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Vijay Chadda Chief Operating Officer, BTI-Sita, India

answers your queries...

Wondering about your travel options? Seeking answers to specific issues? Simply ASK feBUSINESS TRAVELLER for a plausible solution... Address your queries to editor@businesstravellerindia.com or write in to The Editor, feBusiness Traveller

1. I am going to Kenya in September. I have a stomach problem and am a frequent victim of diarrhoea. What kind of medications should I take along with me? Can one trust the water over there?

Sanjay Pradyuman,
Kolkata

Food and waterborne diseases are the number one cause of illness in travellers. Always ensure that your food and drinking water are safe while travelling to or in any other foreign country. It is always advisable to drink only bottled mineral water while travelling to any country.

Please do check with your doctor as regards the medication that you need to carry in case of a problem.

Your risk of malaria may also be high in the countries in Africa in the month of September. You may like to visit your doctor for anti-malarial drugs before travel to Kenya.

2. I am from Assam and wish to visit Mahe. Is there a budget package available? How many days should I set aside? How cheap will accommodations be there? What are the attractions of Mahe?

Nyongpang Sangma,
Dibrugarh

Mahe offers various types of accommodation to travellers. Though the hotels (a decent one) can cost you somewhere between US$ 100-US$ 150 per night, you can also opt for cheaper accommodation, which is popularly known in Mahe as 'Vacation Rentals'. This type of accommodation will be cheaper than hotels but you will have to have them booked much in advance.

To experience the natural beauty of Mahe, ideally you need a week's time. This would also give you an opportunity to relax on the beaches and enjoy the ethnic culture of Seychelles.

The major attraction in Mahe is its beaches. Beau Vallon is one of the largest and certainly most popular beaches in the Seychelles. The other major attractions in Mahe are its Natural History Museum and Victoria's Botanical Gardens.

3. During a trip to Mumbai, I read your magazine. I am from Iceland and I found the Indian summer terrible. However, I wish to know whether there are any places of tourist interest in India where you have cold weather throughout the year.

Freyjold Heyerdahl,
Mumbai

India has a number of hill stations where the temperature varies from being pleasant in summers to very cold in winters and they are scattered across regions. In the North we have Simla, Mussoorie, Srinagar, Kulu, Manali and Leh. In the East we have Darjeeling and Gangtok. While South of India has Ooty, Conoor and Kodaikanal, West India has Mahabaleshwar and Mount Abu.

4. I would like to know whether there are hotels in Ooty which have facilities for the physically challenged. My husband has been a victim of polio and is dysfunctional in both legs. We are planning to go for a vacation to Ooty. Kindly suggest to me the names of hotels which address such eventualities.

Savitri Sharma,
Pune

There are a few hotels in Ooty, which have special facilities for the physically challenged.

Listed below are three such hotels:

• The Howard Johnson, Off Havelock Road, Ooty
• Holiday Inn GEM PARK, Sheddon Road, Ooty
• ortune Resort Sullivan Court, 123, Selbourne Road, Ooty