Avoid either arriving, departing or simply moving out of your hotel during Holi... (Indian spring festival)

The local lads gather in the streets and have water fights - with coloured water and western tourists are a prime target.

The papers were full of warnings about the chemicals used in the colouring (I wrote off a pair of trousers and T-shirt) They contain some pretty nasty chemicals that can cause skin complaints.

All the taxis and rickshaws (if you can find one) will charge three times the normal rate as "danger and damage" money.

Sit tight (it's only one day) and watch the mayhem from a balcony or rooftop!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi

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Buying bottled water is a necessary evil while travelling in many countries throughout the world, after seeing almost half a hillside covered in plastic bottles while travelling in India, I would definitely recommend refilling your water bottle instead of buying a new one, where ever possible. It's usually cheaper and creates less waste, also avoid using plastic bags too as they end up with pretty much the same fate.

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Look them directly in the eyes when you say 'No' - this puts them off everytime.

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The Delhi variation on this well-known trick is particularly nasty.

If a shoeshine man should happen to spring up from nowhere and point out the sudden appearance of a nasty gobbet of ... poo on your shoe, don't be fooled. Stuff doesn't just appear on top of your shoe - that's against the laws of physics - if you'd stepped in something it would be underneath, wouldn't it?

Yes, the scam artist put it there himself while you weren't looking and will try to extract a hefty fee from you while making a big fuss about sorting it out. Be hard and don't pay any more than the going rate - 10 to 20Rs or so.

Especially around Connaught Place and other touristy spots

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If you can, embark or disembark at the next stop along the line.

I thought I'd seen it all but this weekend I found myself literally fighting for platform space with thousands of fellow passengers. Parts of the station are under serious repair (and, this being India, will be for some time to come yet) and have the feel of a bombsite-cum-assault course.

Add to this carts full of baggage blocking your path, porters with unwieldy loads balanced on their heads bashing into you plus the chaotic masses that are India, and you have a recipe for disaster. It took me 25 minutes to get off the platform - I timed it.

On the other hand, you may never get a better photo opportunity that sums up the riotous melee of Asia like this.

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