Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 31 minutes ago
First Time Flying to India - The adventure begins!
After months of planning, packing, and prepping, it was finally time to fly to India for my 10-day group tour with Plotpackers — and let’s just say, it was quite the journey getting there!
I started the day with a $1 tuk tuk ride to the bust station for a $8 bus ride (Book here siemreapairportbus.com ) to the airport, about 45 minutes. I’d checked in online, but when I tried to go through security, they wouldn’t let me through without a paper boarding pass. Then came the visa confusion, mine said valid on or before the 18th of October, and the poor check-in agent just didn’t quite understand the “or before” part. Lost in translation!
Security was another mini adventure — they unpacked my whole handbag and confiscated my tiny travel scissors, even though the sign clearly said blades under six centimetres were fine. But hey, made it through!
The first flight was a small propeller plane that took off 15 minutes early. It was a bit bumpy, but we landed safely, in Ho Chi Minh, and I rewarded myself with a massive bowl of Vietnamese pho for $13.30 — worth every cent. The next flight to India ran a few minutes late, but we actually landed early at 10pm. I watched The Amateur on board, had a good laugh, and overall it was a smooth trip.
Finding my taxi at the airport was a whole new challenge, he wasn’t where he said he’d be, but eventually we connected, and I made it to my hotel. It was more basic than I expected for the price, but the bed was soft and I slept really well.
The next morning, October 17th, was the official start of the Plotpackers tour! I met Ursula and Jodie over breakfast, and later we joined Deanna and Amy for a walk and a coffee. At one o’clock we met our guide, Arvind, along with the rest of the group, Gemma, Hannah, Skye and Georgia. Deanna and I grabbed a tuk-tuk to the shopping mall for a few essentials (and an SSD and SD card for my camera, of course!).
That evening, I found out I’d be sharing a room with Izzy from Sydney. We all went out for dinner — lots of delicious curries to share, and it came to just 220 rupees. We even had a little pudding afterward before heading back. I didn’t sleep as well that night, but honestly, I was far too excited for what was coming next.
India… here we go! 🌏✨
🎥 Watch the full India series:
Part 1 – First Time Flying to India - The Journey Begins 🇮🇳 - youtube.com/watch?v=spNLn6B6IRg
Part 2 – Delhi Dazzled Me - Chandni Chowk to Jaipur Road Trip - youtube.com/watch?v=DSRY5_tgXnQ
💬 Have you ever flown somewhere that turned into an adventure before you even landed? Tell me your story in the comments!
👇
Our Hotel in Delhi was the Hotel Classic Diplomat:
classichotelsindia.com/hotels-in-delhi
Follow me on Facebook - facebook.com/nanwithabackpack
SUPPORT 🥰
☕️ Buy me a coffee ☕️ - .buymeacoffee.com/sonjaking
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Oh and don't forget to Subscribe
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I also have a monthly newsletter, you can sign up here..... subscribepage.io/OCcqA6
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EMAIL for business enquiries only please
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#nanwithabackpack #solotravel #solofemaletravel
0:00 Preparing for the trip
2:55 Traveling to the airport
3:35 Airport troubles
6:07 Boarding and flight
7:27 Layover in Vietnam
8:45 Arrival in Delhi
10:24 Hotel room check-in
11:45 Meeting the tour group
14:20 Room change and shopping
16:10 Orientation and dinner
First Time Flying to India - The adventure begins!
After months of planning, packing, and prepping, it was finally time to fly to India for my 10-day group tour with Plotpackers — and let’s just say, it was quite the journey getting there!
I started the day with a $1 tuk tuk ride to the bust station for a $8 bus ride (Book here siemreapairportbus.com ) to the airport, about 45 minutes. I’d checked in online, but when I tried to go through security, they wouldn’t let me through without a paper boarding pass. Then came the visa confusion, mine said valid on or before the 18th of October, and the poor check-in agent just didn’t quite understand the “or before” part. Lost in translation!
Security was another mini adventure — they unpacked my whole handbag and confiscated my tiny travel scissors, even though the sign clearly said blades under six centimetres were fine. But hey, made it through!
The first flight was a small propeller plane that took off 15 minutes early. It was a bit bumpy, but we landed safely, in Ho Chi Minh, and I rewarded myself with a massive bowl of Vietnamese pho for $13.30 — worth every cent. The next flight to India ran a few minutes late, but we actually landed early at 10pm. I watched The Amateur on board, had a good laugh, and overall it was a smooth trip.
