India vs Cambodia

[xandreu]

I'm thinking of taking a month or two's break from the mayhem of Cambodia, and am considering India, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka.

I'm well aware that all of these destinations involve their own definitions of mayhem, but I guess I'm yearning for a different kind of manicness.

(Strange how Google doesn't recognise the adjective of manic, no matter how I try to spell it)

Anyway, any suggestions? And why? Any experiences you could afford me?

[Kung-fu Hillbilly]

India offers a disordered mayhem found nowhere else which confronts you at many turns but also leaves you with the feeling of "what a trip, maaan". Jimmy Hendrix could quite easily have been talking about India with the title of his debut album Are You Experienced such is the uniqueness of the country. Yep, I'm a fan.

Whether it be the constant assault of every one of your senses that gives one the feeling of being truly alive, the amazing culinary adventures to be had from southern Indian masala dosas to northern palak paneer and everything in between, the majesty of the hill stations and the Himalaya mountains, the vestiges of British colonialism cast wide throughout the country, soaking up the wonderful scenery from one of the world's greatest train networks/journeys to be had, witnessing the spiritualism of the magnificent Ganges, sprawling beaches, a people that love to talk, the cheapness of it all, the heaving mass of humanity, ...., the options and rewards are endless.

My advice for a month would be the northern loop through Rajasthan arriving in Delhi then taking the train and swinging through Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer, or conversely do the sourh west coast from Mumbai to Goa, Gokarna, Kerala, Varkala and Tamil Nadu. There are of course many other routes which depend on your interests and what time of year you go. The plains of India aren't any fun in summer, as the the coast isn't during monsoon.

India has everything you want and everything you don't want making it a truly unforgettable travel experience. Nobody comes away from the place without being affected one way or the other.

[taabarang]

"India has everything you want and everything you don't want making it a truly unforgettable travel experience."

I've had many guests at my home who have visited India and the general consensus was, "either you hate it or love it.". I never had a guest who wrote it off with a blase, "well, it was OK(or)so so.."

[phuketrichard]

"India has everything you want and everything you don't want making it a truly unforgettable travel experience."

I've had many guests at my home who have visited India and the general consensus was,

"either you hate it or love it

.". I never had a guest who wrote it off with a blase, "well, it was OK(or)so so.."

yep, there is no in between.
Indians can be a very tiring people to be around. For me i love the country, the food an the uniqueness of the country. From the mtns to the sea to the deserts.
Depending on the time of year there is so much to see or do ( if ur planing on Nov, Pushkar for the camel festival ) nothing like it on earth

Traveling can be both exciting and very frustrating...

Sri lanka is also a wonderful place, a month would give you time to see it all, ( where as a month in India is not enough)
Recently had 2 good friends from here visit an loved it and booked their return flights already.

[Kung-fu Hillbilly]

If you're interested in reading excerpts from an Indian travel journal I've posted on CEO you'll find them here..

the-rest-the-world/extracts-from-indian ... 30650.html

[la8rat]

I have mixed feelings about india. In my early 20s i spent 6 wonderful months there. Places like hampi are just magical. The bustle of Mumbai the relative modernism of Bangalore, were even 30 years ago youd see indian office girls out in bars in short skirts. Rajasthan where i stayed on at horse ranch and had to spend 3 days ridding in circles before i was allowed to take a horse out solo into the mountains. The beaches and parties of goa.
I went back a few years ago. Only goa this time but i feel the internet has changed the place. Obviously one can never recreate that first trip but for me it seems that online porn and social media has taken away a lot of the childlike innocence of the past and replaced it with something a little more sinister.
Personally im in no hurry to return. But it would certainly be an eventful destination for you visit.

[jrjrjr]

India to relax ? you must be joking !
Why not nepal instead ? or even yunnan mountains in china !

[timmydownawell]

I spent three months in India once, working my way from Mumbai - Aurangabad - Pune and down the west coast to Goa, Kerala, Karnataka. Stopped in Mysore , Kochi, etc. Travelled by trains and bus. Had a great time, definitely worth it.

[Yobbo]

A land of intense stares & beeping horns, mayhem x 10 yet an experience you will never forget!

[Bitte_Kein_Lexus]

I personally MUCH prefer SL to India in pretty much every respect. Best bet is to visit both and make up your own mind.