows, hostels and homestays.
Indo-Portuguese dishes and Chinese food. Tibetan restaurants
The main towns have YWCAs and YMCAs. Fully furnished are plentiful in the hill towns and are very inexpensive. If hot
and staffed houseboats are a popular option in coastal areas. food disagrees with you stick to tandoori-style dishes, which
The Kettuvallam houseboats of Kerala, that were once used don’t have hot spices, or chicken cooked Muslim-style after
to ship rice and spices, have been reborn into well maintained, being lightly spiced and added to a casserole with dried fruits.
fully staffed luxury tourist houseboats, which cruise along the Shopping
calm, palm fringed-canals of Kerala’s backwaters.
Shopping is an experience in itself in India. Be prepared to
Getting around bargain for the best price in the many bazzaars and emporiums
City and country tours are offered in India, arranged either by (as a general rule, you can expect to pay almost half the initial

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