Drae

Greetings all,

I just found your wonderful message board and would like to ask for your opinions. I'm a tall blonde woman who has the opportunity to visit the Orient in October.
I'll be in Japan for business for three weeks and since I'm on that side of the planet, I want to explore. Being female, alone and with physical attributes that make me stick out like a sore thumb, I'm feeling pretty cautious. Ain't no way I'm blending in with a crowd unless it's in Denmark!
I'm a naturally adventurous person. I love to SCUBA dive, fly airplanes, hike, visit art museums and archeological sites and canoe. I'm polite and friendly-especially in another country. I know cities are similar around the world and that I should exersize the same caution I would in any metropolis.
What I would like are your suggestions for places to go as well as known pitfalls for a single female traveler. I'm particularly interested in India (Goa or Dehli), Cambodia (The temples), Vietnam and the Phillipines.

Thanks in advance,

Donna rae

Kathie

Donna, as long as you exercise the usual cautions, you'll be fine. You'll find warm welcomes from locals.

I'd highly recommend visiting the temples at Angkor. They are truly spectacular. The easiest route from Japan to Cambodia is to fly to Bangkok and then on to Siem Reap. Bangkok itself is a fabulous city, with glittering wats and amazing shopping.

Have a wonderful time!

kilofoxtrot

If you are tall, blond, and stick out, you may become the attraction yourself! don't be surprised if short asian tourists gather around you to have pictures taken with you!

r_shum

Don't be uncomfortable when short asian look at you. they just curious and nothing offensive. Generally, asian are very kind, especially to foreigners.

LucyHo

Such a strange subject. I cannot see what you are concerned about. Be yourself and considor others, that is all that is important.

BillT

Give the Philippines a try. We were there this year and are going back next year. The $US goes far there, the people are very friendly and everyone speaks English. If you are not really into the temple thing- I think you will find the Philippines interesting. Its a well kept secret on this forum.

kuranosuke

billt; how do the hotel rates compare to bangkok? is roxas blvd still the jumping place?

BillT

Roxas blvd is still the main drag fronting the bay and now they have decorated the blvd with some nice lighting at night.
The hotels I believe are a bit cheaper than in Bangkok for comparable hotels.
We stayed at the New World- rates tend to be around $100/night (although our relatives got us the local rate of $50/day including breakfast)- this I would rank a a good 4 star. There is the ShangriLa, Peninsula, Mandarin etc. These are in the Makati area which is the area where we stayed.

Kathie

Bill, I know you feel like your recommendation of the Philippines has fallen on deaf ears, but it's not true. The Philippines have been on my list of places to go for a while now, and your review has moved it up as a destination. Perhaps next year...

Guenmai

A lot of foreigners stick out. I stick out. I'm female and late 40s and have been traveling around the world alone since I was 17 and wouldn't have it any other way. Don't worry about it. Happy Travels!