Lesley
I even copied the link to the Goa forum and asked the regulars there if they could help! ( Have to say though- it really isnt a good time to go and this may be why you have a lack of response)
Sorry!
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=668315#668315

I can tell you what it's like in Goa and Mumbai (which is probably the same), .........

WET.....

But, it's not THAT bad, If they'll be coming at the start of August most of the heavy stuff is over, and from then on it does get less frequent, it's still comfortable not too hot, the worst time is in May/June. In August straight after a shower it will cool down, but then the humidity builds up as the rain evaporates, I love India during this time as it's beautiful and green. I have only been in Goa and Mumbai, so can't comment about the rest of India. I hope this helps... Advisorable to bring a GOOD waterproof coat (light weight so not to be too hot, probably Gortex would be best.)

Thanks very much for your replies.
They live in Paris and they have to have their holidays the whole of August, she knows about the weather at this time of year but really wanted to go to India and they are prepared for it.

they are not beach lovers and prefer to see the real side of the country.
I will tell her about the gortex coats thanks.

Fiona, thanks for trying to help.
I hope it didn't come across that I was criticising people for looking but not replying because I wasn't. I wasn't expecting good news as I was a bit taken back myself when she said she had booked the flights for August.

McBabe
Your post did not come over at all as criticising! I will be very interested to hear how they get on. I would love to do a tour but only ever have the time in the summer. We are thinking about going to Mumbai, Goa and Delhi in 9 days next April!

Thanks Fiona
When I read it back just now it looked like I was being a bit sarcastic which I didn't mean to.

My sister has just come back from 3 weeks in Goa and this is the third time they have been , they absolutely love it.
she was surprised to hear they had booked for August but she knows what my daughters like, a bit of rain won't stop her doing anything.

her husband only has 4 weeks off and she has 5 so my daughter is staying in India the last week on her own

The nearest big towns (an hour by flight) in south from Mumbai (Bombay) would be Bangalore (Hampi is close to Goa and is a must see, also known as the rome of the east) and then Hyderabad which is the fifth biggest city of India (After Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi & Madras). There are two places closer to Mumbai (excellent for trekking), one is Lonavala (almost like a hill station, half way between Mumbai and Pune) and Mahabaleshwar (after Panchgani) which is about 2/3 hours by road from Pune and then there is Ajanta and Ellora caves near Aurangabad city.

South India is popular for its temples, some beaches (very unlike Goa) and is relatively cleaner and richer than the north. South indian breakfast is very popular in the whole of India.

Personally I would prefer to go north as it has so much to offer. Rajasthan has a lot to offer...palaces and forts and also one of those train rides called Palace on Wheels. Miles and miles of musturd fields, a lot of camels...there are some beautiful towns in Rajasthan like the Pink City of Jaipur (if in Jaipur, must see Chowki Dhani), Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer etc.

Although born in the East near Calcutta, I lived in Hyderabad (south India) all my life and have been working and living in the west for the past 11 years (US and UK) so I am baised when I say South - but I like north as it is much cooler. The food is similar to what you eat in curry places in England.

Here's a link that might also help:

http://www.incredibleindia.org/

Thank you very much for your reply Aj -India, I haven't been on HT for a while so have only just seen it (thanks Fiona for your pm to let me know)
I will pass this on to my daughter and also send her the link to 'incredible India' this looks like just what she needs.

personal experience and opinons are always so much better than guide books I think.

well the day has come, they have set off for 5 weeks backpacking in India , they decided to go south after looking at the information on the links provided.

Thanks for your help, I will let you know how they get on

They are well prepared and have bought, amongst other things, gortex coats, quick drying towels and meat bags! for sleeping in.

That would be great McBabe! I'll bet they have a fascinating time.

I have just rung her and they are in Kochi , she said its lovely, they arrived on Monday and the hotel is so nice they have booked in to stay until Friday.
When they arrived in Mumbai on Sunday night they couldn't find a hotel so they spent the night in a Hari krishna temple

well- thats different!
Seriously though, many people seem to have problems with accomodation in Mumbai- usually the problems are to do with the standard. Hopefully I will be there next year and the Mumbai part of it will take the most organising. Have they seen a lot of rain yet?

Just a bit of rain in the afternoons she said, but it soon dried up.

She asked someone to recommend nice places to eat and was told to go to this place which she said looked more like a canteen than a restaurant, it was very busy but she was the only woman there and they were the only white people there, the food was great.

She is a vegetarian and she said there is such a great choice of veggie food in India.

Hi everyone

Im off to Goa on the 4th march but because of flight times changing were having to spend a night in Mumbai.

Does anyone know of any cheap hotels near the airport.

Thanks
Keira x

There is a booking office, just outside the baggage hall, they have every type of hotel on there books, for all prices, you can book an hotel and a taxi to transport you there.

Thanks Tomitma

Will leave it till we get there then!

Keira x

Hi keeja
we booked a great hotel right near airport called lotus suites how?
http://www.ebay.in Just scroll down to travel and then press mumbia and youll see a good choice of hotels then just bid for one you have plenty of time so enjoy and get a bargain
sharon

p.s also booked a hotel for goa just one week south As were there for 4 weeks calungute so itll be a nice change

We've booked our hotel.
Staying at Pals Hostel. Only 11quid for the 2 of us and its not too far from the airport.

Thanks sharon for your advice.
Keira x

Depends how close you want to be to the airport, what time you arrive, do you want a pool. If you stay in Juhu, which has the better choice of hotels, its a half hour minimum drive to airport. Morning rush hour is bad, especially if the road works are still there. There is a good selection in and around the airport complex, you can get a room from around 1000 up to 20,000. If you pm me with your budget and requirements I'll give you the appropriate names. Oh, Juhu is on the beach, good place for a night in a good hotel for the price of an indian takeaway for 4 in london. Also good restaurants nightlife and bollywood star spotting.

Ive just cancelled Pals Hotel after what Tomita has told me about it.

So anymore suggestions would be appreciated!
All we are looking for is a place near the airport for one night until our flight to Goa the next day. Nothing fancy just somewhere decent to rest our heads and get a shower before we leave.

Thanks Keira x