India: 10 Tips for Traveling in India

India was definitely a land of beauty. But certainly it was not easy traveling in India. I heard someone once says 'If you can travel and survive in India, you can travel and survive anywhere else.'

With these words carved in my heart, my husband and I decided it is the right time to travel India. So, we did travel in India for 2 weeks and it was experience like none other. It was not luxurious trip nor an easy trip like we used to do in Korea, Singapore, and Bali. We thoroughly enjoy our experience in India despite the ups and downs. Everything happens for a reason and it gives us a chance to learn and be wiser.

Taj Mahal, Agra

But if I could share my/our wisdom and experience with you guys, I hope this 10 tips will help you for your upcoming adventure in India.

1. Triposo India

I am truly grateful for this app. Not only you can use map and gps when it is offline. You can also check recommended places to see, foods to eat, things to do while offline. But of course if you are on online mode, you will get more of it; like you would be able to see pictures of places to see, booked hotel and see the reviews first, etc. This app helped us booked 4 hotels on our journey, one in each cities; Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, and Goa. Our favorite hotel were the one in Jaipur (H.R Palace) and the ultimate one in Delhi (Hotel Holiday Inn, Airport City). Also it helps to navigate offline with the offline gps and map every time you need to walk around the area or looking to find the hotel's address.  *Hotel Review on the next post

Front side of Hawa Mahal 

2. Learn the basic Language

Sure, there are a lot of people that speak English in Mumbai and Delhi. So did in Jaipur too. But it is always nice to be able to say thank you, hi, etc in local language. On our case, I can speak a little bit of Hindi since I have been watching Bollywood movies since I was small. I picked up some words that I used a lot on the trip. I find it a lot easier to haggle and people tend to be nicer and more willing to help when I speak the local language.

3. Polite but Firm

There will be plenty and believe me when I said plenty..because it will be plenty of scams and people trying to offer you things to sell. They always act super nice and tend to be helpful. But then they will ask you to visit their store and buy something. I bought 2 overly expensive pashminas for 1000 rupees when I can get it for even cheaper price. I also bought several clothes and other fabrics for quite expensive price when I can always get it cheaper somewhere else. Sigh. It will happen more often in Jaipur and Agra. Not so much in Mumbai. Lesson learned, be polite yet firm when it comes to say NO.

4. Dress Modestly and Comfortably

Whether you are a man or a woman, dress modestly in India is always more appreciated. Don't forget to pack a scarf or you can buy some in India as they have so many of those beautiful scarfs. Jaipur offers a satin/sutra made scarf, I bought mine for 500 rupees. But I think you can still get it cheaper. It won't hurt to bring your own scarf too. In case you won't have any time for shopping. On hot humid India, we prefer to wear sandals. As it is a lot easier to take it off if you want to visit temples.

5. Best Season

Best season to go to India especially North India is October-November. As it will be lest hot. Train journey will also be faster before December for a trip from Agra to Delhi or Jaipur to Agra as there might be sand storm on December which we will make the train goes super slow and the journey will be longer twice than usual.

Akbar's Tomb in Agra

6. Careful with Auto rickshaw or Tuk-tuk Driver

I was really upset when I first dealing with Tuk-tuk driver in Jaipur and then Agra. They appeared to be nice. The one in Jaipur offer a cheap trip of 200 rupees to 4 different places that was currently free of charge. He said there is some event for the elephant. He would take us to Elephant house, water temple, Maharani's pool, etc and we don't have to pay a dime for the ticket. Turned out those places were Elephant's cage where they will guilty trip you to get an elephant ride for the benefit of the elephant (yeah damn right it is for the elephant!?), Jal Mahal and a small pool which cannot be entered to begin with..obviously there won't be any ticket selling there. The worse, he said he will take us to Mughal's village to see local people's home business; like printing and stuff. But he took us to a store where the owner explained how the printing was made from a handmade block print. I had to bought 2 overly pricey pashminas there. Fortunately I can give it to my mom who loves pashmina. The driver's name is Ali and he is a tuk-tuk driver in Jaipur. He drives like a mad guy in small alleys or cramped road. Make sure if you get a tuk-tuk driver, said No if he offers all the think like I mentioned above. Stick to your plan and to do list.

beautiful Jal Mahal or Water Palace

7. Pack Lightly

India is hot and humid. It won't be fun to walk around with suitcases every time you move city to city. It is always better to pack lightly in India as it will be easier for you to pay attention to all your stuffs and less chance of it getting stolen. Don't forget to pack sunblock and lotion too. Sunblock is the best protection against the sun. And despite of its humidity, it is always best to put on lotion right before sleeping to keep the moisture inside. Because it is also very dusty in some parts of India. Scarf will also help you breath when it is really dusty. Bring sling bag too, it is easier to walk around with sling bag instead of backpack since we won't be able to see if pickpocket try to steal something on the crowd.

