A woman traveling alone in India.

Traveling to India for the first time, especially as a solo female traveler, may seem unusual. However, the common perception of India as a dangerous, dirty, and difficult country is often based on hearsay and stereotypes. This journey challenges those preconceptions, revealing the incredible beauty and diversity of India. From the stunning landscapes to the vibrant culture, India offers a unique and unforgettable experience. By embracing the unexpected and looking beyond the surface, travelers can discover the true essence of this fascinating country.

Why India?

I enjoy traveling to destinations that are off the beaten path, such as Japan and Korea. I appreciate the cultural diversity and unique perspectives these countries offer. Embracing different viewpoints allows me to learn and grow. Experiences are invaluable, and opportunities are fleeting. I intend to continue traveling until I am physically unable to do so.

Travel

July 6, 2018

• 20:00: Depart Bangkok for Jaipur on AirAsia flight.
• 22:45: Arrive in Jaipur. (Note: India is 1.5 hours behind Thailand time.)
• 04:00: Depart Jaipur for Agra by AC2 sleeper train.
• 08:00: Arrive in Agra.
• Check in to hotel in Agra.
• Visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

July 7, 2018

• 5:00 AM: Depart for Jaipur by AC Chair Car (CC) train.
• 9:30 AM: Arrive in Jaipur.
• Check in to Hotel Sahapur House.
• City tour: City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Cafe Wind View.
• Cafe Palladi.
• Albert Hall.
• Dinner at Pink Square.

July 8, 2018

• Morning:
  • Nahargarh Fort
  • Step Wall
  • Jal Mahal
  • Galta Ji Temple
• Afternoon:
  • Shopping at Himalaya Store
• Evening:
  • Pink Square Dinner
  • Return to hotel and shower
• Night:
  • Arrive at the airport at 9:30 PM for a 10:45 PM AirAsia flight.

Traveling with AirAsia at 8:00 PM offers several benefits for AirAsia Platinum Credit Card holders. These include access to a dedicated red carpet lane, eliminating long queues, free 20kg baggage allowance coupons, and four Hot Seat vouchers per year. These perks are available due to exceeding the minimum spending requirement of 200,000 baht.

Choosing a Hot Seat offers several advantages, including priority boarding and a window seat. However, be prepared for a predominantly Indian passenger demographic, which may result in strong aromas of various spices. Embrace the cultural experience and enjoy your trip.

The flight arrived at Jaipur Airport around 11:00 PM. Upon arrival, passengers proceeded to the E-tourist Visa lane, where they presented the required documents. The visa application process is not described in detail here, but information can be found in various online forums. The visa fee was 51.25 USD, which is approximately 1600 Thai baht. After clearing immigration, the passengers decided to stay at the airport to wait for their train, as they felt it was safer than going outside. They found suitable chairs and settled in for the night around midnight. However, the experience was not as peaceful as they had hoped. The designated sleeping area was near the baggage claim, which meant there was constant movement of passengers and luggage. This made it difficult to sleep soundly. Additionally, the strong smell of curry emanating from some of the passengers made it even more challenging to rest. Despite the discomfort, the passengers hoped that the time would pass quickly and they would be able to board their train soon.

At approximately 3:00 AM, we washed our faces and brushed our teeth at the airport. We then exchanged currency and called an Uber. Yes, you heard correctly, Uber is available here and it is very affordable. No need to waste time bargaining. We called an Uber to take us to the Jaipur train station at 4:00 AM to travel to Agra. However, things did not go as planned. After the Uber dropped us off, the driver asked for a tip. What? We had already paid through the app! Apparently, as we had been warned, tipping is common here. This was our first encounter with it. The driver kept saying "tip, tip, tip, tip" over and over again. We responded with "No, little money." She wouldn't give up and asked for dollars. We replied with "Thai baht." She finally agreed and drove away. We won that round! She kept repeating "tip, tip, tip, tip" like a broken record.

The train station's waiting area was filled with people sleeping on the floor, making it difficult to navigate without stepping on them.

Similar to our trains, but their windows have bars, especially in the third-class seats.

Upon returning to Jaipur, I discovered that there was a designated waiting area for passengers traveling in First Class and 2AC (two-tier air-conditioned sleeper class). During my outward journey, I had booked a 2AC lower berth, unaware of the existence of this lounge. Consequently, I found myself waiting on the platform, exposed to the scrutiny of onlookers.

This room is for guests who have booked the Sleep Class, which is a sleeping pod.

The entrance/exit is located on the platform.

