Wanderlust and Lipstick » India

Best Books About India

Beth Whitman - Wanderluster — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:25:27 +0000

There are lots of books out there on or about India. Here’s just the start to a list that could go on forever.

Travelers Tales India – There’s nothing like reading other people’s true stories about their travels to a given destination. It really helps to envision yourself at that locale (for better and worse!). This collection from Travelers Tales is a wonderful compilation from well-known and little-known travel writers. With nearly 50 stories in all, it will get you excited either prior to your trip or will help to put things into perspective once you’ve returned. Available on Amazon.

*****

Shantarm by Gregory David Roberts – One of the most thrilling books ever written about India, this takes place mostly in Mumbai. It is based on the true tales of an Australian on the run who plunks himself down in the middle of a slum and becomes the local doctor to the community. You’ll learn all about the seedy underworld of the Indian mafia as well as how their broken system of government and corruption works – or doesn’t work as the case may be. You’ll be kept on the edge of your seat for the vast majority of this book until, toward the end, the book gets a little unbelievable. Available on Amazon.

*****

Holy Cow by Sarah MacDonald – This is one wild and funny memoir about an expat’s time living in India when her sig’o gets posted in Delhi as a journalist. Her observations are spot-on and are both painful and hilarious. Listen to the audio book and you’ll feel like a friend is telling you an intimate story. Highly recommended before your adventure to the subcontinent! Available on Amazon.

*****

White Tiger by Aravind Adiga – A fictional tale about a poor villager who believes he’s at the pinnacle of life when he becomes the chauffer for a wealthy family in Delhi. It’s a twisted tale and through the narrative, you might find yourself having compassion for the main character, as despicable as he becomes. Available on Amazon.

*****

May You be the Mother of a Hundred Sons by Elisabeth Bumiller – The author spent 3.5 years in India as a reporter for the Washington Post. In addition to her reporting, she made good use of her time but pulling together stories of India’s women. There’s a big dose of tragedy in this book but also many stories of hope and inspiration about some very strong women. It’s a bit painful to read at times but an excellent read if you want to know what India is like for the average woman. Available on Amazon.

*****

Wanderlust and Lipstick: For Women Traveling to India by Beth Whitman – If you’re looking for a primer to get you started in your journey to India, look no further than this book. Filled with information specifically for the woman traveler, in addition to the author’s own suggestions, it includes anecdotes and tips from dozens of women who’ve traveled extensively throughout the country. Signed copies available on this website

*****

Lonely Planet Guide to India – Long considered the Bible for anyone traveling to India, this book covers a huge amount of ground in its more than 1,200 pages. It’s got nearly everything you’d need to know about the country to prepare for a trip. A word of caution is that once a hotel or restaurant is listed in the Bible, prices go up and it’s often hard to get a room or table at the establishment. Available on Amazon.

*****

Rough Guide to India – If you’re looking for something that’s just a bit more off the beaten path, try the Rough Guide. These folks tend to include some excellent alternatives to LP, including restaurants that usually only the locals know about. It’s still packed with valuable info such as history, culture and all the other practicalities you’ll need to plan a trip. Available on Amazon.

*****

Interested in a tour to India? Check out our women-only tours to both North India and South India.

Travel Well,

Beth

Join the North India Tour Featuring Cultural Highlights

Beth Whitman - Wanderluster — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:52:29 +0000

Back by popular demand is the North India Women-only Tour and we would be delighted to have YOU along for the adventure!

This 16-day small-group journey features the most popular highlights of North India, but it also incorporates intimate cultural experiences not found on other tours. You’ll have the chance to:

dine in the home of a local family
watch a private dance and musical performance in the home of world-renowned musicians
take a hands-on cooking class from a fascinating woman chef
sit down with a Tibetan monk to learn about Buddhism in India

You’ll stay in comfortable 4-star hotels, eat delectable food and learn about the country’s history as well as current culture through local guides.

Of course the tour also features highlights and experiences that will make this a memorable journey…

stroll the streets of bustling markets where the smell of incense wafts freely
enjoy authentic cuisine masterly prepared with local spices and fresh ingredients
see the majestic Taj Mahal at sunrise
walk along the ghats of Varanasi, where dedicated Hindu practitioners meditate and say their daily pujas (prayers)
meander through the exotic temples of Khajuraho
immerse yourself in Rajasthan, where the mughals of centuries past ruled

The details…
Dates: October 25 – November 9, 2011
Cost: $4,725
Registration form: North India Registration Form 2011

Questions?
Call: 888-818-9918
Email: beth (at) wandertours (dot) com

Why a Group Tour?
India IS incredible (as the advertisement goes). But it can also be intimidating, especially for the first-time visitor. If you are an experienced group tour person, you already know the benefit of having someone else make the arrangements for you. But if you think of yourself as an independent traveler, you may question whether a tour is for you or not.

Consider this… Our WanderTour is crafted so that you take on little work yourself. All in-country arrangements are made for you including hotel, food and transportation. We show you the highlights including not only the top sightseeing spots but provide experiences that you would not likely find on your own.

