While my adventures in Asia may be over for now, the sights and experiences continue to replay in my head. After leaving Laos and spending a relaxing week on a beach in the Perhentian Islands of Malaysia, I jumped on a plane to Delhi. India has always been on my bucket list, especially after hearing stories from my mom, who traveled there 30 years ago.
In a series of three posts I will share photos and short stories from my 1.5 months in India.
My first post in the series will highlight my time in the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur + Varanasi).
Delhi
I have never experienced a city quite like Delhi anywhere in the world. The city is craziness with all the people, smells, sounds (honking traffic) and heat. Really a sensory overload. From an isolated beach in Malaysia to wandering the streets of Karol Bagh (local neighbourhood), I truly went from one extreme to the other.
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| prayers at Jama Masjid (biggest mosque in Delhi...maybe India) |
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| Helped make some chapatis at a Gurdwara (Sikh temple) |
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| No shortage of colourful characters on the streets of Delhi |
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| And definitely no shortage of colourful saris (basically large female scarves) |
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| The kids were always so friendly and excited to pose for photos |
Varanasi
Varanasi is probably the most memorable city from my time in India. The city is very holy for Hindus, and many will travel there to die and have their ashes placed in the Ganges River. If you are brave and healthy enough, you can also choose to bathe in the river to rid yourself of sin. I would not be surprised if you find a third arm growing on your back after a quick dip. I did however wash my pinky finger in the river, and it has yet to fall off my hand.
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| large graffiti of Shiva |
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| the brave locals "washing" themselves |
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| Sadhus (Hindu holy men) just chilling and smoking down by the river |
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| this guy was busy smoking marijuana with the other Sadhus |
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| awwww. you can never take too many dog photos |
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| I wonder what she is shopping for?? |
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| morning ritual to bless the river Ganges (only a tradition for the last 15 years) |
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| We took a sunrise and sunset boat cruise and saw some pretty amazing daily rituals |
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| The goat is back |
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| Shared a refreshing Coke with these gentlemen |
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| Not sure if he was awake.... |
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| Did not get very close to this guy |
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I jumped on the opportunity to drive a rickshaw in the streets of Varanasi.
Basically held the horn the entire time to blend in |
Agra
A trip to India is not complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal. I was lucky this year because the scaffolding was only on one spire for cleaning. This upcoming year I hear the dome will be completely covered.
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I woke up feeling strange after a bumpy journey on the night train from Varanasi.
In this picture I was one hour away from throwing up. Still smiling for the Taj though |
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| This little guy was howling for his lost love |
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| The standard artsy Taj Mahal shot |
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| This soldier's handle bars mustache was too good not to ask for a photo |
Jaipur (and Bundi)
Despite rising temperatures and no sign of the monsoon rains, I was not going to miss visiting the Rajasthan. Despite being basically a desert, it is famous for its many palaces and forts. It was sometimes tough to climb up stairs, but the views never failed to disappoint, as you will see below.
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Overlooking Bundi. Many buildings are painted blue.
Apparently mosquitoes do not like the colour |
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| The women dressed in beautiful colours EVERYWHERE |
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Passed a wedding dance party in the countryside.
When I started dancing, almost 200 people showed up to watch |
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| Calling an UberX |
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| But is he actually charming the cobra? |
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| Everything is lucky in India....including this extra horn on the cow's back |
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| One of many palaces in the Pink City of Jaipur |
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| Dentist on the side of the road :O |
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This man asked me to take a picture of him and his chilies
A large percentage of the locals in Bundi had beautiful green eyes |
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Cows fighting in the middle of the intersection.
Nothing unusual here |
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A dry step well
While monsoon rains typically fill them, many are littered with plastic and are now unusable |
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Sitting in the Queen's garden.
I was quite the princess in the heat |
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| Another photo of the wedding party and the women dressed in their saris |
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| This man was very sweet...and photogenic |
Stay tuned for my next post on travels through Southwestern India.
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