Finding my taxi at the airport was a whole new challenge, he wasn’t where he said he’d be, but eventually we connected, and I made it to my hotel. It was more basic than I expected for the price, but the bed was soft and I slept really well.
The next morning, October 17th, was the official start of the Plotpackers tour! I met Ursula and Jodie over breakfast, and later we joined Deanna and Amy for a walk and a coffee. At one o’clock we met our guide, Arvind, along with the rest of the group, Gemma, Hannah, Skye and Georgia. Deanna and I grabbed a tuk-tuk to the shopping mall for a few essentials (and an SSD and SD card for my camera, of course!).
That evening, I found out I’d be sharing a room with Izzy from Sydney. We all went out for dinner — lots of delicious curries to share, and it came to just 220 rupees. We even had a little pudding afterward before heading back. I didn’t sleep as well that night, but honestly, I was far too excited for what was coming next.
India… here we go! 🌏✨
🎥 Watch the full India series:
Part 1 – First Time Flying to India - The Journey Begins 🇮🇳 - youtube.com/watch?v=spNLn6B6IRg
Part 2 – Delhi Dazzled Me - Chandni Chowk to Jaipur Road Trip - youtube.com/watch?v=DSRY5_tgXnQ
💬 Have you ever flown somewhere that turned into an adventure before you even landed? Tell me your story in the comments!
👇
Our Hotel in Delhi was the Hotel Classic Diplomat:
classichotelsindia.com/hotels-in-delhi
Follow me on Facebook - facebook.com/nanwithabackpack
SUPPORT 🥰
☕️ Buy me a coffee ☕️ - .buymeacoffee.com/sonjaking
👉🏻 Or simply Like 👍🏼 Comment & Share my videos.
Oh and don't forget to Subscribe
(it's only with your support that I can continue making videos, I really can't thank you enough 🥰)
youtube.com/@nanwithabackpack?sub_confirmation=1
I also have a monthly newsletter, you can sign up here..... subscribepage.io/OCcqA6
I use Surfshark to keep me me safe online if you use this link you will get one month free - surfshark.club/friend/yDBVfQYj
📸 Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/nanwithabackpack/?hl=en
EMAIL for business enquiries only please
nanwithabackpack@gmail.com
#nanwithabackpack #solotravel #solofemaletravel
0:00 Preparing for the trip
2:55 Traveling to the airport
3:35 Airport troubles
6:07 Boarding and flight
7:27 Layover in Vietnam
8:45 Arrival in Delhi
10:24 Hotel room check-in
11:45 Meeting the tour group
14:20 Room change and shopping
16:10 Orientation and dinner










![My Birthday Catch Up in Siem Reap Cambodia [School Volunteer]
My Birthday Catch Up in Siem Reap Cambodia [School Volunteer]
Well another birthday has arrived for Nan and this year Im in the beautiful Siem Reap Cambodia. So its time to reflect on things and share so updates with you. I have hook line and sinker fallen in love with Siem Reap, It really has taken me by surprise. i thought I would be here for a maximum of a week and here I am 6 weeks later! I volunteered in a local school the children were amazing (oh I miss my grandchildren) so clever so friendly and their smiles are contagious. I have also made some wonderful new friends and visited some stunning temples. I am definitely under Cambodias spell. I have decided that if I can I will head back for a longer visit soon.
Thank you for watching Im really looking forward to my birthday today.
SUPPORT 🥰
☕️ Buy me a coffee ☕️ - .https://www.buymeacoffee.com/sonjaking
👉🏻 Or simply Like 👍🏼 Comment & Share my videos.
Oh and dont forget to Subscribe
(its only with your support that I can continue making videos, I really cant thank you enough 🥰)
https://www.youtube.com/@nanwithabackpack?sub_confirmation=1
I use Surfshark to keep me me safe online if you use this link you will get one month free - https://surfshark.club/friend/yDBVfQYj
📸 Follow me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nanwithabackpack/?hl=en
Contact 📇
If you have a questions about travel, you can message me on my facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565383745416
EMAIL for business enquiries only please
nanwithabackpack@gmail.com
#nanwithabackpack #solotravel #solofemaletravel #siemreap #cambodia #siemreapcambodia My Birthday Catch Up in Siem Reap Cambodia [School Volunteer]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/v-8McfjjD8I/mqdefault.jpg)