Thailand versus India in Aug/Sept

flyer31

Hi all,

I wanted to do a 3,5 week trip, either Thailand/Vietnam/Combodia or alternatively India.

I just read, that they are having raining season until October and I wonder whether it still makes sense to explore this region or whether it is better to go there during the main travel period?

I guess it is not the best holiday, when it is raining half of the day, we have enough bad weather here in the UK

Cheers!

littlereddevil

Have you been to any of these places before?
If not I would say best go for the far east. Some fabulous places out there.

bazster

If you're travelling independently (i.e.without a host/guide) India needs strong nerves and a strong stomach. It needs to be treated more in the spirit of a challenge than a holiday.

Mr_Wang

Well travelled in both India and SE Asia to the point of - If it is worth visiting, I have probably been.

Think of SE Asia like a brand new Mercedes, slick, air conditioned, in any colour you like.
India is more like the 60 year old rust bucket that never runs for more than a mile. You love it, but damn it takes some effort.

Doshwaster

flyer31 wrote: »

I guess it is not the best holiday, when it is raining half of the day, we have enough bad weather here in the UK

Ah, but their rains are so much better than ours. It's warm rain for a start! If you've never been in a tropical downpour then you've never seen rain. Unless you hit the middle of the monsoon season your trip shouldn't be ruined but you just need to be prepared for it - and be ready to dash to the nearest bar when it starts to rain. If you want endless sunshine then you are looking at the wrong part of the world.

How much travelling outside of the "Western world" have you done? If it's very little then Thailand is the easiest to cope with as it's very tourist friendly. Cambodia and Vietnam can be a little more of a challenge but the main cities are reasonably easy to do. India is different and unless you go with a 5* budget it can test even seasoned travellers. I have been to India several times on business but I've never fancied it as a holiday destination.

If you have a month then you should be able to put together a decent trip around Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Have a search for recent threads on the topic.

nico26

bazster wrote: »

If you're travelling independently (i.e.without a host/guide) India needs strong nerves and a strong stomach. It needs to be treated more in the spirit of a challenge than a holiday.

Certainly agree with that. I lived there for 6 months and everyday was a challenge in India.I think it is a place eveyone should visit and then we would be grateful for what we have. At times its heartbreaking.

If you are travelling alone Thailand etc would be more viable for you as there are plenty backpackers etc in that area.But still be careful.

Bob the Saver loves India He will give you good advice.

PompeyPete

Doshwaster wrote: »

If you have a month then you should be able to put together a decent trip around Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Have a search for recent threads on the topic.

Not to forget, Laos and Myanmar (Burma).

johnnytee

If you want a holiday, go to Thailand.

If you want an 'experiance' I would recommend India. As mentioned elsewhere, it's not for the faint-hearted!

Doshwaster

PompeyPete wrote: »

Not to forget, Laos and Myanmar (Burma).

I've never had to nerve to do Myanmar yet but I have a feeling that it's about to explode as a tourist destination. Within 10 years I'm sure it will be full of tacky resorts so I suppose I'd better get in before it's all ruined.

PompeyPete

Tbh I think Myanmar has already exploded.
It's often difficult getting too far off the beaten track, and the beaten track is becoming too beaten, particularly with Tour Groups (hate 'em!).
Locals, especially in the more popular haunts are also becoming a bit too greedy, and are far more in your face than a lot of other destinations.
So, I'm glad we ticked Myanmar off a couple of years ago.

totallybored

OP, I have a Thailand/Vietnam/Cambodia thread somewhere. I'm part they way through my trip and am about to start the SE Asia bit soon. I'm expecting rain but don't care (although all it has done while I was in HK was rain!!).

If you're looking for somewhere a bit different I absolutely loved Korea and wish I'd spent longer so I could see more of the country.