A street vendor selling snacks and treats allows passengers to purchase food on the train. However, we were hesitant to buy anything as we were unsure of what was delicious. We did purchase a pack of crackers for a very affordable price of 20 rupees, which is equivalent to 10 Thai baht. The taste was decent. We believe that the people here are fortunate to have a low cost of living. Large bags of snacks are inexpensive, and even bottled water is not expensive. A medium-sized bottle costs around 10 Thai baht. However, due to the low cost of living, people here may have lower incomes, so prices may need to be adjusted accordingly.

The interior of the 2AC air-conditioned compartment was comfortable. We were lucky to have the lower bunk, so we didn't have to worry about our Brazilian bunkmate above us. We didn't have to be anxious. 555

The First Meal in Agra

Upon arriving in Agra, our taxi driver took us to a local restaurant for breakfast. We opted for the Indian breakfast option, which consisted of tea, bread, and a crispy flatbread. The flatbread was served with two dipping sauces: one yogurt-based and the other a peanut-based sauce. There was also a condiment that resembled pickled lemon. While the flavors were not particularly remarkable, it was a welcome meal after a long journey. Interestingly, our driver informed us that breakfast is not a common meal in Agra.

Before entering the Taj Mahal, we took a picture in front of it. This is a picture with my Brazilian travel companion. On this trip, we had a guide without even knowing it. The taxi driver we hired picked up the guide. She didn't consult us, but oh well, at least we gained some knowledge. Or did we? We split the cost with my friend, Andreiana. The guide fee was 750 rupees per person.

Wow! This spot is just like the one we saw in the books and websites.

The photograph, taken through the arched entrance, captures the majestic Taj Mahal standing tall in the distance. Its beauty is truly captivating, no wonder everyone wants to see it.

We visited on a Saturday, and while there were a fair number of people, it wasn't overwhelmingly crowded. Thankfully, we didn't come on a Friday, as the Taj Mahal is closed on that day.

As Thai citizens, and part of the ASEAN agreement, we were able to enjoy a 50% discount on the entrance fee, paying only 530 rupees instead of the full price for other countries.

The reflection of the Taj Mahal in the water is a sight to behold. It is no wonder that everyone who has seen it is left wondering how one person's love could be so great as to create such a beautiful and awe-inspiring monument. The Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world.

Thanks to the guide who took beautiful pictures for us. I kept turning around, and this is the only picture that captured the angle I liked. It's stunningly beautiful. 55

This vantage point offers a glimpse through the doorway, revealing a scene familiar to many: a crowd (presumably in India) gathered to capture a photograph of the facade. The sheer number of people necessitates a determined effort to secure a desirable shot. Success hinges on swiftness and agility.

Side view of the Taj Mahal

This is the surrounding area.

To avoid the heat, please go to the back. Please note that shoes must be covered with the provided bags before entering.

The taxi driver and guide took us to a shop after leaving the Taj Mahal. I had decided not to shop on this trip, but it seems that every time you hire a guide, they take you to a shop and keep you there longer than the actual sightseeing. You have to be strong-willed and politely refuse. However, I must admit that the salespeople here are incredibly skilled. They really know how to show you the process of making the products and convince you how difficult it is and how expensive but worth it they are. This happens in every shop. If you have a soft heart, you will lose. As a Thai person, I am also easily persuaded. I ended up buying two things at this shop: a bag and a shawl. They cost 600 rupees (over 1200 baht) for both. But then, when I got back to Jaipur, I realized that the same bag and shawl were actually half the price there. What the…

Fortunately, I didn't buy this outfit. It was priced at 3,000 rupees, which is about 1,500 baht. My Brazilian friend, however, swiped her card without hesitation. It's a good thing, though, because she buys from every store we visit, so I don't have to feel bad about not buying anything. She must have spent a lot at this store, buying saris, wall art, and accessories like necklaces, rings, and bracelets.

This shop is not easy to get out of. Everything the seller says is a special price, but everything is expensive. When I compare the price with the roadside shop, I feel cheated. This option does not let you leave easily. After selling sarees and jewelry, the picture below says live music, which means selling musical instruments like the guitar in the picture. Let's try it and play it. It's good, it's Indian style. We had fun, but no one bought it, not me or my friend. But we gave a tip to the player. Sigh, it's over, we can finally leave.

The shopping took so long that I didn't even have time for lunch. The guide brought us to this restaurant, and I just went along with it. I didn't know what to order, but I saw that the curry was recommended, so I went with that. It seems like all I eat here is roti and curry! Anyway, I ended up ordering a lot of food, including a half chicken (they offered half or whole chicken) and some roti. It was delicious, especially with a Kingfisher Indian beer. We all paid separately, and it came out to about 1000 rupees, which is around 500 baht.