8. List to Do and Places to Go

It is better to have a list to do and places to go before going to India. It will give us brief information on our plan and will help you to navigate from places to places avoiding wasting time in between places thinking where else to go. However, let live decide the next plan. Don't get too upset if it is not exactly as you plan it. Because you will never know what will you encounter there. You might like a certain place a lot more and decided to stay there longer. That could works too. But having a list to do and places to go/see definitely help the decision making. My advice, no need to stay longer in Agra and Jaipur as you might finished all the sightseeing in the major tour destinations within 2 days. You can even do one day trip to Agra and coming back to Jaipur. We regret not spending more time in other part of Rajasthan like Jaisalmer which I heard even more beautiful.

Our list

9. Be Alarmed but Don't be Paranoid

Yes, there are a lot of bad publications about India. You are entitled to be more cautious but no need to be paranoid. I found Mumbai pretty save even at night. Jaipur especially, we would just randomly sitting some where at night while waiting for the night entertainment to start. Just use your common sense. Don't go out too late at night and better if you have company.

10. Have sense of Humor and Enjoy the Ride

Yes, India is super beautiful. They have rich culture and beautiful palaces. But there are also parts where people peeing on the street, lousy traffic, scammer tuk-tuk driver, etc. I let myself becoming to engross in the feeling of being upset and mad that it almost ruin our journey. I almost cried in Fatehpur Sikri, a palace outside of Agra, because people keep swarming us and offering to sell things or to guide us. I have said No to this one but the next one coming. I could not event count it. They are super persistent. I yelled and cried. All they did was amused and confused. But after I look very upset. They stop bothering us. However, it almost ruin the experience. Actually it is pretty ruined. Because of all the things that happened to us in India including getting stolen in Mumbai, Fatehpur Sikri was really awful experience. I almost think it was not worth it to go 1 hour tuk-tuk drive from Agra. Lesson learned. Enjoy the ride and the rest is history or exciting story for the future.

Songs That Inspire Me to Travel

Songs That Inspired Me to Travel

I have posted an article about Movies that inspired me to travel, Here.
Now, it is time for me to post about particular songs from some movies that also spark my interest for traveling. I would like to share these songs with you guys. Hopefully you will like it and get inspired from it.

1. Yunhi Chala Chal Rahi (Swades)

2. Khwabon Ke Parindey (Zindegi Na Milegi Dobara)

3. Hum Jo Chalne Laga (Jab We Meet)

4. Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhaana (Andaaz)

5. Ilahi (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani)

6. Oh Gujariya (Queen)

7. Taake Jhanke (Queen)

8. Manhattan (English Vinglish)

9. Aahista Aahista (Bachna Ae Haseeno)

Movies That Inspired Me to Travel

Movies That Inspired Me to Quit My Job and Travel

I recently and officially quit the job to travel. Nope, it was not to travel around the world. Tho it is what I would very much like to do. The reason is because I am moving to America to be with my husband and his family. In the mean time while waiting for Green card, I would like to travel as much as I can or as much as my money can afford it.

I have been craving to travel around the world since I was little. There are several countries I would really like to visit and there are other that I would visit but only if I have to. There are also other countries which is not even on my list to visit (mostly dangerous war zone country).

My thirst for traveling mostly inspired from movies, songs, and books that I encountered. These are the list of movies that inspired me to travels.

1. Queen

source: desiglobetrotter.com

IMDB Rating: 8.5
Queen is a story about a shy Indian girl from a well respected family who got left at the altar. This is about her story finding herself, her happiness, and courage to live on through a series of event she experienced during her backpack trip around Europe.

2. Zindegi Na Milegi Dobara

IMDB Rating: 8.1
This is a movie about friendship. 3 guys from different background who used to be best friend, but somehow life throw them apart. In a last effort to reconcile, one of the guy who is soon to be married invite the 2 other guys on a journey as his bachelor party trip. The only requirement is each one of them get to choose one activity and the rest should do it without complaining. A beautiful movie about friendship, traveling to Europe with beautiful scenery, and yes good looking man with yummy abs is present as eye candy.

