India and China are both wonderful. I am particularly fond of India, and would travel there gladly anytime. Of,course, depending on where you go, there can be health challenges.

Tell you wife to see a travel doctor before she leaves. Tell her to get whatever vaccinations they recommend, and avoid raw vegetables (like salads) during her entire trip to avoid the risk of getting hepatitis A. Remind her that when it comes to eating “boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it” is the rule.

Bring Cipro 1000mg... good for travelers diarrhea (and UTIs in case she’s susceptible). Bring Zithromax (good for respiratory ailments and also certain kinds of travelers diarrhea).

Though controversial, if she Can Not Be Sick for a period of her trip she can take Cipro 500mg twice a day as a prophylactic. It’s actually a regimen approved by the CDC.

If she’s going to India during the warm season, she needs to be on Malarone to prevent malaria. Wear insect repellent. No, I didn’t see many mosquitoes in Delhi... but, you get out to swampy and rural area pretty quickly u less your travel is restricted solely to city center.

Read a couple of books on customs and courtesy in each country. Very different to the US and a lot of things she might not ordinarily think of. For one tiny example, self deprecating humour doesn’t work well in India. For another, she should be ready to discuss her family and how many children she has, and not take any offense at such questions.

That’s all I’ve got for now... ask any specific questions and I’m sure we’ll all try to help.

This is for your wife going there? Are you going as well? I would be a bit apprehensive about India with the gang rapes that have happened there. If this is business, I would guess she is not going to be going to the more out of the way places, so that would be OK.

As for Shanghai, it is a HUGE city. The food is great, they are proud of shao lum bao, which are soup filled dumplings.

On the outskirts there are some water towns, I cannot recall the one I went to with friends, but I think it is Tongli, which is what the y call the Venice of the East.

Personally, I prefer Shanghai over Hong Kong, and even over Beijing.

Have your wits about you when travelling. If they can find a way to squeeze money out of you, they will. It is a place of extremes, very wealthy people and very poor.

quote:

Originally posted by PeterGV:
Tell your wife to see a travel doctor before she leaves. Tell her to get whatever vaccinations they recommend, and avoid raw vegetables (like salads) during her entire trip to avoid the risk of getting hepatitis A.

Bring Cipro 1000mg... good for travelers diarrhea (and UTIs in case she’s susceptible). Bring Zithromax (good for respiratory ailments and also certain kinds of travelers diarrhea).

Done and done! We used Passport Health. I'd highly reccomend their services. Quick, easy and thorough.
https://www.passporthealthusa....do/?paid=1&satid=449


For a VPN, we went with ExpressVPN.
http://startuplivingchina.com/best-vpn-for-china/

FWIW, I got her one of these:
https://www.kwikpoint.com/prod...l-version-duplicate/

If she has any say in the matter, Singapore Airlines would be the best choice. We traveled with them to and from Tokyo and can highly recommend them as a great airline.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Collins:
...Singapore Airlines would be the best choice...

Yeah, it’s going to be Delta or American unfortunately.

China

I've been to China 30+ times, many places, including Shanghai a few times. China is safe, there is some property crime but minimal violent crime. I can get around using various methods. English speaking Chinese are usually welcoming, friendly, and helpful. Major cities have signs in Pinyin (Chinese spelled with roman alphabet, but not pronounced quite the same) but taxi drivers never speak English (or always pretend not to). I use Chinese social media apps to find English speakers and thus have friends in every city I visit.

Beware taxi driver scams to get money from you. Anyone acts like you gave him counterfeit money, get out of the taxi and walk away. Shanghai taxis trick the meter to get more money, especially airport runs.

India

I've also been to India a few times. Stay in the hotel compound, only go out in car with a driver from your company, a trusted hire, or from the hotel. No walking anywhere. Destination to destination only. Hotel, work, hotel. Other locations only with local trusted host. Seriously. And this is when it's a bunch of guys. Woman alone? Not advisable, unless she is escorted at all times.

Don't eat any uncooked vegetables and fruits that might have been washed in tap water, no ice, no water unless from a bottle that you are sure was sealed before opening. Seriously. You can try very hard not to get sick, and probably get sick anyway. A few veggies on sub from Subway were enough to put my coworker down.

5-star hotels that cater to westerners may have purified water for ice, and not refill the bottled water and replace the caps with unbroken ones(yes, that happens). Fruits like melon, pineapple, and citrus are OK since any water that gets on the peel or rind is not consumed anyway. I'm taking JW Marriott, Conrad, etc. Lesser hotels may vary.

Bottom line, I go to India only when I have to. I like going to China and have stayed there before or after trips on vacation because I wanted to.

...and she’s off!

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions, tips, and tricks! All advice were taken!