Work Travel Volunteer

Amy Slater and Chris Shaw travelled independently through India for a few months on their career break. Here is their view on the curry kingdom.

"India is amazing and to see all the best bits you'll need years, it's massive. I don't think you could really be prepared for it, unless of course you'd been before.

From my first jetlagged wander into the craziness of Old Delhi (which can't have changed much in the last 100 years) to when I thought I was a Bollywood superstar on a motorbike in Goa, it never ceased to amaze me. Doing my best to sound corny, yes you'll really go from loving to hating India about 10 times a day and visa versa.

Anyway, some highlights of travelling in India:

Sipping a chai on board a train whilst watching the sunrise;

Slurping on a kingfisher watching the sun go down in Goa;

Enjoying an early morning row (boat not argument) in Varanasi watching people do everything and more in the Ganges; Reeling off Indian cricket players names in exchange for English cricketers names with a new non English speaking friend;

Chilling with a lassi in hand in Udaipur;

Seeing that the Taj Mahal really is that beautiful;

Enjoying the scenery, atmosphere and happy people of the back waters of Kerala.

The list could go on forever..."

10 facts about travel in India

1. The chai sold on Indian trains and at the stations is better than any drink you'll get at a Starbucks..

2. AC carriages are the way to play if you need a breather from the craziness of India but Sleeper carriages are cheaper and much more interesting.

3. Indian railways employ more people than any other organisation in the world.

4. Trains are much better than coaches, but take yourself some toilet roll.

5. It's usually less stressful to book train tickets through an agent if you can. Yes they're more expensive, but you won't waste a whole day being stared at in a crazy office.

6. Spend a little more and you'll get a lot more.

7. Rajhastan is mega boiling hot in March, but lime soda bought on the street can make it all better.

8. The Taj Mahal really is that beautiful and worth it.

9. Varanasi is like something out of Star Wars, but absolutely brilliant.

10. Speak a bit of Hindi and have a bit of cricket knowledge up your sleeve, it'll make Indians not seem so different.