Correction- That sign is called Swastika. It is derived from Sanskrit word Svastik which means "good fortune" or "well being". Swastika is mainly used in auspicious occasions. The one that the German guy ( You know who) used is called Hakenkreuz. How to differentiate between the two - Swastika is like Square- shaped while Hakenkreuz is in Rhombus shaped.
Welcome to India 🇮🇳. Hope you have a great time here. A few observations 1. Swastika - an ancient Hindu symbol of peace and good fortune, at least 3000 years old, probably older. The Nazi symbol was derived from it by inverting it and is called the Hakenkreuz 2. The Mahindra Thar - Mahindra was given a license by Willys after the war to manufacture CJ series Jeeps under the Mahindra name. The Thar is an indigenous evolution, not a knock-off. It looks similar to the wrangler due to common lineage but it’s a very very different vehicle 3. Royal Enfield’s being beat up- this is a pet peeve of mine, when I see European motor journos test shiny Royal Enfields. That’s not how a Royal Enfield should look. In India, Bullets should do 30000 KM a year on Mumbai roads, daily commutes through unpaved trails, carry a refrigerator and 2 pillions, take a holiday ride on the Himalayas and then ride to office on Monday. Most importantly, it has to look like it’s been through that. Frankly, a shiny paint job on a bullet is for pansies as far a most of us are concerned.
I know right. Comes to India and compares everything to back home? What's the point of coming then if you don't see and appreciate a different outlook to life.
*In Latin-American nations this is also typical.* Folks not used to automobiles at speed can can walk out into the street at any time. The horn is the language of the street. I use it as though I'm herding sheep.
I shouldn't say it again, but I will. Monika has a wonderful eye for content, and how it should be framed, and how it should be edited. Just gorgeous. And Freddie, of course, is born for this. What a couple. Good luck to you both. You have created a brilliant channel that is loved.
I live in Iowa in the United States and I made friends with a young Indian man who came to my town to study computer science. I asked him about how often people in India use the horn in a car. He said they use the horn when they turn left, when they turn right, when they are going forward, and when they are stopping. And then for good measure they use the horn at all times. I asked him if he found anything strange about Iowa and about the United States in general. He said yes, he did. He said he kept asking himself when he was being driven on the roads, " why is everyone stopping at the stop signs?"
I mean that's the problem, in India we use Jet spray 💦 But if you go to good hotels for a stay, you will get Toilet paper, bathrobe and other essential White people stuff. It's just that, you get what you pay for.
A random Rolls Royce drives past at 5:18 Quite amazing to see a dilapidated HM Ambassador in one shot and a Rolls Royce in another. This encapsulates India in two frames.
I like trousers a little short) In London a posh boy like Freddie would wear short trousers with bright red socks and go to work to rip people off in the City. :)
I just love your content man. You just transport everyone to a different dimension. The calm and serenity you bring to the chaos in this world through your videos is truly amazing. I have seen so many Europeans and Americans come to India or Mumbai and just trash and criticize and accuse it for all its negatives but you presented even the negatives in such an acceptable way and I truly appreciate you for that. The ability to see the good is being lost in today's world thanks to social media . But you are able to do that and kudos to you for that. Keep making such amazing videos . Curious to see your feedback on Goa. Cheers. Have fun
Mumbai is a flavour, just like many other cities. Please remember you are carrying back fraction of the potential experience. The vastness will charm you. Return to India and make plans for more states. Someone mentioned about the surge in subscribers, I agree, tag your videos well, you will be surprised even if it is a short trip. Welcome
Very enjoyable video, Freddie. The camera work and dialogue are so close to what we used to see on a travel show on terrestrial telly in the '80's and '90s. Good entertainment. Thanks.
The Thar is indeed very similar to the wrangler, but Mahindra, the company that makes it, has had a license to build Willy's Jeep in India from the 40s. They have been making the Willy's style Jeep continuously, and this Thar is the latest iteration. It certainly is a copy of the wrangler, but at least Mahindra has been making similar stuff for 70 plus years, so it is more than a copy
Nice film. I went to Delhi a number of times for work: didn't experience any shortage of toilet paper in the bedrooms but did get violently ill several times. The saving grace was that our local fixer knew exactly what drugs to get me and within an hour of taking them I was back on form. They say that if you stay six weeks in India your body gets used to the local bacteria but I was never there long enough to find out. But I do remember that fresh mangoes were put out in the hotel room every day and I still miss them.
9:59 sec- that isn't a copy of jeep. Basically Mahindra, the brand that makes thar, bought the license to make Willy's jeep back in 50s (not sure about the actual year). And from then mahindra has launched multiple iterations of that model in the name of thar (the desert in Rajasthan), and this is the latest iteration.
Its apologists notwithstanding, if only Mahindra had the gumption and originality to design something unique rather than peddle a knockoff and claim "b--bu---but, we bought the license a century ago....."
Welcome to India Freddie! As an avid follower of your content (being a motorhead who owns a classic 350), I had put up a comment on one of your videos where you took the translap out on a tour inviting you to India :) You're going to find Goa amazing, its a biker heaven! You can easily rent a Royal Enfield for about 10-12 pounds a day! The next time you visit, make sure you go up north to Delhi, there are some beautiful mountains there and some exquisite motorable roads! Looking forward to your India series!