3. English Vinglish

IMDB Rating: 7.9
English Vinglish is a great movie. I have watched more than twice now. A shy and conservative Indian lady who barely speak English has to go to US for a wedding of her niece by herself before her family to help with the preparation. Scared to go since she barely speak english, she nervously joined an English class for foreigner in New York. The trip that was originally scary get her to understand more about things surrounding her and help her get the respect she deserves.

4. Finding Fanny

IMDB Rating: 5.9
A group of misfit get together for their own purposes but mainly to help an old guy found his long lost love. A group that was not your ordinary group, get together in a long road trip in search of love while portraying the beauty of Goa and South India. What else do you need?

5. Swades

IMDB Rating: 8.3
Shahrukh Khan played as US based Rocket Scientist trying to get US Citizenship. While waiting for the process, he went back to India to bring his last remnant of India which is his old nanny. However, on his trip to his homeland that he barely recognize, he found love in a beautiful woman who teaches kids in the village. His journey to India, his road trip to the village areas, made him realize how beautiful India is. Portraying the beauty of North India's village, this movie will capture your heart and tickle your thirst for traveling.

6. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge

IMDB Rating: 8.3 (should be rated 10/10)
I am sure you all know about this movie. If you haven't watched this movie. I seriously question your life choices. Seriously, defcon 5, need to watch this movie. Believe it or not, this movie has been running in the cinema since 1995-2014 (probably still up to now).
A romantic story about a young man (Shahrukh) went for a Euro Trip with a group of his friend and accidentally encounter a young girl (Kajol) who was also doing Euro Trip with her friends. The key of this movie is Euro Trip, Beautiful and magnificent India, Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. Really, do watch this movie!!!!

Marriage Life: Wedding Proposal

On February 17th, boyfriend (now husband) proposed to me. It was sweet and cute in the same time. He thought that I didn't know what he is planning to do. I was nervous. Because I have been hinting so many things to him about my ideal proposal. I was hoping he could pull it off the way I want it to be. I am very perfectionist when it comes to romance. I have several scenarios in mind;

Scenario 1

I have watched a scene in Indian movie called Dostana where John Abraham cooked dinner for the Priyanka and watch Kuch-Kuch Hota Hai in a big screen while sitting in a mat then they dance the same time Shahrukh asks Kajol to dance with him under the rain. I was hoping it would be like that. That was one of my scenario.

What I had in mind, scenario number 1

Scenario 2

He would invite my close friends, have some people ready to take picture and video of him proposing to me in the fanciest restaurant while it plays my favorite song from Brian McKnight 'Rest of My Life' while wearing his best outfit.

Here is actually what happened when he proposed to me that day.

17th February, we had dinner in a restaurant in Grand Indonesia East Mall, Ninety Nine Resto,
Before dinner, husband took me to Apple store in the same floor. He knew I have been wanting to buy Macbook for a long time since my old computer is getting to old. He bought me Macbook Air and I was super happy. At this point, it is already clear he was bribing me so I would say yes. hihihi

After we finished our meal, he took my hand and asked me to look around in the restaurant. When we were inside a room, he suddenly sang 'Tujhe Dekha to yeh janaa sanam" from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge soundtrack. The bartender stop shaking the drink and kept watching us. The other waiter has joined him. Fortunately the restaurant was empty. I could feel my cheek turned red and hot when he asked me to sing my line which i remember with my heart. But hell no, I would not sing bollywood song in front of stranger. So, he gave up forcing me to sing. He kneeled down and asked me to marry him 'Suci Fitriany, will you marry me!?' he said in his trembling voice. Never before I have seen him trembling and so nervous like this. He should know that I wanted to marry him yet he is still nervous and worried. My heart beats faster and with giggly smile I said yes. I was really really shy from all the bartender, waiter, bush boy watching us singing to bollywood song. We headed out from the restaurant and took this picture in front of the apartment instead.

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge will remind my most favorite movie of all time. Now for another different reason, I will always remember this movie. He memorized the line from the song for weeks with the help of his work mate in India.

Fyi, this movie was played in a cinema in India for 1000 weeks since 1995 till 2014. Probably still running in cinema till now. The everlasting and one of the best romance movie ever made. I have watched this movie countless time.
If you have never watch this movie, I really recommended this one. If you ever like Kuch-Kuch Hota Hai, it is the more reason to watch this one.

