Zero_Unit Posted November 1 Posted November 1 Hey Folks, i'll be visiting India for the first time alone (went there a long time ago with my parents when I was a kid - so don't remember much) and was wondering if y'all have some advice on what to avoid, what to see, etc. Will mostly stay at Chennai for about a week. Also, had a question about the Visa. As a non-Indian resident, how does the Visa work? According to this website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ I just apply for it online. Is this accurate? appriciate the help/advice in advance.
aflacl Posted November 1 Posted November 1 3 hours ago, Zero_Unit said: Hey Folks, i'll be visiting India for the first time alone (went there a long time ago with my parents when I was a kid - so don't remember much) and was wondering if y'all have some advice on what to avoid, what to see, etc. Will mostly stay at Chennai for about a week. Also, had a question about the Visa. As a non-Indian resident, how does the Visa work? According to this website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ I just apply for it online. Is this accurate? appriciate the help/advice in advance. Welcome..first think I generally ask visitors to avoid in India is Chennai, but that does not work in your case That's right for visa if you need it immediately but you may want to check if you are eligible for OCI card..it takes time but is like a permanent visa for India Zero_Unit 1
Zero_Unit Posted November 2 Author Posted November 2 5 hours ago, aflacl said: Welcome..first think I generally ask visitors to avoid in India is Chennai, but that does not work in your case That's right for visa if you need it immediately but you may want to check if you are eligible for OCI card..it takes time but is like a permanent visa for India I hear good stuffs about Chennai. Even on youtube, seems better than Delhi lol. Also, thanks for the info about the visa, will look it up
aflacl Posted November 2 Posted November 2 28 minutes ago, Zero_Unit said: I hear good stuffs about Chennai. Even on youtube, seems better than Delhi lol. Also, thanks for the info about the visa, will look it up Chennai is great. Have spent some amount of childhood there. Although it's being left behind in race by Bangalore and Hyderabad. A small point - if you aren't BCG vaccinated, avoid TB hotspots in India. Can read about it. Zero_Unit 1
Zero_Unit Posted November 2 Author Posted November 2 53 minutes ago, aflacl said: Chennai is great. Have spent some amount of childhood there. Although it's being left behind in race by Bangalore and Hyderabad. A small point - if you aren't BCG vaccinated, avoid TB hotspots in India. Can read about it. Yeah, my family doctor told me to get a bunch of vaccine before going there, lol. aflacl 1
jf1gp_1 Posted November 2 Posted November 2 53 minutes ago, Zero_Unit said: Yeah, my family doctor told me to get a bunch of vaccine before going there, lol. What vaccines ?? polio ? chickenpox ? My only advice. Don't be adventurous and go eating street food on day 1, also don't be over cautious like few idiots I have seen who even bath with bottled water. Also do not drive or ride a 2 wheeler. Rest its no different than most chaotic US cities.
Zero_Unit Posted November 2 Author Posted November 2 4 hours ago, jf1gp_1 said: What vaccines ?? polio ? chickenpox ? My only advice. Don't be adventurous and go eating street food on day 1, also don't be over cautious like few idiots I have seen who even bath with bottled water. Also do not drive or ride a 2 wheeler. Rest its no different than most chaotic US cities. Hepatitis a/b, malaria, measles and can't remember the last one. Something with t. I've to other 3rd world countries before lol, that I do know about the showering part lol. But it's funny that people actually shower with bottles water lmao. Also, yeah, I don't plan on riding 2 wheelers. But good tips
coffee_rules Posted November 2 Posted November 2 16 hours ago, Zero_Unit said: Hey Folks, i'll be visiting India for the first time alone (went there a long time ago with my parents when I was a kid - so don't remember much) and was wondering if y'all have some advice on what to avoid, what to see, etc. Will mostly stay at Chennai for about a week. Also, had a question about the Visa. As a non-Indian resident, how does the Visa work? According to this website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ I just apply for it online. Is this accurate? appriciate the help/advice in advance. I have visited almost every year, I have OCI for whole family. Visa - you might get a 10-year visa as a NRI/PIO or even a Visa on arrival probably for a short period. Of urgent, you can go to a consulate, otherwise apply online. I applied online for my OCI. Chennai - visit temple town a Trichi, Madurai etc. Kanyakumari , Pondy for history, sightseeing. Ooty, Nilgiris, Mysore ,?Munnar, Kerala for backwarer boat cruises Dont go about eating on the street, even Indians don’t eat all. Some eateries on street are clean and expensive. They are ok. Best to open a NEO account and link it to a UPI and you can pay through UPI via phone app everywhere. Cash is very scarce , won’t get change back. Credit card works in some posh places Zero_Unit 1
