1st time traveller - help appreciated!!!

After years of thinking about it i have finally booked my ticket to go travelling. Unfortunately at 26 all of my friends have now settled down so i'm travelling alone. I hit Delhi on 28th Feb 2007 and to say i'm nervous would be a slight understatement!!

I'm hoping someone out there might be able to help me with 2 things:

Firstly - having never travelled before I’m expecting somewhat of a culture shock when I first arrive, so would like a hotel (that doesn't break the bank) in central Delhi where the rooms are as "British" as possible, so whilst settling in and adjusting, if it all gets too much I can run back to the safety of my hotel!

Secondly - I’d really appreciate any women who jumped in at the deep end and went on their own to Asia as their first trip to contact me so I can talk about your experiences and any advice would be gratefully received. I PLAN to cover as much of India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos as possible - I have no time scale, just cash reserves to work to!!!

Thanks in advance for ANY responses.

Hi there. Well.....Delhi. I had a serious cultureshock there. When I came over the shock I loved the place (and I stayed 3 weeks after that). If you have never travelled before Delhi is a hard start. But if you survive Delhi you will never have a cultureshock again. I stayed in the Paharganj area. This is the main backpacker's area of the city and most of the budget accomodation is available here. It is quite centrally located. But for a first-time visitor it is very dirty, dusty and chaotic (for me it was quite hard because I didn't expect anything). So probably the best area for you to stay is Connaught place (also the heart of the city). This is a shopping area (with the international brands like Nike, wrangler, Adidas, Lee). It is kind of a ringroad with good but expensive restaurants. Connaught place has Britisch architecture. There are a few hotels here that are in the midrange section. Prices are around 1800 rupees for a single room (32 euro). There are also a few budget options but they are more basic. Those are around 600 rupees (11 euro). In Paharganj is accomodation for as less as 100 rupees (2 euro) but that is a kubus without a window. I hope this helps.

[ Edit: Edited on Dec 14, 2006, at 10:52 AM by wouterrr ]

There is another place in Delhi where I stayed last year. Its an area north of Old-Delhi. It is a Tibetan colony called Majnu-ka-Tilla. Its very relaxed and laidback there compared to the rest of Delhi. This enclave has a few good budgethotels such as Wongdhen house where I stayed. This hotel has a restaurant as well. So if you are willing to find some rest this is the place to be. It is not Britisch though. Its around 50 rupees (1 euro) by autoricksaw to central Delhi (20 minutes depending on traffic).

[ Edit: Edited on Dec 14, 2006, at 10:59 AM by wouterrr ]

Hey,

I too will be starting my RTW trip exactly a month before you in January and like you getting very nervous about it indeed. I start my travels in Delhi where I only have 2 weeks before I fly out from Mumbai, which I know is a very short time to see anything. I am going alone and as a red head slightly worried about the unwanted attention I may receive. I too would like any advice from women who have done India and Asia alone. I guess the only advice I can offer at the moment is make sure you have booked your accommodation in advance for at least a couple of nights and a pickup from the airport to the hotel so at least as you say you have some where to escape to if it gets too much.

I’ll let you know how I get on anyway!

Emily

Thank you both very much for your replies, all info very much appreciated.

I'm going to look up Majnu-ka-Tilla like you suggested as a couple of ladies on other forums have also suggested i stay there so thanks.

I've also booked myself on to a beginners yoga course in Delhi that is on 4 days a week and lasts 3 weeks, figured it'll help me settle in if i have things to do and i would expect as it is a beginners course there might be other travellers with the same idea as me!