Packing for the trip...........

More very useful advice from Darshana on what to pack for the trip:

• Medical: - A few Band-Aid strips,  diarrhea medicine (Imodium is available in India), Probiotics if you need the extra help to digest spicy foods.  Your malaria medicine, any prescription medicine you take, antibiotics (such as Ampicillin, Augmentin, Norflox, Ciplox are available in India over the counter), Insect/mosquito repellent (Odomos in India works well on mosquitos there), Sunscreen, Anti-itch cream, tablets of Pepto Bismol, Tylenol, Ibuprofen Benadryl for allergies or other cold medication, Melatonin to get over your jetlag (Hemant has bought it from Costco and so we have plenty for everyone!).   Whatever you bring, please opt for smaller quantities and travel size bottles.   Also, we can pool in a few of these if one is running short.

·         Toiletries:  Just carry what you usually do for travel.  We are staying at 5 star hotels and they will supply what we need and more!  Just keep a small roll of Toilet paper if we need to use public rest rooms while on the road.  Tissues, Hand Sanitizer (travel sizes) is a must.

·         Luggage:   Try to have 1 small cabin or collapsible duffel bag for each person especially if we want to leave some luggage back in Jaipur when we go to Jaisalmer and return to Jaipur.   Make sure the bags are lockable as we will have to leave them on the coach when we go sightseeing while travelling between cities.   A back-pack works well.  Darshana usually carries a larger handbag (like a tote) where the regular purse, iPad etc. fits in for the plane rides and later they can be used separate when traveling in cities.  These small collapsible bags or even travel pouches help carry the passports and cash when we have to leave the coach for sightseeing stops and the luggage is in the coach, having checked out of the hotels.  You can lock your computers and iPads in the larger bags.  At the better hotels it is fine to use the room-safe provided for any extra cash or even the passport.  Keep a few ziplock bags of different sizes. Don’t forget the chargers and adaptors.

·         Clothes, consider that you will only be able to get laundry done in Jaipur. Bring light pants or capris made of performance material, cotton or linen, one pair of jeans,  cotton and linen shirts preferred, non-iron material for evening, dresses or long skirts for the women, a cotton shawl for day time and temple visits and one warmer shawl (could buy it in Delhi) for evening for the women, Blazer for the men. A good shirt for the grand dinners (smart casual will do). Remember no one can resist clothes shopping in India and so less is better, you will be able to pick up in- expensive things on the way. Don’t forget your swim suits, sun glasses, a hat, etc.

·         Footwear, at least one pair of flip flop like slippers or sandals for the beach and to wear within the hotels, one comfortable pair of shoes that you can slip on and off easily, and sneakers for any walks. We will need a pair of decent shoes for the grand dinners (the comfy shoes may do)

Here are a few websites to browse through and also see the A-Z list of India essentials attached to this email

http://travelgenes.com/perfect-india-packing-list/

https://nobackhome.com/what-to-pack-for-india/

https://www.asherfergusson.com/2014/11/12-must-have-items-for-india-travel/

https://www.tripsavvy.com/suggested-india-packing-list-1539612