Travel Tip Number 5 - Water

Right now it is raining like crazy in Tennessee. I guess that means that the next tip should be about WATER.

The water in India seems to be a problem even for the Indians. Each state I have visited has it's own sort of problems. Even our guide chooses to drink bottled water in certain locations. We just solve all those problems through avoidance and INSIST on drinking bottled water at all places. Although there are a few places, like the SRF Ashrams and a certain place in Auroville, where the water filtration system is excellent, where we can drink water from the special pitchers.

In fact we suggest that you take it a step further and insist on brushing your teeth and rinsing your toothbrush with bottled water. Boy, it is hard to resist that impulse to rinse your toothbrush out in the sink. Some of my travellers have taken an additional toothbrush along in case they forgot what they were doing. Some of the hotels provide extra toothbrushes and of course, you can buy a new one there in the stores.

Just remember, ALWAYS drink bottled water. Check the cap too, to make sure it was sealed.

At certain times, when the group is large enough, we take a bus tour with our own bus. In these situations, the bus driver and his assistant will buy water by the case and keep it on ice for us. That is so handy! We have to pay a little more for the water, but that is just a little service charge. Water from the store is usually around 12 rupees (about 25 cents) per liter. Cool water from the bus driver is usually 20 rupees (about 50 cents) per liter. Water from room service in a hotel can be about US $2 or more. So there is quite a big variance in prices.

Travel Tip Number 4 - Immunizations

Your local hospital will have a place known as a "Travel Clinic" which will include internet access to recommended immunizations for where ever you plan to travel. They will also check your health records and give you a consultation.

The clinic I went to in Nashville in 2003 for my first trip recommended a Tetanus booster shot, also shots for Hepatitis A and Typhoid.

Then there is what can become an "issue" of Malaria medication. This comes in several oral forms, but can have side effects for sensitive people. Please check into this and discuss it carefully with your health care practitioner. This is an important decision to make concerning this trip.

I have chosen to not take any malaria medication due to the fact that I tend to be hypersensitive to chemicals. Instead I take a few "health food" products that are supposed to stimulate a person's natural immune system. In fact these are the same products I would take in the wintertime to prevent flu symptoms even while staying here in this country. This has been a successful plan for me.

Here are the names of my two favorite products:

New Chapter "Host Defense" which comes in oral spray bottle, liquid drops (to add to my water bottle) and capsules
Gaia brand "Astragalus" which comes in liquid drops or gel caps

Remember to bring along your "favorite" Mosquito Repellant!

Please do what is RIGHT FOR YOU!

Travel Tip Number 3 - Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is a concept that has been hard for me to understand. I have called several credit card companies and also noticed that there is a ton of information on the internet. So far my understanding is that there are 3 kinds of travel insurance: 1. Flight Travel Insurance, 2. Travel Medical Protection, and 3. Trip cancellation insurance.

1. Flight Travel Insurance -- This is a free service provided by many credit card companies when you purchase your airline ticket. Check with your credit card companies to see who will provide the best coverage for you and then use that credit card to purchase your ticket. This usually covers your medical needs during a flight only, in case something happens.

2. Travel Medical Protection -- This insurance will cover medical emergencies, hospitalizations, evacuations (check for exact details) for a specified time period, for instance, a trip of 30 days, or a trip of 45 days (check for policy details). This can be very inexpensive and a person can enroll on a monthly basis. American Express has plans that begin at $9.95 per month. You can also check with your current insurance provider. You might already be covered for foreign travel and not even know it!

3. Trip Cancellation Insurance -- This kind of insurance will apply if the trip has to be cancelled at the last minute due to sickness in the family, or natural disasters, or political disasters, or even labor disputes with airlines. An insured person can get full reimbursement of airline tickets and even tour company costs with proper validation of charges. This insurance can be a bit costly. The price depends on the cost of the tour plus airline tickets and also the age of the traveler. Again American Express has package deals that include both Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation.

If anyone knows of any special offers on the internet that will cover these insurance needs in a clear and honest manner, I would appreciate getting more information about them.

One last thing about insurance -- you will need to bring along on the trip your information about your insurance coverage. We will need to know that information and have it handy, along with your passport, at all times.

Travel Tip Number 2 - Passport and Visa

Wow! Time is just flying by. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, but now I must remember to get all these helpful Travel Tips out to my friends who want to travel with me.

PASSPORT -- In order to enter the country of India, first of all, your passport must be good for a minimum of 6 months or more. If you have less than 6 months left on your passport, you must apply for a new one to take with you. Please check your passport right away.

VISA -- India also requires a VISA for entry into the country. The application form is available from www.indianembassy.org . Click on the Passport/Visa button. Next scroll down to the Visa application (#2). There will be lots of instructions and another link to print the 2 page form with a 3rd page containing instructions.

Basically they request you to mail your valid passport, with 2 passport photos, the application form, and a cashier's check (no credit cards). This is mailed to the embassy in Washington, DC. Your passport with the visa laminated inside will be returned to you within 2 weeks.

COST -- For a Tourist visa, which is what we need, there are 2 choices: either a 6 month visa for the cost of $60, or a 10 year visa for the cost of $150. If you think you might enjoy travelling to India more than once, the extended visa might be what you would want. However, the 6 month is totally adequate and most people would want to visit India once before they would even know if they wanted to return.

Also there is a return mailing charge of $7.00. Don't forget to add that to your cashier's check.

LOCAL ADDRESS -- The visa application form requests a local address in India. Since we will be travelling on a tour, we use the address of our tour company. They will always know where we are at any minute in time.

KVT Travels Ltd.
805-806 Kirti Shikhar Building
District Center, Janakpuri,
New Delhi, 58, India