Haha, it’s a good job Monika is with you, she’s got your back. On another note Monika’s creative eye must be in overdrive with all the sights and sounds of India ! Have a great trip and keep the videos coming.
WELCOME..Surprised to see you in India. I follow your videos. 😊 Its generally advisable to come in Winter as its cold in Europe and pleasant in india. Now it will be hot in India and pleasant in Europe. As for the roads, much of the roads in India are British design road width. Many road sizes resemble UK like country roads are 40feet but in US it is 80ft. That design is obviously not helping traffic . Now modern standards like Mumbai Costal road project is 8 lane and i think lot of infrastructure mainly high roads might surprise you pleasantly i hope. Hope you do some long highway rides.. Again a big welcome and a big hug. ❤😊
I am so thrilled that you are young enough to withstand the congestion and noise. I've reached a point in my life where I take great pains to avoid environmental sources of stress. Hope you both find a contrary experience. P.S. to Monika: your camera work continues to be exemplary. P.P.S. Not all large large cities have refuse in their waterways.
That gave me a most enjoyable snapshot of Mumbai - and it looked fascinating. I would be eating all the street food regardless as it just looks so good. I guess once you've been there for a while you build up a resistance to many of the local bugs. So Well shot and edited..:) You both have fun and be safe.
In 2019 I was fortunate enough to ride through the Himalayas on an RE Bullet. See profile pi. Delhi was quite an experience but once out of the city we would eat a roadside places , built out of tin, wood and anything else they could find. The meal would generally be a vegetable curry with rice and bread. It was alway delicious and in my two week trip I didn’t have one stomach problem.
Fantastical and so well done. Felt like I was there. Great editing and music. Lived in Mexico city for five years and this took me back to the beauty and complexity of old cultures, cheers
Nice one Freddie and Monika, I have visited India six times and it's an amazing country, there's nowhere quite like it and it's a shock to the system when you first arrive there, after a few days I'm sure you'll fall in love with chaos and madness that is India...
Love the trouser purchase. You have been properly stitched up there Freddie. The only way to buy something like that is too have an Indian local with you to negotiate!!! I reckon they were probably about 2-3,000 inr!!
From his videos of India I feel that M. Dobbs has a particular partially towards the cows, goats, trash and garbages and shortcomings of India. I pray before the end of his tour he will acquire the wisdom to see the beauty of India and its diversity 🙏 welcome ans wish you all the best.
Thanks for the nostalgia Freddie! I spent many layovers in Bombay. Numerous Chicken Tikka Masala's consumed at the Leopold, washed down with ea chilled cleansing ale [or salted lassi if inside the preflight alcohol curfew]. I even met Mr Roberts there once when he arrived on his blacked out RE500. Highly recommend a G&T at the Harbour Bar overlooking the Gateway. Enjoy India with Monika!
Another really interesting watch Freddie & Monika! Im a BSA man myself hoping to get the new Goldstar sometime but really want it looking like a 50s Scrambler in Silver & Black. Maybe while you're there Have a word with BSA ? lol ;) Seeing how skilled they are at making trousers isnt it any wonder they can build quality Motorcycles!! We used to have that in UK -shame its gone
Love your videos, found your channel initially when I was looking at Continental GT650 reviews on youtube. 11:44 That symbol is swastika it has been used in Indian and south asian subcontinent for thousands of years. We put that symbol over everything when we buy something significant like a house or a car or a bike etc. Nazi symbol is not a swastika, its called hakenkruez.
I didn't drink the water. I drank beer. Its quite good and I had no problems. I wasn't in Goa. I visited Pondicherry which was French and very nice. I survived local tea, coffee, chapatis even some Chinese food and a curry. The people were very friendly.
South goa has more tranquil and serene beaches. In North Goa you can visit to Arambol and Querim beaches. That is where most of the foreigners stay. If you want you can also visit Gokarna which is around 150 km from Goa. That is also, as you would put, "tranquil". Atleast, it was when I went few years ago.
Thank you so much for this video, i am so happy to see India from you perspective. I watched many videos of baldandbankrupt - so your view is also nice because it shows a more regular, rather western India.
What you saw in the video is nightmare to you guys? then you have some serious issues What kind of normal human being would say those places what he showed look like nightmares ? Have you ever left your apartments/houses lately? This is a scene from an U.S City: th-cam.com/video/vKPI8vvw3uA/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/-RCMWsjX8YM/w-d-xo.html I have more if you want to see.
Search suggestions for all those Superiority complexed people out there: "I Drove Around California For A Month. It Was A Disaster." "The Oakland, California Homeless Problem is Beyond Belief" "Streets of Philadelphia, Kensington Ave Documentary, July 26, 2022" "A QUICK WALK THROUGH KENSINGTON AVE PHILADELPHIA"
Enjoy your trip! I was there last year and discovered almost every toilet in India appears to have a douche hose, which pretty much negates the need for toilet paper and is far more sanitary.
