[jyoti]

I've just posted my packing list for returning! Disclaimer: I'm going to be in Delhi for two years, so have no intention of trying to travel light and have plenty of time to find anything that is available in India. So if you're going for two weeks, trekking, etc. you list may be quite different.

It is available in my blogs or here: My blog on theindiatree

[john.sw]

I've only been to Delhi once, but it seems that things are different here in S. India.

I have left comments on your blog which I hope you find interesting!

Meanwhile, I would add a few other things to bring to India:

Motorcycle Crash Helmets - I wouldn't trust my life to one of those Rs250 things that look like crash helmets, but aren't!

Laptop:  You're allowed to bring one duty free, and if you bring one it will be cheaper and have your country's keyboard on it!

Kitchen Stuff: Cheese grater; can opener; espresso coffee machine; cake tins, bread tins, kitchen knives; wine glasses - they're all available here, but hard to find, horribly designed or very expensive!

Electric Blanket: For cold nights in the Hill Stations

Duvet or Continental Quilt: ditto

Rechargeable Electric Drill/Screwdriver: Available here but poor quality and very very expensive.

Spotlight: For frightening elephants off your property.  Those rechargeable 3 million candle power spotlights don't seem to be on sale here.

Leather cream and furniture polish: We couldn't find any, so brought them from the UK.

Air Mail Stickers: Free from the Post Office in the UK, but not available here.

I'm sure that there's plenty of other stuff I could list, but maybe another time!

[jyoti]

john.sw, on May 28 2009, 06:04 AM, said:

I've only been to Delhi once, but it seems that things are different here in S. India.

I have left comments on your blog which I hope you find interesting!

Meanwhile, I would add a few other things to bring to India:

Motorcycle Crash Helmets - I wouldn't trust my life to one of those Rs250 things that look like crash helmets, but aren't!

Probably very wise, but they're heavy! That's 10 fewer pounds of books ... or chocolate!

john.sw, on May 28 2009, 06:04 AM, said:

Laptop:  You're allowed to bring one duty free, and if you bring one it will be cheaper and have your country's keyboard on it!

Yep, that and a camera are my carry-on. Didn't think to actually list it.

QUOTE:

"Kitchen Stuff: Cheese grater; can opener; espresso coffee machine; cake tins, bread tins, kitchen knives; wine glasses - they're all available here, but hard to find, horribly designed or very expensive!

I have a cheese grater! Bought in Bangalore & put it in my "hope chest". like, "hope i have a kitchen someday..."  I also found an egg slicer.  Definitely agree on the baking stuff -- hard to find. Won't have an oven, though, so can manage without for a year.

Yay! I'm bringing a down comforter & thought it was totally frivolous. I actually brought my favorite quilt last time and was glad for it, though I found great fleece blankets in India.

QUOTE:
Spotlight: For frightening elephants off your property.  Those rechargeable 3 million candle power spotlights don't seem to be on sale here.

*grin* You think that's gonna be a problem in Delhi, eh?

john.sw, on May 28 2009, 06:04 AM, said:

Leather cream and furniture polish: We couldn't find any, so brought them from the UK.

Air Mail Stickers: Free from the Post Office in the UK, but not available here.

I'm sure that there's plenty of other stuff I could list, but maybe another time!

Some great suggestions, John. I have a feeling all of the above will be carried over sometime in the next few trips.

[jyotirmoy]

At Khan Market in Delhi you will find almost every thing you need and yes very good quality too.

[Lilkate]

Hey Frequent Flyer, guess what so am I!!  I have been travelling for 18 months now and India is my next stop and I can't wait to get there.  I noticed you have a heap of stuff and just wanted to let you know about the company I have used twice whilst travelling.  Seven Seas Worldwide have offices all around the world and in India.  They have the best service, door to door delivery, free boxes and are half the price of the airlines.  They have saved me soo much money.

Hope this helps.
Happy and safe travells, Lil Kate

[jyoti]

Hmmm... Well, I am trying to stay within the 100 pounds (with a few extra pounds snuck into the carry on *grin*), but if I need a delivery service, I'll look into your suggestion. Welcome to the tree. When do you arrive in India? What's your plan there?

[Lilkate]

Nice to meet you, still researching and saving at the moment.  Looking at starting in Mumbai and just travelling as much as possible as cheaply as possible for about four weeks.   Any tour suggestions, I like safe but outside the square!!

[jyoti]

... Hmm, is there a reason you're starting in Mumbai?  Of all the places I've been in India, I hate Mumbai and will avoid flying or traveling thru there at all costs! So just curious if you've chosen Mumbai for a reason.

Are you interested in North or South? I enjoy Delhi a lot, and would probably recommend traveling North, but am more familiar with the South since I lived in Bangalore for two years.