Dreamer2

A dear friend has the opportunity to visit either India or Thailand after a business trip to Bangladesh. Although she would love to see the Taj Mahal, some folks have been suggesting Bangkok might be an easier, and perhaps safer, trip for a woman travelling alone. I told her I'd ask the folks at Fodors for opinions.

Some background:
First half of the trip will be one week working in Bangladesh.
Second week will be for further personal exploration.
It is her first trip to Asia.
Trip originates in US.
She enjoys soaking up new cultures (trying the food, meeting the people, etc) and visiting beautiful sites.
The trip will be in September.

Which experience would be the most unique? Should she expect any particular problem as a single woman travelling alone? Do you have any advice or recommendations?

I hope someone can help! Thanking you in advance for any helpful replies.

JamesA

They are just 'so' different, seeing ther Taj Mahal of course must be on most people's list but it depends whether she wants to see such a site or would be more interested in a vibrant city such as Bangkok. Travel ease Taj mahal would mean flight from Dhaka to Delhi and then onwards to Agra for the Taj mahal, Bangkok is straight flight. Depending on which airline if she is traveling West Coast through to Dhaka Bangkok would be one of the most popular/easy transfer points anyway. If heading eastbound from USA the non-stop Thai flight to Bangkok and then transfer to Dhaka would also be easy, otherwise Emirates via Dubai would be easy.
So I think cost wise would be easier to include Bangkok within the ticket her company is paying for.

glorialf

Bangkok would definitely be easier because she could spend the whole time there and take day trips if she wants. Wouldn't have to worry about getting from point a to b. India is a huge country and the cities (Delhi, Bombay etc) are the least interesting part. On the other hand Bangkok is fabulous and very easy for a woman on her own on a first trip. She'll meet the most wonderful people imagineable, see gorgeous sites and have fabulous food.

JohnFitz

There are no airports in Agra and therefore you have to drive the 4 to 5 hours from Delhi . Bangkok is , I agree with others , an easier destination but you cannot compare the two places . Bangkok is a large , noisy , polluted and sprawling city but it does have some lovely things to see and do and is safe for a woman alone as long as she is alert and does not place yourself in risky situations . See Jim Thompsons house compound , the Grand and Teak Palaces .Lots of shopping and some lovely hotels and food . If she wants to rest then avoid both and look at beach destinations in Thailand but not Phuket at that time of year - Koh Samui is best weather wise in September

hobbes

September is not a great month for India (note, India not Agra - a week is a good length to do Delhi, Jaipur and Agra). It is still very warm hence it is important to know your friends tolerance to heat. I would also ask about her budget. It is easier to do Bangkok on a budget than India.

Dreamer2

Thank you all so much for your speedy replies! The information you have provided is extremely helpful.

From your advice, she is leaning towards Bangkok. However, she is reluctant to book anything definite until she arrives. She'd like to wait to see if anyone else from her work project would like to continue on to Agra with her, or perhaps hire a guide. At any rate, she feels it will be much less expensive to book either choice once in Bangladesh. We were wondering what your thoughts are on this. With much appreciation once again...

hobbes

There are limited flights Dhaka to Delhi and Dhaka to Bangkok and both sectors operate quite full hence do not get discounted much. W.r.to hotels, I agree it should not make much of a difference - Bkk abounds with good hotels and as I mentioned it is not peak season for India. It seems that your friend is very keen to see the Taj - maybe she should plan to go. It is very easy and cheap to do India alone. Guides, cars with drivers, etc are quite cheap in India. IMO, given the limited time she has at her disposal if she is planning India she would be better off doing some advance planning - India is not the easiest place to "wing it".

jacketwatch

Actually New Delhi is a very interesting city with an abundance of features including:
1. The Lotus temple, a gorgeous marble temple for the Bahai faith but open to all.
2. The Red Fort
3. Jama Masjid
4. Qutab Minar
5. Indira Ghandis home, now a shrine to her life and quite moving to see
6. Jantar Mundar
7. India Gate and the government area.
8. An abundance of shopping including Connaught Circus and several malls opening all over the place.
Your friend could stay a few days in Delhi then go to Agra from there. In addition to the Taj which I have seen 4 tiems and it never fails to make me awestruck BTW there is Agra fort and Fatepuhr Sikri along the way.
I must say the Taj is THE most awesome and fascinating structure I have ever seen. The detailing will amaze anyone as will the story as to how it came about and a guide can be hired for a song and can provide enriching insight to its planning and meaning. If you have a chance to see it you should take the opportunity. In Agra there are several hotels for reasonable prices. We stayed at the Taj View and as hte name denotes all rooms have a view of this magnificent work of artistry. BTW no cell phones allowed in the Taj. Bummer. Iwas going to call work and tell them I was looking a the greatest structure I have ever seen. So how is your night going?

jacketwatch

To Glorialf: To say Delhi is not interesting means to me you have not really seen it. It can evoke a wide range of emotions running the gamut from frustration to delight, all in a matter of minutes and there is an abundance of fascinating sights. Take another look. JM2C, no offense intended.

hobbes

Jacketwatch, I could not agree with you more re Delhi being very interesting. Just as an example - our guide took us to see a temple, mosque and a Sikh gurudwara - it was fascinating to understand the background and history of 3 religions which coexist in India, the difference in their beliefs and how they practice their religions and the similarities, etc. Just one of the many highlights of our Delhi sightseeing!

