Blogs from India, Asia - page 2

After some days in Chitwan, we departed from Nepal. We got to look a rhino inside the wild, which become interesting. It's a nice neighborhood. It's first-rate to be returned in a tropical surroundings after per week-long stay in Annapurna. After that, we traveled to Varanasi. What a domain, wow. It is famous for having "holy water," however in our opinion, that certainly means "absolutely shit water." Locals and pilgrims take a bathtub inside the water both in education for passing away or in memory of a loved one. The corpse is also burned, and the ashes are submerged in water. Witnessing a son cremate his father become an fascinating rite. I shall always don't forget seeing the burning of my very first corpse. It is quite terrible to peer these devout Hindus drink the most ... read more

Ci risiamo! Di nuovo a Delhi e di nuovo nelle mani di avidi truffatori che cercano in qualunque modo di alleggerirti il portafogli. Ancora?!? Vi chiederete. Il motivo è che hanno inavvertitamente trasferito l' International Tourist Bureau, l'ufficio dove i turisti stranieri possono comodamente comprare un biglietto del treno usufruendo di una "Tourist Quota" ed evitando le interminabili code alla biglietteria. Da tempi immemorabili questo ufficio si trovava al primo piano dell'edificio principale della stazione ferroviaria di New Delhi ma, a seguito della pandemia, è stato prima chiuso e poi trasferito in una località apparentemente segreta. Sono quindi costretto a chiedere indicazioni, ma questo significa mettersi nelle mani di quegli abili imbroglioni, presenti puntualmente nei paraggi, che lavorano per conto terzi e puntano a dirottarti in una qualche agenzia privata, dove saranno pro... read more

Years ago, I had planned to travel to South India but then life got in the way. My travel dreams never die, this one certainly didn't. A couple months ago, it looked like my busy schedule might possibly be opening up for a trip. The weird thing about my work is that I put the pieces in place but have to stay non attached, literally not knowing if I will travel until a day or two before a journey. This time it worked, the skies parted (figuratively) in mid November, I happily pulled my trusty backpack together and headed for Seatac Airport. I was excited, to say the least. Long flight through Paris and into Chennai, Tamil Nadu. I don't really care for big cities, I also often tend to pick places to begin my trip ... read more

Masala omeletted up, we took a surprisingly long Uber to Patrika gate. The tall pink structure centred around a long hall that held a riot of STUNNING craft. Columns, ceilings and scalloped arches displayed a mixture of pastel toned block colour, floral and bucolic motifs, bright repetitive border patterns, realistic architectural paintings, and stylised Indian narrative scenes of Gods, stories and people. We were in awe, it must have taken years and painstaking care to achieve this feast for our eyes. Many natives, especially couples, were dressed to the nines, taking professional photos along with crew, and professional equipment. Hattie wants to do this with Gabe in front of Buckingham Palace and Marble Arch. She settled for Grace instead, getting in on two gorgeous ladies’ photo shoot. We then went to the nearby JKK, an arts ... read more

After a long journey through the smoggy Punjabi roads, we arrived in Abohar at Grace’s family house which has been in the family for 70 years - built in the 50’s. The custard yellow art deco facade, frosted with white balconies and lattice gates was the only residential property on the busy main street of shops. Grace’s great grandfather - who had been the mayor of the town, and built a school and a college for the community - had built the family home. Back then, it was Abohar’s heyday - with this area being full of opulent residential housing and Grace’s family owning one of three cars in the town. This was quite the contrast to the bustling streets and heavy pollution of present day. Giagi (Grace’s grandfathers eldest brother’s wife) the matriarch of the ... read more