|  Pune
is about four hours drive in a car from Mumbai, we took a taxi,
split three ways, and in total is cost 4000rp which is about £40
or $60. It was a good way to see India for the first time. Bombay
looked terrible.
I can not imagine what it would have been like to walk out of the
hotel with our backpacks on into Bombay. Dirt, poverty, cows and
ragged children everywhere. I am trying to be as specific as possible
without holding back too much. Our experience with travel guides
is that they paint a pretty picture without telling you the not-so-nice
side of things.
The area of Pune I find the most serene is the Koregaon Park area,
located north of the city. The centre of Pune is hectic and crazy
by Western standards, and you need to keep your head about you when
venturing into town. The streets are packed with vehicles (all of
which are dodging cows and water buffalos) and the sidewalks are
crowded. It is an experience, and I would recommend a visit to MG
Road during your visit.
My advice would be to stay in a reputable Hotel for the first couple
of nights and find an area of the town you like, then move if you
feel comfortable. There are nicer areas to stay than the city centre.
Otherwise, I find Pune a delightful place. The people are very
friendly and (usually) helpful, but don't forget to bargain. |
The
whole of India, or at least as far as have seen, is full of people
who will do anything to get money off of you. If you look naive you
will get taken for a ride. Be aware of what things should cost, and
if you have any doubt, ask the manager of your hotel how much things
usually are. Until you get used to it, ask the hotel porter or manager
how much the rickshaw fare should be to your given destination. 
Rickshaw
drivers are the worst, and it helps to get a copy of a current rickshaw
fare converter - which will convert the price shown on the meter
to the actual fare payable. The meters are years out of date, that's
why! 
Other
than that, it is still India. We had to venture out onto the main
road only a few times because there are numerous restaurants on
the beach. We simply walked out of our resort onto the beach and
down to whichever restaurant took our fancy. It is wonderful.