Guest Book

Testimonial for "Best of South India” Tour

I have spent an amazing three weeks accompanied by Frank with Inside Tours travelling through south India.An aura of culture with comfort was the theme. Initially, the Chennai annual traditional Music and Dance Competition was captivating as we sat with the locals appreciating the Indian and international talent. A definite highlight! Each temple visited was different to the next with many being very ancient awesome constructions and some most interesting as worshippers performed their religious rites. Our hotel rooms were comfortable offering ambience, convenience and at times spectacular views. The Amritapuri ashram stay had great views of the Keralan backwaters and offered the opportunity of seeing a modern guru’s community service.Frank ensured, each night, that our next day’s itinerary was well explained with requirements such as departure times, duration of journey and scenic stopovers along the way explained. South Indian food is mostly vegetarian and it is so delicious! My only digestive trouble was that I initially ate too much! This tour requires some fitness for walking to hilltops and around very large temple complexes. Walking the streets in cities is an experience in itself but auto-rickshaws are easily available. Frank’s knowledge gained from several previous trips to this area was invaluable. Museums and palaces, dance performances and temples all have their peculiar opening and closing times. He has befriended Indians, who along the way embrace him with friendship, and give him the best service for his loyalty to their business. Frank will ensure your comfort and safety during this most adventurous journey while giving you your unique experience of south India. It is a journey that is so memorable …

Tour of South India

I've promised to write a few words regarding our package tour of South India with Frank Burton. I've mentioned to Frank that it will be embarrassingly complimentary, because he did such an excellent tour. Prior to this adventure, I would have scoffed at the idea of a package tour. Now, my only suggestion to Frank is to make the trip a few days longer so that one could chill out in the Nilgiri Hills and explore that area a bit more, and ditto for Kerala. Apart from that, Frank has a brilliant itinerary sorted out from his wide experience of this place and every aspect of it is good. And because the tour has its own vehicle and driver, one is not dependent on Indian transport. All you need to do is wake up in time for breakfast, which is always a noteworthy cultural event in itself, then hop in the car and get taken to the next palace, temple, fortress, city etc. Then it's lunch at an excellent restaurant and off on the next leg of the day's journey, arrive at the pre-booked  hotel, and afternoon's temple viewing  or dance/ music event or a quick kip before dinner. The majority of meals are included in the package as is all accomodation and transport within India. I could easily have continued in this luxurious existence for a few more months. The people of Southern India were gorgeous, honest, polite and helpful. Because they don't really drink or smoke and are mainly vegetarian, they are peaceful and respectful. I found Australians crude and barbaric after a month in Tamil Nadu. Indians are also funny and very anxious to please. Now the embarrassing part (for Frank). I could not hope for a better tour guide. Scrupulously organised and efficient, I only saw Frank depart from his friendly and positive demenour  on a few ooccasions This was, for instance, when a hotel manager had tried to do something other than according to Frank's meticulous plans. Mistake. Frank's eyes would sparkle, and he would step into the fray armed with the email trail of the booking arrangements or whatever. His voice would become stern, but not aggressive, and he would firmly bring the erring hotel manager back into line. And thus, a little corner of Indian chaos would be brought under Swiss organisation. And a jolly good thing pip pip. If you are considering a tour with Frank, please feel free to contact me and I will gladly fill your head with descriptions of Auroville and other delights.

Splendid guidance throughout.

The first time I arrived in what was then Madras airport I remember the dusty arrival hall, the shock of the heat as we walked out into the night and the throngs of people, they all seemed to be calling us. A new century and a older name. Its midnight and Chennai airport is in a state of unfinished refurbishment. The Indian people perform amazing feats using bamboo. As we drive across the south of India over the next few weeks we will see major constructions, hundreds of workers, supported by bamboo scaffolding; not quite straight - the shape follows the bamboo’s natural curves. We depart the hall, past the customs officers. There is the delicious warmth and people. Just past the taxi stand we see Frank standing head and shoulders above the crowd. He’s wearing a hat. It’s pale blue with a small rim, one for holidays and watching cricket. After happy greetings we find a taxi, a black and yellow ambassador, and head into the city, to the Palmgrove Hotel. In the morning, I am intrigued by the hotel’s restaurant, its marbly-white walls and mirrors, its air-conditioned cool. The room is filled with the aroma of an Indian breakfast, fresh watermelon and papaya, ponjal, curry and cashew nuts. We linger at the table for nearly an hour, reading the Hindustan Times. I drink lots of tea. In the mid afternoon we set out on foot to a dance performance, part of the Chennai festival. The performance will be held in a school hall. We follow Frank, single file along the edges of Chennai’s busy suburban streets, past fenced gardens and movie posters, bicycles, dogs and dog-poo. Through narrow streets which resemble small villages, cows wander, boys and girls play and stare at us as we weave our way through their world. After twenty minutes of brisk walking we enter the courtyard of a secondary school and take a seat in the hall. The walls are lined with heavily framed photographs of past principals and noble benefactors. We listen and watch a performance of devotional chanting, two young women sing, accompanied by the violin and tablas. A row of proud grandmothers are positioned in a row in front of us, each with a grey bun at the nape of the neck. Just below my line of vision I could see their hands and mouths moving with the music. They knew perfectly every melodic and rhythmic move in the piece. One turned to welcome us and made signs that unequivocally conveyed the message “that is my grand-daughter singing”. At intermission we ran across the school pathway, through the rain, to the chai tent. I had coffee, then a sweet chai. My appetitie for warm beverages raised the eyebrows of the vendor….. When the rain stopped we walked another mile or so to our next destination - a classical dance performance. The first dancer resembled an orange blossom, resplendent and glowing in tangerine silk, silver jewellery and kohl. A thick black plait hung heavily down her neck. She mesmerized the audience. I can still see her clearly in my mind’s eye. With this and many other visions of beauty, we were held in the radiance of Mother India’s heart for the next month. Thanks to Frank for his splendid guidance throughout.

