I took at career break in 2015 to spend six months backpacking solo around Asia and South America. I attempted to keep up a blog during this time and here are a few samples of my blog posts from that trip.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS - NEW DELHI (7 September 2015)
Delhi is somewhat overwhelming by nature, but what a place!
It's hard to put into words exactly, the feeling of when you first step out into this crazy chaotic city. It's practically an assault of the senses - an overwhelming gust of smells, sounds, colours, all enveloped by the intense heat. An orchestra of car horns, tuk-tuk engines, people and animals. As you move through the throng - dodging people, cars, bikes, trucks, dogs, cows, cow-pats, puddles - different odors waft over you, some powerfully unpleasant like human waste or gasoline but some are pleasant - the refreshing scent of jasmine or rich spices here and there. The very air you breathe is hot, dusty, perfumed... and it's all inescapable.
At first you feel a bit lost, a lone wanderer adrift in this sea of chaos, but quickly your adrenaline snaps into action and you're off adventuring through the streets. You find your way around and you see things that are truly remarkable. But it's exhausting - my "adventure" self (jetlagged also) only lasted 4-5 hours in this. I then had to head back for a rest and just to get away from "it" - the streets, the sounds, the city.
FINDING PALOLEM BEACH (27 SEPTEMBER 2015)
After hearing about Palolem from a colleague, I became determined not to leave Goa without visiting it. After my experience in the north, I was eager to leave and was in full backpacking mode, determined to take local transport there. I managed to lure two friends in on my adventure and our guide assured us it would take an hour and a half by bus. HA! Turns out, an hour and half in India is actually four and a half hours, in 3 different buses, positively crammed in and sweaty as can be.
We made it there eventually though, and we were rewarded when we wandered I'm onto the golden sands of the stunning beach.....
The next challenge was finding a guesthouse, an endevour which we embarked upon on foot. After 20 minutes, this became an incredibly tedious hike. With out packs digging aggressively into our shoulders, we finally made it to "Bahki Kutir", a kind of boutique hotel with charming little cabins as rooms. It was a lovely place to stay for a few nights in the jungle, but the charm faded a little by the end of the stay after it felt like the local wildlife was sharing my room. The mosquitos (it was still monsoon season technically) were horrific, which is not exactly ideal in a Malaria zone.
Eventually, I moved down the beach to a small hostel called "Gunu Paradise", and spent a few nights there, right on the beach. A bit more in my price range (600 rupees/night), the place served its purpose well and I would definitely recommend it.
I spent my time in Palolem exploring with my friends, chilling out, reading, eating, and drinking 40 rupee beer (by far the cheapest in India so far) on the beach. In town, I would also recommend the book shop (the guy is lovely and very well read) and "Café Inn", which is a really cool space and where I had a nice fruity breakfast.
I was in Palolem just at the end of the monsoon season, so none of the beach huts or water sports were available yet, but had a great time anyway and I would still recommend going to September.
TOUCHDOWN IN BANGKOK -29.09
After my Indian adventure, the touchdown in the more developed city of Bangkok felt like a welcome return to normal city life. At first, I was extremely impressed with the cleanliness of the city. I ate all the street food I could get my hands on and felt free as a bird and safe wandering around any part of the city. My reality check came when we accidentally wandered into a pretty seedy area asking for directions - not the wisest move - but we survived, and I consequently changed my behaviour to be a bit more on the safe side.
The city bubbles with activity. Koh San road is fun, and offers a myriad of tourist-friendly restaurants, tacky bars (maybe too many!), and beauty/massage parlours. After walking around all day, it was amazing to just take a quick break and sit down for a foot massage for the equivalent of 3chf!
Another favourite spot was Chatuchak market. Actually "favourite" doesn't even cover it because when we wandered into the vintage clothing section, I had to pinch myself to check I hadn't died and gone to heaven!!!! Such incredible stuff at low prices, I could have spent all day there, but my shopping ban wouldn't allow. :(