Great to have a glimpse of Mumbai, I've always wanted to India but looking at this it does put me off a bit, certainly gone down my bucket list. I do prefer the countryside and mountains. Good luck with the trousers 😊
Having looked after factories in India, Pune and Ahmednagar my recommendation on top of the food advice……all good btw is to just make sure you wash your hands and if you can use the cleaning gels. Much more likely to get caught out with the Delhi belly due to picking bacteria up when out and about touching things……..just fyi. Lovin the trip 😊
I have to commend you Freddie on your excellent vlogs. You manage to capture the culture and essence of India, whilst being thoroughly entertaining and engaging for the biker at heart. Not all TH-camrs can achieve this. Reckon you need to do Japan next and show how a tour of Japan should be done.
Interesting and very eye opening video. I can't wait to see others while you are there. That was a beautiful blue Classic 350 about midway through this video.
Leopold’s. Having read Shantaram it’s just so different to how I imagined it, but looked so cool. And the trousers? Very dapper. Back to GCSE maths when you get home… 🤣
Hi Freddie , Loved the video , particularly your time in Leopolds , Shantaram is one of my favourite books and yet I didn’t realise Leopolds really existed … Fabulously entertaining video as always … One minor point, you really do need to hone your negotiating skills 🙈you are both too nice !! All best Phil
In India, we generally prefer hard beds. It's also better for your back and at stopping spondilytis. In general, when you travel to a far away country, your gut adjusts to the local biota, and you get stomach issues for a few days initially.
Hey Freddie, welcome to our part of the world! It's a joy seeing you on the streets of India. Love how beautifully Monica has captured the city - the b-roll is just a visual treat. Hope you do give the local cuisine a try, think it'll be worth the risk ☺️ Mumbai & Goa are both busy places, so expect the madness & honking to continue. You should go further interior to the hills up north or away from the popular tourist stops if you wish to experience the peace & tranquility that this land can offer. Do visit Hampi if you get a chance, it's a fascinating place. India can be a bittersweet experience for travellers, but I hope you get to taste more of the sweetness of this place. I wish you a wonderful journey ahead. Cheers 🍻
Have you noticed how many of the RE's you commented on have carbs and not fuel injection? The latter seems to be a premium option for India. Even later model RE's are supplied with carbs for the domestic market. Ease of maintanance, cheapness? I don't know, I suspect the latter. But fuel is comparatively expensive for India, so they need all the help they can get for fuel efficiency. The result is much higher levels of particulate pollution and smog, particularly during winter on days when theres a temperature inversion.
Dude stop, it's because of the models being old. Only 1 of all the Enfields was relatively new. All the new ones come with Fuel Injection, Even 125 cc ones come with FI too. Don't read too much into nothing. Also the smog problem isnt prevelant in southern part of india, its more in northern India because of burning of crop stubble after the harvest. Also india has one of the fastest growing EV market. The pollution is less because of vechiles and more because of factories and construction. Also the geography. We have a big desert in India so you will naturally find it to be more dusty in places in India especially planes.
4:37 why does this hotel scream “tourist trap” i genuinely dont know. for that price the facilities provided are woefully inadequate but then i dont stay in hotels in mumbai. so idk
Loved the first blog of India we were there a month and wasn’t ill once. Just avoid the ice and drink bottle water. Fruit is fine can’t wait for the next episode in Goa
You gave very interesting time! I have some souvenirs from Mumbay ( given by my son) he visited Chennai too and said that it is more cleaner and better
I've stayed in 1500 INR rooms in Mumbai, you might not like them, but there are plenty of them. They're for the hardcore backpacker set and Indian people. Good for you for getting out of the UK.
I went to India on business in 1976 and stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (probably the best in Mumbai) for 2 nights and despite being extremely careful, including cleaning my teeth with whisky, still got Delhi belly. I had a further 8 days travelling in India, mainly in the south, and eventually had to get a doctor to treat me. Absolute nightmare but I still yearn to go back. Everyone, if they have the means, ought to go to India. It's a life changing event which puts a different perspective on everything. Be careful with your spending Freddie. I'm in Textiles and you paid far too much for your trousers !! Really enjoy your videos by the way.
Having local help is truly underrated. I bet he can get the same trousers in half the price of what he paid. It's posh mumbai+froeigner tax lol. local would never pay that kind of money unless its something really really impressive of a cloth or finishing.
If you can hire an old Enfield Bullet (I think its pre-1972?) those models have a heavy crank, which makes them a bit more torquey in low gears. They sound amazing - that wonderful single cylinder thump. Of course on the older bikes the gears are the opposite side (and work in the reverse way - up for 1st, etc) to all modern bikes. And you need to decompress them before kick starting. If you plan a long trip, be aware that you'll cover a lot less distance in a day's riding than you would back home (I averaged 100-120 miles a day).
Also, in Goa, it seems like there's a mechanic shop about every 100 yards and repairs are very cheap. Do visit the legendary Anjuna flea market. There are sometimes Enfields for sale there. The ride from Anjuna to Arumbol beach is lovely - and you take a ferry across a river. I also recall the roads around Palolem to be great for biking.
And about the jeep and Mahindra Thar thing. It's actually more complicated then it seems. Many years back jeep gave them permission to use their design something something idk. But jeep and Mahindra still goes back and forth over this car.
