Back in March, Ayngelina (@ayngelina on Instagram) joined the Dragon Trip for an amazing tour around India. We caught up with Ayngelina to find out what her favourite parts of the tour were – and what she loved about India!
Why did you choose to visit India?
I visited India in 1997 on a luxury tour with the Maharajas Express, and while it was an amazing time, it didn’t show the whole side of India. I wanted to return to see the real India without luxury – and while I travel for a living, India can still seem a bit intimidating. I knew a tour would be great to learn how to travel independently.
What was the best thing you learned about India on your trip?
Travel in India has changed a lot. and it’s so much easier because of technology. So much can be booked online, and Google Translate helps so much! Also, many people spoke English in the larger cities, so it was easy to ask for help.
What was the best experience you had on the trip?
I knew I’d love the Taj Mahal, but my favourite experience was the unexpected adventure in the Thar Desert. If I had never booked this tour, I wouldn’t have known to do this. Even if I had gone to Jaisalmer I probably wouldn’t have done this, and it was incredible to take camels into the desert and sleep under the stars.
Where was your favourite place to visit in India?
The region of Rajasthan as a whole: the food was amazing and the people were so friendly. There is so much history and architecture. I will definitely be back!
What was the best food you ate in India?
I all the street food and I didn’t get sick once. The trick is to go to places busy with locals. But perhaps it was the first breakfast in Delhi trying chole bhature, a dish from northern India. It was the first taste of India, and I loved it.
Any top tips for travellers going to India?
Go with an open mind, a good sense of humour, and no plans. India is a lot. It’s a lot of amazing but also a lot of frustration because things are so different. If you treat that as an adventure, you will love it.
Finally – where’s next on your travel bucket list?
Tomorrow, I’m heading to Vietnam to ride a motorbike from south to north.
