Anyone taken the Regents 3 or 4 day Taj post cruise from Mumbai? We are thinking of doing that or going with Ker & Downey which uses planes to go from city to city in the Golden Triangle. Pricing is about the same. But, we are wondering if 3 or 4 days will be enough instead of the 5 or 6 they offer. I have read so many things about India. Both good and bad. But, mostly bad. Still want to see the Taj at least once. One site said you had to get a rabies shot before you go. There are rabid dogs running the streets. Also, the problems with venders and beggers that are relentless. Does Regent keep them away from you? I have also heard of the awful unrine stench on the way to the Taj. I am used to that working in the ER. But, are all these things true? Even read there are lepers and disabled laying all over the sidewalks. The hotels look so fabulous on the web. If you have been to India before;would you go again? I am sure it will make me grateful for what I have. I just want to know if it is this bad. The ship ends in Mumbai from Dubai. Not going till '09. Thoughts, please? Judy

Yes, India is a fascinating country and I would go again gladly. I noticed no urine stench. From the bus we did see people lying on the sidewalks but could not see any physical problems but I am sure they were there. After the Taj, we went to the Red Fort which was fabulous but the venders were he most aggressive I have encountered. Nothing I, as a woman, couldn't handle but really thick!

Ardis

JudyandJohn:

We did the Taj Mahal during the 2008 World Cruise. I must say I had high expectations and was surprised that these expectations were exceeded by what we saw. Since India is so far away and travel becoming more difficult, we would opt for the longer trip as who knows if one will ever be back.

Rabies shot. None for us. The dogs we saw running around did not approach us and we found most to be sound asleep wherever they decided to flop.

The smell. Yes there was one bad odor (over a culvert) during short walk from propane bus to Taj gate but no one in our Regent group had a problem with it although we covered our mouth and nose and said "phew" more than a few times :>)

We truly enjoyed the Indian people we came in contact with and I especially enjoyed the classy doctor who came to my hotel room in Agra to treat my discomfort.

Lepers/disabled. Saw one terribly disabled beggar during our walk to the Taj who had to move on all fours. India is what it is. When you look for the good you will find it and when looking for the bad, it is easily accessible too.

We had one fabulous guide on our Regent bus and she said something like ...."You will love India or you will hate India but she will assault your senses and you will never forget her." Well I didn't love her or hate her but like Ardis I was fascinated by her and yes, I'd go back but no time soon as there are too many other places we yearn to see.

Vendors/Beggars. Act as if you are a deaf mute. Don't look at their goods but walk away saying NOTHING. They figure that if they can open your mouth, they can open your wallet. That was good advice that Regent bus people got from our Chinese guide in Beijing. He was another class act. He liked us and we liked him.

Food was always good

If you'd like to see our photos of the Taj, click on the following link, then click on World Cruise and then Segment 5.

http://ray-penny.smugmug.com/

Whatever you decide to do, have fun doing it

Cheers!

Ray & Penny

Judy, I think you and John should definitely go see the Taj....it is magnificent !! I personally do not like India and have no desire to go back after a couple of visits (Tom actually worked and lived there full time for 6 months) but I think it's a wonderful experience to go once and FOR SURE to get to see the Taj. 3 to 4 days is plenty of time. Just prepare yourself for the worst poverty you've ever seen in Mumbai (which isn't as bad as Calcutta and Delhi)

Marcie: You have mentioned Tom working in Mumbai. Were you with him the total six months?

Ardis

No Ardis. kids were young and in school and I worked full time. I've only visited India but he became very familiar with Mumbai (it was Bombay when he lived there). He could write a book about his experiences in various India cities. The best thing was that he did live in the Taj Mahal Hotel which is very nice and had a personal driver.

John & Judy,
We were on a land tour in India's 'golden triangle' area in March '08. We had a car, driver and pvt guide throughout and it all went very smoohtly. We began in Delhi, a large city much like many others..took the morning train to
Agra to enjoy the Red Fort & of course, the TAJ. Fabulous! Didn't notice any urine smells & certainly didn't see any rabid appearing animals! There were beggars as well as 'sales' men on the road to the Taj but our guide
spoke softly to them and tutored us not to speak at all..not even hello! We stayed at the Oberoi Amarvilas [upper floor] & loved it. Then on to
Jaipur/ Oberoi's Raj Vilas...and to Udaipur for its fabulous palaces and lake/ Oberoi Udaivilas.
We mostly ate in hotel restaurants except when touring at which time our guide chose a suitable restaurant. No GI distress.We flew Jet Airways from city to city. I haven't come to a final conclusion in my feelings about India [I had spent 2 days without guide in Mumbai and was completely overwhelemd!] but we have very positive feelings about this trip...so clearly I would vote for pvt guide, deluxe properties and more time. None of our travel was connected to
a cruise line so I can't comment about that.

You certainly don't need rabies innoculations. India does not require any specific immuni-zations but we had visited a travel doctor who recommended boosters of polio and tetanus
[always good to have],and oral typhoid vaccination. We had to catch up on our Hep A & B vaccinations,again a good thing to have wherever you go. He stated that there had been some cases of malaria from Delhi and strongly recommended that we take the Malarone for this; we did, without problems. Although at first I found this 'list' rather daunting, I have rationalized that all of these [except the specific Malarone] are good to have anyway for adventurous travel.

sorry...I should have previewed and edited that post.

We traveled in India several times while living nearby in the Middle East over 20 years ago, so our experiences are not current but remain vivid in our memories. We loved India...and Nepal... but traveling there requires a great deal of patience. Yes, there is extreme poverty and dirt and persistent beggars and nasty smells. There is also great beauty and thrilling sights and wonderful luxury. Truly a country of extremes.

In answere to your question, Judy, YES I would return. Many other places for us to visit first, but India is still way up there on my list!!

Thank you everyone for your opinions. I am probably reading too many travel sites, frommers; fodors,trip advisor, cc and a new site that is rather fun but strange called Mike's India. Even Ngaire doesn't want to get involved with India. She recommends Ker & Downey; the Safari people. Seems like so many of you on this site have just about everywhere at one time or another. I value your opinions with great respect. Marcie, What does Tom think of
India? He lived there for several months. He has had an exciting life! What knowledge he has aquired from his world experiences. Judy