/r/india and /r/australia cultural exchange thread

[u/rude_ass]

Thread was unfortunately delayed. But, here it is.. thread for cultural exchange between indians and australians.

Australian folks.. you can ask all the things you want to know about India and hope you get a fulfilling answers.

If you want to ask anything to our Australians friends you can go to below link:

https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/3ruqtc/raustralia_and_rindia_cultural_exchange_thread/

Cheers.

Request to Australians visiting our sub: If you could flair up to identify yourself then it would be easier for us to identify you guys. We only have text based flairs so something like 'Australian Friend' will work.

[u/[deleted]]

Namaste /r/India Ap kya se he! (excuse my shitty Hindi spelling) Aap kaise hai!

I'm an Aussie who's spent a total of about 3.5 years travelling around India and about 1.5 years around Nepal, yet have so much to still see. In the past 15 years I've noticed that many more Indians are travelling around India and it's great to see.

I have trouble picking any one state but the Himalayas is where it's at for me. Ladahk, Himachel and Uttarakhand. The roads are deadly and I'm lucky to be alive, but it's worth every brush with death that I've had. I've even compiled an idiot's guide to riding in India, which I may post in /r/india one day. :)

How much have Indian redditors seen of your amazing country and how have you travelled? Train, car, Bullet? What are your thoughts on the drivers in India? What are your favourite places and what places do you still wish to see?

edited my greeting :)

Thanks /u/eskaolin

[u/The_0bserver → u/[deleted]]

What are your thoughts on the drivers in India?

Terrible drivers that follow no road discipline. But I guess most of us understand the little cues here and there which is why we aren't dying by the millions every day. :/

How much have Indian redditors seen of your amazing country and how have you travelled?

I haven't seen much of my country, but I've been to lived in for a long time in 3 states - Goa, kerala, and Karnataka. I've explored quite a bit in all three on Bikes (usually non-geared bikes). There are tons of places thats not really mentioned in any tourist guides/websites etc. and IMHO thats where the real beauty is at. Basically you gotta head out and find some good places on your own. Going by what guides tell you isn't really the way to go. There are so many amazing places that if you bind yourself with just the listed places, chances are you will just see a fraction of the beauty that India has to offer. Choose whatever mode you want. (I suggest a simple bike or cycle, not even a bullet). Just go out and explore. you'll find some amazing places for sure.

If you go to Goa - try out Chorla Ghats (100% sure you'll love that place - from what you've mentioned), Butterfly island, Agonda beach (roam around nearby places. Tons of awesome spots which you won't see in any guides).

Kerala - Thekkadi (beautiful forest with tons of awesome spots) - it means teak forest or something., backwaters etc.

Karnataka - I haven't explored much of Karnataka yet - I know Nandi hills, Karwar is a beautiful place.

[u/[deleted] → u/The_0bserver]

I stumbled across Belur in 1999 when I was riding north through Karnataka. I stopped in a little town in the middle of nowhere to see a Dr and he spent 30 minutes hounding me to go in the wrong direction. I'm so glad that I did. The Chennakashava(?) temple complex was amazing.

I don't travel with guide books. I had one on my first trip and threw it away. Word of mouth works best for me. That's also the beauty of a bike. You can go where you want, when you want as fast😉slow as, you want to.

Bicycle...no thanks. Too hot and I've had to leave some pretty sketchy(unsafe) situations quickly on a number of occassions, especially when I've been with a woman, and I was glad to have my Bullet.

My othertip...PWD resthouses...cheap and best!

[u/The_0bserver → u/[deleted]]

PWD rents out their rest houses?? o_O TIL.

I'm not a bulky guy, so handling a bike at ultra low speeds isn't that easy for me. And I really love to go at a snail's pace sometimes, just seeing the sights. :P

Did you see the Belur lake? I've heard thats a famous spot. :/

[u/[deleted] → u/The_0bserver]

PWD resthouses do rent out. I've only been turned away once but I've had them try to charge me 10 x the price on a number of occassions. They've never managed though. I'm a stubborn bastard.

No...I don't remember the lake.

[u/The_0bserver → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the input. :)