coffee_rules Posted November 2 Posted November 2 1 hour ago, Zero_Unit said: Hepatitis a/b, malaria, measles and can't remember the last one. Something with t. I've to other 3rd world countries before lol, that I do know about the showering part lol. But it's funny that people actually shower with bottles water lmao. Also, yeah, I don't plan on riding 2 wheelers. But good tips Ask your physician and get all vaccines they advice. Better be safe for first time Zero_Unit 1
Zero_Unit Posted November 2 Author Posted November 2 6 hours ago, coffee_rules said: I have visited almost every year, I have OCI for whole family. Visa - you might get a 10-year visa as a NRI/PIO or even a Visa on arrival probably for a short period. Of urgent, you can go to a consulate, otherwise apply online. I applied online for my OCI. Chennai - visit temple town a Trichi, Madurai etc. Kanyakumari , Pondy for history, sightseeing. Ooty, Nilgiris, Mysore ,?Munnar, Kerala for backwarer boat cruises Dont go about eating on the street, even Indians don’t eat all. Some eateries on street are clean and expensive. They are ok. Best to open a NEO account and link it to a UPI and you can pay through UPI via phone app everywhere. Cash is very scarce , won’t get change back. Credit card works in some posh places This is some good info. Thanks! coffee_rules 1
Lord Posted November 2 Posted November 2 Being a northie. I’d say expect lot of humidity and sweating. So drink lots of water You are in Canada right? Zero_Unit 1
Trichromatic Posted November 3 Posted November 3 Forget NRIs, I wouldn't recommend even locals to binge on street food in India with fake and adulterated materials. aflacl and Zero_Unit 2
Zero_Unit Posted November 3 Author Posted November 3 (edited) 10 hours ago, Lord said: Being a northie. I’d say expect lot of humidity and sweating. So drink lots of water You are in Canada right? Yep, Canada! winter is about to hit here but never been to Chennai before and looking at things, it will be a huge difference between the two weather. Last time I went to India when I was a kid was in Kolkata to see my dad's family and Delhi. It was hot then too. Edited November 3 by Zero_Unit Lord 1
coffee_rules Posted November 3 Posted November 3 11 hours ago, Zero_Unit said: This is some good info. Thanks! That is a NRO - Rupee account Zero_Unit 1
bsriharsha Posted November 3 Posted November 3 Really tough to nail down on food though. I've had us colleagues coming down from usa who simply loved the Indian food served here. It's more the point of how much you know your digestion system. But to be on the safe side , stick to bottled water from reputed brands like aquafina. Eat only home cooked food initially atleast for the first 2 days. One of the magic of indian food is the local cuisine so I'm not going to be the guy who's going to discourage you totally from that. Zero_Unit 1
bsriharsha Posted November 3 Posted November 3 Oh a nro account for UPI payments is a must. Don't carry cash in India.
LordPrabhzy Posted November 3 Posted November 3 1 hour ago, bsriharsha said: Oh a nro account for UPI payments is a must. Don't carry cash in India. When you say dont carry cash- have people stopped accepting it? What if one doesn't have a NRO/NRE account- i am guessing options is only cash or Debit card ( whoever accepts it?)
bsriharsha Posted November 3 Posted November 3 1 hour ago, LordPrabhzy said: When you say dont carry cash- have people stopped accepting it? UPI transactions
Zero_Unit Posted November 3 Author Posted November 3 5 hours ago, bsriharsha said: Oh a nro account for UPI payments is a must. Don't carry cash in India. In Japan, they had a suica or wtv the name of that card was (forgot the name) where you fill it up and you pay using it. Is this something similar?
Lord Posted November 3 Posted November 3 13 hours ago, Zero_Unit said: Yep, Canada! winter is about to hit here but never been to Chennai before and looking at things, it will be a huge difference between the two weather. Last time I went to India when I was a kid was in Kolkata to see my dad's family and Delhi. It was hot then too. Nice. Moved there recently. Does this pic mean anything to you?
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