Hurry up and eat, our time with the taxi and guide is almost up. It's almost over because of this shopping store, it took forever to get out. And my Brazilian friend has to catch a train to another city in the evening, so we didn't get to go into Agra Fort, we could only take pictures outside. Actually, she wanted us to go in and wait downstairs, but I didn't want to bother her. It was already late and she might miss her train. In conclusion, the trip we hired a taxi and guide for, was it a shopping tour or what? Haha.

The estimated time spent at this location should not exceed 10 minutes. Afterwards, we should head back to the hotel, dropping us off first. However, before returning, the guide, seeing the remaining time, enticed us to visit another store selling home decor made from special stones. We spent over half an hour in there. Sometimes, I get tired of visiting shops. If I were alone, I would have said "No shopping." Anyone coming on this tour should inform the guide beforehand because a lot of time is spent in these shops. However, my Brazilian travel companion bought something at every store, and I felt obligated to follow suit since we were sharing the cost. Nevertheless, if anyone prefers not to shop, I recommend telling the taxi driver directly.

I happened to walk past this place and saw that they offer lounge services for those waiting for a long time. You can choose from a variety of options, including food, massage chairs, or even a shower. It's a great service, and I wish I had known about it earlier so I could have taken advantage of it.

After exiting the train, we must cross the railway bridge to hail an Uber and check in at the hotel.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

The bathroom is spacious enough to sleep in and is divided into wet and dry areas. There is a wardrobe inside with a built-in scale. I wonder if they are worried about guests gaining weight during their stay. Perhaps it is a service offered by the hotel.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

The interior design is full of nooks and crannies, making it confusing to navigate and easy to get lost.

This is the garden area of the hotel.

Another part of the living room, I don't know why there are so many rooms. The decorations are expensive. It's a pity that I didn't take pictures here. There are so many photo spots. I feel like a princess.

This is the front of our room. Look, there's a beautiful corner with chairs. I love the door; it's a classic mortise lock with a key. It's so chic and cute, I love it.

After putting my bag in the room and changing clothes, I called an Uber from the hotel to my first destination on the list: a restaurant. It was a restaurant on Trip Advisor that Thai people came to eat at, so I followed them. When I arrived, I was surprised to see that there was only one person in the whole restaurant! It looked very VIP. I thought to myself, "Is it really delicious? Did I come to the right restaurant?" After a while, another Chinese man walked in. I was relieved to see two customers in the whole restaurant. The owner was very friendly, so I tried something I didn't know, but it was still roti and curry.

The meal concluded with a complimentary cup of masala chai, offered by the owner after the meal to cleanse the palate. We opted for the unsweetened version, which was still delicious. The chai was strong and had a slight spicy kick from the masala, a spice blend commonly used in Indian cuisine. The masala adds a subtle warmth and spiciness to many dishes, not as intense as black pepper but still flavorful.

Continuing on, our first destination was the City Palace, a landmark of the city. We hired a guide for 300 rupees, primarily to have someone take photos for us throughout the day, as we were traveling solo. Additionally, the guide provided insights into the history and significance of the site. The photos turned out beautifully, capturing the best angles and showcasing the palace's grandeur.

This building was constructed in 1899 to accommodate distinguished guests. Its notable features include intricately carved marble pillars and perfectly proportioned doors. The architectural style is a fusion of Rajput, Islamic, and English influences. Currently, it serves as a museum showcasing the Maharaja's attire.

The four seasons archway is a must-visit spot for photo enthusiasts. It features the four seasons: summer, rainy season, spring, and winter. Spring is particularly beautiful here, and every corner offers stunning photo opportunities. Dress in vintage, flowing outfits for a perfect photoshoot. This colorful city is ideal for photography lovers.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

The next destination is just a short walk across the street. It's so close that you must enter Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in the early 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.

There's nothing really, but since I'm here, I might as well watch it all.

Don't be surprised if you become a celebrity when you visit here. Indian people seem to like Thai people and will often ask for photos. If you allow one person to take a photo, others will likely follow. However, most people are respectful and will not overstep boundaries. Some families may approach with their wives and children to ask for a photo. There may also be groups of men who hesitate before approaching, but they will eventually come and ask politely. Overall, the people here are friendly, but it's always best to be cautious.

This angle was taken from the coffee shop across the street, which everyone recommends for taking beautiful photos with a front view of the Say Lom Palace. So I had to go up. I ordered a can of Coke and asked the staff at the shop to take a picture for me. It was worth it.

Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
Hawa Mahal is also known as the Palace of the Winds.

Following the recommendation, I visited my brother's coffee shop. However, I was disappointed. The shop did not appear as aesthetically pleasing as the photos circulating online. It seemed quiet, deserted, and sparsely populated. The menu offered limited options, so I only ordered a single drink and left shortly after.

