The beginners guide to studying and partying in Dehradun with Koenig solutions.
I chose Dehradun as my place of study for a few reasons, it’s a bit cooler than in the dusty polluted heat of Delhi, it’s very pretty and I had heard good things about Dehradun from a previous visitor’s blog.
The Koenig website isn’t to clear about what happens and how to get to Dehradun as it’s a 6 hour train drive away. But don’t worry, a Koenig member of staff will greet you from the airport give you a welcome back and 1000 Rs to get you started. You will then be taken to a hotel (probably the Koenig inn). Then depending when your train is you will stay there in a nice clean Air-Conditioned room. Food is available and a walk around the markets is very interesting, as a westerner you will initially find the market and India in general a little different, but bear with it it’s a fun place. Depending when your train is the driver will pick you up carry all your bags and drive you to the station. He then carries your bags and waits with you on the platform, when the train arrives he again carries your bags (they get offended if you try to carry them yourself!) takes you to your seat and wishes you a good journey. TAKE THE FIRST CLASS TRAIN IT’S WORTH IT!
On arrival at the train station a driver will again meet you and wrestle you for your bags.
Sit back and enjoy the driving in India, it’s an experience you will tell your grandchildren about!!!
I chose to stay at the COUNTRY HOUSE! Take this option!!! It’s a pleasant country house with 7 apartments with a back drop of the foot-hills of the Himalayas. It’s very quiet and peaceful and the perfect place to study. Sanjay the manager there is fantastic and if you get him to a party he’s a disco king! The food provided by Koenig is basic but is adequate for a month you always have the choice to go out to eat (see wining and dining in Dehradun). Three meals a day are served 2 at the country house and a lunch at the training centre. Each morning at 8:45 your driver will turn up to take you to the centre after 2 weeks you will be used to seeing cows laying in the road and seeing a family of 4 riding a 50cc moped! The centre is all Air-conditioned and the facilities are good for study. Where Koenig shines through its staff, these very carefully selected trainers and admin staff are superb! Nidhi is the centre manager and is the nicest person you will ever meet nothing is too much trouble and she will always make you smile! Papiya is the (TCA) and she is also lovely and will do what ever she can to help, she will book taxis, arrange trips out and sort your canceled flights if Air India go on strike again! (thanks Papiya). Then there are the trainers, these people are very good at there jobs, the level of knowledge is exceptional and they are all stars. My trainer was female. She is a star, very knowledge full and just makes the whole effort of ploughing through books and books and practices and virtual machines all lot more fun! I can not recommend her enough and I’m sure that if you request her they will try to get her for you. She made my month so much better. Thank you!
Wining and Dining in Dehradun…
This is the fun part. All work and no play makes jack a dull boy. It will also make you hate study and resent revision. I have found the only way to stay sane is to strike a balance between play and study. The following section will help you have fun and enjoy your stay.
Here are the best fast food joints:
McDonalds, yup there is one and it’s as clean and tidy at home, no beef or chicken but the food is always hot!
China King, Chinese fast food nice selection cheap and tasty.
Here are the best restaurants:
Black pepper (next to McDonalds) - This is an exceptional restaurant order Pappa masala (papadoms) and the lamb Boti. These are fantastic; the restaurant is amazing and the staff great.
My Wifes Place - Harder to find but worth it, they have great food and a fantastic tried and tested cocktail bar, be warned the long island ice tease are a killer ;-)
Hotel President - Nice clean and friendly
Yeti Resturant (BBQ) - Has been recommended and going tonight ;-)
Things to do before you leave Dehradun:
- Visit Musoorie, mountain village.
- Go to a Buddhist temple.
- Visit Sai Baba Hindu temple
- Discover Haywoods 5000 beer and the English wine shop on Rajpur road
- Ride 3 to a 50cc scooter
- Go out, have fun party hard and study hard!
- Pass all your exams!!!
Details of my adventures can be seen on my blog: http://stevesindiatrip.blogspot.com