Craig

As Hobbes and others have said, there is plenty to do in Delhi, easily enough to occupy 3 full days. The drive to Agra is about 3 hours, not 4 or 5. If she takes the express train, she can get there in 2. A very busy 7 days would include a full day in Agra to see the Taj, Agra Fort and "baby Taj" plus a stop at Fatephur Sikri on the way to Jaipur where she should spend 2 full days. The problem at that time of year though is that all of the sites are outdoors and it is HOT! Not that it won't be hot in Bangkok though. As for winging it, not a good idea in India - arrangements could be made through a local (Delhi) travel agent via e-mail from Bangladesh. I think independent travel (winging it and without an agent) would be easier in Bangkok.

glorialf

I misspoke. Delhi IS interesting but I found everywhere else I went in India far MORE interesting and I much prefer Bangkok to Delhi as a city tourist destination.

Craig

I agree with Gloria that everywhere else in India is more interesting than Delhi in that Delhi is more "modern" and less colorful. There is good shopping and there are good restaurants in Delhi plus the previously mentioned 3 days worth of sightseeing. That being said, you can easily spend a week in Bangkok, whereas it would be better to move on to Agra and Jaipur from Delhi rather than stay there the entire week.

jacketwatch

Well it sounds like you can't lose with either choice. It depends on what is most appealing to the traveller. Actually we drove to Agra from Delhi last January (that is we were driven. I would never try to drive in India!) and once we hit Agra the traffic became very Delhi like, i.e. JAMMED!! It took about 5 hrs. due to internal Agra traffic to reach the Taj View. The train may be a better option. Best of luck for whatever choice your friend makes. As for the weather in Sept. as I recall its pretty hot and humid as well but bearable. I did walk 18 holes of golf in Delhi and did OK really. Drink plenty of H2O, wear a hat that aerates and loose, light colored cotton clothing and pace yourself. Also get a good pair of sunglasses that afford eye protection like Maui Jim or Revo. This will prevent eye strain and irritation. Best of luck! Larry.

Dreamer2

Thank you all for the wonderful first-hand information! You are all an incredible resource. Sounds like it will be an amazing experience for her either way. I'm so envious!

Craig: "...arrangements could be made through a local (Delhi) travel agent via e-mail from Bangladesh..." Would you happen to have a recommendation?

hobbes

I can reco www.presidenttravels.com - write to Indira Kharbanda at [email protected].

Craig

For our trip last February I worked with Durjay Sengupta at Compass Tours. He is the owner and his e-mail is [email protected].

Dreamer2

Wow, thank you both for your prompt replies. And everyone above, once again, for the valuable information. We'll let you know how it turns out.

Dreamer2

Hi again!

My friend read and reread all your advice and suggestions, and has decided (mostly due to peer pressure) to go to Bangkok after Bangladesh on this trip. Her family felt Thailand was a "safer" trip, and she also has a friend who would love to travel with her to see the Taj Mahal, but can't get it together in time for this trip. She hopes work will bring her back for a second trip to Asia before too long, and will save India for then.

So, any other tips for visiting Bangladesh and Bangkok?

Also, I have a rather strange question to follow up on myself regarding the protocol for gift giving...

Is there an acceptable way of giving money directly to families in need, without insulting people or endangering my friend in some way? (She will be working directly with some of these people through a health study.) I would think American dollars would go a long way to helping some of the poorest of the poor, and am so interested in providing some direct aid (in small doses), as opposed to sending a check to an agency. But I have a sorry feeling this would be a case of good intentions gone awry. Any thoughts/advice?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

glorialf

Are you talking about giving money to people in Bangladesh or in Thailand?

One thing she can do is be very generous with her tips in her hotel, restaurants, with guides, drivers etc. She could also give something they need rather than money -- for example when we were in Burma we were told by our guide that in his village there was a real need for warm sweaters or jackets for childrenj. So we bought a bunch. If she's doing health work she could give them medications (as long as they know how to use it). But she will be meeting with local people while she's working on the health project and they will be best able to guide her.m