The water I drank was some kind of fruit with soda, the taste was not as good as ours, and it cost around 70-80 baht. Actually, I just wanted to take pictures according to the reviews, but I only got these pictures. If you're looking for recommendations, I suggest trying other shops as there's nothing much interesting here.

Continuing on to Albert Hall, I couldn't go inside because it didn't open until 7:00 PM. However, even taking photos from outside was beautiful. It was teeming with Indian men, and I don't know what they were all taking photos of.

Dinner was at a Chinese restaurant with a yellow sign.

The taste is bland, with a sticky broth that is best eaten with some kind of soup. The noodles are similar to thick rice noodles. It's not delicious, but it's better than eating roti with curry, which I'm really tired of. 55

The shopping bag comes from the supermarket at Pink Square mall. I like it because it's not a plastic bag. Usually, people here bring their own bags from home, which greatly reduces global warming, unlike in our country, where plastic bags are everywhere. However, it's just a bag for putting things in; it doesn't have handles for carrying.

A breakfast at the hotel for over 600 baht, what could be better? The room is beautiful, the hotel is luxurious, the service is like a 4-star hotel, and there is even breakfast included. But don't ask me how it tastes.

In summary, it is not edible at all. It is just flour and some kind of beans.

The taste of the food is very strong. Maybe I'm not used to it. 55

This is a basic breakfast menu consisting of fried eggs, ham, sausages, toast, and milk.

The provided text is in Thai and translates to:

"I can't eat any of the Indian food, but I usually eat every meal. But I'm going to pass on this one. I really can't handle it."

Here are some fruits for dessert. Please feel free to enjoy them.

The layout is good and there seems to be a variety of options, but only American breakfast is available.

The individual is unsure of the specific type of milk they consumed, as they only tasted it and identified it as either chocolate-flavored cow's milk or goat's milk.

After a satisfying breakfast, our first destination was Amber Fort. We hired a tuk-tuk for half a day at a cost of 1500 rupees, which is approximately 750 baht. The driver took us to 4-5 tourist spots and a shop in the city called Himalaya, before dropping us back at the hotel. We spent a long time negotiating the price, as the hotel offered the same service for the same price but only for 3 places and 4 hours. Therefore, we decided to find our own transportation outside the hotel.

The interior offers numerous photo opportunities, resulting in a significantly larger number of high-quality images. During this trip, we were able to capture over 100 photographs solely at this location. As usual, we hired a guide primarily to assist with photography due to our solo travel. The cost was 400 rupees, which, as always, provided us with valuable knowledge and the ability to take photos without hesitation.

We had to walk uphill. We could have chosen to ride an elephant or a jeep, but we opted to walk. The guide asked which way we wanted to go, but if we chose to ride an elephant or a jeep, we would have to pay extra. We decided to walk because it was more economical and the climb wasn't too steep. We were still capable of walking.

A high-angle shot from the top of the tower reveals the meticulously landscaped garden.

The front area boasts numerous picturesque spots, perfect for capturing stunning photographs. Visitors are encouraged to dress to impress and embrace the opportunity to document their experience on social media.

The next destination, Nahargarh Fort, offers panoramic views of Jaipur. The bustling city below is densely populated with numerous houses.

The weather was extremely hot, but I tried to act like it wasn't so I could get good pictures. I wasn't hired as a guide here, but I met an Indian man from New Delhi who invited me to walk with him, and I agreed so that I would have someone to help me take pictures. There weren't many people there that day, probably because it was a weekday.

This is a section of the fort's roof, photographed from above. It has multiple peaks, similar to those reviewed by many others. This provides another beautiful perspective.

Another angle offering a view of the city of Jaipur.

The next stop was a stepwell, though I'm unsure of its specific name. Every place with stairs leading down to a water reservoir like this is called a stepwell. We tried to ask permission to go down and take pictures, as we had seen some people do and get beautiful photos. However, it seemed to be a different location, and the staff wouldn't allow us to descend. They explained that while they would like to let us down, if they allowed one person, others would follow, which would be difficult to manage. We understood their reasoning and decided not to go down.

The Jamahal Water Palace was only photographed from afar by the lakeside due to the unbearable heat. The first two locations had already taken up a significant amount of time.

Continuing on to the Monkey Temple, I must say, if you're short on time, you can skip it. (Haha) There's nothing much there. This is the entrance, photographed from inside.

We saw a temple on the top of the mountain, but we decided to skip it and head back to the city for some shopping at the Himalayas. Afterwards, we went to Pink Square again to find dinner before returning to the hotel to shower and catch our flight.

The hotel was excellent and provided a guest bathroom. The bathroom was clean and well-equipped, allowing me to shower and change clothes before my flight.