Willy's gave them the permission of the original ww2 jeep. Chrysler now owns it, they have a problem with it. AMC used to own earlier and they didn't seem to have a problem.
when in Goa-For A first Ride ..with some beach side and timeless quaint and quiet interior goa vibes..assuming you staying in Anjuna area...head to baga beach via the baga river....onto to calangute and then to taj aguada beach sinqeurim,take the road to st Lawrences church , for a must see view point at fort aguada cliff near the light house,,,,,from there back up a bit to nerul candolim road and head to Reiss margos fort and church via coco beach along the water ...head on to betim and go on up to the main highway crossing under the bridge ..going on to Britonna, check out casa Britona,ride along the river to Nossa Senhora Mae De Deus Church and then onto Mãe de Deus Chapel, Corjuem ...stop At Sai Restaurant for the best local goan meal...and then ride on to Aldona, Moirra, Mapussa- can check out Mapusa market and have a snack at Cafe St Xaviers in the market...head to assagaon and then to Anjuna...its a fab litte route ...must do ..can stop take small lanes , get lost enjoy the views ..happy plodding.
Freddy, keep your eyes open for the wonderful retro 350 from Honda... I think I saw a blue / white one at a glimpse... Hopefully there coming to Europe soon... A retro that reminds me of the old super dream 250s.... Enjoy your time there.
10:00 India has the exact same copyright law as the rest of the civilized world. Mahindra has the copyright of selling Thar only in India, It's a remnant from their JV with Jeep during WW2 era.
The 100% linen trousers are actually well-priced. That is good quality linen and they made them for you so fast. That is around Rs 6500/- in Indian currency. Good bargain. Also , the tailors would have changed the length immediately at your request. Good video ! 👍
Correction- That sign is called Swastika. It is derived from Sanskrit word Svastik which means "good fortune" or "well being". Swastika is mainly used in auspicious occasions. The one that the German guy ( You know who) used is called Hakenkreuz.
How to differentiate between the two - Swastika is like Square- shaped while Hakenkreuz is in Rhombus shaped.
Adolf Hitler was Austrian.
You are right, the German one is twisted 😋
The thing is that he knew hakenkreuz as swastika, not only him, I've heard many foreigners calling hakenkreuz a swastika
All our "shines " are marked the same way here in Japan ,,,,
they both are swastikas, except that one was used as a political symbol.
Welcome to India 🇮🇳. Hope you have a great time here. A few observations
1. Swastika - an ancient Hindu symbol of peace and good fortune, at least 3000 years old, probably older. The Nazi symbol was derived from it by inverting it and is called the Hakenkreuz
2. The Mahindra Thar - Mahindra was given a license by Willys after the war to manufacture CJ series Jeeps under the Mahindra name. The Thar is an indigenous evolution, not a knock-off. It looks similar to the wrangler due to common lineage but it’s a very very different vehicle
3. Royal Enfield’s being beat up- this is a pet peeve of mine, when I see European motor journos test shiny Royal Enfields. That’s not how a Royal Enfield should look. In India, Bullets should do 30000 KM a year on Mumbai roads, daily commutes through unpaved trails, carry a refrigerator and 2 pillions, take a holiday ride on the Himalayas and then ride to office on Monday. Most importantly, it has to look like it’s been through that. Frankly, a shiny paint job on a bullet is for pansies as far a most of us are concerned.
Thanks for clearing it up, if not I would have ;)
Value for your buck, I suppose. Nice one.
..I am an English whitey gora...and even I know that ! 😉
I know right. Comes to India and compares everything to back home? What's the point of coming then if you don't see and appreciate a different outlook to life.
I apologize on his behalf us brits, we couldn't possibly research before talking.
We honk to let people know we are there. Sometimes it’s a preemptive warning. Sometimes we do it to remind ourselves that we exist.
*In Latin-American nations this is also typical.* Folks not used to automobiles at speed can can walk out into the street at any time. The horn is the language of the street. I use it as though I'm herding sheep.
We want others to know that we indeed own a car 😂😂😂
Fugging annoying. (Im indian tho)
9:38
"They drive like Sicilian ..."
Black mafia SUV drives by 😅😅
We honk a lot when we buy a car
I shouldn't say it again, but I will. Monika has a wonderful eye for content, and how it should be framed, and how it should be edited. Just gorgeous. And Freddie, of course, is born for this. What a couple. Good luck to you both. You have created a brilliant channel that is loved.
Came for motorbikes….left with a fashion show. 😂
I live in Iowa in the United States and I made friends with a young Indian man who came to my town to study computer science. I asked him about how often people in India use the horn in a car. He said they use the horn when they turn left, when they turn right, when they are going forward, and when they are stopping. And then for good measure they use the horn at all times. I asked him if he found anything strange about Iowa and about the United States in general. He said yes, he did. He said he kept asking himself when he was being driven on the roads, " why is everyone stopping at the stop signs?"
Thats a bit made up but who cares.. all countries have their problems, atleast we did not shoot kids in school.
Generally indians honk a lot and Americans shot a lot. Everyone have their temper problems 😂
America has sh*oting problem, India has traffic problem. Everyone has temper issues.. 😂
What is your point ?
@@dazfromnz01 are you asking what is your point, to me
Loved it - quite different to my experience in Tokyo!! No loo roll.....nightmare.....
No bells and whistles on Indian loos!