Haider, An Adaptation to Hamlet

'Haider', an adaptation to Hamlet will be completing Vishal Bharadwaj's works after 'Omkara' (adaptation of Othello) and 'Maqbool' (adaptation of Macbeth).

" The adaptation was made to portray the political intrigue and history of Kashmir as well as the play's sexual conflicts." -Bharadwaj about Haider

I am looking forward to see Shahid Kapoor in a movie that might be his ticket to the Award functions (not as MC or performer). This will be slightly too dark for my taste, but the trailer looks very promising. Almost can't recognize Shahid's boyish face behind the crazy looking appearance as Haider/Hamlet.

This might be a movie that people can enjoy..even though they are not into Bollywood movie.

I haven't seen 'Maqbool' and I think I have seen 'Omkara' before, but I vaguely remember the story. Omkara wasn't really stick into my mind as I hope it would be. No offense to Saif Ali Khan's fans, but his work as a character actor wasn't as convincing as others like Salman Khan for 'Tere Naam', Priyanka on 'Barfi' and 'Mary Kom', etc.

As someone who went to English Literature major (It doesn't give me any credibility to judge tho, my judgement would be personal whether I like it or not), I am both excited and afraid of this 'Haider' movie. It could either go 'amazingly' well or 'horribly' gone wrong.

However, the trailer and some of the songs preview see very promising to me. I hope it will play in Indonesian's cinema as not so many Indian movies played here. Though recently people has been giving more attention and appreciation toward Bollywood movies.

Here it is, the trailer of the promising movie I have been talking about;

Bollywood Handsome Hunk 2014

There are too many of them, but I will only mention some of Bollywood stars who recently made a new movie or fall into category as handsome hunk. As much as I love Shahrukh Khan, you probably won't see him on this list. Since he is more of a drama actor and the king of romantic movies.
Despite of the numbers on this list, I was not planning to put it as a rank. Hunk no 10 could be better than hunk no 2 in my opinion and your hunk could be better than my fav hunk.

1. Randeep Hooda

He falls into category of Bad Boy. His recent movies are Jism 2 (not so recommended) and Highway (Super Recommended). In both movies, he played the anti hero role. (Spoiler) Both end tragically. I cried so much for Mahabir Batti. He really captured my heart with his role in 'Highway'. I was surprise because his first movie that I watched is 'Jism 2'. So I wasn't expecting that I would be head over heels for Mahabir, his role in 'Highway'.

2. Arunoday Singh

His Recent movie: Main Tera Hero as the bad and kinda dumb but hot cop

He has a freakishly small head compare to his body builder body. It looks kinda weird to me, but it depends on his hair cut. On this one, he looks normal and cute. But on Jism 2, aaargh, that hair cut creeps me out. I first saw him on a movie titled "Aisha'. He was charming there and his voice was so sexy. So he is in my category of handsome hunk 'occasionally', but his charming and sexy voice made him into this list.

3. Varun Dhawan

His recent movie: Main Tera Hero and Student of The Year
This hunk is the hottest item right now. The King bee and the naughty hunk. Nobody could resist his charming but naughty smile. He has the brightest character (at least on all his movies). Somehow, his role in 'Main Tera Hero' kinda reminds me of young Salman Khan. Salman used to play those naughty but hot hunk on his several movies directed by David Dhawan, like 'Chal Mere Bhai', 'Biwi No.1', 'Yeh Hai Jalwa', and etc. So, I would say he is the new Salman Khan. Both body builder, both naughty, both has cheeky smile.


4. Ranveer Singh

Recent Movie: Ram Leela, Gunday

Thanks to Sanjay Leela Bhansali for making this guy our heartthrob. He might be the hottest hunk in Bollywood right now. He is also a bad boy of Bollywood. He plays gun smuggler in Ram Leela and Gunday. Well, kinda similar role and both with romantic heart. How could you say no to a 'greek looking god' of a man who says "Jitni tu sexy hai utni tu danger(You are as dangerous as you are sexy)" My dill goes hmmmmmm when I saw him.

5. Arjun Kapoor

Recent Movie: Gunday and 2 States
He is both tall and handsome. Also has a rich facial expression. He can look pierce in 'Gunday' but look boyish in '2 States'. Completely 2 different role and he manage to play the role nicely. He managed to look melancholic as a writer and a college boy in '2 States', but you see him in 'Gunday' he screams bad boy for his role.

Okay, I am stuck now. Anyone else? Care to share? Abishek, John, Akshay are definitely sexy. But let's find someone with a younger age and just play in a new movie (2013-2014). Any idea?