The spices are a bit different as you say Bruce.
I would love to be able to buy fresh basil, sometimes they have some at the intermarche but it always looks very sad and has to be revived when you bring it home, to get just one or two leaves
If you get the fresh basil from intermarche, dampen a piece of kitchen roll and wrap the leaves inside it and pop into the freezer to use whenever you need fresh basil.
Pretty sure I saw Pataks curry pastes in the Intermarche last time we were over. Slightly more expensive than the UK but not by much. Wrt the powders, Tumeric, ginger and chilli easily identifiable and I have seen Garam Masala but Cumin and Coriander might be a bit more difficult to find. If I were you I'd take some with you. I don't think there are any restrictions on taking them into the country. We always do and have not been stopped yet.
I usually bring my indian spices out with me and leave in the apartment, they keep fine especially Garam masala and Cumin and chillie powder. Fresh coriander can be found in Intermarche and I normally freeze it down along with basil, that''s fine for curries.
Gaynor
I've never had any trouble finding the spices I need for a curry here with the exception of the garam masala but I can get that now. Fresh herbs are easily bought in pots which will probably last the duration of you holiday depending on how much/often you use.
