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This is an Ambassador, the workhorse of the Indian roads. No mere parking lot accident can dent its fenders! In Bangalore this would be your average Taxi but don’t get misled by this there are choices of other cars available here. Hiring a taxi can set you off by about $15. US Dollars per day. RADIO TAXIS: The city’s new service. Call 25510000, 23320152, 23487192, 23327589 Hotels
This is indicative advice: In restaurants and hotels, tips are pooled and shared by all working staff. Be generous - most service people run their lives on tips more than salaries. When in doubt, 10% will do nicely. Remember we are not a rich city and anything of gratuity is appreciated.
These world-class hotels -Leela Palace (very near to the Airport and close to the heart of the city) & Oberoi are a good place to rest. You will have spent about 22 hours in the air if you came from the United States.
And since we are 12 1/2 hours ahead of Los Angeles you may not sleep well the first few nights. You may find yourself wide-awake at 1:00 AM because your body is hungry and ready to go for lunch. So be prepared for a few difficult days initially.
Click here for a list of hotels with their URLs.
Shopping Now you are ready for some fantastic shopping! Prices are great and the products and atmosphere is exotic.
For the ladies its best to buy yourself a beautiful sari (or saaree), maybe one each for your friends, this is the most common & traditional attire in south India. The sarees come in all types of variation, colors, and designs. In fact click here for some bare facts about Sarees, how to wear it and other facts.
The Lady on the
left is wearing cotton Salwar Kamis.
Many tourists buy some and wear them while in India and discover it to be very comfortable and practical. You can take them home and find them to be a big hit with their friends.
Many tourists like
to buy silk blouses, scarves and custom made outfits.
You could even pick up a few antiques at Cauvery on MG road or different state emporiums on the same road.
Click here for more GIFTS from India Indian Food Bangalorians
and most Indians don't eat until 1PM. Many of the traditions shops are
closed from 1-4pm. Just like Mexico, they take a siesta. You can eat at
one of the many fine restaurants. You might be very surprised to see someone
eating with his or her hands.
Most days in Bangalore are pleasant enough to have food outside. Check out some of the finest restaurants and Hotel with your local travel staff. You can view some of the listed places here.
Pubs in Bangalore
In fact there are more Pubs in Bangalore than all other Metro cities in Indian put together.
Typical Housing (Bungalows & Apartments)
Typical old
Bangalore bungalows (houses) like these are often torn down to make way for
new apartments.
Downtown Bangalore MG Road goes through the center of downtown Bangalore.
The man above is the typical Bangalore traffic policeman!
MG road is the hub of all the shopping you need to do but not always a good idea to finish every thing here, there are other places that also have a very good reach.
The garden City No tour is
complete without a brief glimpse into the many parks and gardens in
Bangalore. Take a stroll in evergreen Cubbon Park spread over an area of 500
acres dominated by the imposing granite building, the Vidhan Saudha, the
public library, a children’s park and an aquarium are located here.
Adjoining it are the government museum and the industrial and technological
museum. Or take a leisurely walk around the Lal Bagh the 250-acre botanical gardens laid out by Hyder Ali and Tipu. Sultan over 200 years ago. Here a magnificent Victorian style glass house where flower shows are held twice a year, August and January.
Stopping for a Snack There is all the snack bar you get worldwide in Bangalore; on the left is Kentucky Fried Chicken. Note: Since the cow is considered sacred in India no beef is served.
Click ahead for some handy travel tips. TRAVEL TIPS What to Wear Bangalore has great weather! It is neither too cold nor too hot.
Health Check with your doctor before coming. Often foreigners are vulnerable to illness. I suppose Indians get sick when traveling abroad also. The following shots are recommended. Hepatitis A & B . Malaria is not a problem in Bangalore but is a problem in other parts of India. If you are traveling ask your doctor for some preventative medicine. While in India it is a good idea to drink only bottled or boiled water. Visa
Indian Rupee You can exchange money at the airport upon arrival. Credit cards are accepted at the finer hotels, restaurants and retail stores.
Language You may be surprised at the amount of English spoken in Bangalore. You will hear teenagers talking in English on the streets. Most shop owners and taxi drivers will speak broken English. Business travelers will discover that it may take a while to understand the accent but soon will realize that language will not be a problem. India has many
cultures and languages. It is like many countries within a country. English
and Hindi are commonly used as bridge language. Generally Indians know more
than one language and can learn languages quickly.
A few people experience culture shock in India but for most their visit is a fantastic life changing experience. Often people are sad when they leave and want to return.
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This site was last updated 09/19/04 Copyright © Edward E .A
