Rice is, of course, the basic
Indian staple, but although it is eaten throughout the country, it is all-important
only in the south. The best Indian rice is Basmati.
Indian breads are varied but always delicious.
Simplest is the chapatti/roti,
which is simply a mixture of flour and water.
Found all over India, but originating from the south,
are dosas. These are basically paper-thin pancakes made from
lentil and rice flour.
| Basic Dishes:
Curries can be vegetable, meat (usually chicken or lamb) or fish and the all-important
spices will be fried in ghee or vegetable oil to release their
flavours. There are a number
of dishes which aren't really curries but are close enough to them for western tastes. |
Sadya
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Drinks:
Indians make some of the most hideously over-sweetened, murkily, milky excuses for tea
(known as chai)_ that you’ll ever see. Still many travellers like it and it is cheap.
One very pleasant escape from the sickly
sweet soft drinks is apple juice. Coconut water straight
from the young green coconut is a popular drink. Another alternative to soft drinks is
soda water.
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There are plenty of activities for the adventurous and not so
adventurous in India. The following list provides an overview of possibilities.
| Camel safaris: If seems just about everyone in Rajasthan is offering camel
safaris these days. An old favourite is in the environs of Jaisalmer in west
Rajasthan. It
is possible to take safari lasting one day. |
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Diving:
There are diving schools in Goa, Lakshwadeep and the Andaman Islands.
|
Horse
Riding & Polo: Horses are available in many tourist areas particularly the
hill stations and the Himalayas. You can have Polo lessons at the Dundlod Fort hotel at
Shekhawati, Rajasthan.
|
Mountaineering:
Mountaineering expeditions interested in climbing peaks over 6000 ft. need to obtain
clearance from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation ( IMF Ph: 011-671211)
|
 |
Wildlife Safaris:
Elephant-back safaris are available at the larger wildlife sanctuaries and are highly
recommended. They are usually good value and the best way to get close to other animals.
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