All this in the company of other women who are probably just like you. Someone interested in visiting this vast country but doesn’t have the time to make all the plans nor the knowledge to put together a tour that includes so many experiences in a relatively short period of time.

Why WanderTours?
I’m the author of Wanderlust and Lipstick: For Women Traveling to India. While I don’t purport to know everything about the country, I do know a thing or two and have a pretty good sense as to what women might like to experience in the country. I’ve done my best to pull together this tour to provide high value at the very best price.

As someone who knows the importance of getting beyond the surface experience in my own travels, I’ve take great care to ensure that all WanderTours incorporate genuine interactions with the locals as well as opportunities to go beyond what a larger group tour can provide. Our groups are small (generally 10-15 people) and that means we can be more agile and accommodating than larger groups.

Make this the year you visit India!

Travel Well!

Beth

Varanasi, India – Photo of the Day

Beth Whitman - Wanderluster — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 04:30:14 +0000

Varanasi is the holiest of cities in India and it’s the Ganges River that flows through the area. It’s where pilgrims come to worship. It’s where the sick and elderly come to die. And it’s where family members bring their dead family members – so that they may be cremated at the ghats (steps) that lead to the river.

An early riser, I love walking along the ghats in the morning as the sun comes up. Few people are out pre-sunrise, so it’s quiet. Not too long after the sun comes up however, hundreds (if not thousands) of people come to the river to bath, brush their teeth, do their daily puja (prayer) and get cleansed in the water. (Note – this is NOT advisable as it’s the same river where dead bodies float by and garbage is liberally tossed.)

Pilgrims also come to get their hair cut. I’m pretty certain that this is not your run of the mill Supercut. I’m sure there’s a significance to it, I just don’t know what it is!

While I initially thought this was Buddha, I stand corrected and this is Shiva. See the first comment below…

Interested in experiencing India for yourself? Check out the Women-only North India Tour this fall!

Travel Well!

Beth

Book a Tour in April – Save $150!

Beth Whitman - Wanderluster — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:55:04 +0000

My tax refund to YOU is to put $150 in your travel fund.

All you need to do is book an international WanderTour in the month of April, and you’ll save $150 bucks! Such a deal!

Here’s a roundup of the 2011 tours:

Papua New Guinea Mt. Hagen Singsing Cultural Tour
Dates: August 5 – 19
Cost: $5,750
Highlights: Mt. Hagen Singsing (50th anniversary!), riverboat cruise and homestays along the Sepik River, and relaxing time in the coastal town of Madang.
Registration Form Papua New Guinea 2011 (PDF)

Vietnam Transformation Tour with Ainslie MacLeod
Dates: September 14 – 24
Cost: $6,950 (5-star accommodation)
Highlights: Workshops with world-renowned psychic, Ainslie MacLeod, sightseeing in Saigon, Mekong Delta, Central Vietnam, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay.
Registration Form Transformation Tour 2011 with Ainslie MacLeod (PDF)

Bhutan Laya Trek
Dates: October 11 – 22
Cost: $4,950
Highlights: 7 days of trekking in the remote Laya region, soaking in the restorative Gasa Hot Springs, temple visits, hiking to Tiger’s Nest.
Registration Form Bhutan Laya Trek 2011 (PDF)

North India Cultural Tour
Dates: October 25 – November 9
Cost: $5,100
Highlights: The best of the north including Diwali celebrations in Delhi, Varanasi, the Taj Mahal, Khajuraho, Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Registration Form North India 2011 (PDF)

Deposits MUST be received no later than April 30, 2011 to qualify

OK – now where do you want to go?

Travel Well!

Beth

South India’s People

Beth Whitman - Wanderluster — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:26:52 +0000

Last week I wrote about the temples of South India. There are countless temples in the region that are well worth a visit. And though I was concerned that I’d be templed out, they were all so different that I never did get bored.

But what made South India so very special, was the warm welcome from the locals. Here, you’ll find a laid-back environment without the large number of rickshaw drivers following you down the road and vendors with their constant, “Madame, madame…” Which is exactly what you experience in the North.

For the most part, I felt pretty much left alone, except when someone was interested in our group and what we were doing in India. There just wasn’t the constant harassment to buy something.

As a matter of fact, there was a lightness and fun that permeated the South, especially from the children! And I don’t think it was only because we were there during Pongal, the harvest festival.

This young girl was all dressed up for Pongal, celebrated in the South over about 4 days’ time.

This woman captured my attention at a huge celebration at a temple in Thanjavur.

One of the most interesting and fun people we met along the way was this gentleman who became our guide at a temple (though he didn’t officially work there, he was a great guide). He showed us all the best spots from which to snap photos, took photos of our group for all of us and even helped us find the rest of our group when a few of us got lost!

In a country where those with disabilities can often have a very difficult time, this gentleman made the very best of his life. And with all the tips I’m sure he was making, I think that he was doing quite well for himself!

I was out for a walk one afternoon and found these nuns enjoying the ocean in Pondicherry. I loved the fact that they were sitting next to these women in saris. Common interests but oh-so-different.

I used to think that one had to go to the North in order to really experience India, but after this trip I realized the South is a fantastic introduction to the country. Kind of like India-light

Travel Well!