Saw him coming with those trousers. Two hour wait for £8, no sorry I I meant six hour wait for £60...MMMmmm. Spot the brit!
Every Indian toilet has bidet attached to it. We wash our butts.
I mean that's the problem, in India we use Jet spray 💦
But if you go to good hotels for a stay, you will get Toilet paper, bathrobe and other essential White people stuff.
It's just that, you get what you pay for.
A random Rolls Royce drives past at 5:18
Quite amazing to see a dilapidated HM Ambassador in one shot and a Rolls Royce in another.
This encapsulates India in two frames.
An astutely captured moment, well commented. Thank you and kind regards.
This is classic Freddie and Monika, thoroughly enjoyable and very interesting, great film guys, stay safe and have fun! 🤣😀👏👍🏍🏍🏍
Monika is correct as usual - they are a bit short 😂 a good tailor will always fine tune though. 👍
I like trousers a little short) In London a posh boy like Freddie would wear short trousers with bright red socks and go to work to rip people off in the City. :)
I just love your content man. You just transport everyone to a different dimension. The calm and serenity you bring to the chaos in this world through your videos is truly amazing. I have seen so many Europeans and Americans come to India or Mumbai and just trash and criticize and accuse it for all its negatives but you presented even the negatives in such an acceptable way and I truly appreciate you for that. The ability to see the good is being lost in today's world thanks to social media . But you are able to do that and kudos to you for that. Keep making such amazing videos . Curious to see your feedback on Goa. Cheers. Have fun
Mumbai is a flavour, just like many other cities. Please remember you are carrying back fraction of the potential experience. The vastness will charm you. Return to India and make plans for more states. Someone mentioned about the surge in subscribers, I agree, tag your videos well, you will be surprised even if it is a short trip. Welcome
Thanks Tarun, it feels brilliant to finally be here!🇮🇳
@@FreddieDobbsyou missed Zaveri bazaar in Mumbai. It's jewellery hub. People sell gems and gold on the street. Gr8 content.
Very enjoyable video, Freddie. The camera work and dialogue are so close to what we used to see on a travel show on terrestrial telly in the '80's and '90s. Good entertainment. Thanks.
The Thar is indeed very similar to the wrangler, but Mahindra, the company that makes it, has had a license to build Willy's Jeep in India from the 40s. They have been making the Willy's style Jeep continuously, and this Thar is the latest iteration. It certainly is a copy of the wrangler, but at least Mahindra has been making similar stuff for 70 plus years, so it is more than a copy
Lovely pair of trousers, they must not be longer. Really marvelous and enjoyable visit to Mumbai .
Nice film. I went to Delhi a number of times for work: didn't experience any shortage of toilet paper in the bedrooms but did get violently ill several times. The saving grace was that our local fixer knew exactly what drugs to get me and within an hour of taking them I was back on form. They say that if you stay six weeks in India your body gets used to the local bacteria but I was never there long enough to find out. But I do remember that fresh mangoes were put out in the hotel room every day and I still miss them.
Do you remember what sort of drugs you used? Some sort of coal pills?
@@Gentleman...Driver I'm sorry I never knew what they were, just grabbed them and swallowed them. Never been sick like that before or since!
@@trailingarm63 Dont worry, mate. Glad you are okay. Cheers!
9:59 sec- that isn't a copy of jeep. Basically Mahindra, the brand that makes thar, bought the license to make Willy's jeep back in 50s (not sure about the actual year). And from then mahindra has launched multiple iterations of that model in the name of thar (the desert in Rajasthan), and this is the latest iteration.
Its apologists notwithstanding, if only Mahindra had the gumption and originality to design something unique rather than peddle a knockoff and claim "b--bu---but, we bought the license a century ago....."
Thanks for the virtual tour! 4:55 the dude literally staring at his phone while cycling in heavy traffic... 😳😆
Welcome to India Freddie! As an avid follower of your content (being a motorhead who owns a classic 350), I had put up a comment on one of your videos where you took the translap out on a tour inviting you to India :) You're going to find Goa amazing, its a biker heaven! You can easily rent a Royal Enfield for about 10-12 pounds a day! The next time you visit, make sure you go up north to Delhi, there are some beautiful mountains there and some exquisite motorable roads! Looking forward to your India series!
Looking forward to your stories from this incredible country… you’ll never forget India… 🇮🇳❤️🤗👍🏻
Haha, it’s a good job Monika is with you, she’s got your back. On another note Monika’s creative eye must be in overdrive with all the sights and sounds of India ! Have a great trip and keep the videos coming.
The pants fit perfect, they are not short, you were wearing baggies before 😂
Delighted at the amount of Royal Enfields you showed to us.
Natural fibers shrink when washed. Synthetics much less so. The pants will shrink.
WELCOME..Surprised to see you in India. I follow your videos. 😊 Its generally advisable to come in Winter as its cold in Europe and pleasant in india. Now it will be hot in India and pleasant in Europe.
As for the roads, much of the roads in India are British design road width. Many road sizes resemble UK like country roads are 40feet but in US it is 80ft. That design is obviously not helping traffic . Now modern standards like Mumbai Costal road project is 8 lane and i think lot of infrastructure mainly high roads might surprise you pleasantly i hope. Hope you do some long highway rides.. Again a big welcome and a big hug. ❤😊
Thanks so much for this insight, Karthik- very interesting! It feels brilliant to be here🇮🇳
Welcome to India Freddie & Monica. Have a wonderful time in Goa. Stay safe.
