My travel partner is really worried about the water bottle issues in India (old bottles refilled and then glued to look like they are new bottles). He is thinking of bringing a portable water purifier
My travel partner is really worried about the water bottle issues in India (old bottles refilled and then glued to look like they are new bottles). He is thinking of bringing a portable water purifier with him. What do you think of this? Is it necessary? It's important to include that he and I both have chronic illnesses that make us more susceptible to bacterial infection. We have traveled to Egypt, Morocco and all over Mexico without any problems.
Drinking water in new bottles is available everywhere. On my first trip to Asia/India I bought an expensive (for me) filter bottle and never used it. After many trips to the region, including places well off the beaten path, I've always found good bottled water. Save your money.
Just make sure the cap is wrapped with a plastic seal. If there is no seal, make sure the cap has not been twisted open. Do brush your teeth with bottled water; hotels usually supply a few (free) bottles per day. What you really need to watch out for is buffet-style food where you have no idea how long the food has been sitting around or how many times it's been reheated. Best to go to restaurants where you can order off the menu and is popular with locals.
You do not need to bring water purifier. Water bottles are available everywhere. If you buy from the hawkers selling on the busses and trains are not good. Make sure you buy from any shop and check the seal. I would recommend you to buy Bislery, acquafina, taj mahal and neer. they are well known brands in the region. If you are traveling to remote areas then you can always ask any local to heat water for you. Water will not be a problem for you at all. It is available whereever you go.
And if you're in a restaurant, order hot tea, soft drinks, or beer with your meal, especially beer. When I was in China with a group of seven other people, the only person who had digestive troubles was also the only person who never drank beer. The routine was hot tea or coffee in the morning, beer or soft drinks with the other meals.
And if you're in a restaurant, order hot tea, soft drinks, or beer with your meal, especially beer. When I was in China with a group of seven other people, the only person who had digestive troubles was also the only person who never drank beer. The routine was hot tea or coffee in the morning, beer or soft drinks with the other meals. Posted by ksandness
If you are in a restaurant you can always get tea ( masala chai_, coffee, lassi ( made up of yogurt), fresh juice, soft drinks etc. Beers are available in some restaurants depends which cities you choose to travel. If you are traveling to holy cities then alcohol will not be available. If you are in the state of Rajasthan then alcohol is avaible in the tourist restaurants and local bars in the cities. In India there is no fix times for the meals in the local markets , you can oder anything at any time. Which region are you going to travel? soI can tell you more in details. cheers !
Do not use Water Purifier. Buy only pure purified water in bottle. When you drink any hot drink make sure it is brew with purified water. Do wash your teeth with purified water. If you have a wound wash it with purified water. When you take a shower do not swallow any water. Go to restaurants and hotels which are fully hygienic. We went to India for six weeks a couple years ago and we trravel all around the world and so far nothing happen. Make sure you get all the shots. If you stay in hotels which give you shampoo, etc. take them with you and give them to the kids on the street who do not have anythng and are stratching their head or hold on to you. In Delhi make sure you have a lot of kleenex to cover your nose and mouth, the smell is quite bad. (you will discover the why).
they are very crafty with resealing water bottles. if you get your water bottles from the hotel you should be ok but check the seal very carefully with other sources. Even then you may have a hard time telling if the seal is original. I think you have a better chance of geeting sick from food though even cooked food. the only sickness i got from India was from the hotel resturaunt cooked food in a reported top star resturaunt but boy was the goat meat soft and tasty.
Forget about the water purifier unless you are going camping or visiting some seriously out of the way places. If you want to be super careful, buy and drink only fizzy water. It is almost impossible to doctor water w/gas. Before you leave your hotel in the morning, either bring the water from the mini bar or stop in a store. You will find grocery stores, corner stores and other reputable shops all over. Avoid drinks sold by individuals selling things on trains and busses. The 5* hotels all have filtered water but don't take any chances. Bubbly sodas are also everywhere like Pepsi, Coke, Orange, etc. Coffee shops in hotels always bring you bottled drinks with the top on as well as a glass. The many suggestions regarding boiled drinks like coffee or tea, sodas and beer will serve you well. I would avoid dairy products and salads. Only eat cooked foods and you will be fine. On 3 different trips, I never got sick but I was very careful. Consider becoming a vegetarian during your stay.
In the months I've spent in India I've never gotten a water borne illness but have gotten very sick from food. I have a pretty good idea what it was I'd eaten on 2 occasions. A chicken salad sandwich (maybe the mayo?) and a lassi (yogurt drink). So the suggestion to eat veg is a good one and a doctor told me to avoid dairy. Excellent vegetarian food is widely available in India, a country with a large percentage of vegetarians. I'll be taking my own advice on my next visit.
Thanks so much for all of the great information. I think I will be able to convince my travel partner to skip the water purifier- especially since we're taking carry on luggage and he will need the extra space! Cheers!
Yes some rogue elements are fooling tourists from overseas as well as domestic by selling refilled water in bottles and so you need to check before paying the money. Buy from shops and stalls only as they normally do not indulge in such practices. I feel there is no need to carry the purifier as it will add to luggage.
your info is wrong, it is true that carbonated drinks are hard to replicate, but bottling plants donot do even a poor job of cleaning the bottles [which are re-used]. applicable only if it is a glass bottle, the plastic would give away with signs of reuse. as a person from there, and still vry much in touch with there, this is my info from the local language media as well as by word of mouth. Again buy from ordinary shops that seem popular with people and refrigerate in your room/hotel.
At restaurants, the waiters will ask you whether you want bottled or tap water. Always say bottled. When you are outside and thirsty, always buy bottled water from a proper restaurant. Look for Bisleri or Aquafina. When in rural India, such as the Himalayan foothills, you could get yourself a refreshing drink from a mountain well...yummmmmmm!
It is the food that you should be more concerned about. Hence, after you've landed buy a couple of cans of sardines and baked beans, just in case you need them in your escapade.