Never a dull moment!

....a safe & fascinating tour - off the beaten track to local villages - safe, authentic Indian cuisine, hospitable people. Traversed lowlands, highlands, forests, rivers, rubber plantations, spice gardens, tea & coffee plantations. Culturally packed with temples, palaces, ancient fort, ashram stays, holy sites and backwater cruise. Wildlife & sandy beaches, workshops of metal, stone, silk manufactueres & exotic oils & incense. Well organized, sometimes physically demanding and never a dull moment! The best way to be introduced to India. Highly recommendable.

Nothing to think about but the moment.

The journey was all and more than what I expected it to be! Southern India is indeed a land of variety from coast to coast, flat lands, high into the hills with tea plantations at high altitudes. Waterways, a land bursting with colour and noise. People full of fun and laughter, a joy to be driven around with nothing to think about but the moment. Many thanks to Frank the 'organizer supreme' and Raman the driver, companions Miguel, Alex and Diana, and Ganesh as our 'remover of obstacles'.

Kerala Ashram Tour

I toured with Frank on the "Kerala Ashram Tour" in December 2009. I would like to thank Frank for his professional, caring and consistent attitude throughout the tour and during my stay at Amritapuri Ashram. I chose this tour because it was the first time I had been to India and being a single woman, was concerned about going on my own. I wanted to go with someone that had knowledge about India and that I would feel safe with. I also chose this tour for the spiritual experience that the ashram could offer me. These desires were definitely fulfilled. The tour: We met in Chennai and traveled across the country to Kollam by train in an overnight sleeper (wonderful experience), and then took a boat cruise up the Keralan backwaters to the ashram. After the stay at the ashram we travelled onto Trivandrum together where I departed from him and continued on with my travels. Frank: I found Frank to be more than I had hoped for. During my time with him he was very organised, helpful, supportive, knowledgeable and friendly. His general demeanor was always calm and relaxed and his knowledge of South India (culture, food, people, etc) was excellent. He made me feel safe and was always willing to assist however he could. Amritapuri Ashram: The ashram houses many people from all over the world, so I felt like it was very easy to “fit in”. My time was spent in many interesting conversations about spirituality, consciousness and life. There are many activities that you can be involved in – meditation, yoga, chanting, prayer, singing, spiritual discourses (satsang/discussions) with senior disciples and of course, receive Amma’s blessing (a hug or “darshan”) and the opportunity to speak with and ask Amma questions. I also attended a very interesting course in Ayurvedic Medicine and got a reading from a world-renown Vedic Astrologer (of which blew me away with his accuracy). The accommodation was very basic, but comfortable. Eating was not a problem with 4 different eating areas to choose from (Indian and Western vegetarian food) and at very cheap prices. The food included in the tour price is simple vegetarian Indian food. I especially enjoyed the yummy organic ashram-made bakery items and home-made lemonade!! Amma: How does one explain their experience with an enlightened being? And everyone’s experience will be different. I will say that Amma's compassion, selflessness, spontaneity and love are something that I have never felt before. She serves humanity through tirelessly giving herself to anyone who comes to her – whether it be through a hug, listening to their problems or sharing their joys, providing shelter or other forms of support or giving spiritual advice. She is a mother, friend, guru, spiritual leader, humanitarian - people see her in many different ways. To me, she is now part of my heart and life and will be forever. Overall this tour was a very enriching experience and has changed my life. I would recommend it to anyone that is interested.  If you are considering it, you are welcome to contact me to discuss my experience and I will more than happily give you further information.