I am so thrilled that you are young enough to withstand the congestion and noise. I've reached a point in my life where I take great pains to avoid environmental sources of stress. Hope you both find a contrary experience. P.S. to Monika: your camera work continues to be exemplary. P.P.S. Not all large large cities have refuse in their waterways.
Really interesting video and cool to see Leopolds as I too read Shantaram book , will be following your journey
That gave me a most enjoyable snapshot of Mumbai - and it looked fascinating. I would be eating all the street food regardless as it just looks so good. I guess once you've been there for a while you build up a resistance to many of the local bugs. So Well shot and edited..:) You both have fun and be safe.
Dont, you eat one streetfood once a week/day. Thats how responsible Indians do. If you do more than that then you should be prepared for delhi belly.
Everything in Mumbai is MASSIVE until we see your trousers !
He should have unfolded 😗
@@nyctophilecat quite a bit !
In 2019 I was fortunate enough to ride through the Himalayas on an RE Bullet. See profile pi. Delhi was quite an experience but once out of the city we would eat a roadside places , built out of tin, wood and anything else they could find. The meal would generally be a vegetable curry with rice and bread. It was alway delicious and in my two week trip I didn’t have one stomach problem.
Fantastical and so well done. Felt like I was there. Great editing and music. Lived in Mexico city for five years and this took me back to the beauty and complexity of old cultures, cheers
Nice one Freddie and Monika, I have visited India six times and it's an amazing country, there's nowhere quite like it and it's a shock to the system when you first arrive there, after a few days I'm sure you'll fall in love with chaos and madness that is India...
Love the trouser purchase. You have been properly stitched up there Freddie. The only way to buy something like that is too have an Indian local with you to negotiate!!! I reckon they were probably about 2-3,000 inr!!
They grabbed a £5 pair off the shelf soon as you walked out :)
Off the shelf mass produced 100% linen trouser is around Rs 2500-3000. It should have been around 4000 total. So 2000 ==20 pounds foreigner cess.
From his videos of India I feel that M. Dobbs has a particular partially towards the cows, goats, trash and garbages and shortcomings of India. I pray before the end of his tour he will acquire the wisdom to see the beauty of India and its diversity 🙏 welcome ans wish you all the best.
I loved this. It reminds me of a Michael Palin travel series. Fabulous.
Freddie Dobbs, the new Michael Palin 😅
This is exactly what I was thinking!
What a great insight and well made video, more so because you’re supposed to be on holiday. Thanks for taking the time 👍
26:21 Is the price justified? I'm not an expert in textiles but they seem to be overpriced.
Wonderful insight into an amazing country what an adventure ....next episode Freddie collects his £100,000 Royal Enfield 😊
Tailor made one. But a bit too short.
Thanks for the nostalgia Freddie! I spent many layovers in Bombay. Numerous Chicken Tikka Masala's consumed at the Leopold, washed down with ea chilled cleansing ale [or salted lassi if inside the preflight alcohol curfew]. I even met Mr Roberts there once when he arrived on his blacked out RE500.
Highly recommend a G&T at the Harbour Bar overlooking the Gateway. Enjoy India with Monika!
Ohh Freddie & Monika, a spicy adventure & a cultural journey.
India’s motto… Good guys finish last 😉
😂
Freddie and Monika i never tire of your videos, look forward to the next
Be ready for substantial surge in your subscribers by end of your trip to India
🎉 and well deserved too for all their great work over last couple of years
The new Itchy Boots and her pre pubescent fan club!
Nice one, Freddie! I absolutely love Bombay so thank you.
Great episode Freddie and monica, looking forward to the bike adventure, Michael palin im sure is a fan.
Another really interesting watch Freddie & Monika! Im a BSA man myself hoping to get the new Goldstar sometime but really want it looking like a 50s Scrambler in Silver & Black. Maybe while you're there Have a word with BSA ? lol ;) Seeing how skilled they are at making trousers isnt it any wonder they can build quality Motorcycles!! We used to have that in UK -shame its gone
Love your videos, found your channel initially when I was looking at Continental GT650 reviews on youtube. 11:44 That symbol is swastika it has been used in Indian and south asian subcontinent for thousands of years. We put that symbol over everything when we buy something significant like a house or a car or a bike etc. Nazi symbol is not a swastika, its called hakenkruez.
I love your videos’ comment sections: always respectful while breaking stereotypes/honest mistakes
Wow what an amazing adventure. Really looking forward to this series. Looks brilliant for photography.
‘In essence’ a rather splendid video old boy. Good show 🖖
Thanks Freddie and Monica....your video is as close as I would want to get to that chaos.
I didn't drink the water. I drank beer. Its quite good and I had no problems. I wasn't in Goa. I visited Pondicherry which was French and very nice. I survived local tea, coffee, chapatis even some Chinese food and a curry. The people were very friendly.
As an avid re-watcher of your Tenerife videos I cannot wait for the India Series! Very much looking toward to it all!
