India- The Golden Triangle and Taj Mahal
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Taj Mahal and beyond
With less than a month before we left Asia I knew I had to tick off a big bucket list item, a trip to India to see the Taj Mahal. I decided the best time to go would be in May as it is low season. While the temps peaked at 117 degrees there, but the cold water and A/C made it worth it. I went with three other women and it was an amazing time.
Things you should know before adding India to your bucket list:
3-star in India is far lower than 3-star in the states, meaning it is like a road side motel. However, the price is right.
Hotels do not have hot water, and most hotels have the shower, toilet and sink in one area.
Pack toilet paper (lots of it); TP is hard to come by in many places in India as people there tend to spray their underparts clean.
The season to get sick in India is monsoon season which runs June to September. This time of the year it rains a lot and food is harder to transport, so many things get ruined and are still served. I avoided the “Delhi Belly,” as they call it, by taking a Pepto daily for precautionary measures, eating lots of bread and NO dairy. Just do not go crazy and eat off the street vendors and you will survive.
India is cheap in a sense, but the places you will eat will be 5-star standards, so you are fine. Do not drink the water, but ensure you stay hydrated for the tours.
Pickpocketing is the worst in Agra and Jaipur, so keep your belongings close. As far as clothes, you can see in the picture(above) we dressed modestly and covered our shoulders and knees at all times. Many times I thought it was still not enough in most temples.
