Where to go After SE Asia and Australia. Is India a good idea?
Hi. I'm planning to do some independent travelling for the first time in late September. I'm thinking of starting in SE Asia (cos I gather it's a good place to start for first timers) then moving on to Australia/New Zealand/ Fiji. My ideal final destination would then be India. Obviously this sounds like I would be turning back on myself but I currently don't feel like I should go to India first because it sounds like a place to go when I've got more experience behind me. However, if I do it last I think I will be getting into the really hot season which is probably best avoided. Other options include USA or South America but currently they don't appeal to me as much. What do people reccomend I do?
Thanks!
Andy
Reply to this Hello Andrew 😊
Nothing will prepare you for India so go there first if you want.
Just be sure to prepare as well as you can. Read everything in the Lonely Planet book and check out everything people say about India on the travel sites.
Yeah, it might be a good thing to avoid the really hot season in India. Would you avoid it if you go to India first? India is the ultimate travel experience in my opinion. I dont think you should choose someplace else instead.
Mel
Reply to this Hi,
I suggest you try Malaysia. The place that I recommend is the Geographic Center of Peninsular Malaysia and have a 'camp in the wild' at Kemahang Sanctuary. Friendly people, very breezy hill and solid rainforest that you will find so many things that you never met before. We just went there for 3 day last month and it really worth coz the experience that the money cant buy. I believe that was the oldest rainforest as you sneak in you will find those old clay pot sort of things, looks like the chinese have been there before not the malays. Nice water fall, root climbing (my first time) but be careful of the tarantula.
Reply to this Hi all, thanks for the responses. Komerhjeh, I will hopefully be going to Malaysia as part of my SE Asia travelling, but cheers for the reccomendation anyway I will keep it in mind. Mell, thanks for your India reccomendation - yes, if I go to India first the weather will be better, but I'm still not sure if it's wise to be my very first destination as I'm a first time traveller - that's why I'm thinking of doing the apparently 'easy' SE Asia first. Any other reccomendations? How about South America?
Reply to this SE Asia is certainly a less challanging option than India. Well, everyplace is actually. :D
South America would add some variety to a trip which includes SE Asia and Oceania.
Mel
Reply to this Hi Andrew,
If you happen to go to india, dont miss Jamnagar in ghujarat, quite remote area but full of indianise. You may then hike the mount Abu by donkey riding ahaks... a nice and cool place. Bombay is too busy and delhi is too hot in summer. mind the beggers...
Reply to this Malaysia would be a good choice, I am living in Kuala Lumpur, if you need ay advice, msg me.
Recommend state in Malaysia:
Penang, Melaka- Historical and cultural
Sabah & Sarawak-Rain forest & Nature
Kuala Lumpur-City tour & Shopping
Kelantan, Terrenganu-Paddy fields, simple rural lifestyle
Reply to this Hi Andy,
I’m doing a very similar trip to you. I’m starting in India and had the same concerns.
I’ve decided to get involved with an organised tour for my 2 week stint with the idea that it’ll help with the initially blow of a first time female traveller setting out on my own and with the culture shook etc. It’ll be a way of meeting new people, getting the most out of my short time there and just generally help me learn the ropes of a first time traveller.
My initial reaction is that I don’t want to conform/feel trapped by an organised tour but as it’ll only be for the first part of my year long trip I feel it’s definitely worth it.
Obviously this may not be convenient if you plan on a longer stay in India but you could still look into it for the first week or so.
I’ll be heading off to SE Asia late September so may see you on route :-)
Good luck with the plans.
Hannah
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