South goa has more tranquil and serene beaches. In North Goa you can visit to Arambol and Querim beaches. That is where most of the foreigners stay. If you want you can also visit Gokarna which is around 150 km from Goa. That is also, as you would put, "tranquil". Atleast, it was when I went few years ago.
Excellent quality film, very interesting, keep up the good work 😎👌
Have a wonderful time Freddie and Monika .
I've been really looking forward to this trip, the colours, the music, it's an Artistic Paradise 👌
Thank you so much for this video, i am so happy to see India from you perspective. I watched many videos of baldandbankrupt - so your view is also nice because it shows a more regular, rather western India.
I am Happy i can watch this from my couch, there is no amount of money you could pay me to go there 😂
Looks interesting though 😊
And me the place looks a nightmare.
What you saw in the video is nightmare to you guys? then you have some serious issues
What kind of normal human being would say those places what he showed look like nightmares ?
Have you ever left your apartments/houses lately?
This is a scene from an U.S City:
th-cam.com/video/vKPI8vvw3uA/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/-RCMWsjX8YM/w-d-xo.html
I have more if you want to see.
And us indians aren't missing anything with your absence.
th-cam.com/video/yRWmKh13b50/w-d-xo.html
Search suggestions for all those Superiority complexed people out there:
"I Drove Around California For A Month. It Was A Disaster."
"The Oakland, California Homeless Problem is Beyond Belief"
"Streets of Philadelphia, Kensington Ave Documentary, July 26, 2022"
"A QUICK WALK THROUGH KENSINGTON AVE PHILADELPHIA"
Enjoy your trip! I was there last year and discovered almost every toilet in India appears to have a douche hose, which pretty much negates the need for toilet paper and is far more sanitary.
Those trousers are too short ! Great watch… thanks guys 🇮🇳❤️
Great to have a glimpse of Mumbai, I've always wanted to India but looking at this it does put me off a bit, certainly gone down my bucket list. I do prefer the countryside and mountains. Good luck with the trousers 😊
went to india 6 years ago....you have got me thinking i need to go again🙂
Having looked after factories in India, Pune and Ahmednagar my recommendation on top of the food advice……all good btw is to just make sure you wash your hands and if you can use the cleaning gels. Much more likely to get caught out with the Delhi belly due to picking bacteria up when out and about touching things……..just fyi. Lovin the trip 😊
Have a good trip both, have to say, that food looked delicious.
Glad you liked Mumbai! Have fun in Goa and beyond
I have to commend you Freddie on your excellent vlogs. You manage to capture the culture and essence of India, whilst being thoroughly entertaining and engaging for the biker at heart. Not all TH-camrs can achieve this. Reckon you need to do Japan next and show how a tour of Japan should be done.
Welcoming to India mate. She will make you strong, wise and happy 😊
The best motorbiking duo !! :D wait waiting for enfields !!
Interesting and very eye opening video. I can't wait to see others while you are there. That was a beautiful blue Classic 350 about midway through this video.
Fantastic looking place, get dodgy stomach anywhere in Asia. Need to go there and thanks for great video!
your manarisams and your perfect English remind me of Suggs in maddness, Absolutely well narratived.
Dobb's go wild camping @ the Grand Hotel in Mumbai😂
Leopold’s. Having read Shantaram it’s just so different to how I imagined it, but looked so cool. And the trousers? Very dapper. Back to GCSE maths when you get home… 🤣
Dont miss the Royal Enfield Garage Cafe in North Goa,Im sure youll like it.
Hi Freddie , Loved the video , particularly your time in Leopolds , Shantaram is one of my favourite books and yet I didn’t realise Leopolds really existed …
Fabulously entertaining video as always …
One minor point, you really do need to hone your negotiating skills 🙈you are both too nice !!
All best
Phil
In India, we generally prefer hard beds. It's also better for your back and at stopping spondilytis. In general, when you travel to a far away country, your gut adjusts to the local biota, and you get stomach issues for a few days initially.
Good to see you in Aamchi Mumbai !
Thank you both for sharing your adventure in that incredibly vibrant city!
Hey Freddie, welcome to our part of the world! It's a joy seeing you on the streets of India. Love how beautifully Monica has captured the city - the b-roll is just a visual treat. Hope you do give the local cuisine a try, think it'll be worth the risk ☺️ Mumbai & Goa are both busy places, so expect the madness & honking to continue. You should go further interior to the hills up north or away from the popular tourist stops if you wish to experience the peace & tranquility that this land can offer. Do visit Hampi if you get a chance, it's a fascinating place. India can be a bittersweet experience for travellers, but I hope you get to taste more of the sweetness of this place. I wish you a wonderful journey ahead. Cheers 🍻
Have you noticed how many of the RE's you commented on have carbs and not fuel injection? The latter seems to be a premium option for India. Even later model RE's are supplied with carbs for the domestic market. Ease of maintanance, cheapness? I don't know, I suspect the latter. But fuel is comparatively expensive for India, so they need all the help they can get for fuel efficiency. The result is much higher levels of particulate pollution and smog, particularly during winter on days when theres a temperature inversion.
Dude stop, it's because of the models being old. Only 1 of all the Enfields was relatively new. All the new ones come with Fuel Injection, Even 125 cc ones come with FI too. Don't read too much into nothing.
