Without hesitation, this blog is a must read if you’re thinking of travelling alone to the India subcontinent.
Doesn’t matter what you might be dreaming of.
If any part of you longs to hit the road solo – to trek the Himalayas, fly and flop in the pristine Maldives, dive into a no holds bar Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala or just enjoy a stopover break in magical New Delhi or Mumbai this is for you.
The Indian subcontinent, a mix of countries big and small like India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, makes up a vast area the size of Europe. They have the reputation as some of the most mystical, colourful and magical countries on the planet. They also have a reputation, rightly or wrongly, as a slightly dangerous place for people, especially women to travel alone.
Tosh to that! Today’s blog is a treasure map to unleash the ultimate in independence, solo travel and the roller coaster ride of smells, sights and noises that you will experience in this intoxicating region.
There is a freedom to travelling solo that many find invigorating. It’s not that we have no friends or necessarily have had disastrous holidays with friends and partners. Rather travelling alone is the ultimate way to immerse yourself in our surroundings, you are not bouncing of your companions and can interact totally with your surroundings. It’s about using your time and travel funds wisely and going exactly where you want. There is no need to compromise. If you’d rather sit all day staring at the Taj Mahal you can, if you want to lay back and read your chick lit on the beaches of Goa, you can. Or if you want to squeeze in two museums before lunch you can!
Not only can you have the holiday that suits you – no compromise on hotels, restaurants or anything at all – in many ways it is less stressful than travelling with someone else. It’s also much easier striking up conversations with fellow travellers and locals when you are travelling solo: as the saying goes ‘travel solo but never alone’.
Here are some tips make the experience easier and more enjoyable:
#1 Create your perfect trip
Let’s face it not every trip is suitable for solo travellers. If you’ve ever dreamed of partying in Goa it’s going to be a disappointment. Late night drinking for one is just not on! Once you’ve selected your destination don’t limit yourself to the big-ticket attractions, explore the small stuff that appeals to you like wandering the lanes of Galle, Sri Lanka’s most southerly city, forming immediate sisterhood with other women on India’s vast train network or trying out every sari shop in New Delhi. Go ahead – it’s your holiday.
#2 Know what you’re doing
The one time travelling alone is a downer is when something goes wrong, when you’ve been ripped off by the taxi driver, gotten lost in the dodgy part of a town and there is no one to share the pain. Avoid the drama in the first place, do your research, book with a reputable travel agent, stay in a more expensive hotel, chances are it will be in a better area of town. Know the cabbie should have the metre on in the first place or to settle a price before you take the trip. Know how to dress to blend with the locals. It doesn’t mean being covered from head to toe but keep it cool, with fabrics that breath. Always carry a scarf, especially when visiting religious sites.
#3 Pack the necessities
Bring the antibacterial wipes or gel, and even toilet paper with you. In many rural areas, you’ll be faced with squat toilets with bucket washing. It’s also a good idea to bring anti diarrhoea medication and of course all your necessary meds. And if you get ill, the hotel can organise for you to see a doctor.
#4 Talk to the locals
Learning some key phrases in the local language will always win with the locals and is the surest way to finding out he must see/must eat spots in town. It also pays to learn a few extra lines when you are a female travelling solo. The world over pushy merchants love to pounce on solo women. Deflect by saying ‘I’m sorry I am meeting friends and am late’. And if someone does threaten your personal space, tell them off loudly. Others will intervene. A lot of people on the Indian subcontinent speak English so you will usually find someone you can communicate with. Use sites like broads abroad.net to connect with like-minded locals. They are often more than happy to show you around, teach you the ropes of their town, and it’s free.
#5 Do some meal planning
The one thing that seems to challenge most people than any other is dining alone. If that is you, then be creative. Lunch in a buzzy café is often more appealing than a restaurant full of couples. Look around, show confidence and you know, others will feel comfortable with you. Ask for a table close to the action, so you can admire the view and take in your surroundings. You will be surprised how often people on the next table strike up a conversation with you and even invite you to join them. Sites like mealsharing.com and eatwith.com offer a chance to break bread with locals in their homes and can be fabulous fun.
#6 Connect using technology
One of the joys of travelling with other is that you always have someone to reminisce with. This doesn’t happen when you are travelling by yourself, so take plenty of shots to remind yourself of the trip. They don’t have to be of particular sights, if you find yourself enjoying street snacks in Sri Lanka or laughing at the antics of monkeys in a temple take a shot to remind yourself of the moment. Create a system for sharing your photos and staying in touch with friends through Facebook or What’s App or other social media.
#7 Use your common sense
The things you do at home make sense abroad. Don’t get drunk or walk alone at night, be prepared to splurge on a taxi and trust your intuition. A great thing to do when you are on your own is to start the day with a pre-breakfast walk, watching a city wake is always fascinating.
You get one chance at life, strike out there on your own, mix with the locals, spend money on the ground and contribute to wherever you are. Your travel experiences will be much richer as a result.
