CDs inputs, mistakes to avoid would be great.
tks
miscut

Before leaving...
Have a xerox copy of your passports, PR card, ticket, etc and keep it in your cabin bag. Write down the numbers of your creditcard and their customer service number to be called in case of emergency ie if you lose your card or something.
Do not forget to write your from & to address both inside and outside the suitcases.
Write down all the phone numbers and addresses that you may need.
Make a check list of things to be taken, things to be bought etc.
Do not delay your packing. Write down a list of what you are packing in each suitcase, so that it will be easy for you to know what you have in each suitcase, when you go there, or if you want to repack here.
Make a list of what you have to buy as gifts and for whom along with the budget. Start shopping early.

Do not try to stuff your suitcases with so much of your stuff. Then you wont have space to bring much when you come back.
Take preventive shots .Dont go on during summer.
Call the airlines 2/3 days before to confirm your tickets.
Arrive at the airport early.

In India...

Be careful while eating outside. Avoid uncooked items, like salads, chutney etc.

Do not always talk about Canada and how things and systems function here. No one will be interested in talking to you for the second time.
Soaps and shampoos as gifts, will weigh too much. Avoide taking them. Do not buy too many one dollar items as gifts. Every second person in India has some relative in some foreign country, especially in USA or Canada. They may throw it the moment you leave their house.
More important, do not be talking only about yourself and your Kids' achievements here. Listen to others. Be nice..Dont try to show off.

Enjoy yourself!!!!!!!!

PS: I know my reply consists more about after landing in India...Anyway...
I will write more if you need anymore tips...

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HOPE

If you need tips for packing ask me...

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HOPE

As Hope said...take shots! A friend of mine came across from the States and was down for most of his vacation because he caught something that could have been avoided by taking a few injections.

If you have a tri band unlocked cell, bring it along. You can pop in a local SIM while in India.

And God forbid, if you are using any North American airlines, do not travel without travel insurance!

My wife recently went thru an experience of getting her suitcases after 5 days of landing in Delhi, and her niece after 15 days (they were travelling together but niece had to travel to different places while my wife was stay put at Delhi to collect the suitcases). On her way back, one in a billion chance, again their suitcases did not arrive - and they got it 3 days later. Infact, according to Fedex, they put my wife's suitcase on the driveway since no one was home during the day (we had waited to 2 days at home after getting the news that suitcases had arrived and will be delivered that day!), but we never got the suitcase.

Compensation received from airline? $100 for delay in Delhi - as a goodwill gesture, not as a compensation, and NONE for loss and delay in Canada since that is home town!

Travel Insurance covers a lot of things like medical emergencies, delayed baggage, loss of baggage, missed connections etc.

I have learned a lesson - but this is something that one should not wait to learn only after having gone thru it himself - should be learned from others' experiences!

Chandresh

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

Yes talking about Travel insurance. Try to get a gold card and use the gold card to buy tickets. Check with your gold what is covered. Travel and baggage insurance is free if you buy tickects with you gold card.
Last year I was in hospital($1000). I got my money back(after deductiable).

Hi guys,
tks received this long for replies and finally received good satisfying replying
travel insurance: noted about the gold card and i was too late on this, i had to buy my ticket and to apply for gold card would take 2 weeks, so missed this time
insurance for medicals: if you are a full time employee atleast in my case i am covered fully for out of province expenses. so guys check what your group medical plan has to offer.
tks
miscut