Also the smog problem isnt prevelant in southern part of india, its more in northern India because of burning of crop stubble after the harvest.
Also india has one of the fastest growing EV market. The pollution is less because of vechiles and more because of factories and construction. Also the geography. We have a big desert in India so you will naturally find it to be more dusty in places in India especially planes.
4:37 why does this hotel scream “tourist trap” i genuinely dont know. for that price the facilities provided are woefully inadequate but then i dont stay in hotels in mumbai. so idk
Loved the first blog of India we were there a month and wasn’t ill once. Just avoid the ice and drink bottle water. Fruit is fine can’t wait for the next episode in Goa
You gave very interesting time! I have some souvenirs from Mumbay ( given by my son) he visited Chennai too and said that it is more cleaner and better
I've stayed in 1500 INR rooms in Mumbai, you might not like them, but there are plenty of them. They're for the hardcore backpacker set and Indian people. Good for you for getting out of the UK.
Nice video, especially the Colaba part, as I live in Colaba. Kindly come back and I will show you around. Enjoy your time in Goa. Regards.
Your cinematography is dope 👍
I went to India on business in 1976 and stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (probably the best in Mumbai) for 2 nights and despite being extremely careful, including cleaning my teeth with whisky, still got Delhi belly. I had a further 8 days travelling in India, mainly in the south, and eventually had to get a doctor to treat me. Absolute nightmare but I still yearn to go back. Everyone, if they have the means, ought to go to India. It's a life changing event which puts a different perspective on everything.
Be careful with your spending Freddie. I'm in Textiles and you paid far too much for your trousers !!
Really enjoy your videos by the way.
Having local help is truly underrated. I bet he can get the same trousers in half the price of what he paid. It's posh mumbai+froeigner tax lol.
local would never pay that kind of money unless its something really really impressive of a cloth or finishing.
What a lovely break and remedy for constipation, watching whilst preparing a traditional English Sunday Lunch, take care both.
Happy Mothers Day to all you mums out there....
If you can hire an old Enfield Bullet (I think its pre-1972?) those models have a heavy crank, which makes them a bit more torquey in low gears. They sound amazing - that wonderful single cylinder thump. Of course on the older bikes the gears are the opposite side (and work in the reverse way - up for 1st, etc) to all modern bikes. And you need to decompress them before kick starting. If you plan a long trip, be aware that you'll cover a lot less distance in a day's riding than you would back home (I averaged 100-120 miles a day).
Also, in Goa, it seems like there's a mechanic shop about every 100 yards and repairs are very cheap. Do visit the legendary Anjuna flea market. There are sometimes Enfields for sale there. The ride from Anjuna to Arumbol beach is lovely - and you take a ferry across a river. I also recall the roads around Palolem to be great for biking.
Welcome to India Monica and Freddie ❤
And about the jeep and Mahindra Thar thing. It's actually more complicated then it seems. Many years back jeep gave them permission to use their design something something idk. But jeep and Mahindra still goes back and forth over this car.
Haha no way! And I’ve noticed even the previous model was a copy too. I LOVE it- I’m going to try and rent one in Goa🤩
Willy's gave them the permission of the original ww2 jeep. Chrysler now owns it, they have a problem with it. AMC used to own earlier and they didn't seem to have a problem.
when in Goa-For A first Ride ..with some beach side and timeless quaint and quiet interior goa vibes..assuming you staying in Anjuna area...head to baga beach via the baga river....onto to calangute and then to taj aguada beach sinqeurim,take the road to st Lawrences church , for a must see view point at fort aguada cliff near the light house,,,,,from there back up a bit to nerul candolim road and head to Reiss margos fort and church via coco beach along the water ...head on to betim and go on up to the main highway crossing under the bridge ..going on to Britonna, check out casa Britona,ride along the river to Nossa Senhora Mae De Deus Church and then onto Mãe de Deus Chapel, Corjuem ...stop At Sai Restaurant for the best local goan meal...and then ride on to Aldona, Moirra, Mapussa- can check out Mapusa market and have a snack at Cafe St Xaviers in the market...head to assagaon and then to Anjuna...its a fab litte route ...must do ..can stop take small lanes , get lost enjoy the views ..happy plodding.
Really interesting to see Mumbai , thanks to you both.
What microphone you used?
With your love of Land Rover I would of thought you would of known who Tata was, they own JLR ;)
Freddy, keep your eyes open for the wonderful retro 350 from Honda... I think I saw a blue / white one at a glimpse...
Hopefully there coming to Europe soon...
A retro that reminds me of the old super dream 250s....
Enjoy your time there.
They wired the brake lights to the horn, i seen it in my own eyes crazy
only two place you won't hear honking in India is Kohima, Nagaland and Gangtok, Sikkim. in that places we honk only to greets
10:00 India has the exact same copyright law as the rest of the civilized world. Mahindra has the copyright of selling Thar only in India, It's a remnant from their JV with Jeep during WW2 era.
I suppose your aware Freddy, there is a Royal Enfield Cafe in Baga, Goa.
The 100% linen trousers are actually well-priced. That is good quality linen and they made them for you so fast. That is around Rs 6500/- in Indian currency. Good bargain. Also , the tailors would have changed the length immediately at your request.
Good video ! 👍